Customer Reviews The North Face Recon

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.

Great backpack. Just not the same color as described at all. Returned and exchanging for a different color.

I had always admired the recon backpack, so I decided to purchase it since I will be starting college this fall. When I went online, I noticed that a new design was replaced with the old backpacks. Not gonna lie, I was a little saddened, because I loved the design of the old backpack. But, I still went ahead and purchased this one. The backpack is designed great, it fits alot of things very easily. But there's a huge downsider- the straps are VERY uncomfortable. The new backpacks have this weird attachment that connects the back of the backpack to the straps, you can see it in the photos. But, that area creates horrible pain when I wear the backpack. Even pain after I took it off! The backpack also doesn't stand on it's on! The back support is longer than the bottom of the "sack" so it makes the backpack lean forward. There is no flat surface on the bottom. A real disappointment, it is not comfortable at all. Not satisfied 100% with this design, and it's sad because I really was expecting something wonderful! I will be purchasing an old "out of season" recon on a different website and when it comes in, compare it to this recon to see which backpack I like better. The old backpacks have a smooth strand, which I am hoping will work better for me. Really wish I could say I love it, but I don't. Don't think the packs should have been changed so much.

Awesome backpack. Tons of room! Love the laptop sleeve. Not near as bright as the picture shown. Very disappointed in that aspect.

Overall a good backpack. The material used is durable though I'm not sure how it would do in rainy weather. Lots of pockets of different sizes for your storage needs. Sturdy back for shoulder and back support. The only reason it did not get an extra star was because the laptop compartment was too small for my laptop. Unless you have a smaller than average portable PC you'll find your laptop asking for more space. Otherwise, I'd choose this pack as my everyday carry.

I purchased this product because i have other northface bags! very pleased with products, however this bag was not what i expected. the design seemed to be the adequate size for my needs but the pockets were small and the side pockets (phone and cups) were very difficult to manipulate. the bag does not have enough stretchiness for books, laptop and/or papers. the front pocket is not deep enough and stuffing it makes access to the middle items inaccessible. the zippers don't move as smoothly as some of the other products i own. the bottom of the bag is not balanced which makes means the bag is always falling over, emptying all of the items on the floor or the car.

I wanted to love this bag but I received one with shoulder straps of different lengths, returned it, and received another with the same problem. It has a lot of great storage features but I found the uneven straps intolerable and returned the second bag.

I'm confused by all these good reviews. Did anyone own an older version of this backpack? Vastly superior. The changes North Face made to this backpack are not good at all. The front pouch is way too shallow. Please bring back old design North Face!

The main pocket where the laptop fits in is a little too tight. Would like more room to be able to fit a notebook next to it. Also, the next larger pocket has a very narrow throat opening due to the smaller pocket in front of it. This prevents you from getting larger items through the opening. Once you get past the opening, it is ok, The smaller pocket in front of it needs to be designed differently and be a little larger.

Great pocket space and overall comfortable to carry. My biggest issue is when you fill the front pocket that is made for accessories and pens, it is then difficult to reach in the main compartment.

i usually love north face bags but this bag was not it. i always have a waterbottle with me (a 32 oz hydroflask) and the straps just ripped up. it's gotten to the point where i can't bring a water bottle with me and i can't put anything else in the pockets.

it got a hole after a couple months of using it at school, and the strap broke. waste of money

I loved the old Recon design where the laptop insert wasn't behind where you put your backpack on a hook. Now I can't access my laptop if it is hanging, so I have to take it off the hook, put it on the floor (where it falls over) then get my laptop, and pls w it back on the hook. It also doesn't have room for items that aren't pretty flat.

I use this as an every day back cary and it is good in theory BUT major gripes with quality control! The shoulder pads on the medial edge have these sharp fibers sticking out which are abrasive (ruined jacket!) not to mention uncomfortable when it rubs against your neck/shoulders :( Also, after normal use, the water bottle pocket on the side has a hole in it already and is starting to wear out. Other signs of wear have become evident including where the chest buckle attaches to the bag which is supposed to slide up and down to be adjustable based on height/comfort this has started to fray. Finally, I can't stand how the bag doesn't stand up right!! Have to constantly lean it on something or it falls over. Other than that it is a good bag with a good design and tons of features. I wanted to like it but the quality control and the toppling really drive me nuts! :(