North Face Electra Review: Best Small Backpack For Women?

Interested in The North Face Electra backpack? You’ve definitely come to the right place! In this detailed review we will take a really good look at the Electra pack, in order to help you figure out whether or not it’s a good option for you.

We’ll talk you through everything you should know about this backpack, from the material it is made from to the quality of zippers. And we’ll also mention all the downsides, so that you know exactly what it is you are getting!

Materials And Durability

One of the main thing to look for in backpacks is quality construction and that heavily depends on the materials used. The exact materials also dictate the durability of the bag, since some materials can handle a lot more wear and tear before they start coming apart.

In this section I will focus on the materials and construction of the Electra backpack, so we’ll see exactly how durable it is.

Polyester Exterior

The main material of the backpack is 300D heathered polyester. It’s not the most durable material for backpacks, but TNF did use a reasonably thick type of fabric that should hold up just fine over time.

Also, this is a pretty small and lightweight bag that won’t get very heavy, and that’s not meant to be exposed to extremely harsh conditions. It’s designed for the urban environment, and 300D polyester is perfectly fine for that.

As with every other bag, you should avoid overstuffing the Electra and putting any items that are very heavy in the main compartment. If it feels uncomfortable for you, then it’s probably not good for the backpack and will increase the rate at which the materials deteriorate.

DWR Coating And Water Resistance

Polyester doesn’t have the best water-resistant features on its own, so it’s really good that the backpack does feature DWR coating. It’s a treatment that makes the exterior of the bag resistant to water, ensuring that the items inside don’t get wet in light rain.

However, DWR doesn’t really do much when it’s raining cats and dogs, so you should avoid exposing the bag too heavy downpours. Especially if you are carrying expensive electronic devices inside it.

Another important factor here are the zippers – even if the exterior of the bag was made from fully waterproof materials, it wouldn’t mean much if the zippers let water seep into the main compartment. The zippers of the Electra backpack are not waterproof, but they are somewhat water-resistant – one of the main compartments has covered teeth, which makes it a lot harder for water to get inside the bag.

Also, the zippers of the external pockets are all hidden behind a layer of fabric, so they will do a really good job at keeping the items inside the bag dry. It’s little things like these that you don’t even notice at first that show you just how much thought was put into the design of the bag, and whether or not it’s ultimately worth the price tag.

Comfort And Back System

The Electra pack was designed for women, which kind of explains why it’s so small. It’s partly because the narrow construction fits female torsos better, but also because it looks prettier and more stylish than a big bulky bag.

Well, I care more about comfort and features than about the cuteness of the bag, so that’s what I will focus on in this section!

Padded Backpanel

The backpanel of the bag is padded throughout and covered with breathable mesh. This is great because it means the pack will feel comfortable against your back, and that the items inside the main compartment won’t poke you.

Also, the padding in the backpanel helps protect the device inside the electronics sleeve. It increases the impact and shock resistance of the bag and will cushion the tablet/laptop if you accidentally drop the backpack.

The Electra pack does not have a hip belt, but that’s okay considering it’s a very small backpack. Hip belts have the function of transferring the load of the bag away from your torso and onto your hips – with a max capacity of 11 liters, this bag will never get so heavy that you’re extremely uncomfortable and in pain.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps

The shoulder straps are fully adjustable and heavily padded. They are very comfortable against your torso, and if you adjust them properly they shouldn’t cut into your shoulders at all. They’re even covered with breathable mesh, for the best breathability during warm weather.

However, the Electra doesn’t have a sternum strap and you don’t even have attachment points for one. The two attachment points on the straps are too high up to be used for a sternum strap, which is a shame.

It’s not really a big deal, especially if you don’t plan on carrying some very heavy items in the bag. But it does mean you won’t be able to fully stabilize the backpack on your body – it will be possible for one of the straps to slide off your shoulder. Because of that, I don’t recommend this backpack for hikes or other outdoor adventures where you need your bag to be perfectly stable on your body.

Storage And Organization

The North Face Electra is a small backpack designed for ladies who are tired of big and bulky bags. But, how small is it exactly? And will you be able to organize anything at all, or will you just have to throw everything in the main compartment? Let’s see!

Main Compartment

The Electra is a small backpack and most of its capacity is contained within its main compartment. It is not very spacious, but it should be enough to hold the items that you need on a daily basis.

This backpack has a padded tablet sleeve inside, which will fit all standard 9.7″ devices. Actually, the sleeve dimensions are 9.58″ x 11″, and that should be enough to fit some really small laptops as well.

There are no other pockets inside the main compartment – just the electronics sleeve. It is reasonably roomy for a 12-liter backpack, and you do get a few other pockets for the smaller items. But there are no organizer panels in the main compartment or anywhere else on the bag, so bear that in mind.

Scratch Free Top Pocket

There is a fleece-lined top pocket on the Electra pack, which is designed to hold your phone or sunglasses – pretty much any smaller items that you want to keep safe and avoid getting them scratched.

A cool thing about this pocket is that you can actually hide the zipper entirely, so that no one else will be able to tell that it even exists. This could come in handy if you ride public transport often, as it will protect your valuables from pickpockets.

Zippered Side Pocket

Even though the Electra backpack doesn’t have traditional stretchy side pockets, it is not completely bare in that area. It does have one side pocket with a hidden zipper, which is great for the items you want to keep more easily accessible.

However, the lack of stretchy side pockets does mean that you are very limited when it comes to storing bulkier items in the backpack. You could always put your water bottle or wet umbrella inside the main compartment, but then they’re just inches away from your pricey tablet – not the ideal solution if you ask me.

