Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis

The backpack is really nice but it is mis-marketed as being able to carry a 15" laptop. I have a 15" Macbook Pro with Retina Display, which is a standard 15" laptop that many people have (technically 15.4"). However, the laptop is extremely tight in this backpack and would be prone to damage. This backpack can ONLY fit a 13" laptop comfortably.

I eagerly bought this backpack in black and expected it to be able to contain all my things. It failed to do so. I can only squeeze two binders inside without fear of ripping the bag. I must admit the backpack is visually appealing and comfortable as well as stylish. If the capacity were to be increased then I would definitely rate it five stars.

I really like this backpack but there is a decent amount of pros and cons. PROS: -Lots of pockets: My last backpack didn't have nearly as many pockets so this feature is quite nice. It keeps all of my belongings organized. -Two mesh side pockets: This is a requirement for me. I like keeping items in here where I need quick access to. -Large smaller pocket: It's incredibly deep, which is nice because I carry around a lot of items and it doesn't bulge out either. Fits my brick-of-a-laptop charger in there along with my mouse, and it still doesn't bulge out. CONS: -Laptop sleeve is not deep enough: The main reason why I needed a new backpack was because there was a hole in the laptop pocket of my old backpack. I was iffy about getting this backpack because someone mentioned it can only fit a 13" laptop. Now I can see why, literally. My laptop sticks out at the top because the pad at the bottom of the sleeve is too high up. This is where most of the star reduction comes from. -Too stiff: My last backpack was very comfortable; it had soft padding and rested against my back nicely. The one I received from TNF is extremely stiff and slightly uncomfortable. I'm hoping it breaks in but it might take a while. -Awkward interior design: The bottom pad from the laptop sleeve bulges out, which annoys me quite a lot. I decided to just put my laptop outside of the sleeve and my folders inside of it; otherwise, my folders would be bent from the bulge sticking out. I decided to keep this backpack mainly because of the amount of pockets it has but I expected better design/quality for the price. Every person I pass by literally has a TNF backpack. I assumed there was a reason why, but from the one I received I might not buy another one anytime soon.

I purchased this same product TWICE, yes twice for my son for school. The first one lasted 6 months when the mesh side pocket he keeps his water bottle developed a hole. The second one lasted 5 months when the same thing happened!! Just a basic Camelbak water bottle was kept in there, nothing more. I have received terrible treatment from warranty. Telling me it's considered "regular wear and tear". To me that's an out for them to not stand behind their product. And for silly Mom's like myself to make the same mistake twice by repurchasing means more money for TNF! Simply put, TNF is not making the quality products they did even 5 years ago and the problem is you once had that awesome "life time warranty" that made customers like myself want to come back. Now, after a decade plus....I'm officially done :( My local store staff were always pleasant and provided such excellent customer service it has been a pleasure to shop there but, the treatment from Warranty is a deal breaker, sorry!

I use this bag for school primarily, or on weekend trips. I am a law student and carry many heavy books on a daily basis along with a laptop. This bag is great for that! The back is very well supported and padded- similar to the backpack I use for rustic camping. If you're not used to a structured and well supported back, with the padding and venting, I can see where this would be weird at first but it really is better for your back in the long run and helps to better distribute the weight you are carrying. I also like the design of the shoulder straps and pads of this bag. They curve inward and I find that they fit my shoulders better. I find that on gender-neutral bags the straps are sometimes wider set, which results in the straps sliding off of one shoulder or the other. I have not found that to be the case with this bag. I chose the heathered grey an magenta bag and while the grey is spot on to the picture, the magenta is a little darker and not a "pink" as the picture on the website. It's still a pretty color and looks great so I wasn't bothered, but if someone was very set on getting a brighter magenta, you might want to see if there is a store by you to view the colors first. Overall, it's a great bag and I find that my shoulders and back are not as sore at the end of a long week compared to your regualr school bag without the structured support of this bag.

This backpack has lasted me about 3 years now and I use it almost every day! I love it and am going to buy another one! I have used it for everything from traveling across the world to hiking to school books and it works for it all!

I love this backpack because it can fit everything I need for work and school in it. It is very comfortable if you need to wear it for a long period of time. In my school so many people have this backpack and we would all recommend this product.

This packback is amazing . I have used it for work, traveling and school . It's big enough for a few notebooks and a laptop. It can hold a decent amount of clothes if you are traveling . If you have heavy books I don't reccomend it it won't hold all of them. I've had this backpack for almost two years and so far it hasn't ripped or anything. I have the coral green one and had to wash it by ha d a few times .

I got this bag 6 years ago for school and travel before switching bags. It is still in great quality after years and years of use. I have used it for easy hikes, but I overall do not recommend this product for hiking use. Many zippers, good for computers and books, and it is well made. I would highly recommend this product for school or office use!

Huge North Face backpack fan. Enjoy the oversized (tall) cup holders. Seems durable and stylish.

i got this backpack in the middle of the school year since my jansport backpack broke after the first 6 months. it's great for carrying your laptop with protection and other items too. super stylish

High school student using bag. Bag held up all school year (Feb now) still looks new, great Northface quality. Good spot to put a computer, albeit it needs to be a smaller computer (Chromebook barely fits). Good support for back and lots of pockets for things like pens or snacks.

I am about to order my 4th Borealis Backpack. Love it for travel because it allows me to carry a lot of stuff, but still stay organized so I can find it. Bottom line....best backpack ever!!!

Best out there. I have actually thought about purchasing another just for a change in color but I love mine!!

I have been using this backpack from 4th grade until my senior year of college (16th grade). I have nothing but good things to say about this bag! I also use this as my "adventure backpack". So far, there is not a single rip/tear on the bag, and all of the original zippers, buckles, and straps are still in working order. I have taken this bag mountain biking, snow skiing, traveling in and outside of the US, and it has been used for school 200+ days a year. That is a lot of abuse, and the borealis bag doesn't show it at all! Invest in a quality piece like this, and it'll outlast 10 of the cheap alternatives! I would absolutely recommend this bag, I have gotten a dozen years of use and I plan to get a dozen more. Thanks North Face!

I LOVE this backpack!! I use it for college and it's so great because there's a pocket for literally everything. I can safely put my laptop in the padded/lined pocket, my sunglasses and keys in another small outer pocket, all my books/notebooks in another massive pocket, and my water bottle in the side pocket. It's super comfortable and sits on my back nicely. You can tell that the material is awesome quality and I don't feel like it's going to rip anytime soon (the tragedy that befell my Herschel supply backpack of 3 years). It feels very durable and honestly just made well. I'm also super excited to use it for hiking and for traveling!

When I pick it up it's pretty heavy but when I put it on my back it's like a feather. I wish it would fit more, I probably just need stretch it out more with all my books lol, BUT it's a really good backpack, I love it a lot.

I've had an older version of this pack for over eight years. It's been in daily use from elementary school to college for school, travel, and hiking, and has helped me through an unrelated back injury. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants their bag to last for a decade of heavy abuse.

I used this backpack at the end of high school and into college and it is the perfect size to fit my laptop and any books I need. The backpack is able to hold everything I need without looking too bulky.

This is a great product, I bougth it for a trip to Costa Rica and performed excelent, after that I've been used it for about 1.5 years (without noticeable wearing) to carry my laptop and office/field staff in tough environments; it is very comfortable and roomy, I'd just add more pockets, but is excelent for me.

Lots of space, great quality, It has a nice design , it will defiantly last a long time .