Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis

This backpack is amazing because is durable and you can save you computer or table is very confortable and also had a whistle

I bought this because I am going away for college and I wanted a backpack that would protect my new laptop.

As with any backpack, you just hope it meets the description. This was a thoughtfully designed and crafted backpack for a good price. Be aware, it really isn't a do everything bag, but is good if you just want to haul stuff around.

There is not enough room in the back of the backpack. The laptop storage takes up all the space. I think there should be an optional compartment for that. I hope one day my request can be granted..

Quoting 29 L is a stretch unless my old backpack underestimated its volume. I can squeeze in a textbook or two and some notebooks along with my laptop, but only really enough when I use the front pocket for books as well as it takes up a lot of space. I LOVE the laptop slot though; I feel like it really protects my laptop from all sides, especially the bottom, which a lot of backpacks lack support in. In general, the backpack looks nice. I wish it was a tad wider both across and out, but the length is definitely good. I am pretty tall but I don't think it would be too long for an average height person.

I'll be starting college in New Hampshire this fall and need a reliable backpack that can hold my books and also withstand hiking and kayaking trips. This seems to be the one.

As a dad on the go with two little ones this pack helps us take what we need and is light enough I hardly notice. Good stuff! Very durable with ample space.

My granddaughter was thrilled to get it, as she will be taking it this fall when she starts college.

It is durable bag but I really wish it is water resistant..

So far, so good. I've had this backpack about two weeks. So far, I've used it for an overnight work trip to Maine (clothes and work files for one day/night), trips to the gym, and bringing home groceries. I like it. Good sized--not too big, not too small. And twice I've used the bungee straps on the outside to contain a jacket when I've had one but not wanted to wear it. Pockets are decent--not so many that I lose stuff, but enough to keep a couple of types of things separated. I'd definitely recommend it.

A little smaller than I would've liked but probably bc my work laptop is pretty wide. It shipped fast and looks great!

size of bag fits right on your back color is visible even at night , the straps are perfect

I'm a student who bought this backpack for everyday use and I love it. The organizer in the front pouch is very handy for someone who carries a bunch of pens, pencils, markers, and etc. The water bottle pockets fits my bulky 32 oz. water bottle perfectly. My 13" macbook air feels very secure in the laptop sleeve. My only con is that it's too long in my opinion. To me when a backpack is long it feels and looks more like a hiking backpack as opposed to an everyday backpack. Other than that, it's simply the best.

So being a college student, I bought this backpack for my first semester and thought it would be a great fit for just going to a couple of classes, and to a point it was. I can tightly fit 2, 1.5" binders with notebooks in them, a textbook, as well as my laptop in the laptop sleeve. That would be the only thing I would have negative thoughts about. I have a 15.6" hp dv6 laptop and to make sure it gets in my backpack I do have to fold over the top zipper flap for it to fit. I have no problem with that but I know there are some people out there that want everything to be perfect so... Overall, great backpack, no rips, no scratches, and my Nalgenes fit in the side water bottle pockets great. Will continue to use this throughout my college career and probably as a day pack when I go hiking in the summer!

I use this pack for everyday school things, and for going on vacations. I occasionally use it for hiking in the mountains. This pack has held up great for me. It has not lost any color or look like it has gotten dirty at all. The only thing about it for me is that the laptop sleeve barley fits my laptop. Another personal problem for me is that the pack never sits right on my back. I'm about 6 ft and it just looks too small. The next pack I get will probably be the surge 2 just because it is longer. Otherwise this pack is great.

I am a grad student at UTK and I find that this pack is very versatile. I find the laptop insulated sleeve very reassuring and protective ( I've dropped the bag twice with it in it and no problems). It fits well on the back and is good for a day in the Smokies, but I would like a reinforced liner between the main pack and the auxiliary second pack section. Other than that, I am definitely impressed.

The Backpack is really good and spacious. Easily fits 13" macbook in it. Good use for short trips and daily commute to college.

I'm in college and I wanted to get a new backpack for school. I have a heavy class load so I generally carry a lot of binders, a couple textbooks, and my laptop with me several times a week. I love that this backpack has so many compartments and sleeves to store my laptop, pens, waterbottle, etc. However, I wish the backpack was wider. It's very deep, but that isn't as useful for carrying around books and binders. But that's really the only issue I have; other than that, this is an awesome durable bag! It's also a lot better on my back than my old bag was - there's a good amount of cushion to absorb some of the weight from my school stuff.

I like the laptop sleeve's ability to hold my large laptop, and that it is easier to put it back in with the backpack full at airport security. I like having the various pockets in the outer compartment, although the purpose of some is mysterious. So far, I haven't found a reason for the two straps that enable you to cinch up the compartments. To me these are two straps too many to have to deal with. Similarly, if you will usually carry the pack over just one shoulder, the chest and waist straps just dangle about. The construction is solid and the zippers work well.

The backpack has a much snugger and comfortable fit than most backpacks I have utilized in the past, with the amazing benefit of a quality material like gore-tex that you can count on to keep it waterproof. I'm a student in NYC but also very active so I needed a product that could stand up to physical abuse, not stress my back and shoulders during intense movement, and all the while looking good enough to wear to school everyday. The Borealis fit my needs perfectly, the only small change I would make would be a slightly larger front pocket, the one now is useful but fairly shallow and I find it often getting cluttered, if it were to have a bit more space and some sort of interior pockets like the main two pouches, this backpack would be perfect.

I purchased this for my son. He loves the style. Looks great. I think it's a bit heavy (without books) but the extra padding is good support for his back. He finds it be a very comfortable back pack.

The straps wore out very fast as well as the water bottle side pouches so bad quality all in all.

I got this backpack in the middle of the '16-'17 school year after my old backpack broke. I ordered this one and it was great for a while but around October the straps began to slowly rip. Granted I do carry a heavy load each day but not so heavy that this backpack should have worn out so quickly. Now, one of the straps is hanging by three threads and I am hoping it can survive the rest of the year! Besides the straps, the rest of the backpack is in pretty much perfect condition aside from several tears in the side pouches. Because of the overall quality, I will most likely repurchase a North Face backpack for next year, but this time without the suspended straps!!

I have used this backpack for four years of school, and many flights. This backpack is good for carrying smaller loads, but I cannot fit more than two binders in it. The inside pockets have all ripped, but they were very nice while they lasted. The backpack is very comfortable to wear, and I really like the design. I will be getting another north face backpack, but it will be a larger one. I reccommend it for a carry on or a commuting bag, but it can be a bit small for students.