Customer Reviews The North Face Surge

I bought this to replace a North Face Overhaul 40 backpack that I've had for about ten years. It was great, but the lining had started to disintegrate with age and I found that my stuff always had little black flakes all over it. This bag is a major step backward from the Overhaul 40. First of all, it's just as large physically, but somehow it holds 10 L less (the Overhaul 40 was rated at 41 litres, this one is rated at 31 liters). How does that work? Secondly, the pockets are nowhere near as convenient the Overhaul 40 had a few pockets inside of the main compartment which were very useful, and now they're just gone, replaced by a completely open space. So much for being able to organize anything. This one has more outside pockets, but I don't always want to put everything (especially medications, etc.) in outside pockets. The Overhaul had a convenient, flap-covered pocket in the top specifically for sunglasses, that is lost here. It also had a small, semi-hidden pocket in one side that was good for stashing things that you want to keep out of view (cash, etc.) but want to have easily accessible. Again, that's gone in this one. What we get with this one instead is a stiff back (it feels like maybe there's a stiff sheet of plastic in there?) which might or might not be helpful in carrying it but is almost definitely adding weight. And some oddly placed, not particularly convenient or usable pockets on the back. Finally, while the interior dividers are rather bulky, the outside fabric feels thinner and flimsier I hope it will hold up over time, but I've got my doubts. Honestly, I'm not very happy. But I need something for some upcoming travel, and this is the best I've found. So I'll live with it. But North Face really needs to rethink their design and bring back the Overhaul 40. Newer isn't always better, and in this case it's definitely not.

I had an old Surge Backpack and it was great to use and it fit everything I needed for a day at work or for a short trip. The new Surge does not seem to be able to fit all of the items I typically carry. I has some nice new features that I though may be worth giving it a try. Unfortunately it does not fit my need. So I am back to my old one after a quick wash.

From the 2015 north face surge I've been using his backpack I have four of the 2015. I just acquired in Black the North face search 2022 it has the same durability as a 2015 but the material is a lot lighter. I love how the pockets on the 2022 and the bottom is like the durable material what I do miss the 2015 has compared to the 2022 is I love the yak zippers on the 2015. The 2022 TNF Surge Is different, but the same and most affects the durability comfortability and have a bag is very user friendly. What I like about the 2022 is the backpack straps. North face never disappoints in quality their ability and what I always will love about this company is they stand behind the products. The surge is a little bit more money but if you're looking for a backpack that will serve you for 10 to 12 or even more this backpacks worth it! Stay safe my friend. Safe travels! Thank you again my face.\The surge is a little bit more money but if you're looking for a backpack that will serve you for 10 to 12 or even more this backpacks worth it! Stay safe my friend. Safe travels! Thank you again TNF!

I had an older Surge backpack that i absolutely loved. I could do a 4 day trip packed all in there, no problem. Multiple laptops etc. This new one has a nice look and decent build quality so far, but even though it says it has the same capacity as my old one it just simply isn't true. Others have complained ned about the build quality, but I haven't had any issues with that yet.

This backpack is really nice for travel! I can stuff a lot of items in it and my laptop is protected too! Bought one for my son for school as well.

I've own the original Surge backpack, it's been around the world and still in great condition. Wanted to treat myself to a new upgrade. The new version is awful, poor quality under the guise of "sustainable". Flimsy material, zippers terrible, organization awful. If you've owned an original "Surge" you'll be DISAPPOINTED!!

This is an exchanged backpack for my son. He reports he is impressed with the pocket improvement. He uses it for high school/diabetic supplies and has had no issues thus far. Good product and better customer service.

Haven't used yet . Good quality . Looking forward to travel with

Use this bag for commuting and travel. Love it! Has a place for everything that I need. Only complaint is a hitch in one of the zippers near the water bottle pocket. Other than that, very happy with the backpack!

This bag has all the features I was looking for while still being very stylish. The materials are excellent quality and it holds everything I need it to and more.

My son is beginning college and was excited to get the Surge North Face Backpack for Christmas. He loved North Face items and I am sure that this backpack will be an asset to his college career.

This is a replacement for a 10 year old surge backpack. This one is even better. I love all the pockets!

