Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

If you were to by this backpack you should go to the store and check it out before buying it.

I really like this backpack. It is large & holds a lot of stuff inside. However, when I ordered this backpack it was supposed to come in white with green and coral accents. Instead the backpack I got was all green with a few coral accents. I was starting school & needed a backpack ASAP so I didn't have the time to send it back. The color it came in actually quite ugly & I really hate that part about it. I get a little annoyed with it being the wrong color every time I look at it. I am considering purchasing this bag again, but hopefully in the correct color, once I save enough money.

I got the surf green color which looks like a beautiful mint on the computer screen but when I got it in the mail is was an ugly green color. Y'all need to make your pictures of the product look like they do in real life. (Btw I know it's called surf GREEN but I went off of the picture) and they get really dirty really easily. The backpack also doesn't sit up. It's always falling over or sliding down. This product was horrible considering the money I paid for it.

I thought the Recon backup was the best design ever with a space for everything from school to day hikes. My first one lasted forever and the only reason I got a new one was that I'm an adult now and needed a more professional color. As other reviewers have mentioned, my newer model has had fabric and foam ripping. Apparently that's not covered under warranty and that's a shame because I've only had this one for a year. I've bought this backpack for several other people because I've liked it so much, but I might have to look elsewhere due to quality issues.

It is a great backpack for school, but I was extremely disappointed in the color. The online pictures make the book bag look like a lighter gray with bright teal as the accent but when I opened my package I found a dark, almost black gray and a very dark blue. I absolutely hate how it looks, but it is too late to return it before the school year starts. Again a great bag for school, but be aware of the color difference.

This pack can be customized to fit you perfectly. Also, I love the compartmentalization in the front pocket, along with the stash pocket - it'll be easy to store a variety of small items in easy-to-access pouches. Aesthetically, this pack has a great streamlined look. The Pamplona Purple is gorgeous; it's a bit deeper in person, and less bold than it looks online. However, I'm VERY disappointed in the rigidity of the main compartment from the overly-robust laptop sleeve. Sure, that may be great when I want to schlep my devices around the city - but I bought this pack for day hiking and international travel, when I carry irregularly-shaped items that could benefit from some give and adaptability in the pack. I believe equivalent laptop protection could have been achieved with a fraction of the padding.

I just received this product and although online I loved it, I am not pleased with the plastic sleeve at the back. This should have been part of the description. It makes the bag a little stiff. I wish it was a removable option. Not sure if I will keep it or not. Everything else described is perfect.

I has a RECON backpack for over 8 years. So when I came to Northface to buy another backpack I did exactly know what I want, another RECON backpack. Compare to my previous RECON packpack: shoulder padding is stiff (I guess it might get better after using the backpack more) The waist belt is narrow and not comfortable at all around your waist (I am wondering why they changed the design) I found the new shape design more supportive for my back (however I kinda think the previous RECON could get more load) The padding has definitely improved They have removed the little buckle inside the backpack that would support the laptop inside laptop sleeve (I really liked that little buckle, it would make me think my laptop is safe) Overall I expected more from the new design and if you ask me, I honestly prefer the previous design. I love Northface quality so I am not going to return this back, I wish I was more satisfied with the designe though :( I really hope somebody reads the reviews and take them into account for their future designs.

This bag is more casual looking than I expected.

It's just a little to heavy for my liking.

This backpack is great for carrying heavy loads. This is probably the most comfortable I've ever been carrying a laptop, charger, a huge textbook, notebooks, pens and highlighters, and other personal items. The straps are comfortable and the backpack feels like a tank in that it is so protective of the the laptop and of your shoulderblades. However, the inside is just badly designed. I can only fit one textbook in this backpack (which is good - it encourages me to carry less), but that just means that I have to hold the other one in my hands. And the second pocket is just ridiculous. It has designated space for a ipad mini tablet and a phone. What percentage of people who own this packpack also own an ipad mini? Certainly well under half. Who carries a phone deep inside a backpack? No. People carry wallets and pens and highlighters and chapstick and lotion and chargers and things like that. And the pockets are designed such that all of that stuff just kind of has to get thrown in. Very frustrating and very hard to get things you need quickly.

I bought this backpack for my highschooler and ended up having to return it because too much space was allocated to the laptop sleeve which limited the main compartment space for books & binders.

I am satisfied with this backpack. It is a little uncomfortable though because it is very stiff. There is a lot of room to keep items like gum, headphones, a planner, etc. the main part could have more storage because my computer takes up a lot of the space.

I loved the color of the backpack online but when I got it the color didn't look anything like it did on here.

Great backpack. Just not the same color as described at all. Returned and exchanging for a different color.

