Quick answer: Buy the Osprey Fairview or Farpoint 40 if you travel with one bag and want the simplest carry-on. Buy the Osprey Fairview or Farpoint 55 if you want a carry-on plus a detachable daypack for day trips, and you’re on a fare that includes both a carry-on and a personal item.
The Fairview 55 changed how we travel. (Our full Osprey Fairview 55 review explains why.) But the question we hear most is whether the 40 would have been the smarter buy. Here’s the surprising part: the main packs are almost exactly the same size. The real difference is the daypack, and whether your airline will let you bring it.
We’ve used the 55 for trips that were 3 weeks long. Below we compare it with the 40 using the specs, the Canadian airline rules as of October 2026, and what we’ve learned on the road.
Fairview 40 vs 55 at a glance
Both main packs are about 55 × 35 × 23 cm; the 55 simply adds a 15 L zip-off daypack.
| Fairview 40 | Fairview 55 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total capacity | 40 L | 55 L (40 L main + 15 L daypack) |
| Main pack dimensions | 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm | 55 × 35 × 23 cm |
| Weight | 1.5 kg | 1.85 kg (with daypack) |
| Laptop | Up to 16″ in the main pack, against your back | Up to 16″ in the daypack |
| Daypack | Sold separately | Included; about 47 × 28 × 20 cm |
| Zip-away harness and hipbelt | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes (fits roughly 38–47 cm torsos) |
| Load range | Not listed | 7–16 kg |
The men’s/unisex version of both packs is the Osprey Farpoint, with the same sizes and features but straighter shoulder straps and a different hipbelt shape. Specs are from Osprey, Pack Hacker and retailer listings; check Osprey Canada for current prices and colours.
Osprey Fairview/Farpoint 40: the one-bag minimalist’s choice
The Fairview and Farpoint 40 is one bag that does everything, with nothing to detach or keep track of. It’s lighter by about 350 g, and your laptop rides in its own back-panel compartment instead of in a separate daypack.
Pack Hacker rates it 8.2/10 and calls it excellent for one-bag travel. Their testers found the harness comfortable even fully packed, and liked how the straps and hipbelt zip away for the overhead bin.
What it does well:
- Simpler airport days. One bag in the overhead bin, then a sling or small bag under the seat.
- Laptop against your back, which carries better than in a front daypack.
- Big front stash pocket for a water bottle or a packable jacket.
- Women’s-specific fit with curved shoulder straps and an adjustable torso.
What to watch for:
- Only one small pocket. The top pocket is the only quick-grab spot, and it’s hard to reach when the bag is full. Pair it with a sling for daily items. I use this to for any liquids that need to be pulled out during security checks at the airport.
- Bottles can fall out of the stash pocket unless you strap them in.
- No daypack. You’ll need another small bag for day trips, or buy the Osprey daypack separately.
- Slightly over Air Canada’s height on paper. At 55.9 cm, it’s 0.9 cm over Air Canada’s 55 cm limit before it’s even packed. We’ve never had a problem with this as a carry-on. More on that below.
Osprey Fairview/Farpoint 55: two bags in one
The Fairview/Farpoint 55 is a 40 L carry-on with a 15 L daypack that attaches onto the back. Leave the big pack at the hotel and explore with the small one. That’s the whole appeal, and it’s why we chose it.
How we use it: The main pack holds all our clothes, shoes, any accessories, toiletries and laptop. The daypack holds the extras; snacks and anything we might want in-flight bag. We often have left this empty to bring purchases back from our travels, like a whole bag of chocolate from Germany (for real, it was so good).
Why it works for family travel:
- A ready-made day bag. No need to pack a second backpack for hikes, city days or the beach.
- Laptop and tablet sleeve in the daypack, so screens stay with you on the plane.
- Wear it two ways. The daypack zips onto the back, or clips to the front of the shoulder straps for a more balanced carry through the airport, if you are using the daypack as a personal item.
- Backpacking-style comfort. A frame, hipbelt and adjustable torso move the weight to your hips, which matters when you’re also carrying a tired kid.
The trade-offs:
- It’s heavier: 1.85 kg empty, before you pack a thing.
- The daypack is big for a personal item. At about 47 × 28 × 20 cm, it’s larger on paper than Air Canada’s and WestJet’s personal item limits. Pack it light and soft so it squishes.
- Both bags are only legal on fares that include a carry-on. On a basic, personal-item-only fare, the 55 doesn’t work as designed.
- Few pockets: If you love lots of pockets, this is not the bag for you. It has a sleeve for a laptop, a small pocket at the top by the handle and one mesh pocket inside.
Is the Daypack worth it?
Absolutely! We found we use the daypack all the time. We use them for bike rides, day hikes, wandering around the city, a day trip or just when we need to carry a few extra things like an a jacket, umbrella or water bottles. The daypack ended up being a very useful bag to have for travel and everyday life. It turned out to be a universal day bag used for various different things. I’d recommend getting it, it has been very useful.
