Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

I purchased this backpack for my daughter in middle school. It is a very durable backpack that can take a lot of weight from books and laptops.

I use this product for school. I enjoy that the computer pocket is big enough for my computer. It seems very stiff to me.

I use this backpack for school. It has room but would be better if it was a little more roomy for all my books and notebooks. Very cute and comfortable though.

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.

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.

The description clearly says that this bag comes with a fleece-lined laptop sleeve. Mine came without one, so my 13" Macbook pro has a lot of room to move in there. Are there two models that are being represented on the same page or something? Not sure if returning for a new one will fix this.

No fleece lining in the laptop compartment, bag will not sit properly due to the flexvent hitting the floor first, not roomy enough for all the college books, notebooks, supplies I need to care for college, and not reflective at all. Laptop compartment feels too tight to put a laptop plus charger in it. Book compartment can probably hold maybe 2 books and 2 notebooks. Pocket that holds pencils, pens, and other necessities is to small.

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 ordered this bag after seeing a milllion videos of students buying this bag on YouTube and was SO excited to receive it today. Sadly, I'm not sure how they qualified this as a 30-Liter since I could fit hardly anything in it. It's beautiful and it will kill me to return. But for nursing school I know I'll have tons of binders and books and I've been searching for the perfect bag for the job. This bag could barely hold 2 empty binders in the main compartment, the laptop compartment is extremely rigid due to the back support and could only hold maybe a couple notebooks if you wanted to squish them in there instead of a computer. I didn't wear it around much since I knew just taking it out the back that it wouldn't work, but the back support it very hard and slightly curved which makes filling the backpack slightly difficult and it doesn't stay up on its own. The organizational pocket doesn't go all the way down to bottom, so while it offers some room for additional things like a planner, they would have to be somewhat short to fit. i seriously don't know how they market this for outdoors or school it seems like it would be useless for both.

I ordered this bag after seeing a milllion videos of students buying this bag on YouTube and was SO excited to receive it today. Sadly, I'm not sure how they qualified this as a 30-Liter since I could fit hardly anything in it. It's beautiful and it will kill me to return. But for nursing school I know I'll have tons of binders and books and I've been searching for the perfect bag for the job. This bag could barely hold 2 empty binders in the main compartment, the laptop compartment is extremely rigid due to the back support and could only hold maybe a couple notebooks if you wanted to squish them in there instead of a computer. I didn't wear it around much since I knew just taking it out the back that it wouldn't work, but the back support it very hard and slightly curved which makes filling the backpack slightly difficult and it doesn't stay up on its own. The organizational pocket doesn't go all the way down to bottom, so while it offers some room for additional things like a planner, they would have to be somewhat short to fit. i seriously don't know how they market this for outdoors or school - it seems like it would be useless for both.

This was my second purchase of the same backpack because I love it sooooo sooooo much!

I love this bag. After owning a Borealis, Surge and now two Recons, I absolutely adore this style. Last summer, when I was searching for a replacement Borealis, I wanted a different bag without the strings on the Borealis. I googled "best North Face backpack" and the Recon was all over my search. I watched a YouTube video on the Recon and another on the Surge and chose the Surge in black. But it seems like as soon as I purchased the Surge, I regretted it. The Surge was way too big for my needs but I loved its clean front unlike the Recon that had a lot of bells and whistles. In comparison to the Surge, it was just the right size that I was looking for and all the front pockets weren't so bad (in person). I appreciated the front top pocket where I can throw my iPhone or shades. It has pockets inside that pocket to put my pens/pencils. The selling point for me were the next two pockets; the first can house books or a jacket and the next for an iPad or Laptop. I loved that unlike the Surges pockets that were overwhelmingly large. The Recon pockets were just right encompassing more of a sleek look which worked out better for me. I ended up getting the Recon in the HIGH RISE GREY LIGHT HEATHER/MID GREY color that looks like a mixture of white and grey with an aqua colored TNF logo and aqua RECON insignia. I must've carried it about 3 times and each time it was perfect. But I mentioned it was whitish and I didn't wanna get it dirty and just recently began looking for a darker colored one. This past weekend I was in that same store and happened to see a Recon in blue and I fell in love with it. I told myself this could be the one I can treat more rugged and get dirty. I've made it my day-to-day bag since the dirt is less likely to show. I now only use the whitish one when I know I won't get it dirty. Yes, I'm OCD. In short, I did purchase the second Recon a few days ago in the FLAG BLUE LIGHT HEATHER/TNF WHITE and now I'm set for some years to come.

I have had a version of the recon backpack for about three years now. It is very roomy and durable and I would definitely recommend it. I use it for college along with traveling for the military. My main concern, however, is the lack of waterproofing on the bottom. Maybe my waterproofing has worn off, but every time it gets remotely wet, the bottom of the contents inside end up soaking. I have gotten many notebooks, textbooks, and my military medical records soaking wet. I usually love all my products from The North Face, and I used to love this backpack but I am extremely disappointed in the lack of quality waterproofing that has cost me a lot of frustration.

Will be using this laptop for college. Everything is perfect about it. Roomy enough for books and laptop, extra pouches to hold ID/Pens/Pencils/Scientific Calculator and laptop cords. side pockets for water bottles. The back panel was a bit "bowed" inward, not flat. I am assuming with weight/wear over the year that it will bow less. I am not sure if this was the design on purpose. Most backpacks I have purchased from NorthFace (store) were not like this.

I wish the pack had a bit larger capacity, and that the outer pocket extended further down.

I should mention that my previous book bag had two pocket spaces for all my stuff, with no support whatsoever. I quickly learned that I needed something with more room and back support to carry my text books and laptop. This backpack exceeded my expectations and I love the burnt coral/heather gray color! The only downside I have right now is that the straps and back are a little stiff, but I'm assuming after wearing it daily they will become more comfortable.

I took this backpack with me on a mission trip and loved it!

I bought this backpack online exactly a year ago, got it 21st June 2018 and before even a year of use there is a huge tear in the front zipper section (a small hand could fit through it). I took this backpack in four different trips and sometimes used it for school, overall, it has at most 250 days of use so I am quite dissapointed that there is such a tear. If it had happened in two or three years time I would have understood, but now? No. I have had backpacks from other brands that of course have gotten tears in their fabrics but after more time and heavier uses, I completely understand that nothing lasts forever but the amount of damage the backpack has after such light use is ridiculous. Is it comfortable? Yes. Roomy? Definitely. Well padded? Of course. Would I recommend it? Absolutely not, you would be throwing your money away.

Such a wonderful graduation gift for my sister! When absolutely loved it! When I was going to school I also used NorthFace backpack.

I am 13 and I bought myself this bag to take on vacation. I plan to put my electronics in it for the drive there. It has a ton of space for my tech stuff and a sweatshirt. It is very comfortable to wear.

When I first found this backpack, I knew that it was the perfect fit. I have been looking for a bag that would be big enough for school and fitting all the binders on a day-to-day basis. This backpack is beyond perfect for that. It is a good material, but more importantly, it is perfectly big enough and has a million pockets. If I wanted to, I could separate all my school needs into its own pocket in this backpack. So, it is perfect for those who like organization and being able to find things with ease. Overall, I recommend and it is definitely worth it. It kinda makes me excited for the next school year....

I use this bag for travel. It's smaller than previous bags I've had, but very comfortable and functioning with smartly placed pockets.

Great material, I know it will last me all my college years!!

I carry a lot of research papers, my computer, and my personal items back and forth from my job to home. The other North Face I was using wasn't big enough for all of this (although that bag is perfect for travel). My husband got me this as a birthday present and I love it