Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis Tote

I bought this bag for a weekend trip so I wouldn't have to check in a suitcase. It was comfortable to carry on the shoulder and I fit 5 summer outfits, (dresses, jeans, shirts) a pair of toms and my bathroom bag. It fit perfectly under my airplane seat. As for the backpack part of it, it was a big snug to use as a backpack with the straps being really tight and unable to adjust. Besides a travel bag, it would make a comfortable day to day shoulder bag as well.

Great bag

I really like this bag and use it as a purse with the option to throw in my work computer and paperwork when I move between office locations. During personal time, I can carry all my gear inside, my hydro flask in one side pocket and sunscreen/bug repellent on the other. Sadly, the backpack straps are extremely uncomfortable and dig into my shoulders. This would absolutely be the perfect bag of the backpack straps were better.

Great big size, large pockets in the inside however the straps to wear like a backpack is too small and not adjustable.

I am what NF would consider an XXL customer; I am 5'2". This is a well made bag, roomy, but I really didn't need another tote. The D rings dig into my neck and shoulders so much. I've taken it on just 3 mile hikes, and want to go home and get my Borealis backpack. It looks like the Borealis sling is having the same problems. NF, don't limit your products to certain folks. I have always been curvy in the upper shoulder and chest area even when I was a rather fit person. Don't be like other companies pretending to be open to all body types, but cut corners on fabric and materials. If you don't want more voluptuous women in your products, don't make 'em.

I use this as my day to day bag to hold my laptop and daily outings. I find the backpack straps to be useful when my hands are full running errands, however on the opposite side of that i also find there needs to be some sort of stopper where the backpack straps go. If I use it as a shoulder tote, which is it's primary purpose, if I take one strap off to get into the bag, the bag handles since the bag, pushing out the contents and crumpling the lower part of the bag. There needs to be something that prevents the back pack straps from being free/coming loose whenever. I also find the shoulder straps to be too thin and uncomfortable. I wish they had made them thick at the top shoulder part instead of thin at the shoulder resting area because it causes them to slide off easily. They are a good length. I love the compartments and the dual top zips and everything else about the bag.

I use it for work and daily errands I gave it it a 4 because you're now able to adjust the straps, but otherwise love it .

I'm in nursing school and work at the hospital. I switch out for both. It's a great bag! Just not good as a backpack.

I am in nursing school and use this bag for class and for clinical. It is the perfect size and fits my text books, laptop and supplies. I enjoy that its also a backpack but the straps are not adjustable. If you have a puffy coat on in the winter the backpack straps are tight and it sits really high. I mostly use it as a tote but if I need to I can use the backpack strap on one shoulder if I have on a thick coat.

I Love North Face products .

I use this bag daily for school and work. I hold my laptop, multiple chargers, and books. When the bag is full, it's best to wear it as a tote for comfortability. The straps are not the most comfortable when in use for long periods. I have been bringing the bag everywhere I go for the past month, and besides a bit of dirt, it is in good shape. I wish there were a few more pockets because inside is one big pocket, and it is easy to lose things inside.

This is a great roomy bag that I use for both my everyday bag and my "kids" carryall. It is so versatile! Love this bag.

Great bag! The only thing I would change is make the straps a little longer when caring as a backpack.

I got this as an alternative to a backpack for walking around, but still us the back pack function when im biking. I love it and take it everywhere. A few things i wish i'd known there is a laptop pocket that fits a 15' laptop but padding for the bag itself is minimal, so i have to set my bag down very gently if my computer is in it. Also the straps are not padded, which i was worried they would be uncomfortable as a backpack but its been fine. Would def recommend this bag, and if you have a 13' laptop getting a sleeve. The look is amazing.

Great medium sized bag for daily commute. Plenty of space and functionality. Backpack option is nice but not the most comfortable for long periods of time. The hard material in the handles tends to dig into your back. Interior could have a few smaller pockets IMO. Overall great bag.

Awesome bag. Would have given it 5 stars but it lacks two things -1. Adjustable backpack straps -2. A shoulder strap. Otherwise it's awesome. Well built looks good size is perfect not too big not too small. Can hold lots. Would recommend.

This bag holds everything I need it to, including my 32oz water bottle on one side and my 16oz coffee mug on the other side. Love the look. Only 4 stars because its uncomfortable when wearing as a backpack which is a must for me. The rings dig into my back unfortunately.

I got this bag to hold my gear for watercolor painting outdoors. It fits all supplies and is easily manageable . I got this bag for the backpack option and it has been great to switch from tote to backpack. I love this bag and will be getting lots of use out of it.

I am a teacher so I'm pretty picky about my bags. What I did like about this bag was that it could be worn as a tote or a backpack. That's handy when you're carrying a lot. The quality was decent and the color was nice (I ordered the purple). What I did not like about this bag was the lack of organization. So many TNF backpacks have tons of pockets for organizing small items. This bag has two outer side pockets, one small outer zippered pocket, a laptop sleeve inside, and one large zippered pocket inside. To me, the inside was just one large area and the bag is pretty deep so all of my things felt like they were jumbled and lost. I ended up returning it and going for the recon backpack.

Sturdy tote bag with zip pockets and backpack capability. Wish it had a long carry strap or at least hooks to attach one to.

I got this bag instead of getting a backpack to use for going to work, running errands, and just general city living stuff. I liked the ability to wear it as a backpack for when you need full use of both hands, and I definitely have found that feature useful. It's a very spacious bag and can hold a lot, but I don't understand why they didn't add any internal pockets for small items? It just seems like a huge miss. There is a laptop sleeve, the large main compartment, and a big zipper pocket that spans the full size of the bag but no smaller internal zipper pockets for a phone, wallet, change, or just any small item that you might want to keep inside the bag? There is a very small zipper pocket on the outside that could hold a small wallet but nothing on the inside. The other thing is that because the strap that converts to the backpack is untethered, if you happen to grab only that strap, or if you have the back on your shoulder and are trying to go through it, the entire bag will sink down and depending on what you have in there some of the contents could fall out. I think the backpack convertible is a great feature so maybe if there was some way to lock the buckle so that the bag doesn't collapse? Overall it's well made there's just a couple things that are kind of annoying, and don't seem well thought out.

Great for fitting 17" laptop, nice tall water bottle compartments, but is terrible in "backpack mode". The handle is very stiff and cuts into your back- and was unbearable. I doubt there were even product testers on this- and I triple checked strap placement, etc. not worth the high price. I returned the product two weeks ago and have not received a response nor refund.

This bag and Concept is Unique what makes this Awesome is the Ability to Turn into a backpack but lacks without a adaptor the tote is unisex Northface product.

Back straps are too short. When used it as back pack straps hurt your shoulders.

I typically love all North Face products, but this was a little disappointing. The bag is well-made overall. The outer lining is a little thin though, so you can see the inner fabric through it. Maybe they could've used a lighter color inside so that it wouldn't look so funny. Also, the bag is boxier than expected.