Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis

My previous borealis that I purchased in 2014 must've been the men's version because this bag is VERY small. The front pockets don't hold very much, and the middle pocket is shaped in a way that sort of bulges at the bottom, but doesn't really unzip far enough to use all of that space at the top. The side pockets are also a little small for a water bottle over 20 oz. It's well made, though, and I expect it will last 10 years like my last one.

I use the product for school. I really like the design of the backpack because of the colors. I don't like how depending on what I wear it makes a sound while I walk. I wish it was bigger in storage because it feels tight. I don't like the buckles it has on the straps but I know it might be useful for hiking purposes. For the price, I thought it'd be better.

I bought this backpack to use for university / committing in the city on busses and trains. I really like the laptop sleeve and while there is a good amount of space to place smaller things in, it's not the best for packing a lunch and similar sized things in as the middle pocket is fairly narrow. I really like the two front smaller pockets because they're easy to get to when walking. The side pockets are also great for fitting water bottles.

It's a really good backpack. Theres a few things I don't like about it. Like it does not stand up on its own. It also doesn't have a ton of open space. But it's a nice sturdy pack and I really like all the pockets

I loved this color, but the dedicated laptop space was not a good fit for me. If you are looking for multifunctional (for example, I use my bag as a day bag to hike when not in school) then this backpack does not do its job. It is the exact same size as the jester, and my previous borealis felt bigger for the same volume.

My girls are in middle school and this backpack is extremely small . They can barely fit their two binders and have any room left to fit anything else . Just doesn't have a wide enough opening . Wouldn't purchase again

Pros: comfortable size, quite roomy. Cons: uncomfortable while getting on and removing.

Great backpack and well made but not for a middle schooler- just not big enough for books and notebooks and computer. Perfect size for elementary. We just bought the next size up and it was great!

I bought this backpack for my daughter to carry to school for her 7th grade year. The 1st week of school one of her friends slightly pulled on the straps and the strap snapped into. I feel like for the price of the backpack, it should have held up better than this. The color of the backpack is beautiful and the overall quality of the rest of the material is nice.

The backpack is great and we love it! Unfortunately the shipping took way longer than expected! Luckily it still arrived in time! It would be great to announce on the website that 3-5 shipping days are not the exact time, it will take much longer, almost up to 2 weeks!

Cute bag! The color is more two toned rather than the way it looks in the product photo but overall still cute and just the right size for law school.

I love the color. I like how it has so many little pockets and zipper inside. And the strings are great to hold a jacket or hoodie for easy access to it all the time. The only problem.. it needs something big or bulky on the bottom of the biggest department to fill it out. If not the backpack has a really weird shape. Very thin on the bottom and huge on the top. I love the color but I'd pick a different model if I could choose again.

I really like how many different compartments there are and the laptop sleeve. However my only criticism would be that all those compartments/packets are the same size inside the backpack making it look super top heavy and hard to put stuff in the main pocket. Otherwise It fits a lot, looks good and is pretty comfortable even on long motorcycle rides.

I liked the backpack, but it's too top heavy. It constantly falls on it's face and it drives me crazy! Even when I try to lean it on stuff it tips forward. I typically don't have that much stuff it it. Also the waterbottle pockets have worn out. Comfy though.

I had my previous North Face backpack (Jester II) for 6 years (2014-2020), and it didn't start wearing down until the 5th year. I just purchased the Borealis in June 2020 and the water bottle side pockets have already ripped a couple months ago. I'm a bit disappointed/surprised because I probably use this pack less than my last one, as I am no longer a park ranger who wears her pack every single day. My Jester II had even gone through a prescribed burn, my Borealis has really only been on hikes. It does have great organization and is aesthetically pleasing though.

I use this backpack for schooling, it was gifted to me when I came to college. It has held up and been very durable on the outside, but the inside became worn.

I returned it because I like it more the one designed for men.

This backpack is nice and roomy but I have had two and the seams on the shoulders seem to rip and tear very fast so I am not happy with that.

I used my backpack every single day for college and loved it, but it wore out. The replacement one had changed the design for the laptop compartment and I didn't like it. I tried to get the old design and sadly it was no longer available

I loved and wore out my previous NorthFace backpack so I wanted to upgrade to a newer version - I like the newer one bc it is lightweight but it does not have a loop in back to easily hang it on a hook and the back part of the bag is stiff and not flexible.

I wish the second pocket was the whole depth of the bag and not a half pocket. I have the older version of this bag with the second pocket as described ans I like that SO much more

So, I had bought this because I needed a bigger bag to use for school, and I know North Face to be an amazingly durable company. The bag is very durable and VERY high quality, HOWEVER if you are planning on using this bag for school, please get a different bag. The way that bag opens is very, very annoying when you're in a classroom, and the bag does not stand up. It falls over on its face when you set it down, no matter what direction you set it down in. Also, I find it to actually bet too heavy and too clumsy to use as a school bag. It would probably be a perfect hiking bag for LONG trips, but not for short ones or day hikes.

this product is great, except for the fact that the pockets ripped in less than half a year. i love the colors though. lots of pockets and a very protective computer pocket.

I love the look but the shape of the backpack makes it so it doesn't not stand on it's own. Not worth the price

This backpack is used for school and travel. It is good to hold electronics but the water bottle holders don't hold up well.