The Farpoint 40 is without a doubt one of the best and most popular travel backpacks on the market. But, it is also one of the pricier backpacks, and not everyone can afford it. Or maybe you already had a Farpoint but it’s so old that you have to replace it. So, an alternative to the famous Farpoint 40 is also a good choice.
We are going to check out some of the best Farpoint 40 alternatives here. And because I can’t know for sure whether you are looking for a cheaper or a better option, some of these backpacks are the affordable alternatives while the others are those that are in a similar price range, and of similar (if not better) quality.
So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to find yourself the best Osprey Farpoint 40 alternative!
At A Glance: Our Top 4 Alternatives
Related: Farpoint 40 vs Porter 46
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![]() | Most Affordable
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![]() | Best Laptop Option
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![]() | Most Stylish
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![]() | Expandable Storage
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This is a good alternative to the Farpoint backpack. It has a main compartment that is roomy enough to fit enough clothes for a week, which is what you would expect of a 38L backpack. There are also compression straps inside it that will ensure all your clothes stays in one place.
In terms of organization, this pack features a front compartment with an organization panel for all of your in-cabin necessities. There are slip pockets for your phone, wallet, pens, and other similar items. All in all, you will be able to find a spot for everything, except your laptop.
That is one downside of this pack; it doesn’t have a dedicated compartment for your electronics. Another downside is that it doesn’t have side pockets for your water bottle, and you’ll probably wind up carrying it in your hands. But it does have a small zippered pocket on the very front that can perfectly fit your passport and boarding ticket, which is convenient.
One upside of the Eagle is that it has hideaway shoulder straps. This feature will make it much easier to store in any overhead compartment, and the external compression straps certainly help keep the pack as narrow as possible. Overall, it is a decent alternative, especially for the money.
Timbuk2 is a great manufacturer, and I am as surprised as you that one of their packs is in our affordable category. That’s because of the Command’s attractive price tag, which is under $80 – but only in the Midway color. So, if you want to get all the quality of a Timbuk2 backpack, but for a ridiculously low price, don’t even check out the other colors. :>
The good things about this pack are the padded and ventilated back panel and shoulder straps, the TSA-friendly laptop compartment designed to fit most 15” laptops, and the front compartment with an organizer panel. You will also get a stretch side pocket, two front zippered pockets, and several carrying options. Honestly, I think this is the best pack you can get for under $100.
What are the downsides? Well, the main compartment is top-loading, which can be a little awkward for traveling. I personally prefer front-loading backpacks, as it’s much easier to pack and unpack that way. On the other hand, this pack has a smaller capacity, so you won’t really be able to pack too much clothes in it anyway, so the top-loading thing won’t be that big of an issue.
And that brought us to the second downside – the small capacity. You could fit maybe 3-4 days worth of clothing in the Command if you know all the packing hacks and tricks. Overall, this pack is definitely worth your money, but only if you don’t mind the 32l capacity.
Just look at this backpack. At first glance, it looks like it is a really expensive pack, and it’s not. It has a ton of different compartments, which includes one for your electronics. And it’s TSA friendly – the laptop compartment unzips and lies flat on the scanner, and going through TSA checkpoints will be very short with the Elite. Also, it can fit most 17” laptops.
There are also mesh organizers for your chargers and other cables in this compartment, as well as a tablet sleeve. So, if you are someone who likes to carry all of their electronics with them, this pack might just be the one for you.
The main compartment is pretty spacious, but it could be somewhat larger. All the other pockets and compartments take away from the capacity of the main one, so you might not be able to pack for an entire week in this backpack. But it would definitely come in handy for a shorter stay.
This pack also has a scratch-free pocket for your sunglasses, zippered side pockets, and a small front pocket with an organizer panel. In terms of organization, this is one of the best backpacks of the review, as there is a dedicated spot for everything. And the side compression straps will help keep all of those items in place!
This Swiss Gear backpack is very similar to the High Sierra one, because of all the different compartments. You will stay very organized with this pack and if that’s one of your main concerns, I don’t think you will find a better one. Especially for such an attractive price!
The capacity of the backpack isn’t anything spectacular, but it is just enough for some shorter trips. What is spectacular about the pack is the TSA-friendly electronics compartment that can fit most 17” laptops, and has a separate tablet sleeve.
The padded and highly ventilated back panel is also impressive, and it promises to keep your back cool and dry throughout your adventures.
The front of the backpack features a few different zippered pockets, one of which has an organizer panel and a keychain clip inside it. There are also zippered pockets on the side of the pack, as well stretch mesh ones.
But what I like the most about the pack is the thoughtful addition of a little strap for your sunglasses on the shoulder strap. That way you can have them handy, but they will also be safe and you won’t stretch them wearing them on the top of your head.
