Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

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.

I use it for nursing school and it comfortably holds all my supplies and keeps me organized!

I use this on a daily basis for class. This backpack has held up great and works for traveling, class, and working.

I repurchased after my other one of 5 years was stolen and it wasn't even close to being worn down. Awesome quality, favorite backpack.

This bag is perfect for my business travel. I bought one for my son a year and a half ago and I needed something to replace a non-north face bag. After a saw the room and vented straps I tried it for a trip in the summertime and loved it. Good for school or business travel.

I use this bag for traveling

I use this product daily! Needed some comfort with my daily commute and this is exactly it!

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

Great for my commute into the city with space for both business and personal items

I use this product For anything that may come up, from traveling to biking, school or the gym.

I thought this was going to be my 3rd Recon backpack in a 12 year period but the new changes made me return my new Recon and order the Carhartt Legacy Deluxe Work Backpack. I don't see this new obsession with companies boasting they've made great laptop backpacks and then proceed to think they've done that by turning a once versatile, functional backpack into a rigid, stiff, inflexible, one dimensional new product. Newsflash, my Recon backpack from 6 years ago had a laptop slit in it's large back pocket and it worked just find and dandy. Relax, we've gone overboard with the idea of being secure. Backpacks are pushed, stuffed, and shoved around quite often throughout their lifetime. I'm an everyday user of mine. Whatever piece of hard foam, plastic, or whatever kind of stiff material you have now running top to bottom of the new Recon has ruined it for me. Besides making it extremely, one dimensional and inflexible... it somehow also makes the ability to open the back wide gone too. Buying a new backpack to find you can't get one of the major pockets to barely open wide at all is an awkward and not very useful design choice. I was happy I was getting a new Northface Recon backpack until I saw a new hire, or bored employee tried to outsmart the room and took for granted some basic things an owner expects from a backpack. I can't believe I'm writing this but I also can't believe I bought a simple classic Recon backpack and thought... I can't use this. I never thought that was even possible until I took this out of the box.

If i could return this bag I happily would. Such a terrible design and not useful at all.

Absolutely love this backpack. I bought it my first year of university. During school I was able to carry all my textbooks, laptop, water bottle, and lunch onto campus with just this backpack. I love that it was waterproof/resistant. I love all the pockets. I have had this backpack for 6 years now and have done multiple travels to different countries with it. The inner lining is starting to go, so it's not as waterproof anymore, but other than that everything is still in tact. I would buy this backpack again and again. It was well worth the money!

Will be used as a diaper bag. Great quality. Just the right size.

I use this product for school use and it has not let me down at all

the backpack was super thick material and is sturdy. the straps are really thick and has tons of cushion for comfort. i would recommend this backpack

It's a great product!! I absolutely loved it!!

Bought this bag for my girlfriend to use while she is in medical school, it's spacious design allows room for all her books and her computer while being comfortable enough for her to lug around between locations and stylish/ professional enough to carry around for any event being school or interviews, rotations.

I just received my Recon backpack. I am very happy with the quality, size, room, and how light this is. Plan on using this mainly for air travel, but will definitely be using it for an overnight bag, hiking, and boating.

I'm excited to give this as a gift to my college bound daughter

I use it for carrying my grade and lesson plan book as well as a computerand school supplies.

It's great for school !

Using this for college and it really holds up to the big amount of books I have to carry around for my lectures. Plus, this bag makes distributes the weight to where I don't mind the weight of the books as much.

Taking this backpack to work on a daily bases and it fits all my needs.

I love the design, it is a small version of those used for long walks or trips. I use it daily carrying my computer, books for work of which I can say that I find it very comfortable and I can carry everything I need.