Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

I bought this for grad school so it needs to carry my 13" laptop every day, a small lunch box, a book or two, papers and a notebook. I also wanted it to double as my travel pack where it'll carry a full complement of electronics - a camera kit, drives etc. Everyone knows the positives of North Face so I'll just describe the (two) issues I have. First, despite the good amount of volume access is a somewhat difficult. The main compartment that holds the laptop just won't unzip more than halfway. So, if I want to put some important documents along with the laptop, or a slim folder or file, I literally have to push these in. Second, the laptop compartment ends a little above the floor of the bag when seen from the main compartment. This is great for protecting the laptop, but then if I keep a notebook in the main compartment its spine comes under pressure around the middle, making the book take a curved shape. For the same reason I can't put a file of documents in the main section. There are also two oddities - First, the bag just won't stand up straight and is ready to topple over. Only with a full load does it not need support, when it leans over on the support of things in the main compartment. Second, while it is really comfortable to carry even with a full load, strangely it is not endorsed by the ACA (the Borealis, Surge etc. are). Not sure about the significance of this. In all, I've thought about returning it, but the comfort is miles ahead of other bags and being a tall person I am quite conscious about not putting the wrong kind of load on my spine. So, I should be able to live with the drawbacks. Overall, I am quite liking the bag!

simply incredible, I have to carry my laptop that is like last century, super heavy and additionally my work utensils and with this suitcase you do not feel the weight, it is incredible, my back and shoulders amannnn this suitcase. the weight spreads symmetrically and argonomically which makes my shoulders and back do not suffer from the weight of my laptop. what a good suitcase thank you, never change.

The Women's Recon backpack can be used for everything! I have used mine for school purposes and for hiking/backpacking purposes! I would most definitely recommend!

This backpack seems to magically lighten the weight and makes it easy for my back and shoulders.

So I bought a guys backpack b/c I LOVE the colors and it such a nice backpack. I wish the straps were like the female backpacks but same color. Would definitely buy it again. This is a keeper and it will be of use as I travel and do other adventure things plus taking classes

I use this backpack for school everyday. Feels very lightweight even though I carry my Mac laptop,iPad, planner, and notebooks for all my classes. Really love this backpack!

I use this backpack for school

This backpack is very roomy and attractive. However, for a college student who has to walk around 30 minutes to classes, I was slightly disappointed by how uncomfortable this backpack was. I tried putting my books and my laptop in it one day and it hurt so much that I decided I just can't bring my laptop with me to class. Otherwise, this backpack does the job. so just wish it were designed more like the older models that were much easier on the neck.

This back was great, more then I expected. I purchase the backpack for a trip my husband I were doing with our 14 month old. I knew that I was going to carry around a lot of his stuff and I needed a back that would hold a lot and have many compartment. This bag did it all, just when I thought I couldn't fit anymore to my surprise I was able to add more. The quality of the bag is great and it was also very comfy considering everything I stuffed in it.

Needed a new backpack for college and it's perfect! It fits all my books and laptop without causing it to be extremely heavy! Highly recommend for college students!

I was really excited to get my first North Face backpack because I see so many of my peers with one! I was expecting high quality with lots of space. But when I got it, I was sadly underwhelmed. I think it feels less spacious than I was expecting and less usable pockets. Also, a small (but annoying) feature is that the pen pockets are too long/deep because every time I put a pencil/pen in it, I end up having to fish for it with my fat fingers and it's difficult. AND THEN, THE WORST PART!!! Two weeks into owning it, one of the water bottle holders ripped! And it wasn't because of me because it had a clean tear at a seam, so it must've just been my water bottle and it couldn't handle it (which is bad because what if I tried to take it camping with me). I will say, though, it's comfy as heck. Feels like so much less strain than my old backpack because the shoulder straps are so dang comfortable.

I brought this backpack for my oldest son that is a high school freshman. He needed a new backpack with enough packets to fit his books, laptop and other nick nacks. Also durable and of course a must for a teenager stylish. He loves the backpack overall. The counted the days for the backpack to arrive.

I bought this backpack for my daughter for school. She absolutely loves it! With all the books and computer she has carry it keeps her back safe and stable .

Use this for school everyday. Love the bookbag and really enjoy the separate laptop pocket. I wish the other bug pocket went all the way down instead of half way but other than that I have no comolaints

This backpack has held up through 8 years of undergrad and graduate school. I was hesitant to spend so much on a backpack when I started college, but I'm glad I did. I have carried heavy books in this backpack and used it on three overseas backpacking trips. It has really held up and is comfortable to carry. I use the pocket in the back for my laptop (13in macbook) and it's kept it safe.

This is my second North Face backpack, my last backpack (a Borealis) lasted a solid 4 years of being used every single day for heavy books and used for 4 months of traveling throughout Europe. This new backpack has all the features I loved about the old one including the waist strap and many small compartments to keep things organized in the front. One minor inconvenience is that the separate laptop pocket is too big for my laptop, so I can feel the laptop moving front to back with every step. A laptop sleeve in the main compartment works better for holding the laptop in place.

Exactly the backpack my daughter was looking for. She loves it.

My son used the backpack for school. It is roomy enough to fit everything he needs!

Very roomy and practical.

I love North Face products and this bag is no exception. Made with excellent material and good size for my to take to work, gym, cycling, etc... Excellent backpack.

Got this for a friend as a gift and they were so content with everything about the quality of the backpack!

I bought this book bag to use at work. I do a lot of walking around the hospital and needed something that would hold my laptop and not hurt my shoulders. This bag is great for what I need. I do wish it was slightly larger so I didn't have to squeeze my stuff on the inside.

I tried this on in the store, looked nice and plenty of storage for my laptop and some notebooks. I initially thought the straps and back padding were too hard/stiff and uncomfortable, but I thought it would get better. So I went home and out my stuff it in and wore it around the house, but I had to take it off because it felt like it was chaffing my shoulder blades/neck. I don't know why but the straps and back padding are so hard and stuff, feels like cardboard inside. Now I'm gonna have to drive back to the store to return it. Very dissapointing.

Okay so, waste of money. Like really. The straps are plastic and made to look high quality but aren't, same with the back part. I bet a backpack that costs 50$ or less would have better straps. It's really uncomfortable and I can't even walk around with it. And there's not enough space! Like who the heck wants a pocket that can't fit ANYTHING besides a folder or a computer.?! There's only one big pocket, but there should be two. And with nothing in it, it's super heavy. I've bought from north face before a few years ago and not a women's, but a kids or whatever I don't really remember, but anyways.... that backpack was so much more comfortable!!! Worst backpack ever, I would return it but I've had it for a few weeks and lost the tags and stuff. The old recon was better. And it's way to pricey!

I love the way it looks.