How to Choose Daypacks
Bend, Oregon
The North Face Borealis Trail Pack
$129.00
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The classic Borealis pack from The North Face is now trail-ready. Technical enough for day hikes and practical enough for school, it easily transitions from trail to campus.
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- FlexVentâ„¢ suspension system has articulated shoulder straps, a rounded back panel, comfortable stitch lines and soft-touch chemise fabric
- The FlexVent suspension system is certified by the American Chiropractic Association
- Padded, vented shoulder straps with a mesh drop pocket on the right strap and a secure-zip phone pocket on the left strap
- Adjustable sternum strap with a whistle buckle
- Adjustable waistbelt
- Zippered main compartment has a sleeve for either a laptop or a hydration bladder (reservoir not included)
- Secure-zip pocket on top lid
- Vertical, secure-zip center front pocket
- 2 mesh water bottle pockets
- Front bungee system with multiple webbing-loop options can hold a jacket or other item
- Tool-carry loops
- Reflective details
Imported.
View the The North Face Borealis Product LineView all The North Face Daypacks| Best Use | Hiking Travel |
|---|---|
| Bag Style | Backpack |
| Frame Type | Frameless |
| Gear Capacity (L) | 28 liters |
| Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 1,709 cubic inches |
| Weight | 1 lb. 13.8 oz. |
| Adjustable Torso Length | Yes |
| Fits Torso Length (in.) | 16-20 inches |
| Fits Waist/Hips | 26-46 inches |
| Material(s) | 210-denier ripstop nylon; 420-denier recycled nylon plain weave; recycled 200-denier polyester liner |
| Pack Access | Top/panel |
| Number of Exterior Pockets | 6 + main compartment |
| Hipbelt | Yes |
| Laptop Compartment | Yes |
| Reservoir Compatible | Yes |
| Dimensions | 18.9 x 12.4 x 7.09 inches |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
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Customer Images
July
Received free product
Tampa, FL
Gorgeous and Functional
2 months ago
This is a gorgeous and beautifully designed backpack. I appreciate the multiple compartments it offers. I use the chest pocket for easy access to items like lip balm, while the mesh side pockets are perfect for holding water bottles, snacks, etc. These stretchy side pockets ensure that my items are secure and there’s plenty of space between the two of them. There's a zippered pocket on the back for my rain jacket and another pocket on top for essential items. The main compartment is subdivided; a section for a water bladder or laptop, with enough padding to keep a laptop safe. The waist straps are not padded which makes the pack versatile for off and on the trail. I especially like how comfortable it is; the straps don’t dig into my body at all and adjust well for a personalized fit. I chose the highrise grey color, which goes well with almost any outfit.
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
Gregory
Received free product
Minneapolis, MN
A pretty great trail pack!
2 months ago
Overall, I’m really happy with this trail pack. The main compartment has tons of space, plenty for anything you’d need on a day hike. I had no problem fitting a backup raincoat, lunch, long pants/shirts, and sandals. There’s a separate sleeve for a hydration pack (my 3-liter one fit perfectly) and a secure spot for the water tube to slide through. The back panel gives good support, and the side pockets are great for extra water bottles or things you want to grab quickly. That’s especially handy because the one downside for me is the front pocket with the long zipper. Once the main compartment is full, it’s tough to fit much else in there. The small upper pocket on the front is just big enough for a phone and keys, but not much more. Personally, I prefer a bit more compartmentalization than this bag offers. The shoulder straps could use a bit more padding too, but that’s not a dealbreaker. All in all, even with a couple of small issues like the tight front pocket, this pack’s roomy design, hydration support, and overall usefulness make it a solid pick for anyone looking for a good-sized trail bag.
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Russ
Received free product
Fort Collins, CO
Versatile backpack
2 months ago
This is a solid backpack that could be ideal for certain people/uses but slightly lacking for others. I like the nice support of the rigid back with the ventilated mesh. With the thinner waistbelt, I wouldn't recommend using it for heavy loads. It is billed as a hybrid trail to school pack. Personally, for trail usage I'd like some more supportive/comfortable waist straps. The pack has been comfortable on hikes with a light load and leaving the waist straps tucked behind. For school usage, I'd like some more pockets/dividers. The outside pocket is a bit awkward with the vertical zip. The pockets on the front straps, including one for a phone, are nice features. I haven't had a pack with a phone pocket before but I found it to be handy. As far as zippered storage goes, there is the main compartment, a small top section for wallet/keys/etc, and the front section with the vertical zipper. The only divider in these sections is the laptop/bladder storage in the main compartment, hence my comment on wanting more pockets/dividers. If my critiques don't matter for what you're looking for in a pack, then it is definitely worth considering.
Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product
Corym
Received free product
A little rigid
2 months ago
This pack works well as a city pack (room for a laptop, a jacket, some lunch, and other essentials) but I didn’t love it on the trail – it’s semi-rigid back panel just isn’t comfortable on my back and doesn’t get better the more miles you go. This might come down to preference, but I’m not a rigid back fan for a pack this small. I do like the mesh water bottle holders on the sides – they accommodate a variety of bottle shapes and the pockets keep them locked in place while on the move. The front lid pocket is excellent, I like how much room there is for snacks. The bungee system + webbing loops + tool-carry loops all feels a little frivolous for the size of the pack but I do like the vertical center zip pocket in the middle of all these add-ons on the front for easy access to whatever I’m stashing in there. Waistbelt was fine (not padded but not needed to be padded) and an adjustable sternum strap is always good. Shoulder pocket with zipper fit my iPhone 16 + case just fine but is in kind of an awkward position. Overall, I don’t think this pack is my jam for hiking but I like it for causal commutes and can see it lasting for a long time as it is well made/stitched.