Stretchy Front Pocket

This backpack comes with a stretch-mesh front pocket on the front panel, and the best thing about is that you can’t even tell it’s there. But only when it is empty – when you start adding items to the front pocket, its presence will become obvious to people around you.

The stretchy pocket is great for the bulkier stuff that you want to keep out of the main compartment and is more easily accessible. You could also use it to stash away a jacket or a thin sweater – stuff that just aimlessly takes up space in your bag, but that you don’t want to carry in your hands.

External Attachment Points

This tiny backpack actually has a couple of attachment points on the shoulder straps, which I think is pretty amazing. There’s one on each side, allowing you to have certain items handy at all times, or to just put the bulky stuff somewhere where it won’t get away.

The attachment points are actually perfect for storing your sunglasses and they’re much more convenient than shoving them down your collar and hoping you won’t lose them if you bend over. You can also use a carabiner to attach some bulkier items to the straps, just remember that whatever you put there will be in constant contact with your torso.

Oh, and there are also hidden lash points on the front panel, which let you hook a water bottle to the exterior of the backpack. This is very useful since it means you could technically lash an extra bag on top of this one, and drastically expand the total capacity of the bag. But that’s not something we recommend doing, simply because it would mess with the load distribution, and ultimately make you uncomfortable.

Versatility

Smaller backpacks are usually not super versatile, but that’s not necessarily the case with the Electra backpack. It does have some handy pockets and external attachment points, which really help make the backpack suitable for different purposes.

In this section, I’ll talk about the versatility of this backpack and what makes it great for different purposes.

Great Everyday Bag

The Electra backpack makes a great everyday bag. It’s a lot more comfortable than a traditional handbag and it makes staying organized a lot easier. But it’s only a good everyday bag for women who don’t usually have a lot of items in their purse and who are okay with the small tablet compartment.

Keep in mind that just because you can’t fit your laptop in the computer sleeve, it doesn’t mean it won’t fit in the bag – a 13″ device can comfortably fit inside the main compartment. I just recommend that you put it in some sort of sleeve first, just to have some extra protection for the computer.

With bigger laptops, it really depends on the make and model of your device. It would be best to actually measure your laptop and compare it with the height and width of the bag, so you can know for sure whether or not it will fit.

Good For The Gym

This backpack is a pretty good option for the gym – the main compartment is just big enough to fit the main things you need, and you have the option of lashing the water bottle to the front panel. If you’re lacking a proper gym bag, the Electra is definitely worth considering.

The only problem is that it doesn’t have a dedicated shoe pocket, so you would probably need to put those in a separate pouch first if you prefer to keep the shoes away from the clothes and the other stuff. But honestly, it’s not that easy to find decent bags with shoe compartments, and most of them are actually pretty big, so not really good for women who prefer smaller bags.

Okay For School/College

This really depends on the number of items you normally carry to school in your bag. But if it’s a tablet, a notebook, and a couple of other necessities, then this backpack might just be excellent for you.

The sleek design is great for women who normally wear handbags and prefer stylish bags – the Electra is as stylish as backpacks get. It’s not too sporty, so you can easily wear it with most outfits without feeling like it’s clashing with what you are wearing.

And the small capacity is actually great if you usually don’t have a lot of stuff in your handbag – it keeps things simple, but you’re still going to be a lot more comfortable with a backpack than a classic tote.

If you usually carry a lot of books and notebooks in your bag, then the Electra is definitely not the right choice for you. But don’t worry, we have some great alternatives for you starting with the best JanSport backpacks for school and college.

Decent Carry On

If you want a carry-on that will entirely replace the need for an additional suitcase, this backpack is not it. But if you want a bag that you can use just for the things you actually need during the flight, it’s a bag worth considering.

Especially if you’re a budget traveler and you frequently fly with low-cost airlines like WizzAir and WestJet – they tend to have some ridiculous size restrictions for the one bag you can have without paying extra, and the Electra is pretty much the perfect size for that. Plus, it’s much more convenient to have a backpack in-cabin than a fancy tote that you can’t even close properly.

Value For Money

One of the best things about The North Face Electra backpack is its attractive price tag. It retails for a little over $50, which is a really good price point for a TNF item – they tend to be really expensive, and their backpacks often have prices in the triple digits.

When talking about value for money, we have to take everything into account from the quality of the materials to all the different ways you can use the bag. And for $50, you’re getting a very durable backpack that works for school, work, everyday carry, gym and even for travel. On top of that, the bag is actually contoured to fit the female body very well and there’s plenty of thick padding in the back system.

Sure, you could get a much bigger bag for $50, but I highly doubt its quality could compare to that of Electra.

The North Face Electra Review: Final Thoughts

The Electra backpack from TNF is a great small-capacity bag for women. It has a very specific target audience – this bag is designed for ladies who don’t like carrying big and bulky bags, and who don’t normally carry that many items on a daily basis.

If that describes you, then the Electra backpack might just be what you’re looking for. This comfy pack has a padded and ventilated backpanel, with a water-resistant exterior that will protect the contents of the bag. The multiple external pockets make it easy to stay organized, while the daisy chains and loops even let you attach some bulkier items to the exterior of the pack.

The Electra is a great everyday bag that you can use for school, work and even the gym. It also makes a decent carry-on, particularly on low-budget airlines that only let you have a tiny bag for free.

If you are okay with the 12-liter capacity, then definitely get this awesome bag! You can check out the prices and different color options on Amazon, so head over there. And if you’re not, it’s okay – go check out some of our other reviews and you will find the perfect backpack for you!

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