Customer Reviews The North Face Women's Recon

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.

I loved my previous North Face backpack and expected to love this one too, particularly with the "women's" proportions. I'm only 5'0" and curvy but a size 2-4. The Recon did look nice, though the Harbor Blue was very green in person (not even teal). My biggest disappointment was the awful fit. It sat way above my shoulders like a tortoise shell, with the handle poking the middle of my head. You could see several inches of the pack itself above my shoulders. Maybe it was just super stiff coming out of the base, but the straps chafed and it seemed not to hit in the right places due to the narrowness at the top. Forget about comfort: it wasn't baseline functional. I still think that North Face has good quality and style, so I'm going to try a couple of other designs. However, I'd think twice about this one if you're petite.

I've had this pack back for two years, and it's still usable. However I do have my qualms. The bag fits my everyday school supplies (2 books 2-4 binders) and not much more. I liked all the pockets, everything in my bag has it's place. My biggest issue is how quickly it looked dirty, my bag is the zinc grey and surf green, and the green is disgusting to me now. Other issues are how hard the straps and back are, and the water bottle pockets developed large holes in the mesh. Also I don't think you're going to be fitting a soccer ball in the front mesh pocket anytime soon.

I have had this backpack for a year, so I do feel able to give an honest review. Cons: I purchased this backpack in the sea foam green color. In the picture it appears to be a mint color, however the bag I received is more green and is made of a different material than the picture. - This backpack was smaller than I expected, however I do pack a lot each day for school. So if you are a high schooler who does not bring a ton of textbooks, it should work for you. - Ths shoulder straps on this backpack are hard. When completely full and heavy this backpack hurt my back and shoulders. It especially made my neck muscles tighten. Pros: - Overall I would say the backpack is good quality. I have not had anything break and the zippers work fine. - The fleece lined pockets are nice for glasses, electronics, etc. - Every compartment in the backpack is extremely useful and they are set up in an easy to use way.

I really like this backpack, and it fits my books and computer well. The sole problem with it is that the mesh on the back of the backpack ruins your clothes. Every article of clothing I've worn while wearing my backpack has pills all over the lower back. When moving, the back pack's mesh moves back and forth tearing at the fabric of your clothing. I wouldn't buy this product again, and I'm now looking for a backpack that won't ruin hundreds of dollars of clothing.

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.