Fairview Trek 70

The fairview trek is definitely one of the best options out there if you’re looking for a good quality and comfortable travel backpack. I’ve used it for a recent trip where I was moving regularly, using public transport and walking a few kms with it. I found the following pros and cons:

Pros:
- Back ventilation was brilliant. Despite travelling in hot weather, my back didn’t get sweaty once! (unlike my previous backpack)
- The straps and hip belt are very supportive, much more than other travel backpacks, for example the porter and standard Fairview.
- Compatibility with daylite travel meant I could travel with that pack attached to my check using the kangaroo-style clips on the shoulder straps, like the standard Fairview. This meant I could have easy access to my valuables when in transit.
- The daylite travel is much better than the daypack of the standard Fairview. It’s a better size, has expandable storage, better water bottle side pockets and better back ventilation.
- The u-zip opening is of course very useful. Both sets of zips on the bag and the cover are lockable.
- The compression straps are great, as they stop things from moving inside and mean the bag size can be reduced if you chose not to completely fill the pack.
- The additional side access to the water bottle pockets from the front meant I could access them easily without twisting my shoulder or having to ask someone else for help.
- The combined airport and raincover is a great idea. I think the zip-up straps in the standard Fairview is probably slightly less hassle in the airport than putting the cover on but they can only zip up because they are much thinner and therefore, less supportive than the straps of the Fairview trek. The Fairview trek’s cover also protects the rest of the bag from damage from baggage handling at airports. It is also good that the raincover is included, rather than having to purchase one separately. Also pleased it’s not a fluorescent colour!
- This can be a pro or a con (depending on how you look at it) but this pack is definitely on the large side for 70L. There’s so much space! It felt much more space than a 60+10L hiking backpack I own from another brand.

Cons:
- The combined airport and raincover is way too big for the bag. Even when I completely filled my pack, it still looked too big and I had lots of extra material hanging down (despite attaching all the hooks to the pack). It looked a little strange.
- The bottom part of the frame stuck into my lower back/buttocks slightly when walking. It didn’t cause major pain, but meant the pack wasn’t 100% comfortable after walking a few kms with it.
- The hip belt pockets are way too small, almost pointless really. I can just about fit my go pro and that’s it!
- The pack doesn’t hold it’s shape very well when packing and unpacking. The sides collapse. Definitely recommend using packing cubes to organise your stuff.
- The back length and sternum strap are difficult to adjust. I just about managed to do it, but it was hard going!
- The price! It’s a good quality pack but still very expensive, especially when the day pack isn’t included. Having to fork out an extra £60 for the daypack is a bit much. I think if the daylite travel was included, or at least discounted when bought together, it would be better value.
- Compatibility with other osprey day packs would be even better, especially ones that are more suited to hiking (eg: tempest, skimmer, Sirrus). When I travel, I like to go on day hikes and these bags are better suited than the daylite travel because they are more supportive (they have hip belts), have better back ventilation and are compatible with hydration bladders.

So overall, a great bag, but could be even greater. The features are all there, they just need tweaking. The pack served me well on my trip and was comfortable to carry. Osprey have definitely taken a step in the right direction, as I think it’s a much better pack than the standard fairview. I also think it’s a better option than others on the market such as the tribute (Gregory), and the aviant pro SL (Dueter). The tribute lacks the kangaroo-style attachment of the day pack and the aviant has a funny pocket at the back for the daypack, has a stupid flower on it and also doesn’t have a 2 in 1 raincover and airport cover.