There are also some things I don’t like that much about the backpack. It is top-loading, so packing will be somewhat difficult. And getting to the clothes at the bottom of the pack will be very difficult, so keep that in mind while you pack. Additionally, the main compartment isn’t that roomy, and this pack wouldn’t do you much good for trips longer than a few days.
* The exact capacity of the backpack is not listed anywhere, but the manufacturer does state that it can carry a load of about 40 lbs.
First of all, this pack is under $50. For that price, you can get a TSA-friendly pack that can fit a 17” laptop and that has about 18 different pockets. And that’s just the start – it is also water repellent and made of nylon, which is a very sturdy and durable material.
What else does the Kopack backpack feature? An elastic strap so that you can attach it to the top of your suitcase, anti-theft closure of the main compartment, and a little hole for your headphones. Oh and that laptop compartment also features a padded tablet sleeve and a large mesh pocket for all your computer accessories.
The back panel is padded and ventilated, so this pack shouldn’t stick to your back even when it gets really hot outside. Also, the shoulder straps feature an S-shaped design, so that they perfectly follow the contours of the human body. So, in terms of your carrying comfort, this pack comes really close to the Farpoint 40.
The thing I like the most about the Kopack is the cleverly hidden private pocket. It’s at the lower part of the back panel, and no one can even see it, let alone access it, while you are wearing this backpack.
This is definitely one of the winners of this review for me, especially because you can get all of these awesome features for so little money. If you agree, go check it out on Amazon right now, while it is still in stock.
This is one of my all-time favorites. It has a huge capacity that will allow you to pack comfortably for at least a week, along with a clamshell-style opening. It’s just like a softshell suitcase, but much lighter and more convenient to carry around. And unlike a softshell suitcase, the Macheto pack has a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit your average 15” laptop.
Unfortunately, it is not TSA-friendly. But if you are willing to overlook that, you can really make use of this backpack. It’s made of ballistic nylon, which is one of the toughest materials for backpacks, so you know that you will use this one for years.
The pack fits into most overhead compartments, and the hideaway shoulder straps certainly help with that. Also, there are compression straps that will help you cinch in the pack a little bit and make it fit above or under your seat. And you have two quick-access pockets on the front of the backpacks, which you can use to store any items you want to have handy during your flight.
There are a few downsides to this backpack, especially when you consider the high price tag. I don’t like the fact that it can’t fit 17” laptops, or that there are no side pockets. But I certainly do appreciate the two mesh dividers inside, which help keep all your clothes in place.
Overall, if you are looking for a backpack that you can use for a week-long trip, you should definitely consider this one.
Do you want a sleek-looking backpack that can easily double as a bag for work? If so, the Fjallraven Travel Pack is the right choice for you – if you don’t mind the high price tag. Its 35-liter capacity is great for shorter trips (up to a week), and the clamshell-style opening helps you pack all your clothes easily and neatly.
The internal mesh dividers and pockets will keep all of your belongings in place, and also help you organize everything. The laptop compartment is at the back of this pack, but it’s fully padded and so you don’t have to worry about it feeling uncomfortable. And the shoulder straps are padded as well, which kind of guarantees your carrying comfort.
The Fjallraven Travel Pack also features stowaway should straps, which really helps with getting the bag to fit in overhead compartments. That will also come in handy when you want to use those padded carry handles, and carry the bag in your hands
As for the electronics compartment, it can fit most 15” laptops. It also has a sleeve for your tablet, a pocket for your notebook, and some other small items. Overall, this bag would be a great addition for any traveler, as long as they can afford it.
Related Post: Fjallraven vs Herschel
North Face is a very well known brand, and we are all aware that their products are high quality. The Surge backpack is no different than the rest, and it features some North Face trademark technologies.
One of those is the FlexVent suspension system, which includes compression-molded shoulder straps and a padded air-mesh back panel for your ultimate comfort.
The Surge is equipped with a padded and TSA-friendly laptop compartment, but it won’t fit laptops that are larger than 15”. It also has an organizer in the front compartment, with separate pockets for your phone, wallet, sunglasses, tablet, and basically anything you can think of.
There are also side stretch pockets on the backpack, as well as a few smaller zippered ones. Overall, you will be able to organize your stuff very well in this pack. The question is, how many items will you be able to pack in it?
Well, the main compartment isn’t too spacious, and it could definitely be bigger. You’ll be fine for a couple of days, but not for longer trips. Also, the pack is top-loading, and you know I am not a fan of that. Therefore, pack smartly, and carefully consider what you are going to pack at the bottom!
What do you think about an expandable travel backpack? I think that it’s a great thing, and I really regret not buying this one, especially because it’s a 3-in-1 bag. You can use it as a suitcase, as a backpack, and as a shoulder bag, depending on what you prefer. The suitcase aspect of the bag is that it opens up clamshell-style, and has a main compartment that is padded all around – just like in a suitcase.
