Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

Just bought this backpack and first of all, it took 4 days longer to receive then I was told, and I desperately needed it for school. I was immediately disappointed with this backpack. It is WAY too small for school. I saw so many good reviews and I thought it would be large enough but I could barely fit 1/2 inch binder, 2 very small folders, my MacBook Air, and a spiral notebook along with my pencil case. I may be picky but I don't like having a backpack and having to carry other things too, and I couldn't even fit my small lunchbox. I defiantly don't recommend this backpack for school, however it seems very durable and the style is great, but wish it was larger. The zippers are large and don't seem like they would break easily. If you intent is for a smaller backpack this would be perfect, but in no way would I recommend for school.

I ordered this for my daughters 7th grade backpack, she used it three days and swapped out to her old v.b. one. This backpack has the looks but lacks on space she could not fit her supplies and books into it and the largest pocket has waisted space in the bottom and is not easy to get books/binders in and out. Not sure how this was tested but it was not tested with middle and high school students or their sized books!

I bought this backpack for school, and used it 5 days/week for 7 months. It is comfortable to carry and I like the space and looks; but both mesh water bottle pockets were torn, and unusable, after 5 months of use. The bottom of the pack is also wearing through. For the price, I expected it to be much more durable.

I've had this back pack for 2 years now and whenever the school semester starts I wish that I would have bought a different back pack. Although this back pack is aesthetically pleasing, and protects the laptop effectively, it doesn't hold nearly enough books or folders. I can only squeeze one folder, one book and a thin note book. The most frustrating part is it Never stays prop up by itself because it's to tall and not wide enough.

I liked the design. But when I wear it, it feels too bulky

Bought a NF Recon 4 years ago and recently thought I was upgrading with the new features. Wish it was larger on the previous veraionyhe admin section had a full comaprmemt. The new version only has a half section in the admin portion. The laptop section is no longer a pocket but a complete sperate zipper compartment. I believe we lost some valuable real-estate but it's not specified. The construction it great the reason I was up grading we had a store credit for 100.00 and didn't need anything else. We love North Face just disappointed the newer version is small then previous..

I travel a lot with one International carry on and need a backpack that can accommodate all my extra items. My list: Camera in bag, 10.5"iPad Air, extra shoes, make up bag, chargers, 2 pair of glasses in. cases, small moleskin note book, misc small items, travel pharmacy (think quart size bag), Bose head phones, and small cross body purse and an 18 oz hydroflask. ALL of that needs to fit in a back pack...I know I'm asking a lot but hey, that's what I need. I ordered 17 backpacks and test packed all of them. This was a loser! I ended up buying the Victornox Sport Pilot because everything fit comfortably with a little room to spare!

I have used this backpack for less than a year and there are already holes in the side water bottle pockets. This never happened with my 2 previous Borealis backpacks. Also, the internal pocket design of this backpack makes it very top-heavy and it doesn't sit up well on its own, making it not ideal for use at school. The only things I really like about the backpack are that it is comfortable and the rigid laptop pocket. Overall, I will not buy another Recon backpack.

I was so excited to have finally found what I thought was the perfect backpack for school. It's an attractive design on the outside, but poorly designed on the inside. I tried to put two binders, a textbook, my laptop, and pencil case in it and that all barely fit. It looked super bulky and the padding on the bag felt very uncomfortable against my back. Would not recommend if you were hoping to find a bag that would fit your things nicely and carry around comfortably.

I've been getting the Recon since 2001- this must be my 4th one (I would still be on the 3rd, but an ink bleed has made it unusable). I purchased the 3rd Recon 2-3 years ago, where there the main compartment has a padded laptop AND tablet sleeve. The newest one has a new additional section all the way in the back, where you could throw in something like a camelbak bladder or a laptop. My preference is the combo laptop/tablet sleeve, so this will get some getting used to, and I feel like now I need to start using a padded case again inside the bag. The next compartment is rather large, and is just what you would expect to find in a standard backpack. The 3rd section got a bit of a redesign, as well, and just seems longer. Gone is the key chain /clip leash, and that's a miss for me. I now have to go diving for my keys, and it's something that was easily accessible in the last version. The very front pocket is now fleece-lined, which is nice to easily store sunglasses, but I would always throw things like pens, lip balm, and other small items in there so I could grab them quickly. This new lining makes it seem a little too nice to dump that stuff into. Hopefully, the water bottle pockets will hold up better than all Recon past. I'm not using a ginormous water bottle- these pockets always were done and stretched out in a matter of months, to the point where you would put a bottle in there, and it will end up falling right out when you would put the backpack on (made for some lovely dented water bottles). Finally, the waist strap. The last model, I was able to tuck it into the bag itself when I wasn't using it. The new model doesn't have that option, so you are left with either the buckle digging into your back, or hanging down at your butt. Overall, it's a solid bag. Hopefully the next generations of the Recon will have the issues solved. I really do love the coloring, and reflective material is a necessity.

Great quality but way too small for a high school or college student. Not enough room.

I am encouraged that this is endorsed by the American Chiropractic association..... backpacks are a big source of back pain and poor posture

My backpack started ripping and the lining started peeling less than a year after purchasing it. Plus, the main compartment is awkward and doesn't allow me to easily get what I need. I've had a Jansport Big Student for several years, and regret switching over to TNF.

