7 Best North Face Backpack For Travel

This is our review of the best North Face backpack for travel.

If you’re looking to buy a backpack that will be best for school, everyday use, or even weekend excursions, The North Face is one of the best choices because it tends to last forever.

With so many options, it’s hard to pick the right one.

However, I researched and looked for all The North Face backpack collection options. 

I spent countless hours reading all the reviews and identifying the pros and cons of each backpack so that you don’t have to.

The North Face Borealis backpack is the best backpack for travel of the seven I picked.

But if you want more information about the other six backpacks I’ve chosen, please keep reading!

Our Best North Face Backpacks For Travel

7 Best North Face Backpack For Travel Reviewed

Some of these backpacks may get future updates or revisions by The North Face. 

The pricing also can be varied depending on the seasons and the promotions by the sellers. You only need to click the link to find the latest pricing.

Finally, always check the dimensions in the sellers’ details to find the right size.

The North Face Borealis Backpack – Best Overall

The Borealis is undoubtedly one of the best-selling backpacks from The North Face for years. This bag is like a crossover backpack – an everyday backpack with an outdoor aesthetic.

It has been updated with FlexVent technology on the shoulder strap area for all-day comfort and better flexibility. 

The mesh padding on the back is a bit stiff, which is expected. It’s beneficial for someone to wear it for outdoor activities. But it’s not a problem for everyday use because it does conform to your back well over time.

The material quality of this backpack is top-notch. This backpack is constructed with several quality fabrics like 400D nylon, 300D polyester, 210D Cordura nylon ripstop, and 1680D ballistic nylon. These fabrics will make this bag last longer against all kinds of weather.

Although the overall design is excellent, there’s one thing that I don’t quite like. That is the stretch cords on the front of the pack. They tend to get stretched out over time because, for some reason, people want to pull on them whenever they see them.

The Borealis has about 28 liters of storage capacity, but I found it more lacking in organizational pockets than other competitors. Therefore, I recommend packing cubes if you plan to do extended travel.

Overall it is a great backpack. It’s not too bulky and suitable for both men and women. If you’re a college student, this backpack has a laptop compartment for your 15.6-inch laptop.

Pros:

• Perfect for everyday use and outdoor
• High-quality fabrics
• The shoulder straps are very comfy
• There are many color options to choose from

Cons:

• Only one size
• Stiff back panel 
• A tad heavy to carry for some people

The North Face Vault Backpack – Best For Daily Commuting

If you’re looking for a superb backpack with gear for daily use, this North Face 26-liter Vault backpack is an excellent option.

Although it doesn’t have as spacious storage as the TNF 29-liter Vault backpack for women, this one still can hold your 15-inch laptop and personal belongings for your urban commute or going to school.

It’s made from high-quality 600D Polyester Emboss, 600D Polyester Print, and 300D Heather Polyester for heavy-duty use. They can withstand variable weather conditions.

Although it has nice materials, one major flaw can ruin this bag’s looks. The bag’s base is slated at an almost 45° angle and doesn’t lay flat when placed on the ground. You have to balance it every time you place it down.

Ergonomically, the Vault backpack is super comfortable. It uses a flex vent suspension system with compression-molded shoulder straps and a padded air mesh back panel with a spine channel for superior ventilation.

This backpack might suit you well if you carry it for daily city commuting to work or for weekend trips.

However, if you’re a college student who needs a lot of storage for your books, this backpack might not be suitable. You should pick a bigger size backpack.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• High-quality fabrics
• Simple & clean design
• Very ergonomic

Cons:

• It doesn’t lay flat when put on the ground
• The storage capacity is decent
• Only one size

The North Face Women’s Surge Commuter Laptop Backpack – Best For Women

The Women’s Surge backpack is one of the nine backpacks from The North Face that received endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association [1].

What does it mean to you? Well, this backpack has been redesigned for comfort, fit, and usability—one of the improvements is the anatomically correct shoulder strap specifically suited for women.

The laptop and tablet pockets are elevated, and the generous back padding will protect your devices if you drop the bag. 

This backpack is quite spacious. With 31 liters of capacity, you have so much room to carry your stuff. There are also plenty of small pockets to keep your belongings organized.

