Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

Bought this pack for EDC and I love it. Very roomy & very comfortable.

I was iffy about TNF backpacks because I was a used to to LL Bean bookbags that I've had for the past 7yrs and the lining on the inside is falling apart so I decided to buy a north face. My main concern was wondering if my hp 15.6' laptop would fit in the sleeve and it does! :) I can fit my entire life In this bag which makes me happy. Ivhope this bag will last me as long as my LL Bean one did or longer.

It is so comfortable i can carry multiple textbooks at the same time, it protects my laptop, and i look good in it. However, i have a hard time fitting binders in it. Overall though, it is great for travel, hiking, and school and i love it, i just wish i could fit a one and a half inch binder plus some other stuff instead of only that one item.

cool backpack

For all of high school and most of college I have used my Recon backpack daily, and now after 6.5 years of heavy use it is just now showing light signs of wear. It is still holding up and usable today.

When my mom took me into The North Face store when I was in high school, the sales person told us that this backpack had a lifetime guarantee. I was so excited and turned to my mom and said this is great! I can jut bring it back at the end of this year when it wears out like mine do every year. Well it didn't. I used it through college, grad school, and beyond. And now I'm 33 and have 4 kids and am passing it down to my 2nd grader just so I have an excuse to finally get a new backpack. I use it constantly and it still looks new. It looks like there are so many new features now on the newer version of the same bag. I can't wait to get a new one and I hope it lasts another 15 years +!

I mainly purchased this backpack for college, but I use it for literally everything in between. This backpack has been around the world and has been perfect! I love all the space and the well designed pockets. Also, there's enough padding and support so it's always comfortable.

I currently have an all-black Recon thought I purchased back around 2004. It replaced a red and black Recon that was stolen. I have travelled thousands of miles with just this bag. It can easily be a weekend bag. I love putting my shoes in the water bottle holders and jackets in the outside mesh pocket. The only thing I see missing in the current model is the keychain holder that really comes in handy when the bag is full and you want to find your keys in a hurry. The front top pocket zipper on mine broke years ago and I just sent it in for repair. I look forward to using it for years to come once I get it back!

I have had this North Face Recon backpack for two years and it still feels and looks like new. I believe this is a must if you are looking for a new backpack while in college. Not only should it be a backpack that you feel comfortable carrying around but also a backpack that you know will last you a long time. Any college student will like this because of its easiness to stay organized, its redesigned suspension for all day support, and quick access to side pockets to either hold your belongings such as keys or water bottle. Support: As student in college having a backpack that will provide the support that you need for all your books, notebooks, and laptop is essential. What I love about this backpack is that it provides extra padded support in both the shoulders and back. On both arm straps there is wide padding underneath the straps that runs along your shoulders and chest. This feature helps avoid that direct contact with the strap that can sometimes dig into your shoulders if your backpack is extra heavy. The padding on the back side of the backpack is really great because I am a person that gets back pain easily, and if my backpack is too heavy or I have been carrying something heavy for too long it creates even more pain. The padding can serve as a cushion or layer between what's inside your backpack and the backpack material that sometimes isn't very thick that will be touching your back area. Compared to my older backpacks that have ranged from Nike to other North Face styles, I can see feel the difference and support this bag truly does have. Lastly, there are adjustable straps that it comes with, which are some around your waist, in front of your chest, and along the sides. For my likeness, I think there are too many straps, and it is overwhelming adjusting all of them. However, they are removable. This lets me individualize it to how I like it.

This is wonderful! I initially hesitated when buying this because it was so expensive. However, it is well worth the money. I am a student, so I carry around a ton of books/food/supplies, and my backpack gets very heavy. This is the only backpack that I've tried that doesn't show signs of wear immediately. Legit the other less expensive backpacks have given up on me within a month or two. This one is also sturdy and manages the weight well. It is super comfortable! 10/10 worth it!

This thing was awesome! Carried our water, some snacks, a camera and lenses, laptops, extra clothing and more! My favorite part is how comfy the straps are. This will be used for many trips to come! This was ideal as a carry on for airport travel as well.

The pictures on the website don't show just how big and how many pockets there are and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the front pocket it bigger than shown online and there is a pocket below the very very small pocket (it doesn't have a zipper so isn't obvious that it's a pocket) can't wait to start using it!!!

