Customer Reviews The North Face Borealis

My middle schooler has been using this for over 2 weeks and I'm ready to throw it out. The backpack is extremely top heavy due to the front pockets only being on the top portion of the bag and the inner pockets hold very little gear. The front strap system is also throwing the entire bag off balance. It looks like a nice bag but performance wise, this is not it.

This bag has constantly let me down over the course of my time using it. My biggest complaint is that the design is extremely poor, and the bag constantly folds over itself when I put anything in the second largest pouch (see photo). Additionally, there's holes in both water bottle holders that make water bottles slip thru every time. Overall disappointed with the quality and would recommend a different bag for anyone.

I bought this backpack this summer, and my son did not use it until the school year started. It's the 3rd week of school. My son just picked up his backpack, and the shoulder strap ripped off.

I ordered this product online however when I got it there were so many fraying edges and straps that were stiff and crinkly.

the elastic straps have snapped twice, its not even worth trying to get them fixed. the backpack is incredibly comfortable when packed ~Just~ right. arguably the most comfortable backpack I own. but overstuffed? Terrible. not completely full? Terrible. I frequently keep a blanket shoved in the bottom of this backpack to keep it from feeling floppy. putting the two small pockets up high means putting anything in there makes the backpack so top heavy. and these are exactly the pockets where I put essentials that are always in the backpack, so its always an issue. cant set it down on the ground upright. cant open the main pocket without it spilling over. its so frustrating, it feels like they made this thing upside down. Maybe it works great in Australia. suggestions to TNF: replace the elastics with some straps. switch the top pockets to the bottom so they help hold the backpack up. add compression straps to the side (these can hold the water bottles in place) detach the bottom compression from the back cushion (using them currently turns the backpack bean shaped which is uncomfortable) if you have a bored designer who wants to call me you have my email. TLDR: great backpack to wear, Terrible to pack and open. Bad build quality.

The string thing on the back snapped after a month of use. I only went to work as well. really bad quality. Super frustrating.

Its the worst backpack you can find on the market because it broke inside and i wore it for a month

This backpack was purchased specifically to transport my computer and water bottle on business trips. It failed in one of the two main objectives, not due to normal wear and tear or abuse, but rather due to poor design which they will not own up to. The thin mesh pocket (which they no longer offer on this same backpack for obvious reasons) failed to hold up under normal use. I am sure mine isn't the only one they rejected for warranty repair. I recommend purchasing a less expensive backpack elsewhere, at least when it fails you didn't spend a young fortune on it and wouldn't feel as bad not having over payed for an under performing product. The lifetime warranty is a joke, their solution was to offer a discount to get me to buy more products that have a history to failure which is not a motivation for me to buy any more gear from NorthFace.

After 18 months, the strap padding seam is ripped. It is not even a "load bearing" is ripped. I have some LL Bean backpacks used lot harder than this and are still in great shape. Manufacturing by cheap labor in 3rd world countries is not a recipe for quality and durability. Yet we pay 1st world prices for it.

This backpack is great. There is one big issue though. The straps are insanely squeaky, and make using this backpack almost unbearable on a daily basis. Not sure how to fix this issue.

I didn't realize I was purchasing the backpack with patches on it. Honestly, I don't even think this is the one I clicked on. Returned for the all black one.

My daughter hated this bag because the top pouch is only on the front half of the bag it doesn't go all the way down so when you put stuff in it it becomes top heavy and tips over all the time. If they would make the bag front pouch all the way down the design would be much better

I had to cut this backpack to take out the plastic thar has in the laptop compartment, It was ruining my life

I was not a fan of this backpack. It's way too small. It's not durable during a hike. I wouldn't recommend this backpack for out door activities. The straps are to small as well. It was made for a petite person.

My son uses this backpack to carry his laptop, a notebook and headphones as a college student. Ordered 8/25, arrived to him early September and he we are only 12 days into October and the front fabric is torn, a straight line tear as if the fabric is just cheap/weak. The backpack is never even half full as all his work is done on a laptop. It is not a puncture. The place where the fabric tore is not even a storage area. To seal a bad deal, in order to even be considered for warranty reimbursement or replacement, we have to ship it back with a completed form. This means we have to purchase another backpack immediately because he can't do day-to-day university without a backpack. First and LAST North Face backpack we will ever purchase. Unfortunate because he says it's the most comfortable backpack he's owned (we typically purchase Ospreys) and entirely waterproof. Despite being caught in a FL downpour, his laptop was dry. If this were just a glitch backpack with the kind of customer service that enables us to immediately replace it, I'd chalk it up to one flawed backpack. The fact that we have to replace it just to be able to get this one evaluated for warranty seals the deal as bad purchase, never to be repeated.

It took 3 weeks to get a refund. NF needs to upgrade its logistic system.

very small . Borealis classic is way better

We purchased this pack for my daughter to use for school. Six days after she started carrying the pack, the sewing on the shoulder strap came undone causing the strap to fail. Now we get to wait 6-8 weeks for our pack to be returned from warranty. I would not purchase this bag if you want durability.

Did not receive my purchase. Looks great and has great reviews. Would love to give a full review.

Used by a middle schooler since the start of school, 3 weeks ago. One of the zippers has already come apart and two of the little U-pull bungee thing attached to the zippers are broken. Expected more from The North Face, especially at this price point.

I had an older Borealis backpack that lasted for years! And just got one less than a month ago from dicks and the zipper gets caught on poor design job. Extra fabric where the zipper gets stuck.

Love the product but was promised I would receive in 3-5 days. Took 7 days and was too late. My son had left for college. I only bought through this site due to delivery promise. I then had to spend $$ to ship it to him later.

It said 3-5 business days on how long it would take for delivery but it's been over a week and it still says it going to be here in 3 days horrible service all they can do is give a 10$ coupon I needed this backpack for school but it looks like I won't have one

Not a good and compact Can't fit a lot of items . Besides your lap top and couple of chargers I have used this bag less than a month I noticed started to rip and tear, I think I will return it.

Bought this hoping it would be an investment, given the brand . Shoulder strap broke 3 days in and completely tore off the next day . The worst part is that i only had my ipad and a binder in there.