Age:25–34
No, I do not recommend this product
JPex
Received free product
Centerville, Utah
A handsome backpack with great mesh storage
2 months ago
I received the North Face Borealis Trail 28 backpack for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. I tested the backpack on a recent camping trip. My three favorite features are the large mesh side pockets, the strap retention loops, and the shoulder strap storage. The large mesh pockets on either side could swallow both water bottles of all shapes and sizes. They could also hold smaller items like sunglasses. My only complaint is that the pockets hold the bottles so well that I couldn’t pull them out while keeping the pack on. I guess that’s a trade off for having such large pockets. The straps all had elastic loops that kept the straps secure instead of flapping around. It made for a tidy look and feel. This is my first backpack with useable shoulder strap storage. The mesh allowed me to hold my phone due to its elasticity.
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
Rocky
Received free product
Arlington, VA
Awesome backpack - great for outdoor activities
1 month ago
This backpack is beautiful, functional, and ergonomic. I took it on several short hikes and, because it's so lightweight and comfy, I kinda forgot that I was wearing it. Definitely lives up to the brand - highly recommended for anyone looking for great hiking gear!
Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product
EarthJusticeNow
Received free product
Dayton, Ohio
A great everyday bag
1 month ago
This bag exceeded my expectations entirely. Tbh I chose it because I really liked the sage green color, but am surprised by how high quality it is. I feel like the North Face has had some quality issues in the recent past, but this pack is very solid. You can tell it’ll last you a long while. I’ve been using this bag daily for over a month now and have really come to like it. The inside is very roomy, with plenty of space to cram anything you might need for the gym or even a short trip. The outside is sleek and minimalist. I especially like how the sternum strap is on a track to allow it to be adjusted up and down based on your height and how full the pack is. This pack has a rigid back, which at first I was not a fan of but has since really grown on me. It helps the pack stay flat on your back and distribute weight more evenly. The only Cons I have about it are that the two outer pockets are awkward. The top one is too small. The large outer pocket is difficult to use since it goes straight down the middle of the pack. It’s hard to tuck things in without them falling out when you unzip it. Very aesthetically pleasing though.
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
leahv97
Received free product
Tucson, AZ
good but not great for commuting and trail
2 months ago
This backpack looks really nice, and has some nice features but doesn't excel at anything. My biggest complaint is that if I am going out for a hike long enough to need 28L of storage, I also want padded shoulder and hips straps, and this pack does not have either. The shoulder straps are lightly padded and are fine for a shorter hike or daily commute/work use, but not enough for a long day out (for me). Similarly, the hip straps are not padded at all and are not comfortable for carrying more weight for many hours. I do like the zip pockets on the shoulder straps! They are useful for keeping small things like sunglasses or a snack easily accessible. I also have mixed feelings about the side water bottle pockets. They are deep and very secure, but so hard to get bottles in and out of! I prefer to be able to reach behind my back without taking a pack off to grab my bottle, and that is impossible with these pockets. Lastly, I appreciate the outside elastic to attach things to, but I didn't find this elastic very functional. With the middle outer zipper, each side is too narrow to attach a pair of shoes, jacket, etc. Overall, I think this pack is nice for commuter/work/school use, and fine for shorter hikes but not functional enough for longer days. It might be a great choice if you want a do-it-all pack for mostly work use and some shorter hikes!
Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Snoopy
Received free product
San Carlos, CA
Perfect for a day in the woods
2 months ago
If you are looking for a comfortable, well-sized backpack for a day in the outdoors, the North Face Borealis is a real contender! Whether on the trail or going for a bike ride, the pack is light and narrow but not at the expense of sturdy. Its lightly-padded shoulder straps and the chest buckle ensure a comfortable, snug, and secure fit. Yes, there is a hip-belt too... though while it exists, it offers little beyond stabilizing the back and felt more in the way than useful. The pack has all the pockets you could possible want. The main compartment is easily accessible via a zipper loop that opens the top half of the pack and has an extra pocket against your back to stow away a hydration bladder including a small opening to run the tubing. The location of the latter might be a nuisance to some as the opening is center top and can cause the tubing to rub against one's neck. To store away smaller items such as keys, sunglasses etc, the small zipped pocket on the top of the pack. Noteworthy, I like the zipper loops that makes it easy to grab, even if you are wearing gloves. Meshed pockets on either side will securely hold regular sized water bottles. Lastly, the back of the pack includes a storage compartment with a vertical zipper and bungee cords with ice axe loops. I am still debating what I could possible store in the former as it is very shallow and oversized for a rain cover while undersized to hold a rain jacket. As for the bungee cords, they seem mostly decorative but they do make the pack look great. Despite a few flaws, this is a solid choice for a daypack and will serve you well on your future outdoors adventures! It will certainly on mine.
Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product
VB
IL
Too Small
1 month ago
I wanted to love this. it looked more like the original borealis. I hoped it would pack better and not be as top heavy as the "new" borealis. sadly, it's much smaller and just won't work for the travel and work bag I need. I miss my original borealis of the early 2000s.
No, I do not recommend this product
Originally posted on thenorthface.com
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