Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis Tote

It's a good size and lightweight for quick weekend city hopping train trips, but when it's packed full the straps are really tight to use it as a backpack. Too bad the straps aren't adjustable to make it more comfortable. Also the top zipper does not feel very strong when the bag is pretty full. Hoping it will last because I like it as a weekend bag for riding the rails around Europe. I like that it wipes clean very easily.

Great size bag. Just wish it had some pockets on the inside to keep things organized.

I like this bag, I just wish that it DID NOT have the backpack component to it. If I lift up the wrong end one side gets very long only because the bag and backpack part are interchangeable. I have a backpack already so not a fan of the 2:1. I'd choose something else if I wanted a shoulder only back. Didn't realize the 2:1 straps would be so annoying.

The straps have zero padding and if it's "too heavy", it bruises my collarbones. If I am in a tank top, it can really be painful on skin. So if you buy it, you just can't pack too much in it.

I read a lot of reviews for this bag and a video review too. I was a little worried about the straps but I thought how can all these reviewers love it and not me? First, it's a great tote. The pockets are great, the water bottle holders on the side are really great. The bag clears the ground when I'm walking by a good 6 inches (this is important when you're 5 foot tall). However the minute you convert this bag to backpack, it's one of the worst bags I've ever bought. The straps are very thin tote bag straps. No thought was given to padding these so if you wear a tank top you'll likely rip up the tender insides of your arms if you wear it for long. If you pack the bag full, like I do, it just feels like a lumpy mass on your back. The pack is short so it is well above my waist (again, I'm 5 foot). But it's a good tote with some pockets so I guess I'll keep it. But it's not the all-in-one I was hoping for.

Nice sturdy backpack, adore the color. I've been using it to carry my work laptop & notebooks. While I love the design, the laptop sleeve does not fit my hp elitebook work laptop. Would recommend for small laptops and day bag.

I chose the color Laurel Wreath Green - Silver Blue, which is a gorgeous color & its overall aesthetic is awesome. I love the idea of being able to tote around my belongings, & to also have the option to transition the tote as a backpack with ease. However, I ultimately returned it because the arm straps caused strain on my arms quickly when I wore it as a backpack. I also was not too happy about how short the actual tote straps were - I'd personally prefer for it to hang further down my shoulder. On a side note, shipping took quite awhile for whatever reason and the packaging looked as if it'd been attacked by a grizzly bear. I was surprised the tote itself arrived unharmed!

I wanted to like this tote. However, the backpack straps cannot be adjusted. I'm small and there was no way to adjust them to fit my size. Otherwise, the features of the tote are useful: outside pockets for a water bottle, inside sections, etc. If you're tall, the backpack straps will be too small. I'm returning this tote.

The interior bag has plenty of room with zipper pockets on the inside but trying to use the straps as a backpack is super uncomfortable. The straps are way too short to be worn as a backpack and it's very uncomfortable.

2 many pockets

The straps are not long enough to actually wear as a backpack. It would have been nice if the straps had the ability to be made longer so that it could actually be worn as a backpack. I just had to send it in to get fixed as the one strap came apart at the seams, after only have it about a week. Would not recommend for the money spent on it. Definitely disappointing as I've never had issues with north face before.

The bag is very attractive, but every time I use the bag, I am left with huge red marks on my skin. When worn like a tote bag, the fabric on the handle is very rough and digs into my skin. When the bag is worn like a backpack, the notches in the straps dig into my back. The fabric around the handles and straps is harsh; even when wearing a crewneck, I feel the bag digging into my shoulders.

The shoulder straps aren't the best. I bought this to use back & forth to work with my laptop but having the laptop in the bag makes the straps too tight to wear as a backpack. I'm 5' 4" 135 lbs for reference & have very little room with the straps. Unfortunately I threw away all the tags & packaging so now I'm stuck with the bag. Expensive mistake

Love this bag as a tote but the backpack straps are not adjustable and are very tight

Bag was badly made. Runs, snags, uneven lumpy stitching.As other users have mentioned, does not double as a backpack. One strap was twisted. Sent back. What others say about quality decline seems very true. It looked VERY CHEAP.

I wanted to love it but unfortunately I didn't. The color and material is nice but the stitching is horrible. Not to mention the straps are painful. I walked with the bag on for thirty minutes and the plastic part of the strap cut into my skin and bruised my shoulders. My shoulders are incredibly sore.

I used this tote for 2 weeks as a personal bag on planes, I carried an iPad, water, passport and snacks. I used it mainly at the airport and while on the plane, well after that trip the stitching started coming undone. I was told to send it to repair, so I did, but the warranty department just sent me a gift card for the cost of the bag. I lost time with customer service, driving to town to mail it, customer service again, and I ended up without bag and without my money, because TNF things that they should hold my money and force me to buy more of their products. Disappointing and abusive policies. Most of my gear is from TNF, but I'm not buying nor recommending the brand anymore, I'm done with these big companies taking advantage.

It's not usable as a backpack

Size of this bag is good. Straps are not adjustable and they are very thin and uncomfortable once you have it on ur shoulders. It cuts you right into skin. Sits high up due to straps not being able to adjust. I was very disappointed and didn't even use it on our backpacking Europe trip. Had to buy new bag ! :(