EmailBest Reviewed
Backpacks
- Best backpack for adults and college students The North Face Recon *Est. $90
- Backpack for high school JanSport Big Student *Est. $40
- Backpack for elementary school L.L.Bean Critter Pack *Est. $40
- Backpack for kindergarten L.L.Bean Junior Original *Est. $25
- Commuter backpack Ortlieb Velocity *Est. $110
- Wheeled backpack JanSport Wheeled Superbreak *Est. $65
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- Variety of pockets for organization
- Padded hip belt
- Durable fabric
- Laptop pocket
- Some quality issues
- Can't accommodate 17-inch laptops
Reviews recommend The North Face Borealis backpack for outstanding durability and comfort. This backpack is sized for ages 15 and up and provides a medium capacity of 1,850 cubic inches, which makes it appropriate for both school use and as a backpack for day hikes. A sternum strap, padded hip belt and well-ventilated back pad provide comfort. Tests find the Borealis exceptionally water resistant; reflectors and a built-in whistle add safety. Both the hip belt and shoulder strap have pockets for a cell phone and an iPod, and bungee cords on the front of the pack can hold a jacket or other gear. Side pockets hold water bottles, while side compression straps keep everything compact. The North Face Borealis comes in 14 colors. For those on a budget, reviews recommend the more basic JanSport SuperBreak (*Est. $30) or the JanSport Big Student (*Est. $40).
Good Housekeeping provides the best review of The North Face Borealis by testing 29 backpacks for water resistance, comfort and organization. (Fabric is also tested for resistance to both abrasion and tears.) Hundreds of owner-written reviews are also available at eBags.com. Two camping gear retailers, Eastern Mountain Sports and BackCountry.com, also have useful owner-written reviews and ratings.
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Our Sources
1. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
The North Face Borealis is one of the top five (out of 29) backpacks recommended here, and the only one of the five for which no drawbacks are noted.
Review: GH Tested: 5 Best Backpacks for Kids, Amy Roberts, Aug. 2008
2. EBags.com
More than 500 owners rate and review The North Face Borealis, with 95 percent saying they'd buy it again. Some say they use the Borealis as a carry-on bag for air travel. A few owners are disappointed that their 17-inch laptops don't fit, while others report issues such as problems with fabric odor or breakage of the plastic buckle.
Review: The North Face Borealis Reviews, Contributors to eBags.com
3. EMS.com
Roughly 35 owners rate and review The North Face Borealis, praising its capacity, padding and adjustability. Criticisms are minor and focus on such things as the key-ring clip (which some users say is weak) and the hip belt (which some owners claim can sometimes get in the way).
Review: The North Face Borealis Daypack, Contributors to EMS.com
The North Face Borealis is one of the top-rated backpacks at this camping gear retailer. About 10 owners give the pack near-perfect ratings.
Review: The North Face Borealis Backpack Reviews, Contributors to Backcountry.com
5. Epinions.com
Fewer than a dozen owners review The North Face Borealis over several years (which means they may not be discussing the latest version). The Borealis earns praise for water resistance, but some users say the zipper flaps make the bag tricky to unzip quickly.
Review: Borealis Daypacks by The North Face Reviews, Contributors to Epinions.com
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