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Once you make the decision to travel or go on a hike, the next step is to choose what type of backpack best suits your desired use.
The Osprey Farpoint 55 and Kelty Redwing 50 are both excellent options in the hiking or travel backpack realm.
These backpacks are packed with practical features and large enough for weekend-long expeditions. They are also light enough that anyone can enjoy their use.
Is one better than the other though? If you had to choose between the Osprey Farpoint 55 and the Kelty Redwing 50 , which should you purchase?
Both brands enjoy massive popularity in the backpack market, and these two models have a number of similar features.
However, each of them has features that make them unique as well.
This Osprey Farpoint 55 vs. Kelty Redwing 50 comparison aims to highlight those similarities and differences.
Spec Overview – Osprey Farpoint 55 vs. Kelty Redwing 50
| Product | Best Use | Hydration Compatible |
|---|---|---|
| #1. Osprey Farpoint 55 Our Best Pick  Check Price | Travel | No |
#2. Kelty Redwing 50 Check Price | Hiking | Yes |
Overall Product Dimensions
The Kelty Redwing 50 measures 26 x 16 x 12 inches. It weighs a little over 3 pounds.
The Osprey Farpoint, on the other hand, is available in two sizes: medium/large and small/medium.
The small/medium backpack measures 24 x 13 x 12 inches and weighs 3.75 pounds. The medium/large pack measures 25 x 13 x 12 inches. Its overall weight is 3.9 pounds.
Capacity
If you’re looking to carry just a few essentials for a weekend getaway, the Kelty Redwing 50 can work just fine. It can hold up to 51 liters of gear.
However, if you need to bring some extra gear, especially if you’re traveling with kids, you probably will need to invest in a more spacious backpack.
Osprey Farpoint 55 can be a great choice in that case. It comes in two sizes. The smaller one can hold 53 liters of gear, while the large size offers 55 liters of gear space.
With Osprey Farpoint, you can put in extra clothes and shoes, in addition to your items for the trip, but that doesn’t mean you should overload your backpack.
Zip-off Daypack Vs Laptop Compartment
Osprey Farpoint 55 comes with a detachable daypack making it a great choice if you would love to carry an independent daypack on your outings.
Note that the daypack is included in the backpack’s capacity.
The Farpoint 55 features compression straps that extend from the back, which help to hold the daypack in place.
The daypack also serves as a laptop sleeve as the backpack doesn’t have a laptop sleeve in its main compartment.
The Redwing 50, on the other hand, has a laptop sleeve in its main compartment. This sleeve can hold a larger laptop compared to the Farpoint daypack.
The Redwing’s laptop sleeve also serves as a hydration compartment.
However, you cannot use the sleeve as a laptop compartment and a hydration compartment at the same time.
Stowaway Back Panel
Osprey Farpoint 55 features a stowaway back panel, which helps to make the backpack slimmer for easier check-in at the airport. It also makes it easy to carry the backpack when not on your back.
You just need to zip up the shoulder straps inside of the back panel. Then you can use the side, and top carry handles to carry it.
For the Redwing 50, you have no option but to carry it around on your back. It doesn’t have a stowaway back panel.
Comfort Features
Both backpacks have a number of features that are geared to provide more carrying comfort. The Farpoint 55 boasts:
- Padded carrying handles
- LightWire suspension frame
- Dual compression straps
Kelty Redwing 50, on the other hand, has:
- LightBeam single aluminum body
- PerfectFit suspension
- AirFlow back panel.
If you’re planning to stay somewhere overnight during your trip, you might look more at the Farpoint 55.
This backpack has sleeping pad straps at the bottom where you can carry sleeping gear. The Redwing 50 doesn’t provide any straps of this sort.
Compartment Accessibility
Osprey Farpoint 55 allows you to open the main compartment wide so you can easily access the contents. This accessibility is much better than that of Kelty Redwing 50’s main compartment.
The primary advantage that the Redwing 50 has over the Farpoint 55 is that you can access its top pocket from the top or the side.
That means the Redwing 50 provides easier access for your smaller items while the Farpoint 55 providers easier access for larger gear in the main compartment.
Durability
The Farpoint 55 is generally more durable than Redwing 50. It’s made of nylon while the Redwing is made of polyester. Polyester is less resistant to abrasion.
Price
Osprey backpacks frequently come with a higher price tag than the Kelty backpacks. This can be mainly attributed to the fact that Osprey uses better quality materials.
The verdict: Osprey Farpoint 55 vs. Kelty Redwing 50
Both backpacks are great, but we prefer the Osprey Farpoint 55. The Osprey may be more expensive, but its money well-spent thanks to its larger capacity and the detachable daypack.
However, if you prefer a backpack with more external pockets, you can opt for the and the Kelty Redwing 50. The Redwing 50 can also be a great choice if you want a budget-friendly backpack.