North Face Recon Backpack [Review]

One of The North Face’s best selling backpacks, the Recon features a roomy 30 liter main compartment and separate padded laptop compartment to keep your expensive tech safe while on the move.

The Recon is best suited for both school and daily tech carry thanks to its organizer panel pocket that can fit everything from pens and calculators to external hard drives and a tablet.

Note: The North Face offers both a Men’s Recon and Women’s Recon. The main difference is in the size and shape of the shoulder straps and back panel but all of the pockets and compartments are the same between the two versions. In this review we are showcasing the women’s Recon which is the one you want to go with if you have smaller shoulders and a shorter torso.

See our North Face Recon vs Borealis comparison for more in-depth info.

Video Review

The Rundown

What we like

• Lots of pockets and compartments for everyday carry.

• Multifunctional: 30 liter main compartment is large enough for a full day of school/work or a weekend trip.

• Men’s and women’s versions means a proper fit regardless of body type.

What we don’t like

• Side compression straps run across the water bottle pockets. It takes a moment to adjust the straps to accommodate different size bottles.

• Tablet sleeve is small. Anything larger than a 10.2” tablet will be too large for this pocket.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19.3” H x 11.6” W x 7.5” D (women’s)

• Capacity: 30L

• Material: Mix of recycled and non-recycled materials (210D recycled nylon ripstop, 300D heathered polyester ripstop, 600D polyester, DWR finish)

• Weight: 2lbs 9oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Similar Backpacks

Who is this backpack for?

For Students: The North Face Recon is perfect for carrying school items. We recommend it to students who need a lot of organization for smaller school items and also have ample space for larger items like folders, binders, and lunch.

For Work Commuters: The North Face Recon, with its sleek urban design and internal tech organization, is an excellent choice for commuters who need a dependable backpack for their daily commute.

It might not be suitable for Travelers: Although the backpack has a spacious 30-liter main compartment that is ideal for travel packing, it lacks some standard travel features such as lockable zippers, security pockets for items like passports and wallets, and a trolley sleeve to attach the backpack to rolling luggage.

Materials and Construction

The North Face Recon is mostly made of 210D recycled ripstop nylon with a DWR water-repellent finish. What does this mean? The backpack is water-resistant to some extent. Water will roll off of the ripstop nylon but unfortunately the zippers are not water resistant and are an entry point for moisture to sneak in.

Is The North Face Recon waterproof? No.

Will it be okay in the rain? The Recon will be find in a light rain but we wouldn’t trust it walking home during a downpour.

Overall, The North Face Recon feels incredibly solid. This is not a cheap-feeling backpack! The ripstop construction is strong yet lightweight and the YKK zippers are as smooth as butter.

Pockets and Compartments

The North Face Recon backpack consists of three main compartments: the front organizer compartment, the main compartment, and the rear laptop compartment.

The front organizer compartment is where you can find quick access to smaller items like pens, tech chargers, and other essentials. There is also a fleece-lined tablet sleeve in this pocket, but it is on the smaller side. The largest tablet that fits in this pocket is a 10.2-inch iPad, which barely fits without a case (sorry, iPad Pro users).

The main compartment is a large, open space where you can fit 2-3 days of travel packing or a considerable amount of binders, notebooks, and folders - enough for a full day of classes. If you are a student and need to carry more than that, you might need to have a talk with your teachers.

The rear laptop compartment can accommodate a laptop up to 15 inches (the largest we tested was a 15.6-inch laptop, so we cannot confirm if larger laptops will fit). What we like about this compartment is that it offers excellent protection. Not only are the walls padded, but The North Face has also added a false bottom so that the bottom of the laptop is suspended above the bottom of the bag, providing extra protection against bumps and drops.

Another feature of the laptop compartment that isn’t talked about enough is the ability to it for storing a hydration bladder. This small feature allows you to turn The North Face Recon into a full-fledged hiking backpack.

On the front of the backpack there is the iconic front stash pocket. This pocket is stretchy, but not as spacious as you might expect. It is too small to fit a pair of shoes, although sandals might fit. It is also not large enough to store a bicycle helmet (sorry, commuters). However, you can store a lightweight, compressible puffy jacket and smaller items like a baseball cap and over-ear headphones in this pocket.

Other pockets include two side water bottle pockets and a hidden fleece-lined pocket in the front for storing tech and sunglasses.

Final Thoughts

Ok we will say it, we think this is the best North Face backpack design. It’s not as sporty as the Borealis but keeps its best features. It’s also not as unruly as the Surge and keeps the pockets and compartment to the point and easy to find. Think of the Recon as the goldilocks of North Face backpacks. It’s an urban backpack, an outdoor daybag and secure laptop backpack all in one.

Is it worth the price? Absolutely. 

The only real gripe we have with it is that The North Face makes the Recon seem more water resistant than it really is. But as long as you understand where it’s limits are we can’t recommend this backpack enough.