Very nice overall daily use pack that I use all day, every day. I have owned this about a month. It's great for organizing with easy to access pockets and easy to locate zipper placement. Some are lined for safe guarding delicate glasses and screens. The computer/paperwork organizer in the back is well laid out with excellent protection. The previous Surge pack had some hidden pockets that were perfect for carrying cash and credit cards and wish this had at least one of those. I disliked that the previous one always fell over, this version stands up! As a bicycle commuter I like the little touches like places to attach lights and strapping points for securing bulkier items like my helmet. This Surge Backpack was a direct replacement to the previous model which was tearing at the shoulder strap seam. I work in a medical field and a lifetime hiker who takes excellent care of my equipment. Disappointed that NF said I misused the previous pack, but the Customer Service rep came through. These shoulder strap attachments are redesigned so I hope these don't pull out. Some reviews claim that there is less interior room than before. I find that if the front and back pockets are fully loaded then, yes there is less room in the main compartment. I prefer this organization system over more interior room, of course you can unload the pockets for cavernous main storage. I still hike with lots of NF equipment from the 90's. At work I use a NF lumbar pack that has outlasted 4 other brands! I go with The North Face for their excellent quality, durability and support.

Was a gift. The person loves it! Great color fantastic quality. Will be used for every day commuting

I love the bag. But it doesn't stand straight by itself and the straps are not comfortable.

This is my second backpack from The North Face (the first one I pretty much wore out after 8 years) and it is better than the first. There are pockets within pockets which helps me keep everything organized, including a special pocket to keep my laptop safe and secure.

A quick search here shows that the straps on these backpacks were recently changed, and they regularly rip off of the bag entirely. My backpack's seams started coming apart after a couple weeks' use, but I stupidly thought the problem was only cosmetic. Less than 2 years later, the strap came off. TNF said this was not covered by their warranty. My bag otherwise looks new, so I think it's pretty clear this was a defect in production. Besides, the countless other reviews with the same problem show a pattern. TNF used to be known for honoring their warranty even when they didn't need to do so. Now, it looks like they've swayed to the other end. Buy a cheaper bag that will last just as long, or a bag from a company who means it when they say they have a warranty.

Disappointed with quality of backpack. Purchased 2 backpacks for my 2 college kids and both experienced rips around the shoulder strap area. Sent one backpack to warranty center- was provided in store credit. Will send other backpack to warranty when child returns for the Christmas break. Will purchase another one since have the credit, but not thrilled at idea.

I use it a lot for travel transportation school and everything else in between I mean the bag does it's job the material doesn't feel as good as it has in the past and the zippers move so bad and literally get stuck all the time if your not paying attention. It's decent like I said gets the job done but not as good as previous products

After seven years, my previous surge bag died :( miss it dearly so I decided to get the updated version. I love the pockets and the storage. The size is great because it can hold my 15 inch MacBook. I also really love how the water bottle holders actually keep the bottle in. My previous bag always had my 32 ounce bottle falling out. However, something that annoys me is that I can never get the straps to feel even if I have a waterbottle in the pocket of one side. It also has just such a rigid back that it makes it hard to sit down without it falling over or bending.

Runs larger than other backpacks. Only issue I have is that the front piece wrinkles up quite a bit, taking away from the look of the backpack. The image shown in the display pic must have it stretched to the sides or something because I can't get mine to look like that at all. When it's filled w things it still looks wrinkled as well. To the point where the zipper catches in the wrinkles.

Love the amount of storage\pockets on this bag. However, it's not necessarily a bag for carrying a lot of weight. The shoulder strap tore open after 6 months of carrying a full backpack of gear around campus. TNF people said it was misused...it wasn't.

I love this bag. I use it as my everyday. Only thing i don't like is a minor design flaw. The flap that's supposed to go over the mesh zipper doesn't stay down and pulls up.

Awesome Product. I like the new design with the front pockets on either side. The bag is big enough for all my school supplies and great for skiing. The tablet and computer padded sleeve come in handy when carrying multiple devices.

It's been a long time since I purchased a new backpack and after doing a lot of research, I decided to purchase this one. The organization is well thought out and I really like the front flap pockets. It makes things much easier to access than I expected. The other compartments were good and I really liked the water bottle holders on both sides. The big thing I didn't like was the size. After putting my bulky workstation laptop in the back along with several accessories in the front pockets, I was very surprised to see how little space I had for the main compartment. I was hoping that it would be like my old back pack where it would expand to hold everything I needed. Instead, each thing I added are into the main compartment space until there was almost no room left. I'm assuming it's so the bag does not get overloaded or too heavy, but I would rather have the option to stuff it with more than my poofy jacket plus laptop, accessories and a snack.