Osprey Fairview 40 Review: Perfect Carry-On Backpack for Budget Travel

Osprey Fairview 40 Review – here’s why this backpack is the perfect carry-on for budget travel.

If you’re looking for a backpack that works as a carry-on but still fits everything you need for longer trips, the Osprey Fairview 40 Travel Pack is one of the most popular options among travellers.

While this review is based on my experience with the female Fairview 40, the male version (Farpoint 40) has the same features and is sized for larger frames.

After travelling with Osprey for years – the Osprey Ariel 65 was the bag that first turned me into a proper ‘backpacker girl’ during my working holiday adventures in Australia and New Zealand – I already trusted the brand’s reputation for comfort, durability and practical design.

But when my travel style changed, I realised I needed a different kind of backpack.

The Fairview 40 has since become my go-to bag for solo budget backpacking trips. I’ve travelled with it for up to 4 weeks at a time to destinations like Lanzarote, Malta, and Croatia. After the first trip with it, I quickly understood why this backpack is so popular among travellers – especially backpackers travelling on a budget.

In this Osprey Fairview 40 backpack review, I’ll explain why I love this backpack, how it makes solo budget travel easier, and features which make it stand out.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I purchased the Osprey Fairview 40 myself and only recommend products I truly use and love! : )

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Why I Chose the Osprey Fairview 40

After returning to the UK following my two-year stint in Australia and New Zealand, I no longer needed to carry ‘my life’ with me. I had a base, and would mainly be hopping on budget flights around Europe – I soon realized I didn’t need a 65L backpack for every trip.

Even so, I took my Osprey Ariel on a month-long trip to Sri Lanka and a six-week Europe trip. It worked, but 65L was overkill – I packed more than necessary and always had to check it in. Even when it wasn’t full, the structured back panel meant it couldn’t be squished down to carry-on size.

I needed a smaller backpack that was easy to carry, budget-travel friendly, and still had enough space for longer trips. Since I loved my big Osprey backpack so much, I knew I wanted to stick with Osprey, and the Fairview 40 ticked all the boxes.

I put off buying it for a while – it’s not the cheapest – but I believed it would make backpacking easier. After using it, I can confirm it does. I only wish I’d bought it sooner!

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Carry-On Friendly Design

One of the biggest reasons I chose the Fairview 40 is its carry-on size. It means I can really lean into the ‘budget backpacker’ lifestyle – travelling with budget airlines is cheaper and more convenient without checked luggage. Thanks to its carry-on dimensions, the Osprey Fairview 40 is the perfect backpack for my trips around Europe.

Osprey Fairview 40 Dimensions & Key Features:

• Capacity: 40L
• External dimensions: 55 x 35 x 23 cm (fits most airlines – I’ve had no issues using it as the large cabin bag on EasyJet, Jet2 or Ryanair)
• Weight: ~1.4 kg
• Travel-friendly features: Laptop sleeve (protects your laptop), compression straps (keep the bag compact), tuck-away backpack straps (easy storage in overhead lockers)

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Practical Features of the Osprey Fairview 40 I Love

Next in this Osprey Fairview 40 review, I’ll highlight how this backpack stands out for more than just being carry-on friendly – Osprey’s design focuses on features that make real-world backpacking more convenient.

Full-Opening Design

The front-loading design of the Osprey Fairview 40 means the bag opens fully, making packing and finding what you need super easy.

The Fairview 40 essentially opens like a suitcase, so you can see and access everything at a glance.

I especially appreciate this design for hostel stays. It’s perfect for situations where you can’t really ‘unpack’ your things and end up going into your bag multiple times a day.

There’s no endless rummaging around, which makes things much easier – especially when you’re trying to be ‘quiet’ early in the morning in a shared room!

Different from a suitcase, though, the Osprey Fairview 40 has one main section and a zipped mesh pocket on the other side rather than two large compartments. This is another bonus for hostel situations in particular, as it’s easier to open in smaller spaces like dorm rooms.

Laptop Compartment

The newest version of the Osprey Fairview 40 (2026) has an updated laptop compartment, which is now accessible from the top of the backpack rather than the side like my (older) version.

The laptop sleeve sits against the back panel of the backpack, which makes it feel like a safe and secure place to store valuables while travelling.

It can fit a 16-inch laptop. I have a 13-inch laptop, and it fits easily even when it’s inside a padded laptop sleeve. There’s also some extra space, and many times it has doubled as a laptop + easy-access snacks storage when moving around!

Another thing I really like is that even when the main compartment is fully packed, I can still open this section and slide my laptop or other items in without much hassle. It almost feels like a little extra hidden space, which is always appreciated when travelling!

For travellers who work on the road or carry tech, having a dedicated laptop compartment makes the Osprey Fairview 40 much more practical than many standard travel backpacks.

Compression Straps

There are compression straps both in the main compartment and on the outside of the backpack.

As someone who tends to cram in as much as possible, I can confirm these definitely help when it comes to zipping up the bag and keeping it more compact.

The internal straps help keep your belongings in place so everything stays organised while you’re travelling. The external straps are great for tightening the bag down once it’s packed, which makes it less bulky – always helpful for keeping a very full bag within carry-on limits and avoiding budget airlines checking its size. Mine has never been checked!

