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The North Face Recon

*Est. $90

Reviewed July 2009
The North Face Recon

Best backpack for adults and college students

pros
  • Durable
  • Lots of pockets and compartments
  • Matching laptop sleeve
  • Versatile
cons
  • Back pad may be stiff for some users
  • Expensive
 
 
Where to Buy
  • Rocky Mountain Trail

    for $88.90

  • Zappos.com

    for $78.95

  • Onlineshoes.com

    for $84.95

 
 
 

The North Face Recon backpack may be on the expensive side, but reviewers say it's tough, durable and versatile. With 2,000 cubic inches of capacity and numerous pockets and compartments, the North Face Recon provides good organization. It also boasts a matching 15-inch laptop sleeve. The Recon uses BackSaver technology to ease the strain of heavy textbooks on shoulders and backs, and it has a small shoulder-strap pocket for a cell phone or MP3 player. The North Face Recon performs very well in comparative tests, especially for convenience and durability. Kid testers like the backpack overall, but some think the back pad is a little too stiff. As a result, it receives lower scores for comfort. Owner-written reviews are also very positive, and the majority of reviewers say The North Face Recon is strong and durable and can hold up to heavy use at school or work. If this backpack is beyond your budget, the JanSport Big Student (*Est. $40) is also rated highly for durability. It has fewer bells and whistles -- no laptop sleeve or media pocket -- but it's much more affordable.

The best comparative review of The North Face Recon comes from Good Housekeeping magazine, which tests nearly 30 backpacks for durability and water resistance in an older review. Kid testers also weigh in on comfort and style. Owner-written reviews are plentiful at sites like eBags.com and Buzzillions.com.

Where To Buy
 
 
Featured StoresStore RatingNotesTotal Price
Rocky Mountain TrailRocky Mountain Trail has not yet been reviewed0 store reviewsIn Stock. $88.90
Zappos.comZappos.com rated 5.00 (18214 reviews)18214 store reviewsIn Stock. FREE Shipping BOTH Ways$78.95
Onlineshoes.comOnlineshoes.com rated 4.50 (260 reviews)260 store reviewsIn Stock. Take 15% Off Most Regular-Priced Items! Limited Time Only.$84.95
 
 
 

Our Sources

1. Good Housekeeping

The North Face Recon is picked as one of the five best backpacks overall by Good Housekeeping. The backpack gets especially high marks for organization, thanks to numerous pockets and compartments. Some kid testers, however, find the back pad too stiff and didn't like the side compression straps.

Review: GH Tested: 5 Best Backpacks for Kids, Editors of Good Housekeeping, Not Dated

2. Buzzillions.com

Buzzillions.com compiles nearly 300 reviews of The North Face Recon from retailers like REI.com, Altrec.com and Zappos.com. Overall, the backpack gets extremely positive ratings, with most owners saying the backpack is strong and durable. The backpack does attract a few stray complaints about weak seams along the mesh pockets.

Review: North Face Recon Daypack Reviews, Contributors to Buzzillions.com

3. SkatterTech.com

Andrew Fong at SkatterTech.com writes a detailed and balanced review of The North Face Recon. Among the backpacks he tests, the Recon backpack is the most comfortable with standard loads. However, he would prefer more padding in the laptop sleeve.

Review: Day Pack Reviews: North Face Recon, Andrew Fong, July 13, 2008

4. EBags.com

About 40 owners leave feedback on The North Face Recon at eBags.com, with 95 percent saying they would buy the Recon again. The backpack gets high marks for durability and organization, but somewhat lower ratings for value.

Review: The North Face Recon, Contributors to eBags.com

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