Customer Reviews The North Face Women's Recon

Great for everything from school to getting on a plane. I definitely "recon"mend this backpack!

This pack is AWSOME the one flaw is the designe kinda weird

I ordered the black and "red" it was BRIGHT ELECTRIC PINK, does not appear so bright in the picture. Def not red so if you are looking for a bright pop this is your bag if you don't want it to stick out or people to wear sunglasses when they see you go with all black :) Comfortable bag with great features.

This pack is great. plenty of storage, comfortable and well made. The only feature that could be improved is the location of the water bottle holders on each side. It is very difficult to reach back and grab a bottle out of the holder with the pack still on. You almost have to take the back pack off to pull the bottles out of the holders.

backpack purchased for my 17 year old who is rough on backpacks. this one has sturdy material, is very roomy inside, and the red, white, and black are great colors together. I am very pleased with my purchase.

I needed a backpack to hold my laptop for work, as well as things for the gym. This was perfect for my needs. I put my shower flip flops and shoes in the outer mesh pocket, my badge and keys in the top zipped compartment, and my wallet and other office essentials in the organizational compartment. My clothes for in the larger compartment with my laptop, and the two water bottle holders are an added convenience. I got the blue and electric coral color, which in real life, was a bit of a random combination. It was still a refreshing departure from the standard black or grey variations that everyone seems to carry.

I am very pleased with this backpack. I needed a new backpack that would hold my laptop next year as I am starting college. This backpack does a great job of this. The only downfalls I have noticed are that the zippers are a little tricky to use but that could stop being a problem the more I use it! Overall I love the backpack and I am very glad I made the purchase

I like this back pack. I haven't used it yet but bought it for day hiking. The only thing is that it seems like a computer bag with the slots in the body of the bag. Maybe it can be modified but I don't want a school bag or computer bag but a day pack. I would think the North Face's bags would be designed that way.

I've been carrying an all black North Face Back pack for 8 years. I went to college with it, vacationed with it, exercised with it, and began my career with it. I recently returned to The North Face Online to make a second pack purchase not because I need a new pack, but because I felt 8 years of full-time service deserved a retirement. I chose an all black Recon. I really like the grey with green pack, but because I use it for work, I felt the all black look was a better fit in my work environment. The large pouch has improved over 8 years, you can either slide a full size 17" laptop (with extended battery) in the tight fitting sleeve, or leave it loose. Aside from my padfolio, this large pouch could stand to carry a lot more. The mid size pouch is perfect for Pens, electronic devices like a Kindle, digital camera, and the like. The small top pouch is great for an ipod and small snacks. I typically use the outer area for drinks rather than the actual drink holders on the side. The shoulder straps and side of the pack against your back are padded and comfortable as usual, no matter how much I stuff in to it. Aside from work, I use this pack when cycling, going to the gym, weekend trips out of town, and on vacation as my carry on. Last month we went on a cruise and I stuffed all of my paperwork, electronics, toiletries, a bottle of wine, and a snorkeling mask and snorkel in to my pack. These packs are well constructed for all purposes, long lasting, and stylish. I receive frequent compliments on my previous and current North Face pack. If I had to voice a less positive comment it would be regarding all of the straps. There is a chest strap and waist strap that I haven't had a need for. Personally I remove them and all is well in the world. Although there is a neat whistle on the chest strap fastener. I would highly recommend The North Face packs. As far as I'm concerned if you mention a pack, I assume you're talking about The North Face backpacks.

I bought a new backpack for use during school and when I go hiking. The backpack is comfortable, durable and fits everything I need. However, I am still getting over the fact that it was $100!!!

I love the new Recon backpack that I ordered from North Face. It is the perfect size to accommodate all of my school materials and has lots of nifty pockets to hold a laptop, water bottle, wallet, and books. When I received the backpack, I found a tag saying that it is certified as a healthy option for your back, although with the amount I carry, I'm sure anything will help my back. I love the simplistic and sophisticated appearance of the bag. However, it is also durable and will be a fitting option to bring for any of my outdoor trips. So glad I choose this North Face brand backpack!

The backpack is great for me because it's a smaller version of the original Recon backpack. However, if you plan on carrying a lot or have a big laptop, I would get the original Recon. I have a 15 inch laptop and it's a snug fit.

