The North Face Borealis Backpack: Spacious, Multi-Tasking Pack

Who is This For

• Commuters will appreciate the large main compartment for holding pair of shoes and exercise gear, along with a separate densely padded laptop compartment that holds up to a 16” laptop.
• Hikers can use the laptop compartment for a hydration bladder, stash lots of gear in the main compartment, then use the bungee straps to attach a helmet or other items to the outside of the pack. 
• Travelers who need a daypack that doubles as a carry-on bag.
• Tall people will appreciate the long length (there is also a “women’s specific” model that is designed for shorter frames).

Field Testing

Scenario 1

Every Day Urban and Adventure Pack | 17°F – 70°F | Malmö & Gothenburg Sweden

I’m usually happy with a 16 -18L day pack that holds my phone, wallet, a notebook, and a hoodie or rain jacket, but during my travels in Sweden this past year I realized that my needs had changed. Without a car, I needed a much larger pack to get me through a variety of activities, from grocery runs on my bicycle to outdoor adventures. 

The 28L North Face Borealis Backpack has been ideal because it has a very large main compartment and a wide base. It holds a lot of stuff, and still carries well because of the pack’s FlexVent™ suspension system, which includes flexible shoulder strap attachments and airflow vents built into the pack’s back padding.

The densely padded straps are attached to the top of the pack with a thin but tough woven nylon band that allows the straps some flexibility to adjust better to my body and my movements. The shoulders straps feels more comfortable than typical pack straps, which can be stiff.

The pack’s rounded corners make the pack fit my body better than some of my boxier shaped packs, and the the densely padded squares on the back of the pack (along with the dedicated laptop compartment) prevent anything in the pack from poking into my back. Between the padded squares there is a vertical indentation that allows some airflow; a horizontal airflow indentation runs across the lower back area.

I use the laptop compartment for thinner, flatter grocery items such as candy bars, boxes of frozen berries, slim packs of crackers, prescription medications, and other small items I collect on my errands runs. I also stash The North Face Rain Cover in this compartment. This space can also be used with a hydration pack.

There’s a Velcro-sealed strap to hold the hose, a flat opening at the top of the pack for the hose, and each shoulder strap has a flat strap to hold a hose in place. 

Scenario 2

Outdoor Adventures |17°F – 70°F | Stockholm and Gothenburg , Sweden

The North Face Borealis Backpack has been ideal for outdoor and indoor activities. I can fit my exercise gear or a change of clothes into the main compartment, then use the outer straps to secure my yoga mat or beach towel to the bottom of the pack. The straps that hold items to the bottom of the pack have elastic cuffs so I can tuck away any excess when I cinch the pack down for outings when I don’t have much in the pack. The bungie system can also be used to reduce the volume of the pack.

There’s a bottle holder on each side of The North Face Borealis Backpack. I use one for my water bottle and the other for an extra pair of socks or gloves, depending on the season and activity. The material that forms the bottle pouches is durable and can be cinched tighter around bottles or other contents with the front bungie system. Each pocket has a bit of elastic that helps keep the shape and a mesh panel that reduces weight and makes the pocket cinch down smaller. The pocket accommodates a variety of bottles sizes, but I wish it was a bit deeper.

I’ve used the bungee cord countless times for stashing a jacket or vest while hiking when I get too warm but don’t want to pack the item since I’ll probably need it again soon. The cord can be removed from its attachment points and reconfigured, allowing me options when figuring out the best way to secure items to the back of the pack.

Before I tested The North Face Borealis Backpack I was considering getting a bike helmet net for times I want to keep my helmet with me when I lock my bike, but I don’t need one now because the bungee cord works well. I like that the cord runs through metal grommets in high stress points for durability.

Scenario 3

Travel | 30°F – 73°F | Stockholm & Malmö, Sweden

I’m a terrible packer. I tend to just grab items and shove them into a pack until it’s full. The North Face Borealis Backpack works very well for me on that level. It’s very nice having a dedicated computer compartment so I know my most expensive gear is safe and secure. I pack my 13” MacBook into her protective case, then place the case into the compartment. There’s still room for my iPad mini.

There’s quite a stiff material on the back of the compartment that gives the pack some stability and shape. This compartment runs almost the full length of the pack, leaving a few inches so that when I plop it down on the floor, my laptop is a bit suspended.

The main compartment is very spacious and forgiving…and deep. The pack is ideal for day-long outings, where I pack a sweater and a wind jacket, along with cards, headphones, snacks, water, bike lights, and a notebook. It’s also ideal as an overnight bag, and I use it a lot as my carry-on when traveling because I can keep my huge stash of medications and inhalers in the main compartment with a sweater and headphones, then use the smaller front pockets for pens, lip balm, chargers. 

The front zippered pocket is quite large and has a fairly deep sleeve that I sometimes use for my iPad mini. On top of the sleeve there is a flat, zippered pouch with a key lanyard (ideal for small items that I need to keep secure), then on top of that there are two flat, sleeve pockets (then another layer of mesh pockets). Plenty of spaces for cords and chargers.

