Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

I was SO disappointed in this backpack! The pack is supposed to be 31L, but I highly doubt it. There's certainly not 31L of usable space. That stupid non-removable and inflexible back stiffener board not only hampers pack capacity, but makes it impossible for you to sit your pack upright. The front of your backpack (part away from the back straps) will get constant wear and tear on the floor when your pack tips over. All. The. Time. I am a teacher (not an option in the choices given), and I was hoping to use this pack for work, but there is NO way it's big enough for: wallet, pen pouch, lunch, planner, EDC organizer, glasses, notebook, sweater, e-reader, keys, girl things pouch, water bottle, coffee mug--by now I would have to be leaving one or more of those things out. And if you have one or more things in the organizer pocket, the space of the back pocket is cut down even more. ALSO! Any backpack over $50 should REALLY have strap keepers!! Also, the bag is HEAVY on its own. I could not be more disappointed, and I wish I could get my money back. (The backpack is durable, and the double water bottle pockets are very nice, as is the front stretchy pocket. But with as little as it holds, and the constant tipping over, it makes this bag almost unusable. :(

I bought this bag to use for school and for short day hikes. Almost immediately upon putting it on out of the shipping box I found that this bag was wildly uncomfortable. I adjusted the straps multiple times hoping for a good fit and less strain on my shoulders but nothing seemed to help. I was very disappointed considering this backpack is advertised as "fitted for women." I think they simply made the straps thinner which made the bag all the more uncomfortable. After wearing the bag around my house to test it out, my back was sore the rest of the day. I really wanted to like this bag and knew that North Face was known for quality backpacks but I was sorely disappointed. It has so many good reviews so I thought it might just be the way the bag fit me in particular. I had multiple other friends and family try the bag on and they all agree: the bag was quite uncomfortable. I think the reviews reflect the hype around North Face bags, not the actual quality and comfort of this backpack.

I was really excited for this backpack to come in, but the color turnout was so disappointing! I don't know if anyone else got the hydro green/ snow cone red one, but it was a lot darker than what the picture showed. I didn't like that it was also so stiff. I felt really awkward carrying the backpack. But I loved the design and the compartments. I probably won't purchase one again though. :(

The colors are so attractive, but after adding ny school supplies inside. It lacks space and constantly fearing the straps will break off because they are not really well atached. With all the cushion added the straps it still causes your shoulders with SO MUCH PAIN!!!!! Last season straps were so much better!

Long story short: straps severely hurt shoulders, back support is stiff and uncomfortable despite padding, not nearly enough space for my books and supplies (as a graduate student). I really wanted to love this backpack. I considered giving it 2 stars because I like color, but that still doesn't outweigh the cons. I read another review stating that this backpack hurt their shoulders, and their shoulders were sore long after they had removed the backpack -- to my surprise and disappointment, this is true! The straps are NOT comfortable. The padding is stiff, almost as stiff as whatever material makes the back support of the backpack. It almost feels like it's rubbing a groove into my shoulders, like a rug burn, and while I only had it on for a minute to test out the weight of my school books/laptop inside of it, my shoulders continued to hurt for a few minutes after I took off the backpack (so I can only imagine what it's like after wearing this thing for half an hour or more). The part that goes up against your back is slightly more padded, but due to the inflexibility of it, it did not feel soft nor comfortable. I even tried adjusting the different straps/buckles, and nothing helped ease the heaviness/stiffness of the backpack. Just an added point, the buckles that go across the chest stick out funny and don't lie flat when unbuckled, which bothered me because they were basically right in my face when I look down. You can't fill the pockets in the extra compartment too much, because it dramatically reduces space in the main compartment of the backpack. After putting a few things in it, the pack became restrictive near the top, yet still roomy at the bottom. This made it difficult to fit a laptop, books, notebooks, planner, calculator, etc. because there was no more room at the top for stuff to go side-by-side, but at the bottom there's still plenty of space (maybe because it anticipates needing room for things to distribute when you put the pack on/take it off?).

Why did you guys change it??? The old design was so nice and stylish, this just looks too square :(((((

I love the new colors, but I am NOT happy with the new design. I as well wanted a new one for the next school year, and I am so upset that the old recon is now gone. This is much smaller than the old recon, and I wish y'all would bring back the old!!

PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLD MODEL OF THE RECON OR AT LEAST SELL BOTH MODELS BECAUSE I WANTED THIS FOR SCHOOL NEXT YEAR, BUT NOW I DON'T LIKE THE NEW 2015 MODEL