6 Best North Face Backpacks – From Big to Small

Surge Backpack

The Surge Backpack is one of the most popular day packs from the North Face.

This 33-liter pack is constructed of hyper-durable ballistics nylon and crafted with a padded haul handle on the exterior. It has the FlexVent™ suspension system, which has custom injection-molded shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel with a spine channel, and a wicking lumbar panel for maximum support and ventilation.

This backpack from TNF fits a 15-inch laptop in its dedicated laptop compartment. If you have way more stuff inside, carrying this laptop backpack throughout the day will still be comfortable.

It has several fleece-lined exterior pockets designed for quick access on the go including pockets for your tablet, gadgets, and sunglasses.

Night commuters and cyclists will also appreciate the 360-degree reflective bike-light loop. On the side, there are two water bottle pockets made with Teksever fabric which can also conceal content. It will be safe to stuff smaller items in there if you need to just reach back without taking the straps off your shoulders.

There are several interior pockets for better organization. It also has a sternum strap and a removable waist belt so you can adjust the way you carry your bag any way you want.

It’s clearly meant to hold a lot of things big and small, which can be its main fault. Because of its shape and the distribution of the weight, the bag will tip over when it’s set down. You’ll have to prop the front up against a wall or any other structure to keep it upright.

North Face Diad Pro 22

A good hiking backpack is roomy, secure, and lightweight. This is exactly what the Diad Pro 22 backpack is. Its 22-liter capacity is enough for you to bring the essentials on any kind of day hike while helping you limit the unnecessary stuff you might end upbringing. The last thing you want on a hike is to carry around a huge bag the whole day up and down trails with things you don’t really need.

It’s crafted of high-tenacity ripstop nylon, keeping this bag at its lightest. It’s also very easy to stow when not in use and won’t take up too much space. This minimal pack offers storage in the lid and large mesh exterior pockets for easy access.

Despite its minimalistic design, it doesn’t skimp on features. It has a hydration sleeve, a sternum strap, and a daisy chain to hook on more items that don’t fit in the pack. The padded back panels help keep the bag comfortable against your bag.

There are few options for organization, so if you have smaller items, you might need extra pouches inside the bag.

North Face Terra 65

The North Face Terra 65 is the backpack you need for those long-distance hikes or if you are backpacking around the world!

This bag is made not only for storage and space but for ultimate fit and comfort. Its slim design and lightweight material make carrying 65 liters of weight more comfortable and manageable.

It features an OPTIFIT harness system for better load control on the trails or on the streets. It also has dials to adjust the fit between the pack and your body without sacrificing ventilation. This updated harness system basically ensures that the placement of the bag against your body, suits exactly the way you want to carry the bag.

The wide hip belt also ensures that the weight is spread out and not all concentrated on your shoulders. After all, this is the biggest North Face backpack in this review!

There are over 7 pockets, a huge side pocket for the main compartment, and a sleeping bag compartment. While the bag itself is durable, some of the external straps don’t seem to be made with equal care. The sternum strap and external clips will hold, but if handled carelessly or forced to compress too many items in the bag, there is a tendency for these smaller external parts to break.

North Face Router Backpack

The North Face Router Backpack is one of the most functional travel backpacks North Face has made and is ideal as carry-on.

Of course, that does not mean they have not worried about the straps and back panel. They have incorporated their FlexVent suspension system with custom injection-molded shoulder straps, and a padded mesh back panel. This also includes a well-thought-out spine channel and a wicking lumbar panel for maximum ventilation. So, no worrying about standing around in a city or airport for hours and having a sweaty back!

This backpack’s nifty external pockets and sleeves are great for the traveler that loves to bring lots of tech and gadgets along on a trip. The two water bottle pockets on the outside are ideal for a long day out.

And yes, it has a dedicated lie-flat 17″ laptop compartment on the back. So you can get to your laptop easily for that ever-present TSA security check. Unfortunately, there are no straps to secure your laptop or tablet in place.

The frontmost area has a well-organized compartment with a neoprene tablet sleeve and other smaller pockets. This means lots of space for your mobile phone, power bank, camera, and Kindle if you brought it along!

It has lots of space with a 35L capacity, but not too much that you won’t be able to fit it under the seat in front. It is also plenty big enough for a day out on the town if you are doing a city trip, and also enough room for your gear on a day hike.

The presence of a small, but still present hip-belt will be a godsend to those who have loaded this backup. Sure, it’s not a proper hip harness, but it will certainly help.

All in all, this is a great hybrid North Face backpack for those who want a little of everything.

Women's Borealis Backpack

While North Face backpacks are generally unisex, much care has been put in designing for women’s smaller frames and different builds. The Women’s Borealis Backpack is a crowd favorite. It has an excellent design that molds a woman’s body, and also comes in tons of different colors to match any kind of personality.

The updated version of the Borealis Backpack is designed with the updated FlexVent suspension system for all-day comfort. The shoulder straps are contoured for an ergonomic fit.

This 25-liter pack is equipped with several exterior and quick-access pockets. Inside is a dedicated 15-inch laptop compartment as well. There are side compression straps to keep items snug and a removable waist belt for added weight support if needed.

A padded top-haul handle makes for easier handling. And don’t forget the side water bottle pockets too!

This North Face backpack is durable, but not meant to carry heavy items such as books for school. It will fit documents, but textbooks and binders will be a challenge. As it’s meant as a day pack, it travels well for day hikes or the daily commute to work.

Note: We have compared the Borealis before with the Jester

North Face Jester

This is the best North Face backpack for college or school, for sure!

It comes with a 28L capacity and lots of organization options in various spots throughout the pack. First, there is the padded laptop sleeve (15 inches) in the back of the main compartment. That main compartment also fits lots of books and papers too.

Then, North Face has placed on the front and organization pocket for all your small things – phone, pens, small notepad, keys, etc.

On the outside, there are of course two side water bottle pockets (great for umbrellas too) as well as the bungee cord on the front where you can stash an extra jacket or sweater if your backpack is full

All in all the perfect North Face backpack for a day at school or college.