The North Face Jester

Bottom line

It's not the biggest pack, but the North Face Jester is plenty big enough for hauling a laptop, notebooks and textbooks. It's more stylish than many other backpacks, and we found plenty of happy reviewers who use it for everything from hauling textbooks to day hiking. A few say it's stiff at first, and some complain that it doesn't hold enough gear for them.

Performance

Spacious and well organized. The North Face Jester has a capacity of 1,830 cubic inches and has a lot of organizational options, including one large compartment and one smaller compartment with many extra dividers, two mesh water bottle pockets (one on each side), bungee straps on the outside and a small key clip. It can hold a laptop, textbooks, several notebooks and a jacket without looking "stuffed," according to reviewers.

Some reviewers say they wish it had a small pocket on the straps to hold keys or other small items, like a cell phone or MP3 player.

Comfort

Ergonomically correct. Reviewers say the North Face Jester's injection-molded, ergonomic shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry, even when loaded with heavy books. Reviewers recommend using the Jester's removable waist belt for shifting some of the pack's weight off your back and shoulders. Many reviewers say it's very comfortable, with good back padding, but not so much that it feels bulky. At least one reviewer says it's a bit too stiff for hiking; but fine as a college book bag. It gets good reviews for fitting a variety of body types.

Durability

Back on track for durability. The North Face Jester gets great reviews for construction and durability. We found a few complaints about problems with stitching in various places on the bag, including the juncture between straps and pack body. Most of the complaints about stitching date to 2009 or earlier, so it may have been a quality-control issue. More recent reviews say this is a pack that will last for years.

A number of reviewers also comment favorably on The North Face's reputation for customer service. All North Face packs come with a lifetime warranty.