If you are looking for water resistant backpacks with better protection, check out the backpacks below.

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North Face Surge Backpack

The North Face Surge is the brand’s premier commuter backpack now updated to fit more of life’s daily carry. This backpack is fairly large with a 31 liter main compartment and separate “mobile office” compartment that fits a laptop, tablet and documents. We also found that this mobile office compartment can hold up to two laptops - making the Surge a good choice for a dual laptop backpack.

When it comes to organization of daily essentials, the Surge is easily best in class. Along with an entire organizer compartment filled with smaller pockets, the Surge also includes two front zippered pockets for even more organization for your gear.

Note: The North Face face offers the men’s Surge and women’s Surge so that you can find the perfect fit. The women’s Surge is better suited for those with slimmer shoulders and shorter torsos.

What we like

• Maximum organization - Lots of pockets for tech and smaller items

• Laptop compartment is great for stashing a laptop (or two), tablet and documents.

• Light colored internal lining makes finding items inside the backpack quick and easy.

What we don’t like

• No side compression straps

• Great for school or business casual but a little too sporty to be used in professional work settings. There are more mature backpacks out there for both men and women.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 20” H x 12” W x 7” D

• Capacity: 31L

• Material: 210D recycled nylon ripstop, 600D polyester, non-PFC DWR finish, YKK Zippers

• Weight: 2 lb 12 oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Similar Backpacks

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North Face Jester Backpack

One of The North Face’s most popular backpack designs, the Jester is the perfect blend of outdoor design and urban functionality. At 27 liters the North Face Jester is a great choice for anyone who wants a lightweight backpack without the bulk.

When it comes to organization the Jester keeps it pretty simple with just two compartments. The main compartment is where you’ll find the padded 15” laptop sleeve and a second compartment features plenty of pocket to keep your essentials organized.

Note: The North Face face offers the men’s Jester and women’s Jester so that you can find the perfect fit. The women’s Jester is better suited for those with slimmer shoulders and shorter torsos.

What we like

• Perfect size for daily carry with just the right amount of pockets.

• Lightweight

• Bungee is great for attaching a light jacket or hoodie without taking up space in the main compartment.

What we don’t like

• The Jester is a good value for the price but it’s still a few steps down from the Borealis in terms of quality, construction and organization.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 18.13” H x 11” W x 8.25” D

• Capacity: 27L

• Material: 600D Recycled Polyester with non-PFC DWR finish

• Weight: 1lbs 10oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Similar Backpacks

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North Face Borealis Backpack

The North Face Borealis is a versatile backpack that can be used for anything from school to light travel. Its medium size has made it popular with those who want a functional backpack without the bulk.

Unlike the similar North Face Jester, the Borealis offers a separate premium laptop compartment for incredible protection of your expensive tech. The front compartment includes a fleece-lined tablet pocket and tons of smaller pockets for organization. Use the front bungee system to quickly stash jackets, blankets and other larger items when you are on the move.

Note: The North Face face offers the men’s Borealis and women’s Borealis so that you can find the perfect fit. The women’s Borealis is better suited for those with slimmer shoulders and shorter torsos.

What we like

• Great laptop compartment with suspended bottom for extra protection from drops.

• Upgraded bungee systems allows for easier attachement of bulky items

• Best in class organization - lots of smaller pockets and compartment

• DWR finish adds great water resistance to fabric.

What we don’t like

• Side bungee cords are a good replacement for compression straps but can get in the way of the water bottle pockets.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 19.5” H x 12” W x 6.5” D

• Capacity: 28L (27L women’s)

• Material: 210D recycled nylon ripstop, 300D heathered polyester, 600D polyester, non-PFC DWR finish

• Weight: 2lbs 5oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 15”

Where to buy

Similar Backpacks

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North Face Router Transit Backpack

At 41 liters, the Router Transit is The North Face’s largest backpack offering. Much like the smaller North Face Surge, the Router Transit is a thoughtfully designed backpack with enough pockets, sleeves and compartments for today’s modern carry. The main compartment is massive making it perfect for busy students, commuters or multi-day travelers. A separate laptop zip compartment is padded, lined with fleece and made to withstand everyday bumps and falls while protecting the electronics inside.

What we like

• Spacious main compartment with the right amount of pockets - perfect for school, travel or busy commuters who need to carry a lot.

• Large padded and fleece-lined laptop compartment that does a good job protecting your laptop/tablet from bumps and falls.

What we don’t like

• Huge main compartment goes deeper than most other backpacks - this means things can get easily lost in the abyss, especially smaller items.

• Unless you have a larger frame, this backpack tends to sag when it starts to get heavy. Chest straps helps with this but it isn’t an ideal situation.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Dimensions: 21.5” H x 14” W x 10” D

• Capacity: 41L

• Material: Varies per color

• Weight: 3 lb 8 oz

• Laptop Compartment: Up to 17”

Where to buy

Similar Backpacks

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