It’s a common travel conundrum. You want adventure but also comfort. Comfort and adventure. A back that won’t ache by the end of the day and a suitcase that won’t get caught on the cobblestones of Europe. Could a hybrid backpack wheelie be the answer? Our Osprey Farpoint 65 review investigates…
The Osprey Farpoint 65 Review
Typical Price: £200
Weight: 2.8kg
Dimensions: 70 x 41 x 34
210D High Tenacity Nylon
My backpacking days are well and truly over, but this bag intrigued me.
It’s mainly a wheelie suitcase but you can zip off the rear panel and use it as a backpack for trickier situations.
The 65 size makes it bigger than a standard carry on suitcase but within the carrying range of smaller people (like me!)
Disclosure – we received this suitcase on a complimentary basis for review purposes. If you buy or book through any of the links on this site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As ever, we always keep the right to write what we like. Otherwise, what’s the point? There are easier ways to earn money!
How to Carry the Osprey Farpoint 65
There are four main ways to carry the Farpoint 65:
- The padded handle at the top
- The padded handle at the side
- The wheelie handle
- The backpack harness
The padded grab handles at the top and side make it easy to load the bag onto the weighing machine at airports and loading onto trains and taxis. Without these, “helpful” people frequently grab the wheelie part and strain the sliding mechanism. These are tough and durable. The wheelie handle has a telescope feature (that’s sliding in and out, nothing fancier) and although there’s a single hold, it’s sturdy.
What is it Like to Wheel the Osprey Farpoint 65?
One of the best things about the Osprey range is the great way they wheel. They have large, tough wheels and a strong skeleton and they can handle most bumps, curbs and uneven pavements with ease.
They can also handle cobblestones but the vibration becomes a bit uncomfortable in the wrist, so this may be one of the occasions when you’d rather use the backpack. In addition, there’s a small wire stand that allows the bag to stand upright.
This is so helpful when travelling with a small child and trying to reach for documents at check in, unfold a map or… any situation where you’re distracted and would rather the suitcase didn’t slam down.
How Are the Compartments Arranged?
Front Compartments
- Two mesh pockets suitable for one water bottle and one newspaper or magazine when out and about or travelling through the airport.
- Elastic fittings for the Osprey Daylite backpack system (these are smaller backpacks or daypacks that can fit on and off the bigger bags. This can make life much easier if you are mainly backpacking but in general I prefer to use separate carry on luggage – see my recommended range here.)
- Adjustable straps to compress your belongings and prevent them from sliding around inside.
Top Compartment
- A modest zipped compartment opens at the top of the bag (near the handle.)
- The carry on Osprey Farpoint 36 has a large, laptop sleeve size compartment in a similar position. However, this pack has something smaller in mind. A pocket knife or novel, maybe, depending on your mood ;-)
- Fabric clips allow for carabiners to be attached with water bottles or other gear, but this is again for more hardcore travellers.
Inside the Main Compartment
- Two large mesh pockets live on the “peel back” part of the backpack. Unlike the external pockets, these are pretty large and could take travel documents, medication, keys and the like.
- The main compartment is about the size of a pillow (as beautifully demonstrated in the video!) It’s pretty unstructured, which I find incredibly useful as I organise my packing with packing cubes. However, it does have internal compression straps to help secure your belongings as they bump along those beautiful European cobbles.
The Osprey Farpoint 65 Backpack Harness Mechanism
You will need two hands and a bit of space to unclip and reveal the backpack harness but other than that it’s a quick and straightforward process. Carrying 65 litres is about my limit and so I always need a fully adjustable backpack. This Osprey 65 has adjustment points at the top and side, a chest (sternum strap) and hip belt. A loose mesh against the skin allows for air flow.
The Osprey 65 Review: General Handling
- Very lightweight and easy to lift and roll.
- Thin feel to the outer fabric. Water resistant rather than waterproof, at a guess, although I haven’t had any problems.
Inside tip: You can always use the backpack harness section as an extra compartment. Particularly for magazines you plan to ditch when you get to the airport!
Osprey make bags for men and women, but the shoulder and hip dimensions are different. The female fit version is called Fairview Wheels 65.
When to Use the Osprey Farpoint 65 As Wheeled Luggage
In airports, hotels, and other places with smooth surfaces where you will need to be stopping and starting a lot. The fact that the bag can stand up rather than fall over is a huge help during check in and security.
What Features Are Important in a Backpack For International Travel?
Clearly, we’re all different people with different tastes. But here’s a quick checklist of important points to look out for when choosing a travel backpack.
Is it comfortable? Look out for as many adjustable points as possible but as a bare minimum, you should be able to adjust the shoulder straps and hip straps. Mesh fabric behind your back can help with airflow and cushioned straps are a must.
How much can you carry? Don’t get carried away (boom!) Practice in the shop or at home if you are new to travelling like this. As a guide, I can rarely carry more than 65L, even back when I was 21 and active. A general rule of thumb is around 85L for men and 65L for women. Now is not the time to be proud! It is a good time to think about a wheelie hybrid like this to take some of the strain away.
Will it break? Luggage gets quite a battering on the road, from the moment it sails away on the airport conveyor belt to the stacks of luggage you don’t see in hotels and at the back of coaches, trains and taxis. Make sure the brand is reputable and the seams won’t split, the handle won’t fall off and the wheels won’t go astray. For some areas of the world where travellers are prime targets for thieves, I’d highly recommend a hard shell case. Opportunistic thieves can slash open fabric backpacks. For most places, though, you’ll be fine!
How easy is the access? Old school backpacks used to only allow access at the top. This meant you needed to pull everything out to find the sleeping bag at the bottom. Then came a generation with openings a the top and bottom. Now, there’s a peel-back design to many (including this Farpoint Osprey 65.)Look out for quick access pockets for your essentials.
Any questions? Let me know. And don’t miss the rest of the travel gear reviews.
Looking For a Different Osprey Pack?
- Check out the Osprey Rolling Transporter 120 review here
- Check out the smaller (carry on size) Osprey Farpoint 36 here.
Looking For a Different Brand?
Check out our comparison of the best types of carry on luggage here and this handy guide to the best travel backpack under $100 here.
Planning Your Next Trip?
Don’t miss our collection of free travel planners available here.
For city breaks and around town, check out the Arcane Osprey Tote Bag review and the cabin-sized Osprey 36 review.
For big family trips, check out the Osprey Rolling Transporter 120.
Find our other travel gear reviews and packing lists here. In particular, check out the ultimate travel packing checklist with printable.