The Best Carry-On Backpacks of 2024

9. Osprey Farpoint 40L / Osprey Fairview 40L: Best Carry-On Hiking Backpack

For hikers, the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview is absolutely the best carry-on bag. Osprey sets the gold-standard when it comes to hiking backpacks, and their Farpoint bag is a prime example of it.

 

First things first: The Farpoint is the men’s version of this bag and the Fairview is the women’s version. However, depending on your body type, you may find the gender delineation to be relatively meaningless.

Secondly, the Osprey Farpoint is outlandishly comfortable. Carrying this bag doesn’t feel like you’re hefting a bulky box on your back, as Osprey’s finely tuned mesh hip and shoulder straps work in tandem with a low-profile frame to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. This makes it perfect for every situation from boldly striding through the airport, to strolling through a new city, all the way to discovering unforgettable mountain or jungle views while out for a hike.

 

Osprey’s incredibly comfortable mesh shoulder and hip belt make toting this bag over pavement or dusty trails simple, and the hip belt even has its own stash pocket when needed. The bag material itself is also designed for durability and its ripstop nylon should hold up to everything from airport jostling to rocky adventures, and still look good for your occasional city visits.

 

The Osprey Farpoint’s proclivity for excellence continues with regards to space and organization. The full-front panel access makes stashing all your travel gear a breeze. You’ll even find a dedicated sleeve for your laptop and tablet amongst all the pockets, as well as a stash pocket on the stowable hip belt.

 

And if 40L isn’t enough, their 55L version comes with a 15L detachable daypack for additional space.

 

For more info, check out my full Osprey Farpoint review and Osprey Fairview review.

Pros

• Osprey’s lifetime warranty
• Rugged and comfortable design for hiking
• Stylish enough for the trail or city travel

Cons

• Much fewer internal pockets than competitors—you may want to use packing cubes to stay organized