One of the flaws I found about this bag is that this TNF Surge backpack should come with A TSA-friendly design as a laptop backpack.

The TSA requires you to take out laptops through the airport screening. It would be nice if the backpack could fold flat without taking them out.

This backpack fits your needs if you’re looking for something that could be used for multiple purposes. It’s suitable for the everyday commuting bag and can also be used for light single-day hiking and as carry-on luggage.

Pros:

• Spacious 
• Dedicated laptop and tablet storage 
• Very ergonomic
• Nice and clean-looking

Cons:

• It does not stand on its own
• Go through the airport screening with laptops would be a hassle
• No side handle

The North Face Jester School Laptop Backpack – Best For Students

At first glance, the TNF Jester backpack resembles the Borealis backpack. 

Both contain many of the same features, including two water bottle pockets, a 15-inch laptop sleeve, several organization pockets, reflective hits for nighttime visibility, a top haul handle, and a sternum strap with a whistle buckle for safety.

However, the Borealis is a tad expensive and contains more features and better materials than the Jester. The Jester backpack has more space to bring a laptop, notebook, planner, and textbooks.

You can expect the same comfort as other TNF backpacks. The shoulder straps are built from custom injection molds. 

I recommend Jester’s price savings if you are a student or commuter who rarely travels or needs a pack for day hiking.

But you’ll be disappointed if you expect this backpack for your vacation.

Pros:

• The shoulder straps are very comfy
• Sturdy and durable
• Inexpensive
• Spacious

Cons:

• Not ideal for hiking or travel
• Lack of storage options
• The narrow opening makes unpacking your items a bit of a hassle

The North Face Recon Backpack – Best Weekend Bag

The useful and practical outside front pocket design makes this Recon backpack stand out. If you used it for a day pack, you could quickly stash your jacket and other stuff on the outside.

The amount of space is perfect. With 30 liters of volume, there’s a lot of room for you to pack and hold more stuff. Plus, there’s a dedicated compartment for you to fit the 15-inch laptop.

The Recon Backpack has waist and chest straps suitable for a weekend bag or light hiking activities.

In terms of comfort, this bag also has the TNF FlexVent suspension system features with nice and thick shoulder straps to minimize your shoulder pain after carrying it for an extended period.

Like other TNG backpacks, the major drawback I found on this bag is that it cannot stay upright independently.

This backpack weighs about 2.5 pounds with no load. Unfortunately, it’s pretty heavy, so it’s unsuitable for students.

The TNF Recon backpack is excellent for travel with superior quality and functionality. Although this Recon backpack version is unisex, you should consider this Recon backpack if you’re a woman.

Pros

• Practical design, especially the front pocket
• Quite spacious 
• Comfortable straps
• Clean looking with no stretch cords on the front

Cons

• Heavy
• It doesn’t stand on its own
• The back support is a bit stiff

The North Face Terra Backpacking Backpack – Best For Backpackers

If you are a newbie or just going backpacking, you’d probably want a bag that suits all your needs and is not too pricey. The North Face Terra backpack should be on your shopping list.

It comes in different sizes, from 40L to 65L, and the price is lower than the most popular hiking backpack brands.

The backpack has room for your clothes, winter gear, survival kits, and camping gear. If you always carry a sleeping bag, there’s a floating lid to put the thing in.

The backpack is constructed to be lightweight and easy to carry in mind. You can balance the weight of the bag by adjusting the load lifter. 

With the Dyno Lift System technology, the backpack will self-equalize itself to support your torso better.

The air ventilation on the back panel isn’t outstanding, but it is decent enough. So you won’t get overly sweaty. The shoulder strap is comprehensive and well-padded.

The TNF Terra backpacking backpack has a reasonably light internal frame design. However, it’s probably not the best backpack for hiking and lacks features like a rain cover.

It’s not the comfiest camping backpack, but for the price you get, it’s value for your money.

Pros:

• There are many sizes to choose from
• The torso adjustment is effortless
• Large storage
• It has two bottle holders on the sides.

Cons:

• The ventilation system isn’t great
• A bit heavy to carry for long trips
• The rain cover is not included.

The North Face Pivoter Backpack – Best Everyday Pack

One of the major complaints about the old classic Pivoter backpack version was the inability to stand on its own when put down.