There’s a fleece-lined zippered pocket tucked underneath this large outer pocket. It’s supposed to be for sunglasses, but I use it for my phone or other items that I need to have with me but likely won’t access during activities.

The shoulder straps are densely padded and adjustable with nylon straps. There’s also a removable waist belt that I never use. I wish the belt had a clip attachment because removing it involves removing the strap from the buckle. It’s not a huge deal, but I’m lazy and like quick solutions. At the same time, I have never removed it because I’d probably lose it. So, it might be a good thing that there isn’t a clip. I never notice the strap when wearing the pack. 

Fit

I’m 6’ tall and have a very long torso; the long Borealis Backpack fit me perfectly. It also carries well. I didn’t notice any weight distribution issues, and the straps were quite comfortable, thanks to the design that gives the tops of the straps some give.

I liked the wide, sturdy top handle for times I have to grab the pack from an overhead shelf on the train or stuff it into my bike basket. The sternum strap is comfortable and adjustable, and it has a built-in whistle. 

Due to its large size, North Face Borealis Backpack can be a bit floppy when empty. On the positive side, it’s nice to have a large pack that I can cinch down for smaller loads. On the limitations side, I can’t really stand it up on its own when I’m packing because the back of the pack has a stiff stabilizing panel on the back, and, despite the pack’s wide base, the padded front pocket is a bit top heavy. The front of the pack falls forward, dragging the pack with it. I had read about this issue before I received the pack. 

It’s a noticeable design limitation, but it didn’t interfere with the way I use the pack. The North Face Borealis Backpack is my hauling pack; I use it to get lots of stuff from A to B. Groceries, gear, clothing. I don’t often stop during activities to access items in the pack.

Too small

Slightly small

Fits well

Slightly big

Too big

Materials & Construction

Material/Fabric: The North Face Borealis Backpack is made out of 210D recycled nylon ripstop, and it has a non-PFC DWR finish that gives the pack some water resistance. It provides good protection against light rain, but if I am heading outdoors when it’s raining I use The North Face Pack Rain Cover.

The pack is well-made, with binding-encased seams and hearty YKK zippers. After months of almost daily use, the pack still looks new. I like the subtle grid pattern in the fabric and appreciate the large, plastic encased round zipper pulls that make it so easy to find the zippers. 

The main compartment is lined with a thin nylon fabric, which is also used on the top sides of the other two compartments. The back lining of the laptop compartment and the front pocket have a thin, ever so slightly fuzzy and stretchy nylon lining that I found a bit irritating and almost scratchy. It’s very subtle, and I should note that I’m quite sensitive to textures and fabrics. I think most people won’t even notice it, but I don’t like how it feels when my hand brushes against it. Since I did most of my testing during winter months while wearing gloves, it hasn’t been a major concern.

The hidden front pouch, designed as a sunglasses stash pocket, and one of the flat sleeves in the front compartment have fleece lining that feels quite soft. 

Sustainability Creds: DWR finish is free of PFC, fabric is recycled

Bottom Line

I have a few fussy issues with The North Face Borealis Backpack, but overall it has earned a spot in my gear closet because it’s spacious and versatile. I can strap my yoga mat to it, attach my bike helmet to it, and load it full or groceries or gear.

I’m a terrible, last-minute packer, so the large main compartment is ideal for my sloppy style. I also love having a large, padded, separate compartment for my laptop.

The North Face Borealis Backpack is the pack I use when I want to quickly stash a lot of things into it and go. It’s the pack I use when I need to ride my bike to the grocery store for more than just a few items. It’s the pack I use when I need to have my electronic gadgets with me, along with clothing and other travel items. After months of use, it still looks new, with no abrasions or wear marks.

Specifications

The Borealis Collection also includes: Borealis Mini Backpack, Borealis Sling, Borealis Tote, Borealis Water Bottle Holder, Women’s Borealis Luxe Backpack, Borealis Trail 16 Backpack, and Borealis Trail Backpack.

• Colors: Available in a variety of colors and color combos, including: Desert Stone-Stone Slab-Ember Soil, Cedar-Lava Red, Duck Green/New Taupe Green, Meld Grey Dark Heather/TNF Black, Asphalt Grey Light Heather/TNF Black, TNF Black/TNF Black, TNF Navy/TNF Black, Tin Grey Dark Heather/Asphalt Grey/TNF Black, Tin Grey Dark Heather/Asphalt Grey/TNF Black, Granite Grey-Dust Orange, Ember Soil-Demitasse Brown-Iron Clay, Anthracite Grey Conrad Topos Print-Summit Gold, and Winslor Blue-Anthracite Grey-Utility Brown. 
• Weight:  2 lbs 5 oz (1050 g)
• Dimensions: 12” x 6.5” x 19.5” (30.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 49.5 cm)
• Price: $115 (currently on sale for less at Amazon.com)

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Some images from The North Face website.