I go to college and I have has used it for 3 years and it is amazing. It rains a lot where I live and it rarely leaks water into the inside. Overall a great bag and I love it.

I really love this backpack! I've used it since my junior year of high school and I'm now a sophomore in college. I used to use under armour backpacks but every year I would have to get a new one because a binder would rub through the fabric and there would be holes everywhere. Granted I've always been one to pack a ton of binders and notebooks in my backpack, but it's still annoying to buy a new backpack every year. This one is very comfortable and has a ton of space. All of my friends have the borealis backpack but I got this one for its bigger size/more pockets. The only downside I have about this backpack is the fact that there are so many straps and buckles in the back of the backpack. I simply buckled them all together and they lay flat against the back and they no longer bother me. I also wish I got a color other than the white/grey because as much as I love the way it looked brand new it's so dirty now and I'm super OCD about that. Overall this backpack is absolutely worth the price I don't see mine needing a replacement anytime soon.

Awesome backpack! I have had this bag for the last 4 years. I most used it it for school, day trips and traveling. I want to buy the newest version but the bag last so long, I have no reason to replace it.

I love this product because I can use it for everything. I use it for school and when I go on trips (short and long trips), and I have never wished it had more space and it always holds up. I have had it for 2 years and it is just like it was when I received it. Great product, lots of space, comfortable, and it looks on the verge of being a bit campy but yet looks modern.

My every day carry for general use/short travels/gym - best bag on the market at this price point.

I love this product! I got it in purple and blue, and although the purple is darker in person than what is shown on the website, it is still very cute. It can hold everything I need easily and the backpack helps it feel light!

I've owned my Recon backpack for upwards of four years now, and it's easily the most sturdy, reliable and functional pack I've ever owned. I carry so much stuff for school on a daily basis, there are some days I can't pick up my bag with one hand because it's so heavy. But after years of constant use and very heavy loads, this bag hasn't ripped, torn, or let me down once. It has shielded my laptop and books from the constant Oregon downpour and fits everything I need easily and in an organized fashion. Though I may eventually upgrade to a new pack, I will surely be returning to TNF to purchase it, as they have definitely proven to me that they make quality products that last through any and everything - I highly recommend this bag!!!

This is my favorite backpack I've ever owned. I can't speak to the color being accurate or not, mine is two years old. However, this pack is so comfortable and practical and I use it for college, my day camp job, and for day hikes. It has been a lifesaver for my back having two straps, especially when I'm carrying lots of water and/or books. I love the laptop sleeve for my macbook; it feels very secure and safe if I knock into something with my pack. The two water bottle holders are convenient and hold a nalgene which is really important to me. The front pocket is great for wet clothes or anything you don't want inside your bag. The little pocket is great for a phone and a few other small necessities. Great organization inside. I am a little sad that it's wearing out already, as I've only had it two years, but I do wear it 300 days a year I'd say so I guess that isn't too shabby! I could certainly get a lot more use out of it, but the bottom is starting to pill and the water bottle pockets have very very small holes in them now. It is no longer nice enough to wear on campus, but I'll keep it for outdoor adventures!

This product is amazing! not only does it have great padding, which prevents back pain, but it also has great storage compartments that help you stay organized. This product is very durable and holds all of the things that you would need every day. I recommend this product because it will help you stay comfortable and happy while you are completing your day to day activities. bottom line..... GET THIS PRODUCT!!!!

Everything was great about this book bag and how spacious it was with a lot of useful pockets. I used this for 2 years in a row and is getting it again for school!

Awesome backpack. Very versatile, comfortable, and durable. I used mine as a day pack in Europe and had no problems. Plenty of storage.

I've had for about 3 years now and still looks good!! I taken this bag traveling in and outside the country. And I love that it's have the multiple pockets and it even just looks good. (Got mine in all black)

The absolute best backpack I have ever owned. I take this this everywhere with me, on my motorcycle, to work, to the gym, to the beach and everywhere I travel. It's been all over the world with me and has held up for about 6 or 7 years now. It has really been beaten up by the sun, dragging it around, rain, sweat, blood, salt water, mud...it's been through it all. The only signs of wear is the water resistant lining is starting to peel off the edges of the secondary compartment, and the stash pocket elastic is stretched out. Also, there's some fading on the fabric from the sun. One of the buckle clips cracked on one side, but it's still functional! I would love to buy another one, but the one I have still works fantastically well. A+ bag. I love it.