Bought this backpack for first year of high school - no lockers, have to carry chrome book, binders, etc. all day.I LOVE the way it looks, but the side mesh pockets which held my smooth Hydrofask, ripped. I only used the backpack for almost 2 months before the holes developed. I was careful with it, and it shouldn't have ripped - I don't think. While my backpack was being returned, I used my old Borealis, which technically is smaller. BUT it had so much more room than the Recon - can't explain, but I had more room in it. When I switched from the Borealis to Recon this school year, I thought I was getting more room and an additional back pocket (where the Borealis has cords). That pocket, again looks good, but is not very functional. Wish I could have the functionality of the Borealis in the look of the Recon! (;

I use the product for carrying my computer around campus. There are plenty of pockets and they are all functional. But this is my second time with this style of book bag, and each time the side pockets have developed holes in the side pockets within the first few months of having using the item. I don't feel like a $100 bag should degrade so quickly. The holes have continued to get bigger, and now I can't put smaller items like my keys in there because I'm afraid i will loose them if they fall out. however, I do like the color and design of the North Face bags. The pictures on the website are very accurate representations.

The backpack looks amazing and is the perfect size for a 15 inch laptop with plenty of room for a lot of stuff with multiple compartments. The only major issue for me was the stiff back that this backpack comes with :(

There are 2 large compartments. The one closest to your back has a soft lining. That one might be better for a (large) laptop. However, there's no (or not well-placed) protection on the bottom of the compartment, so your laptop could get banged around on the bottom. There's no divider in that compartment, but room for books, a binder, etc, as well as the laptop. The 2nd large compartment, the one in the middle of the bag, could also be used for a laptop. This one doesn't have a soft lining, but again, there's no protection on the bottom of the compartment, so a laptop could be susceptible to damage. There's also room in this compartment for add'l books, binder, etc. Again, no divider in this compartment either. In both of these large compartments, I would add some foam to the bottom to use for a laptop. The outer zippered compartment - furthest from your back - has an open pouch, a zippered pouch with organizing slots for small items on the outside of that pouch, and then another open pouch. Neither of these 2 open pouches is large enough for a tablet, unless you have a Galaxy Note. I'm not sure where the "extra padded tablet sleeve" is; I couldn't find it. Finally, on the outside of bag, there's a small zippered pouch that they say can be for sunglasses. I need it for the things I'd grab the most, like keys and ID stuff. Also on the outside is a medium-size but roomy pouch. It's not secure, so you wouldn't want to leave wallet or cellphone in there. I'm using it now for small bicycling items like gloves, headband, earwarmers, etc. The thing I like least about this bag is the support bar or brace at the bottom of the bag. It looks to provide some support for the structure of the bag, but it prevents the bag from standing upright. So if you put the bag down, it's going to flop over and could possibly spill stuff if the compartments aren't zipped. Also, I can predict that the first place that will wear out on the bag will be the fabric covering this support bar.

Backpack is very well made, nice looking, and very sturdy. Straps seem very comfortable. Somewhat discount in size, although measurements were described isn't as roomy as would like it to be.

I know several people that have this backpack and love it. Unfortunately I don't love it as much as them. I spent a long time researching what backpack I should get for college and finally decided on this one. First impression was that the backpack is very heavy and stiff. I was most concerned about how much space it would have and it just doesn't have enough space for me. I pack a ton of stuff though, probably more than the average person. I am going to keep it, because I don't want to go though the return process. On the bright side it seems very sturdy and seems as though it will last me throughout college.

I bought this backpack two times already and don't get me wrong I like it but my main complaint is what is stopping me from buying another backpack because when you put things in the 2nd pocket(before the main compartment) it is always leaving you with less room for the big compartment because it's bulging out into it! It's gets quit annoying epically when you have to fit a binder and like 3 notebooks! The reason why I would put yes I would recommend this backpack is because it's very durable and if you can get past the annoying part of the 2nd pocket bulging into the big one the I would recommend it!

So I got this backpack for freshman year of high school and it was pretty good overall but I do have complaints. First off the backpack material doesn't stretch that much so a lot of stuff fit but was realllllly tight. The backpack itself is already heavy so adding books to it does hurt my back. Also after a while of using a bag the shoulder straps using being soft and mold to your back but that wasn't the case for this bag, it stayed stiff even after a year of school. That being said the pockets are great and are really useful.

I have back issues, and I thought buying this would solve that problem. However, the top part of the shoulder strap is uncomfortable. There is also a lot of space, yet the two big compartments are very constricting and I have to take everything out to either get something or put something back. The most annoying part is that it does't stand still when I put it on the ground during class, and it tilts over. It also does not have a laptop bag, and that was very disappointing. If you're a college student I would not recommend this backpack!!!! I do like the style, but overall it's not comfortable and does not have enough space for a college student.

The backpack has a lot of great features and pockets. It is also comfortable to commute with a heavy load. The cons are that it can be a little bulky and it does not stand up by itself, but not a deal-breaker for me. However, the back support arrived bent (u-shaped) twice, the first one worse than the second one. I am still considering whether or not to return it again...

I asked for this backpack for my birthday because my old north face had a pen that bled all over it. At first, I loved this backpack. But it is not like any of the other backpacks north face has. The middle pocket isn't as deep as the others, either. It constantly falls over and has a certain sweet spot that it will stand up. It gives me so much frustration as I'm a college student and use it daily. I wouldn't ever think to question the engineering on their backpacks, but the way this backpack is shouldn't have been sold because it can never stand up.

I've been searching high and low to find a backpack that suited my needs. I am a full time college student currently in nursing school, as well as a mom and working full time. This backpack is big enough to squeeze all my stuff in for a full day of classes as well as my scrubs for work. Its comfortable and easy to wear, not to mention it looks good too. My only complaint is the structure could be a bit bigger for the front pockets. You cant squeeze too much in them or it takes away room from the "main" pocket. I've learned to pack a little less. Since im a mom I tend to be an over packer. I've really cut down and just brought necessities and it seems to work fine. I also bought one of these for my very rough 7 year old who seems to wear backpacks out within days of getting them, and his has survived a year and still looks brand new!