Packable Straps and Side Handle

A handy feature of the Osprey Fairview 40 is that the backpack straps can be easily zipped away.

I always tuck them away before putting my bag in the overhead locker on flights. It makes the backpack easier to store and keeps the straps from getting caught on anything when lifting it in or out.

When the straps are zipped away, it’s also easy to manoeuvre the bag using the top and side handles. It’s almost like lifting a small suitcase.

Zippers That Can Be Padlocked

For backpackers and anyone staying in hostels, a useful feature of the Osprey Fairview 40 is that the zips are designed to be easily padlocked together.

Hostel lockers aren’t always big enough even for a 40L backpack, so I appreciate being able to quickly secure my bag if I have to leave it outside a locker, or even in a luggage room when checking in or out of accommodation. It’s also a handy safety feature when travelling on busy public transport.

I don’t always padlock the main compartment, but I often lock the laptop section. It just adds that extra peace of mind when travelling.

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Is the Osprey Fairview 40 Comfortable for Backpacking?

Backpackers aren’t usually hopping in taxis or getting door-to-door service when travelling. Instead, we’re walking between hostels, catching buses and trains, or navigating new cities with our belongings on our backs.

Whenever I’ve used my Fairview, it’s been packed full, sometimes with extra items attached on the outside, like shoes. Even then, the backpack feels comfortable, and not too heavy once on my back.

The hip belt shifts some of the weight onto your hips, making it easier to walk around with a heavier pack.

Plus, the shoulder straps, along with the hip belt, clip together at the front to help keep the bag secure. I usually clip both and I do notice a difference – it keeps the backpack from shifting around or the straps sliding down your shoulders.

Osprey’s cushioned and structured back panel also keeps the bag and its contents from pressing into your back – there’s no risk of anything ever poking or prodding you!

Thanks to these features, the Osprey Fairview is a comfortable backpack that actually performs well in real-world situations. A backpack which you don’t dread putting on your back makes travelling much easier! That said, carrying any backpack isn’t exactly a joy – but the Fairview 40 makes it much more manageable!

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Packing the Osprey Fairview 40

With its large main compartment, packing the Osprey Fairview 40 is much easier with packing cubes. I find they help keep everything organised while travelling, while helping compress clothes so you can fit more in. Bulkier items like jumpers or jeans I do tend to place on top of the cubes though, or they would take up a lot space in one cube. I also always roll my clothes, which seems to help with space!

Osprey makes their own packing cubes, and while I haven’t tested them myself, they are highly rated by other travellers. I previously used cheap packing cubes from Amazon, but I recently got my hands on Level8 packing cubes which are much better quality and are now my new favourites! I split different items – clothes, toiletries, electronics – into separate cubes, which makes it easy to locate everything quickly.

➡️ Check out Osprey’s packing cubes here
➡️ Check out Level8’s packing cubes here (these are the cubes I use)

Something else I do is I always attach a carabiner or two to the outside of the backpack. They’re handy when packing in a rush between hostels and therefore not ninja-packing so well, letting me quickly attach shoes or other items.

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Is a 40L Backpack Big Enough?

I find that the 40L backpack is an excellent size. It’s ideal for trips of varying lengths – there’s enough space to pack for longer trips, but it also fits carry-on limits, making it perfect for short trips too.

So far, I’ve used the Osprey Fairview 40 for trips lasting up to a month. With some tight packing (I’ve become a bit of a ninja packer over the years!) and a bit of hand-washing on the road, it has enough space. I could definitely use it for longer trips as well, but then I’d probably need a proper laundry stop!

Something I like about having a 40L backpack is that it stops me from overpacking. Honestly, I still come back from trips with some things I haven’t used or worn!

This said, a 40L backpack works best for trips where you can mostly pack lighter, summery clothes. For trips to colder climates, bulkier items can quickly take up space, so a larger backpack may be better depending on how long you’re going for.

Even if you opt for the 40L version now, you can always buy the daypack separately later. However, if you think you’ll want it, buying the set works out better value.

➡️ For a closer look at the detachable daypack, check it out here.

Personally, I just bring any smaller under-seat sized backpack and carry it on my front while travelling.

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Pros & Cons of the Osprey Fairview 40

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Is the Osprey Fairview 40 Worth Buying?

The Osprey Fairview 40 is a backpack well worth investing in. While it’s not the cheapest option, in the long term it can actually save you money – you won’t have to pay for checked luggage, and with Osprey’s durability and lifetime warranty, its a backpack designed to last.

I love using my Fairview 40 and am always amazed at just how much I can actually fit in it. Its fully opening main compartment makes packing and finding belongings easy, which is especially handy in hostels or shared accommodation.

It’s also lightweight and comfortable to carry around, making backpacking much more enjoyable.

Whether you’re looking for a carry-on backpack for short trips or longer adventures, the Osprey Fairview 40 is an excellent choice!

If you do decide you want a larger backpack, I also recommend the Osprey Ariel 55 or 65, which I’ve used on longer trips – excellent options for extended travel.

➡️ Explore Osprey’s full backpack range here