The laptop compartment is separate, and it can fit most 15” laptops. And it is also removable, so you will have easy access to your electronics at airport security. There are also two convenient front pockets for your smaller items, one of which has an organizer panel inside.
What I really like about this backpack is how narrow it is. That means that it will easily fit into the overhead compartments, especially if you make use of the hideaway shoulder straps. Additionally, a rain cover and a long shoulder strap are included in the purchase of the pack, which gives you great value for money.
There is also a luggage strap, but it’s there at the sacrifice of a ventilated back panel. The pack won’t be able to breathe very well, and you could get really sweaty when you are wearing it, especially if it is hot outside. But overall, I think it is a great travel pack, particularly because of its large capacity.
First of all, this is not the ultimate travel backpack. It has a capacity of 16 liters, which is barely enough for a couple of days’ worth of clothing. However, if you are looking to protect your electronics from anything, then this is the backpack for you.
The laptop compartment can fit 15” laptops and some 17” Apple laptops. The best part about it is that it is IP67 waterproof and crushproof. Because of that, I would say that this backpack is a good choice if you plan on going anywhere on a boat or a cruiser.
It will protect your laptop even if you fall into the water, and it’s a really good addition to your larger suitcase.
The downside of the pack is obvious – it’s not really that great as a standalone travel bag, because of its small capacity. But if you tend to travel light, it could definitely come in handy. And it has plenty of smaller pockets for your tablet, water bottle, notebooks, and whatnot.
Overall, I like it because it looks like a beast. If you want people to be a little bit afraid of you and stay away from you, I think you’ll love this pack. I really like it, and it’s definitely the next one I’m going to purchase!
A good travel backpack should be just large enough to fit a few days’ worth of clothing, but still small enough so that you don’t have to check it at an airport. The perfect travel pack should fit into the overhead compartment in airplanes and busses without a hitch, and I’ll do my best to show you only such backpacks in this review.
To be sure of this, you are going to want to check out the tables at the beginning of each section. I will tell you the dimensions, weights, and capacities of the backpacks in those because it’s very important to know that information beforehand.
The material that your pack is made of will basically determine how durable the backpack is. For example, nylon is one of the best materials for packs because it is very durable and water-resistant. Polyester is also a very popular material for backpacks and it’s cheaper than nylon, but also somewhat less durable.
The materials of a backpack also dictate its price. Canvas is another durable and sturdy material, but those backpacks tend to be more expensive. So, be sure to check out what your pack is made of before you decide on buying anything. You will be able to find that information in the table at the beginning of each section.
The backpacks in the first section are what I consider affordable backpacks, with a price tag under $100. Of course, most are much cheaper than that, and the average price of those 5 packs is somewhere around $60. But, be sure to check out how much they actually cost on Amazon, as that is where you will find the best deals on them.
In the other half of the review we are going to check out backpacks that are mostly brand name, and more expensive. Those packs will all over be over $100, and if you don’t want to spend that much money on a backpack, I suggest you stick to the first half of the review. You can still find a good and sturdy travel bag there!
To make this easy for you, I will pick two packs from each half of the review. So, let’s begin with affordable backpacks for everyone.
The Timbuk2 Command is definitely my favorite from the affordable section. It is a high-quality backpack that will not disappoint you, and it can very well compete with the Osprey Farpoint 40. Timbuk2 is a brand that is practically on the same level as Osprey, but with more attractive prices.
The Command backpack has all a good travel backpack should have – it’s TSA friendly, it has a padded and ventilated back panel, and a roomy main compartment.
A close second is the Kopack Business backpack. It’s also TSA friendly, it can fit even 17” laptops, and it has a ton of different pockets and compartments. If you want to stay organized when you travel, then definitely get this backpack. Especially since it’s so affordable – I think this pack is the best value for money out of all 10.
And now for the second half of the review. The backpack that I loved the most in this section was the Standard Luggage Co. Travel Backpack. It really won me over with its sleek design, and more importantly, expandable storage! Plus it has a 3-in-1 design, which means that you can use it as a backpack, a suitcase, and also a shoulder bag. Who wouldn’t want one?
A close second is the Fjallraven Travel Pack. The clamshell opening with dividers in the main compartment will make packing a breeze, which always helps.
And the hideaway shoulder straps will significantly help with getting the backpack to fit in the overhead compartment of whatever vehicle you choose. The only thing it’s missing to be the ultimate travel backpack is a luggage strap and at least one side pocket. But I can get over those – can you?
I hope this helps. Anyway, be sure to also check these backpacks out on Amazon, as their prices are often the deciding factor.