Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis

This backpack hurts my back!! I've used it all year because it's expensive, but I'm ordering another backpack right now from another brand. The straps are horrible and I can never make them feel comfortable. The inside also doesn't have as much space as I was expecting and it was difficult to fit all of my things for school in it. However, I like the laptop sleeve and the organizational features.

I have had 2 older model Borealis in the past which I really liked. My wife has one now. Unfortunately TNF has ruined the backpack with the latest redesign. They have added a very rigid back plate which ruins the pack and they have converted the Borealis into a laptop/school backpack which is worthless for day hiking. Even though TNF states that this is a 28L pack, the same as my previous one, this version does not hold anywhere as much due to the backplate and the narrower sides. This is a real shame as the previous Borealis were great. To make matters worse, the back zipper snags due to the new stiff handle and backplate. Wish I could buy an old design some where.

I can't get it to sit on the ground without falling over. Very frustrating

I got this backpack for high school because the padding on it helps with my back problems and gives off extra support. After trying to wash it and putting it inside a pillow case like what you are supposed to do when you wash a backpack, it now has a big rip in the side of it and is non usable now!

Currently looking for a backpack that won't ruin all of my shirts. Get it together North Face. I'm nothing short of angry.

I bought this bag because I really liked the idea of having a north face bag. Once I started college and used the bag I noticed many annoying things of the bag. If i put a laptop (MacBook air) and two flat folders in it my bag looks like I'm carrying 2 college textbooks and a bunch of rocks. Second, if I try to lay it near me while I am sitting it can not stay up by itself like any other normal bag I have owned, instead it just tips over onto the ground. Also there is a very limited amount of space to carrying course materials around. I spent about 100$ to be very disappointed in my purchase I was looking forward to buying in the beginning.

It started raining on my way to class today and I figured my belongings were safe due to the fabric that this backpack is made out of and also the flaps that cover the zipper. When I got to class, however, I pulled out my soaked notes, textbooks, and laptop, most of which were sitting in excess water at the bottom of the bag. I had hopes that my laptop was safe in its pocket but when I opened it there was water all over the screen and in the keyboard so I might be looking at irreparable water damage. I was only in the rain for a max of five minutes and this thing couldn't protect my stuff.

Carried this for not even 30 days for school and the inside has already ripped open. I only carry my macbook air and a notebook in it. would not buy again

I purchased this pack for my daughter for college. The fit and look of the pack was nice, however, the first time she walked in the rain we realized it was not a good choice. Everything in her pack got soaking wet. And I mean soaking, dripping useless wet. We now have to buy all new supplies and books. Thank God her laptop cover protected her laptop and just the cover was wet. (at least some companies know how to make good products) So for the money, maybe Northface could have thrown in a rain cover like some packs do.

Took this backpack with me while studying abroad. One day I got caught in a small, short rain shower. The water seeped through the backpack and got my laptop wet which destroyed my hard drive. Not only did it lose a computer, but I also lost all of my pictures and memories from my six months abroad. I would not recommend this product, especially for the prices. I expected more from the north face.

This backpack is terrible. I had an older NF backpack that was lost to a house fire. I purchased this as a replacement as that model was no longer made as they were about equivalent sized. This thing has a giant piece of plastic in the back. The plastic bends if it is not carrying a laptop, making this backpack awkward and awful. The bendy plastic thing proceeds to limit what you can get in/how you can pack the bag. Because it is a NF bag, I'm sure it will last forever, which in this case is a horrible realization.

My daughter ordered this backpack for HS. The dimension say 8" deep. However the only part that is 8' was the very bottom. The portion that you would keep notebooks is only 6" deep at best. This is a lot of money for a backpack that is only 6" deep. She does however like the front pocket and and how is it organized.

Overpriced

the back of it is so stiff it hurts my back and the straps of it are like rock hard north face this backpack sucks don't get it there like no room what so ever

I love the old North Face backpacks. My sister bought a Jester about 4 years ago and there is no noticeable wear and tear. However when I got a new Borealis a year ago, the left strap broke within 2 weeks. I'm not a reckless person that throws their backpack down, even though it should hold up with that. I sent it back and it took about 3 months to hear back from TNF. I then got a new one and during the next school year that one broke. I then had ANOTHER overnighted to me (thank you NF!) because I need a backpack for school. That strap is breaking too. I don't overload my backpack.

This backpack is horrible if you plan to use it for school. You can't fit more than 2 small binders and a folder or 2 in here without using force to cram things inside. Even while empty the bag is ridiculously heavy and actually caused me breathing issues while climbing stairs. The straps never stay in place, you'll be constantly adjusting them. Additionally, the bag will not stand up on its own, it's constantly tipping over and if you put anything in the main compartment the smaller pockets become increasingly difficult to open and use. Do not buy this bag, it's not worth the money.

This bag can accommodate and IPad or a very SMALL laptop and that's about IT. It is constructed so as to allow only a minimum of movement inside. If you have more than a small laptop or IPad to carry around, move on to another model. This one was a HUGE disappointment and I should have sent it right back.

I HAD this bag for middle school and a bit of high school. I could never fit the amount of books needed for 2 periods. And at the end of the day I could barely fit 2 binders and 2 books, which lead for me to have to carry stuff around all day. My sisters have had a patagonia back pack for 5 years and the only reason one of them wants to get a new one is because its beginning to get holes in it. I love the Patagonia and I am sticking to it for the rest of my school career.

I used this product for school. It does not look appealing when filled with books. It looks as though there is a turtle on my back. There is not enough pockets or room for much of anything, and the pockets do not open wide enough, so I am forced to shove things in.

It's a very durable backpack but just too heavy. It distributes weight well but is on the small side. I'm returning it.

I don't like this verison of the borealis backpack. The ones they had last year were much better and looked more appealing. I wish they still sold last years borealis backpack on there website. Whoever redesigned their backpacks for this year did an awful job.

UGH I HATE THE 2015 DESIGN I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A NEW NORTH FACE BOOK BAG BUT THEN BAM I CAME HERE AND I HATED THE NEW DESIGN

Great backpack! However I liked how the older version looked, the older one had more options for color and there was one particular color that I liked that the new version does not. I was about to buy the older version of the Borealis backpack, but these backpacks were no longer in the website. Northface you should bring back the older version of the Borealis backpack in your website, so people that want the older backpacks can have more the options... please?

The new packs look great but I want to order an old pack because the colors are better! Don't take away the old colors, just keep both on your site.

Please bring the older model of the borealis back, I was going to buy it for the 2015-2016 school year. Or offer to sell the older model as well!