Will it fit on Canadian airlines?
On paper, the Fairview and Farpoint 55’s main pack fits every major Canadian airline’s carry-on limit; the Fairview 40 is 0.9 cm too tall for all but WestJet.
| Airline | Carry-on limit (cm) | Fairview 40 (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9) | Fairview 55 main pack (55 × 35 × 23) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | 55 × 40 × 23 | 0.9 cm over in height | Fits exactly |
| WestJet | 56 × 36 × 23 | Fits | Fits |
| Porter | 55 × 40 × 23 | 0.9 cm over in height | Fits |
| Flair | 55 × 40 × 23 | 0.9 cm over in height | Fits |
Limits from Milesopedia and WestJet, September–October 2026. Sizes include wheels and handles, and a packed bag is bigger than its listed size.
What this means in practice: A soft backpack usually squeezes into a sizer, so 0.9 cm rarely matters. But sometimes Air Canada will use automated sizers at pre-security and some gates (Unluggage), so don’t overstuff either pack. Cinch the compression straps before you reach the gate.
The daypack as a personal item: Air Canada’s personal item limit is 43 × 33 × 16 cm (source) and WestJet’s is 41 × 33 × 15 cm. The Fairview daypack is about 47 × 28 × 20 cm, so it’s only likely to pass when it’s packed light. We’ve never had an issue at the gate with the daypack used as a personal item.
Basic fares change everything. Air Canada Economy Basic and WestJet UltraBasic allow only a personal item on flights within Canada and to the US (Air Canada’s rule also covers Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean). Neither Fairview counts as a personal item. On those fares, either book the next fare up, which includes a carry-on, or pack into a personal-item-sized backpack with a Bellroy sling worn on your body.
Which one should you buy?
Choose based on how your trips usually look, not the biggest trip you might take.
| If you… | Get the |
|---|---|
| Travel carry-on only and want the lightest, simplest setup | Fairview 40 or Farpoint 40 |
| Already own a day bag or sling you love | Fairview 40 or Farpoint 40 |
| Fly WestJet most often | Either (both fit) |
| Do lots of day trips, hikes or city days from one base | Fairview 55 or Farpoint 55 |
| Want screens and snacks in a separate bag at your feet on the plane | Fairview 55 or Farpoint 55 |
| Book basic fares to save money | Neither as a carry-on; pick a personal-item backpack |
Fairview or Farpoint?
Same bag, different fit. The Fairview has curved shoulder straps and a shorter, more curved hipbelt designed for women’s bodies. Pack Hacker found several women on their team had to lock the Farpoint’s sternum strap to stop the straps slipping, which they didn’t need to do with the Fairview. If you can, try both on loaded in store.
I found the Fairview much more comfortable all around because I was able to customize how it fit to my body frame. The narrow style fit my shoulders and back much better than the Farpoint. The Farpoint is built for a larger framed person so I found it a bit too big in spots like around the shoulders. It really comes down to personal choice and how it feels.
Our family setup
For us, the backpack is only half the system. My son will use the daypack has his personal item when he uses a carry-on rolling suitcase. My husband always uses the daypack as his personal item. For me the Fairview 55 and the Bellroy Venture Sling 6L for passports and snacks, and each kid’s own small bag has become my perfect recipe for travelling gear for carry-on travel style only. Read the kids’ carry-on system and Bellroy Venture Sling size guide for how I make it all fit together so no luggage ever has to be checked below the plane.
FAQ
Is the Osprey Fairview 55 carry-on size? The main pack is, at 55 × 35 × 23 cm. Osprey says it meets most domestic carry-on rules with the daypack detached as your personal item. Pack the daypack light, since it’s larger than Air Canada’s and WestJet’s personal item limits on paper.
Can I carry both packs zipped together onto the plane? No. Attached together, the bag is far deeper than any carry-on limit. Detach the daypack before the gate.
Can I buy the daypack for the Fairview 40 later? Yes. The Farpoint/Fairview daypack is sold separately and clips onto the 40’s compression straps.
Is 40 litres enough for a week? For one adult packing light, yes, easily, if packing strategically.
Do I need packing cubes? Not required, but recommended if you like to organize your bag with these. Both packs open like a suitcase, and cubes keep things from shifting when the sides flex. I prefer no cubes and roll my clothes.
The verdict
If you want one bag and nothing else, the Fairview and Farpoint 40 is lighter, simpler and does the job. If your trips involve a home base and days out exploring, the Fairview and Farpoint 55 is worth the extra weight, because you get a proper day bag for free. Whichever you choose, check your fare: on a personal-item-only ticket, neither will come on board as a carry-on.
Read about more travel gear: Osprey Fairview 55 Review · Our Backpack Evolution · What to Pack as a Minimalist Traveler · Bellroy Venture Sling 6L vs 9L vs 2.5L