I like the color and style very much. It is exactly as shown in the image. It has a lot of room as well. The only thing I have problem with is that the straps are not soft enough, so when the backpack is a little bit heavy (when I carry my laptop and its accessories), it bothers my shoulders a bit.

Why don't The North Face Backpacks have luggage straps anymore? From a person with neck issues, being able to attach my bag to my luggage handle is a life saver. I love everything about the is bag, except the fact that it has no luggage strap.

My bag arrived with one of the embroidered letters in the logo already fraying, so that was disappointing. As an owner of the North Face base camp duffel, I wanted something smaller than the duffel for gym shower days. Admittedly, I do not carry a laptop, so that pocket on the recon backpack isn't important to me, but I was able to fit a few items inside. I am a tall large woman, and my clothing is a 1x/2x. A change of clothing, toiletries and shower shoes all fit, but it was absolutely TIGHT. I could not fit my towel inside. Bonus that I did not think my 40oz Stanley tumbler would fit in the side pocket, but it does!

It's great quality but the mesh tore easily, also there is no more computer pocket that's separate like my last backpack. I may use for traveling but James Port for school.

Just purchased this bag and not going to use it. Have a prior version and it had a built in sleeve for my laptop and now the laptop can just flop around unsecured. Very disappointed

I love the color and looks, but it is a heavy backpack esp for travel or hikes. Also, the main compartment doesn't open up much so you can't put a whole lot in.

The backpack looks nice and has many nifty compartments for things you could need. I wouldn't say it can fit a whole ton of things comfortably, but my main issue is really the quality of the straps. They feel very stiff and not reflective of the price I paid for the backpack. Other than that, it's a fine backpack for daily use.

Seems like a nice bag, I love the various pockets for organizing. It was the perfect size for my stuff. Unfortunately, the overall length and rigid back support construction of this backpack is too long for my torso, the bottom of the bag sits and digs on the bones of my lower back, just above my butt. It will go back.

The Recon backpack is my favorite backpack. I have used on hundreds of trips, both for business and for pleasure. I have written about it and recommended it to everyone. Out of curiosity, I ordered the updated version to test it out and some of my favorite features of the Recon have been replaced. The side pockets are considerably smaller, I can fit a thigh-length packable down coat in the old Recon pockets. The front pocket no longer has the ability to cinch down when packed which is such a nice feature. The straps that cinch the sides and front pocket not only help keep whatever you have packed in the front pocket in, but I was able to use those clipped straps to secure my water bottle when out and about, keeping it in my bag when jostled about. The back padding has been significantly reduced, which is a great feature of the regional Recon. I also preferred the top pocket on the old Recon tho it could have been slightly larger. That's where I keep my essentials on a flight, and it's a quick stash pocket for my passport and wallet when moving through the airport. The new pocket is nice in its depth but less handy, especially if you are actually using the front stretchy pocket as I do, typically for a light jacket or two. The new front pocket also looks like it would stretch out easily and without the cinching feature with the straps will just look messy and not be functional after a short period. It would also be great if marketing did a better job of showing all of the pockets, inside and out, and how they are used on all backpacks; it would be easier to make decisions. I do like the water-resistant feature of the updated Recon (I tested the Luxe), but not enough to compensate for the other features that went away. I'll keep an eye out for the next version, and I'm glad my original Recon has a lot of life left in it. Sadly I can't recommend the new version on my website.

I bought the rocket red/everglade melange color which appears completely purple in the online photo. The color in real life is an orangey coral. Very misleading :( great pack though

I recieved this back pack as a Christmas present for a school back pack and at first I was pleased. It has a nice computer pocket and good cup holders on the sides. Although it would be a very good hiking back pack it doesn't seem like it is a good back pack for school. The biggest pocket barley fits all of my spiral notebooks and binders and it is very hard to get out. Also it is very heavy when picked up compared to my old backpack it is not light weight. Too many straps and not easily acessable. I recommend, but not for a school back pack.

As a high school senior, I have a lot of weight to carry around. While this backpack has served as great protection against the elements (rain and snow), I find it giving my sore shoulders both due to the strap placement and the weight. I strongly recommend going with a darker color because I purchased light grey and within a few months dirt was showing! Overall I think this is a sturdy backpack, but I would recommend something more lightweight for students.