Buying a new backpack is kind of a big deal. When travelling the world, your bag becomes your wardrobe, your home, your new best friend. So picking a bad backpack is no bueno! Carrying something that’s heavy and uncomfortable, prone to breakage or theft, or just a logistical nightmare, leads to one unhappy backpacker.
So it’s safe to say that I did a lot of research before purchasing my new backpack. I wanted something that was well-made, light, functional and long-lasting. And I think I found it! After endless googling and hours spent watching reviews, I eventually decided on the Osprey Fairview 70l.
Osprey’s Farpoint has long been a popular choice for travellers the world over, due to it’s super high quality and great features. However, these bags were originally designed with men in mind, making their proportions and weight distribution less than ideal for women. The Fairview is Osprey’s female version of the Farpoint. It has the same features but is designed specifically for women – woohoo!
The Fairview comes in two colour options: rainforest green and misty grey. Be warned that the misty grey is more of a green/brown than anything else. I ended up going for the rainforest green, as I thought it’d be easier to spot on the conveyer belt!
It’s also available in three different sizes: a 40l, 50l and 70l. This does however include the volume of the detachable day backpack. The 70l for example is made up of a 57l main pack and 13l day pack, so bear that in mind when deciding which is the best size for you. I’m not much of a minimalist packer, so ended up choosing the largest Fairview at 70l.
Front Loading
My non-negotiable when it came to picking a backpack is that it’s front loading. This means that the whole of the backpack can be unzipped, much like a suitcase, make it easier to get things in and out. My previous backpack was top loading, meaning I was constantly thrusting my arm into my bag, fishing around for something or other and forever pulling out the wrong thing. I love that the Fairview is front loading.
Super Light
The thing that surprised me most was just how light this backpack is! Obviously weight is super important when travelling as you’ll not only encounter weight restrictions on planes but you’ve also got to be able to carry everything on your back! My sister’s Deuter backpack is significantly heavier than the Fairview!
Zip Back
One of my favourite features of the Fairview is the zip back. This means you can zip a cover around the back of your backpack to cover up the straps. This is perfect when catching flights to stop your straps getting caught or broken on various conveyer belts whilst in transit.
Detachable Day Pack
Another great feature is the detachable day pack. This is a smaller backpack designed for everyday use. This can be zipped onto the front of your main backpack when not in use. The Fairview also has a great system whereby you can attach the two, with one on your back and one on your front. If you’re a frequent traveller, you’ve probably rocked the double backpack look a few times with your large pack on your back and your smaller on on your front. Having two sets of straps on your shoulders can be really annoying and often kind of painful! The Fairview allows you to attach the daypack onto the straps of the main pack, allowing you to avoid the double strap issue!
Side Handle
This isn’t something I tend to use much but I can imagine it would be useful for weekend trips, or carrying short distances. The side handle does make it easy to load your back into luggage drop-off at the airport, when you’ve zipped away your back straps!
Lockable Zips
The zips on this backpack come with holes on, allowing you to hook a padlock through the two and secure them shut. It’s also possible to hide the zips, making it more difficult for wandering hands to get into your bag!
No Rain Cover
One thing that the Fairview lacks is a rain cover. I always think that a rain cover is important to have with you when travelling. Even in sunny locations, I often find myself in a spot of rain! I also find that they’re a good way to protect your bag when on public transport. Unlike some backpacks, the Fairview doesn’t come equipped with it’s own rain cover. That being said, they’re fairly easy and inexpensive to buy from elsewhere. I got this one from Amazon and have found it works a treat.
No Inside Compartments
Another thing to be aware of before buying the Fairview is that there are no inside compartments. This isn’t something that overly bothers me, as I’m a big fan of packing cubes. However, I know that some people like to have multiple pockets to separate their items – you won’t get this with the Fairview!
Final Thoughts…
Overall I’d highly recommend this backpack. It’s super reasonably priced, in my opinion, considering it’s high quality and usability, and I particularly love how light and comfortable it is. If you’re looking for a new backpack to take you through your travels, I’d highly recommend the Osprey Fairview.
