🧳 Best Backpack for Traveling Asia: Why the Osprey Farpoint 40L Dominates the Game

Looking for the best backpack for traveling Asia? Discover why the Osprey Farpoint 40L is the ultimate choice for minimalist backpackers and Southeast Asia travel. Lightweight, durable, and flight-ready.

Asia isn’t just one destination. It’s a continent of contrasts, rice paddies and megacities, tuk-tuks and bullet trains, sweltering humidity and snow-covered temples. So when you’re traveling from Bangkok’s heat to Tokyo’s order, your gear better keep up.

I personally traveled through the region for 8 months, and have met many making some big mistakes!

You’ll be moving along quite a lot while traveling: airport to bus to hotel to taxi to walking.

Again. And Again.

And Again…

You need to be light.

And it starts with the backpack. The single most important item you’ll carry.

After bouncing across Southeast Asia and beyond, there’s only one I trust.

This is the Best Backpack for Traveling Asia, and it’s called the Osprey Farpoint 40L.

Let me walk you through why.

This is what packing looks like. What a mess.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. That means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend gear I personally trust and use.

🎯 What Makes the Osprey Farpoint 40L the Best Backpack for Traveling Asia

This isn’t a gear review, it’s a field report.

You want a travel backpack that’s light, rugged, minimalist, and built to slip under a budget airline seat. The Osprey Farpoint 40L is that, and more.

• Lightweight: At just 1.44kg, it won’t eat into your airline weight limits.
• Max Carry-on Size: 55 x 35 x 23 cm, perfect for AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar.
• Zips Open Like a Suitcase: No more digging through top-loading hell.
• Comfortable Harness: Legit backpack suspension with padded hip belt.
• Tough as Hell: Ripstop nylon that’s survived monsoons and baggage handlers.

Whether you’re flying to Hanoi or hopping trains through Japan, this is your reliable companion.

Check out the Ossprey Farpoint 40 Men’s Backpack Here

Check out the Ossprey Farview 40 Women’s Backpack Here

🎒 Why 40 Liters is the Perfect Size for Southeast Asia Travel

You don’t need a 70L monster on your back. In Asia, less is freedom. I personally traveled with a similar 40 Liter backpack that was rugged, not top-loaded, and carry-on friendly.

It’s freedom. I met many who brought a backpack over the 40l carry on limit, who had their baggage lost at the beginning of their backpacking trip. An absolute nightmare.

In the hostels, I met many people dumping out their whole bag, from the top, because they can only reach in from there. A full zipper design is much more convenient.

A lot of hiking and outdoor stores like REI and Decathlon carry nice hiking backpacks in the 40L, but most of them are top Loaded. They’re for true nature hiking adventures. A regular zip backpack can be used for that, and is much more convenient in day to day life.

The Osprey Farpoint 40 hits that perfect minimalist sweet spot.

• It forces you to pack only what you need.
• It’s compact enough for motorbike taxis and overnight buses.
• You’ll glide through the streets while others fumble with roller bags.
• You won’t have to get frustrated shuffling through your top loaded bag

Backpacking through Asia is about movement, and this bag is made for motion.

Check out the Ossprey Farpoint 40 Men’s Backpack Here

Check out the Ossprey Farview 40 Women’s Backpack Here

✈️ Carry-On Compatible: Save Time, Money & Stress

Let’s face it: budget airlines rule the skies in Asia. You’ll fly Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar, maybe even Cebu Pacific.

And all of them charge for checked luggage.

The Farpoint 40 saves you:

• 💸 Money (no checked bag fees)
• ⏱️ Time (no baggage claim)
• 💢 Headaches (no lost luggage)

When you’re island-hopping in the Philippines or racing through Bangkok traffic to the airport, not checking a bag is freedom.

🌧️ Built for Asia: Climate, Mobility & Urban Chaos

Asia isn’t gentle on gear.

• You’ll get caught in tropical downpours.
• You’ll stuff it under hostel beds and overhead racks.
• You’ll toss it onto boats, buses, and tuk-tuks.

The Osprey Farpoint 40 shrugs it off.

• Weather Resistant: Add a rain cover for true waterproofing.
• Urban Friendly: Slim design won’t bump through subway crowds.
• Rugged Zippers: Big, glove-friendly pulls that won’t break.

This backpack was made for Asia’s beautiful mess.

💡 Backpack Features That Actually Matter

Forget gimmicks. Here’s what you’ll use every day:

• Laptop Sleeve (inside the main compartment, not dangling on the outside)
• Lockable Zippers (for hostels and sleeper trains)
• Compression Straps (to keep the load tight)
• Grab Handles on Top and Side (for trains, taxis, boats)

It even tucks the shoulder straps away behind a zip panel when you’re checking it or throwing it in the luggage bin.

Check out the Ossprey Farpoint 40 Men’s Backpack Here

Check out the Ossprey Farview 40 Women’s Backpack Here

🥇 Best Backpack for Traveling Asia: Final Thoughts & Verdict

If you’re serious about traveling Asia, really traveling, you want a backpack that works as hard as you do.

The Osprey Farpoint 40L is built for movement. Built for budget airlines. Built for backpackers who don’t want to feel like mules.

Light. Compact. Smart. And tested across borders.

If I could only bring one backpack for Asia, it’s this one.

❓FAQs – Best Backpack for Traveling Asia

Is the Osprey Farpoint 40 good for carry-on in Asia?

Yes. It meets most Asian budget airline limits. I’ve flown with it dozens of times with no issue.

Can I fit everything for a month-long trip?

Absolutely. You just need to pack smart. Use packing cubes, go minimalist, and embrace laundry days.

Is it waterproof?

It’s water-resistant, not waterproof. Use a rain cover in tropical downpours.

What’s better than the Osprey Farpoint 40?

Honestly, very few. Maybe the Osprey Fairview (women’s version) or the Nomatic 40L if you prefer a boxier design.

Should I bring a daypack too?

Yes, a small 15-20L compressible backpack is perfect for day trips.

Check out the Ossprey Farpoint 40 Men’s Backpack Here

Check out the Ossprey Farview 40 Women’s Backpack Here