After receiving feedback from college students, The North Face finally updated its design. This updated Pivoter backpack has a flat bottom, which solved the previous issue.

Another unique feature of this bag is the front zippered door opening like a duffel. As a result, you can have quick access to the main compartment easily.

The internal organization design has been simplified. The main compartment now has three separate rooms, with one case dedicated to a 15-inch laptop.

The material is made from premium polyester grade. It’s wrapped with a Durable water-repellent (DWR) coating to keep your bag dry and not easily penetrated by water.

The TNF Pivoter backpack is not only suited for school but also for travel. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around. The downside is that it only comes in one size.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Can stand upright
• Well thought design
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons:

• Only one size
• The zippers are smaller compared to the previous version

How To Choose North Face Backpack

If you’re not sure what to look for when buying the North Face backpack, here are some essential things you should consider:

What size backpack do you need?

Backpack capacity is usually measured in either cubic inches or liters. At the time of this writing, over 35 North Face backpacks are in their collection. They all come in different sizes.

Currently, the largest North Face backpack is The Prophet 85, which has a capacity of 85 liters. The smallest one would be the 14.5-liter Tote Pack. 

In this post, most of the backpacks we’ve reviewed are within the medium size, that is, from 25 liters to 30 liters. In my opinion, this size is the sweet spot for travel. Not too big and not too heavy.

Some backpacks are available in one size. Unfortunately, this means you don’t have any option to choose a small or large size.

Fabrics And Denier Rating (D)

Two standard fabrics used in The North Face backpacks are polyester and nylon. Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is very durable [2]. 

Polyester doesn’t absorb water well and is not breathable. It’s used to blend with other fabrics to strengthen the material.

Nylon is a polymer that has excellent strength and abrasion resistance. It has good resistance against the weather, makes the bag more durable, and lasts longer.

Polyester and nylon fabrics have different thicknesses represented by the density unit, Denier Rating (D) [3]—for example, 400D nylon, 300D polyester, 2100D Cordura nylon ripstop on TNF backpacks, etc.

For instance, 600D fabrics are heavier and more durable than 300D fabrics.  

Comfort Features And Technology

The North Face comes up with FlexVent suspension system technology, making the backpack more breathable for your back comfort.

This system features custom injection-molded shoulder straps, a breathable lumbar panel, and a padded mesh back panel for excellent ventilation support.

So, when the weather is heating up, you don’t have to worry about dealing with backpack back sweat and shoulder sweat marks.

You also find some North Face backpacks with waist and chest straps. These straps are handy for better weight balance and ergonomics when hiking.

Organizational Pockets

Every North Face backpack in this list comes with unique organizational designs. However, some packs are almost identical to others. The only exception is the Terra Backpacking backpack, specially designed for hiking.

Ideally, you want to have a backpack with many pockets, both internal and external. When you go for travel or school, you need more room for your travel gear, travel blanket, lunch box, books, clothes, and laptops.

Speaking of laptops, most medium-size North Face backpacks have a separate compartment to fit up to a 15.6-inch laptop or tablet.

Unique Features

One of the North Face backpacks’ unique features is a whistle attached to the sternum strap for safety. So, if you are stranded in the middle of nowhere, you can blow the whistle to get attention for help. 

Some North Face backpacks will have reflective details to ensure your safety, especially when cycling to work or school.

Most TNF backpacks are suitable for traveling. Unfortunately, none of the North Face laptop backpacks feature the TSA checkpoint-friendly, allowing the bag to lay flat on the airport screener. 

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FAQ

Here is the answer to some commonly asked questions about The North Face backpacks:

To Wrap It Up, My Recommendation

Naturally, your backpack will depend on your particular needs, destinations, and budget. However, if I had to pick an overall, the best backpack is The North Face Borealis Backpack.

I can confidently recommend this backpack for the sheer number of outstanding ratings and positive reports from the user. I mentioned in this review that The North Face makes a Borealis backpack in the new version.

The North Face’s name has long been associated with outdoor gear. It’s worth trying, and you won’t feel regret with their backpack.

If North Backpack is not for you, try our best Swissgear backpack for travel.

Happy traveling!