Summer is a time many of us grab a bag, load it up and head to the beach (at least in Southern California). Or, grab some things and stuff them in a bag for a weekend road trip. But, do you use a gym bag, a school backpack, a small suitcase or even a laundry bag?
For years, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect travel companion – a bag that could seamlessly transition from a quick day trip to a multi-day adventure without feeling cumbersome or disorganized.
Rolling suitcases often feel too restrictive, and traditional hiking packs can be overkill for urban or casual travel. That’s why, after much research, I checked out the Osprey Fairview 55 Travel Pack, and I’m so glad I did.
This pack promises versatility, comfort and intelligent design, and after putting it through its paces on a day trip to the beach and a weekend road trip to Las Vegas, I can confidently say it delivers.
I was immediately impressed by its thoughtful design. Osprey is known for its quality and this pack is no exception. It boasts a 55-liter total capacity, broken down into a 40-liter main pack and a detachable 15-liter daypack. The main pack features a large, suitcase-style zippered opening for easy access to the main compartment, along with internal compression straps to secure your belongings. It also has a zippered mesh pocket on the inside of the front flap, perfect for smaller items.
What truly sets the Fairview apart for me is the fully stowable back panel, harness and hip belt system. This means when you’re not carrying it on your back, you can zip away the straps, creating a streamlined profile that's perfect for checking it on a flight (though I haven't done that yet) or simply tossing it into the trunk of a car without worrying about straps getting caught. The detachable daypack clips securely to the front of the main pack, allowing you to carry it either on your chest (for added security) or on your back, over the primary pack. It even has a padded laptop sleeve and various organizational pockets. This dual-pack system is where the Fairview truly shines in terms of adaptability.
My first test for the Fairview 55 was a quick day trip to the beach with my fellow Buff Boys. (You probably saw the pics of that adventure on Instagram.) Initially, I thought a 55-liter pack might be overkill for just a few hours by the ocean. This is where the detachable daypack proved its worth.
For this trip, I packed the main 40-liter compartment with bulkier items like two large beach towels, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a small cooler bag with snacks and drinks, and a speaker. The internal compression straps worked wonders to cinch everything down, making the pack feel much less voluminous than its capacity suggests. I loved the full panel zip access – no digging through a top-loader for that specific sunscreen bottle!
Once we arrived at the beach, I left the main pack in the car. It was surprisingly compact and manageable to load and unload. I unclipped the 15-liter daypack, which was already pre-packed with my essentials for the sand: a water bottle, phone, wallet, hat, sunglasses, and a small towel. This meant I only carried a lightweight, comfortable daypack to the shoreline, keeping my hands free for my beach chair. It was incredibly convenient, eliminating the need for a separate tote bag or a smaller backpack just for the beach. The daypack itself was comfortable to wear, even in the heat, and its smaller pockets kept my phone and keys easily accessible.
The real test, however, was a weekend road trip to Las Vegas. This trip required a bit more packing – multiple outfits (from casual daywear to slightly dressier evening attire), a couple of pairs of shoes, toiletries and some tech accessories.
Packing the main 40-liter pack for Vegas was a breeze. I used a couple of packing cubes for my clothes, which fit perfectly into the main compartment. The internal compression straps again helped to keep everything snug and prevent shifting. I appreciated the full-zip opening; it felt like packing a suitcase, but with the portability of a backpack. My toiletries bag, blowdryer, and extra shoes easily fit alongside my clothes. (Yes, Buff Boys travel with a blowdryer!) Even with everything I needed for three days and two nights, I still had a little room to spare for souvenirs (which, admittedly, I didn't end up buying too many of because those damn slot machines were hungry!).
The real advantage of the Fairview 55 on this trip was its mobility. Navigating airport-sized hotels and sprawling casino floors with a traditional rolling suitcase can be a literal drag. With the Fairview on my back, I was hands-free and agile. The harness and hip belt were incredibly comfortable, even when carrying the pack fully loaded from the parking garage to the hotel room.
The weight was well-distributed, and there was no uncomfortable digging or pressure points. When we stored the pack in the car, I simply zipped away the harness system, creating a clean form factor that slid easily into the trunk without snagging on anything. The detachable daypack was used daily for walking around the Strip and casinos, holding my wallet, phone, water bottle, a light jacket and any small purchases. It was the ideal companion for venturing out from the hotel room.
After these two very different trips, the Osprey Fairview 55 has truly cemented its place as my go-to travel pack. Its versatility is unmatched. Whether I needed just a small day bag or a fully-fledged weekend pack, it adapted flawlessly.
While it’s not designed as a technical hiking pack (it lacks some features you’d find on those, like extensive external attachment points), for travel, it's supreme. The only minor consideration I've found is that, like any soft-sided bag, if you overstuff it without using packing cubes, it can lose some of its sleek shape. This is easily remedied with good packing habits. And, trust me, you might find it a fun challenge to pack and re-pack to achieve the most efficient packing strategy.