This Osprey Farpoint 36 review walks you through the wheelie suitcase that you can also wear on your back. Here’s what you need to know.
Pros
- Stands up on its own
- Multiple points to adjust backpack feature
- Love the colour
Cons
- Laptop sleeve rather vulnerable
- As with any wheelie/backpack combo, you lose a little volume for your gear.
Hello, hello!
Today, we’ll be reviewing the Osprey Farpoint 36, the smallest of the Osprey Farpoint Range.
It’s a wheelie suitcase that’s also designed to work as a backpack and it’s small size means that it fits most airline carry on or hand luggage specifications.
That most isn’t to be taken lightly, though! Please, please do check the details of the airline you plan to fly with. The specifications change all the time and airlines are increasingly strict about sticking to them.
The Osprey Farpoint 36: Multipurpose and Lightweight
A Travel Backpack for Non Backpackers: The Osprey Farpoint 36 Review
The Osprey Farpoint 36 and 65 are new additions to the popular Farpoint range. Before now, the Farpoint 40 was the smallest and most blogged about travel backpack in town. But now, with the 36, carry on luggage has changed once again.
We receive complimentary travel packs for review purposes. This is one of those occasions! However, we always keep the right to write what we like. Otherwise it’s not really a review…
If you would like to buy the Osprey Farpoint 36 and do so through one of our links then we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check out our other travel gear reviews to see what we say about other suitcases and backpacks.
Great at standing up by itself!
What you might not guess about the Osprey Farpoint 36
Osprey are a great adventurous, outdoor brand. But their bags also work very well for certain city slickers and people travelling with young children.
My backpacking years are well and truly behind me but this harness system is useful for a number of reasons.
- When I need two hands, for example holding the hand of a toddler in one hand, holding google maps in the other.
- The suitcase stands up on its own really well. So I can wheel it through the airport and let go at the check in desk or passport control kiosk without it falling over. This is invaluable when carrying a baby or young toddler.
- It has easy access pockets for water, a toy, an umbrella and so on.
- It has wide opening which makes packing and unpacking at security much easier. When travelling with young children, you need to get a LOT of things out of your luggage at security.
- With all that said, it’s surprisingly light.
- It’s water resistant, meaning that stains and spills aren’t a problem.
- There’s an inside mesh pocket for quick access to things like calpol mid flight.
- The straps help secure and compress belongings. Great for stuffed toys and big jumpers. They don’t then leap out when you need to access something else mid flight.
- It’s an Osprey, so it’s virtually indestructible. I’ve been testing them for years now and (touch wood) they’ve never broken.
- It’s an Osprey so it rolls well. I don’t have to worry about wheels getting stuck while also trying to keep an eye on said toddler.
Osprey Farpoint 36 Video Review
Osprey 36 Specs and Features
- Weight: 2.4kg
- Dimensions: 55 x 36 x 24 cm
- Available in petrol blue and black.
The fabric (210D High Tenacity Nylon) is resistant but not that tough. If you’re travelling anywhere known to be a target for thieves, then a different suitcase may be for you.
If you plan to be out in nature to the extent that you’ll get soaked (or visiting Britain with any significant period of time spent outdoors) then either use a waterproof bag on the inside or opt for a different suitcase altogether.
The Backpack Harness
Ooh, it’s padded and comfy! It has well padded hip belt, a chest strap which really helps protect against backache and four separate points to adjust the Osprey Farpoint to fit you.
This is the man’s version – the female range has the shoulder straps closer together. I have quite broad shoulders so it was fine for me.
The Main Compartment of the Osprey Farpoint 36
The main pack is largely unstructured. There are two compression straps to keep everything held snugly in place and a mesh inner pocket for keys and the like.
The backpack harness and wheelie handle take up a fair bit of space in the interior, so this suitcase is really best for variable objects like clothes rather than someone travelling with lots of precious hats, shoes, padded bras or toiletries.
The Osprey Daylite System
Osprey also sell small day backpacks that clip onto the front of their bigger suitcases. That way, you have the option of a smaller backpack while in your destination, but only the one pack to wheel about when on the move.
Pros
- Stands up on its own
- Multiple points to adjust backpack feature
- Love the colour
Cons
- Laptop sleeve rather vulnerable
- As with any wheelie/backpack combo, you lose a little volume for your gear.
What do you need in a carry on, anyway?
Before you get to buying the right carry on bag, let’s stop and think about what you should be packing in it. Check out our long haul flight essentials guide here.
Other Travel Gear Essentials
- Looking for a larger roll along canvas suitcase? Check out the Osprey Transporter 120 Review here.
- Don’t miss the essential travel planning checklist that’s always one step ahead of you.
- And, its partner: the ultimate travel packing checklist with free printable.
- 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 check out the all-time favourite Osprey Farpoint 65 review.