I had always admired the recon backpack, so I decided to purchase it since I will be starting college this fall. When I went online, I noticed that a new design was replaced with the old backpacks. Not gonna lie, I was a little saddened, because I loved the design of the old backpack. But, I still went ahead and purchased this one. The backpack is designed great, it fits alot of things very easily. But there's a huge downsider- the straps are VERY uncomfortable. The new backpacks have this weird attachment that connects the back of the backpack to the straps, you can see it in the photos. But, that area creates horrible pain when I wear the backpack. Even pain after I took it off! The backpack also doesn't stand on it's on! The back support is longer than the bottom of the "sack" so it makes the backpack lean forward. There is no flat surface on the bottom. A real disappointment, it is not comfortable at all. Not satisfied 100% with this design, and it's sad because I really was expecting something wonderful! I will be purchasing an old "out of season" recon on a different website and when it comes in, compare it to this recon to see which backpack I like better. The old backpacks have a smooth strand, which I am hoping will work better for me. Really wish I could say I love it, but I don't. Don't think the packs should have been changed so much.

Awesome backpack. Tons of room! Love the laptop sleeve. Not near as bright as the picture shown. Very disappointed in that aspect.

Overall a good backpack. The material used is durable though I'm not sure how it would do in rainy weather. Lots of pockets of different sizes for your storage needs. Sturdy back for shoulder and back support. The only reason it did not get an extra star was because the laptop compartment was too small for my laptop. Unless you have a smaller than average portable PC you'll find your laptop asking for more space. Otherwise, I'd choose this pack as my everyday carry.

I purchased this backpack to use for school. When it first arrived I was excited about the look and feel of the backpack overall. Pockets are nicely lined and I was able to fit my laptop, empty binder, 2 single subject notebooks and a pencil pouch in the main pouch comfortably. Now the issues I had with the backpack.. The straps when warn comfortably the backpack was up so high on my back it was right up to my neck, and there is a random plastic piece at the top under the material that rubs against my neck/head if I turn my head in any direction or look up. When I lowered the straps so the backpacks was more comfortable, (besides the super stiff back) the straps inside of the straps point upwards and do not lay flat on the shoulders. The back is so stiff and there is zero flex to this backpack at all so don't expect any sort of comfort from that. It is nicely padded but it doesn't help with the comfort. The corners of this backpack are sharp and when you bend to the side they poke. Very disappointed in this backpack!

I loved the color of the backpack but I was disappointed with how stiff it was and how quickly it tore from the shoulder strap area. I'm not sure if mine was defective but I only had it for 5-6 months and I only carried my macbook, a five subject notebook, cell and laptop chargers and snacks while walking around campus. There was no way it should've torn so quickly and easily.

Ok so I had this backpack for about four months before the straps completely ripped off. Grated, I'm a student...so I cary fairly heavy books. But this backpack is built for hiking and other very trying activities, and the fact it broke after just four months of use is disappointing. I like the style of this backpack and its pretty roomy, but the seams were just so weak. I'm gonna give this pack another try (maybe it was a manufacturing issue?). Anyways, I would just be aware of the weakness of the straps of this product, especially if you carry heavier items.

I bought this backpack for my first year of college, knowing that in the past I really liked backpacks from North Face. Before my second semester I bought a new backpack from a different company because this one was so uncomfortable to carry. It hurt my back, the straps would rub my arms and neck, and it wasn't even big enough to be carry all the notebooks I needed in a day. I will not be purchasing again due to the fact that you are spending so much money on a bag that hurts your back so badly when you've only been carrying it for 10 minutes. Very disappointed.

I just got this backpack as an upgrade from the Jester backpack (the older model with no padding on the back) and I really love the features and size of this backpack, it's much bigger and has nicer finishes than my old one. However, I ordered the Blackberry Wine/Chambray Blue color and it's nothing like shown in the picture. The picture makes it look like the majority color is navy, but really it's more of a grayish-light blue and the purple part also has a diamond pattern on it. This color scheme really makes the light blue zippers pop out less and I was really disappointing upon receiving it as I now have to take the time to return it and buy a new color.

Loved this backpack at first, but 2 weeks in I seen the seam was ripped and one strap was longer than the other. Needless to say im returning mine.

I've used a northface backpack for about 15 years now. I've had the Jester, Recon, and Borealis. Decided to purchase a new backpack for nursing school because I loved the new colors. Upon receiving my new Recon, the colors were just as pictured online. The back padding however was super stiff and the backpack will NOT stand even when holding 20 pounds inside. (Dealbreaker) I am very disappointed in the new design of the northface backpacks. I will have to search for a new brand, sadly.