Outside the backpack
Osprey took all the best bits from its previous travel bags and combined them with a ‘trek-ready’ design to create the Fairview Trek. Don’t mistake this bag for the Fairview 70L, which has a detachable daypack and less travel-ready features.
You can tell this pack is prepared for everything and anything just by taking a glance over it. You’ll notice durable fabric, chunky handles, and minimum mess. When worn, the backpack is suspended from the back using an ‘AirSpeed’ ventilated mesh panel. This means no rubbing, and no back sweat.
The Fairview Trek fits the female frame well with adjustable shoulder, sternum, and waist straps. There’s a good amount of padding around the waist and shoulders and the bag feels stable when worn.
The one issue I did find concerned the shoulder straps. They were never quite tight enough to support the weight on my back, and I would often grab onto them to make walking a little easier. I was using the smaller of the two strap lengths that come with the backpack, though my problems were likely down to my own frame.
You’ll find a fantastic number of compartments in this bag. The main section opens lengthways like a suitcase, meaning you’ll never have to rummage around for your toothbrush at the end of a long day. The main compartment is also super deep and comes with compression straps, so you’ll be able to really load it up should you wish.
The Fairview Trek can be accessed at the base or sectioned off to create the perfect pocket for dirty shoes.
Other compartments include mesh side pockets for water bottles and other essentials, hip belt pockets, and a top compartment. The only stand-out feature I didn’t like was the laptop pocket. Situated on the outside of the bag, it felt a little risky to put any valuables in there while my bag was through onto coaches or aeroplane holds.
A key feature of this rucksack is, undoubtedly, the integrated Aircover™ which works to protect your pack in transit. The cover doubles up as a rain cover, too, to ensure your gear stays dry. It’s highly unusual to find a backpack at this price which comes with a rain cover – you’re usually talking another £70-£100 on top.
The Fairview Trek 70L is clearly built to suit a range of climates. Keep the sweat off your back when trekking through Thailand, but also protect your belongings from the snow when moving around Finland.