Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

Would buy again

My only complain is that it doesn't sit up straight whenever you put it down so it's hard to get stuff out when it doesn't let you. But other than that it's durable, stylish and extremely comfortable!!

I use this backpack for school and it is extremely nice. It can fit all my books in it while holding up and staying comfortable.

This is the best backpack I've ever bought. I wanted something versatile because I'm constantly on the go between work and long commutes. Super comfortable, very well structured. It's also a great daypack if you aren't going home for the day. I love the pockets and the organizational features. The three mesh compartments are really handy as well!

Great backpack for everyday use

This is a great bag. I would give it 5 stars but I cannot. The plastic backboard is not removable at all. It is sewn into the back of the bag. It should have been an option to remove it. More forward thinking into versatility and preferences needs to be done in the design process. Otherwise this is a great bag.

I received this same backpack seven years ago! Really it is still great working condition, but my mom thought I'd like to head off to college with a new backpack. It's essentially the same with some minor changes, but I do miss the laptop being in the main conpartment seperated by a nice cushioned padded wall, now the laptop goes in a seperate pouch and now I'll need to take the time to open both areas of backpack.

I use this product as my everything bag. I use it as a work bag and I also use it anytime I travel

I am a graduate student and travel often. I got this backpack because my other was hurting my shoulders from the amount of weight I was carrying. The extra body straps help to relieve pressure from the shoulders and there is enough room in for 2 laptops, books and notebooks. The front small pocket and side bottle holders are perfect for easy access.

The North Face makes the best packs around

It's very comfy and stylish. The backside of the bag is designed to be comfy to the back. It's good for traveling and small trips.

I am a full time student with five classes coming up so I definitely needed a backpack with laptop storage with protection and room for my textbooks. It's very comfortable on the shoulders and has straps in different compartments to help with heaviness.

Love the bag it's comfy, hold everything I need and Ltd very spacious

College student

Us wit for what ever you want

While typical of tnf in terms of attractive appearance, looks can be deceiving. The pack is poorly designed and not ergonomic in function. The side straps at the midpoint of the pack creates a choke point not allowing larger items, such as lunch bag, to be placed into the lower, and roomier portion of the pack. In addition, the concentration of pockets above this choke point causes it to be top heavy so that it is constantly flopping backwards. The design seems to come from a novice at tnf and is truly one of the more disappointing purchases from tnf. Especially in view of the cost which I surmise was just paying for the name brand rather than a quality product.

I bought a recon pack for day hikes about 6 years ago. Quickly, I realized it would work perfectly (and look great) for work. I pack my laptop, cords, various small electronics, a clipboard, warm shirt, snacks, a water bottle, walet, keys, etc in the pack daily. I unload in my car every morning, packing it up again when I get home, unpacking in the house & packing up again the next day. I also unpack my work stuff and use it on the day hikes I originally intended it for. It's been on numerous overnight trips and has spent dozens of nights hanging from a tree branch in the wilderness. It's been abused by airport security countless times too! I'm still using it daily, 6 years later! And it works perfectly. The only reason I just bought a new one is because my pack is filthy, stained and smelly at this point. And I don't have a good way to thoroughly clean and deodorize it. I've been thinking of buying a new one for a couple of weeks and have been periodically looking at the packs on the North Face site. I just looked again and noticed that they've added new color schemes, one of which I (obviously) had to have. I'm not posting a pic of my old pack, only because it's not very flattering. And the Recom backpack does deserve some flattery. I've never had a pack last so long (and still going strong after 6+ years!) I hope they continue to make the Recon. If the pack doesn't outlive me, I'll buy another one in another 6 years or so.

This bag is great in so many ways but it does fall over a lot and can not be upright without leaning onto something. The bag is also very stiff on the back side with no great bend

Awesome backpack. Very comfortable. Load feels lighter than in my old backpack.

Great bag. Just wish there were more pockets for smaller items. The cup holders begin a little high but other than that all around great bag

I love the rose gold detailing

I love this backpack! It's cute, practical, and is amazing quality. The price is worth it and I know it will last many years to come.

Used for high school. Purchased for looks and lifetime guarantee.

I bought this as a birthday gift for my 16 year old daughter and she loves this back pack! She couldn't wait to use it, even when she only had a week left of school. She said there is plenty of room for her Chromebook, folders and her band instrument (flute). However, she said she could do without the chest and stomach buckles; but does love the thumb straps! I would highly recommend this back pack, well worth the price.

The straps are cheap looking and stiff