The North Face RECON vs BOREALIS Explained in 5 Minutes

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The North Face Recon vs Borealis: It’s Simple
What if we told you these backpacks were more alike than they are different? Choosing between the two is as simple as taking a look at their carrying capacity and external storage designs.
The North Face Recon features 30 liters of storage with a stretchy quick-stash pocket that’s perfect for quickly putting away smaller items like gloves, a book or bike lock. On the other hand the Borealis gives you a little bit less internal storage at 27 liters (or 28 liters for the men’s Borealis) but features a super-useful bungee storage system that allows for attachment of larger items like a jacket, blanket or shoes.
Note: In this video we compare the womens Recon to the womens Borealis. We point out any differences to the mens versions in the video.
Which Backpack is Better?
Choose the North Face Recon if… you need a larger backpack for books, binders, clothes and other essential items. At 30 liters, it’s just the right size for a daily backpack without being too bulky. The quick stash pocket in the front is convenient and comes in handy when you are in a rush. Commuters will like that the external pocket on the Recon that can comfortably fit a bike lock.
Choose the North Face Borealis if… you like the idea of the external bungee system to haul around oversized gear like blankets and jackets. This bungee system is great once you start to utilize it since it frees up the main compartment and gives you a ton of more storage space.
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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
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Free Products
At Backpackies, we may sometimes receive free products from brands to consider adding to our buying guides and reviews. However, what we choose to showcase is at our discretion and our opinions are our own. Our goal has always been to help our audience find the perfect backpack for their specific needs and we strive to keep our opinions and recommendations honest based on that goal.

[@Backpackies]

🎒MORE THE NORTH FACE VIDEOS Borealis vs Jester: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaiXkmSlmtNlfqs North Face Recon Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3W7f4GGaNKXl9U

[@_ltmh]

the borealis laptop compartment is 3 inches off the bottom to elevate the laptop from drops, its an intentional design to prevent laptop damage which makes a lot of sense to not have it flat to bottom of the bag. not a flaw of the bag.

[@mtbgeologist]

They're saying that it's a flaw in the design of the recon, and that they prefer the 3" false bottom on the borealis.

[@_ltmh]

@@mtbgeologist 4:21 she specifically says “it’s a very odd design choice” related to the borealis so I don’t think the video explains well that it’s a intentional design for the laptop to be floating. I just wanted to mention it for others to be aware it’s on purpose.

[@mtbgeologist]

@@_ltmh You're correct, I misunderstood. A floating/false bottom is a must for me, but it's hard right now with a 17" laptop. So I went with the recon and just have to be careful.

[@tomk4199]

She did say that they BOTH have false bottoms...it's just that the Borealis has 3" while the Recon has what looks like about an inch

[@katecarl9640]

The Borealis provides a shelf to keep a laptop off the floor of the pack, protecting it from damage. Not an odd design by North Face, an excellent design!

[@Backpackies]

"Odd" might have been the wrong choice of words lol. We just find it interesting that the North Face made the false bottom on the Borealis so much higher off the ground. But we agree, excellent design!

[@hubehaq]

@@Backpackiesis it correct that the Recon also has a floating compartment but it is floating closer to the bottom of the pack?

[@KID_CHAMELEON]

I bought the Borealis last week and after a couple of days of use I decided I wanted to try out the Recon to see if the extra 2L was worth it and figured I could always add bungee straps so I'd have both the pocket and a bungee system. Now I know TNF claims the Recon is bigger by 2 liters but comparing them side by side, the Borealis actually seems to be the bigger of the two. It is definitely wider and more of a rectangular shape where the Recon has more rounded corners giving more of an oval shape. I packed both bags with the exact same gear to test. (4 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of boxer shorts, 4 polo shirts, a pair of jeans, and a hooded sweatshirt. The Borealis definitely felt roomier and felt like it had more room to pack another couple shirts or a small jacket. Even viewing the two side by side when full, the Recon appeared to be completely packed, whereas the Borealis appeared to be able to fit more. I'm honestly really questioning if someone at TNF made a mistake with the specs listed and the Borealis is actually the bigger of the two. I highly doubt they would make a mistake like this but after seeing them side by side in person, I think I'm going to stick with the Borealis. It really does feel bigger overall. 🤷‍♂️

[@jacekplacek8422]

And you know what about this laptop pocket? because in recon it is actually 3 inches larger and deeper than in borealis is it really true??

[@rlfstr]

Maybe North Face also includes the capacity of the front mesh in their overall estimation?

[@surfearth1]

Probably measuring the mesh front pocket.

[@marubinooo]

Is this the latest version of Borealis and Recon?

[@willywonka9118]

Thank you for your input. I think it helped me to decide on the two

[@slicktype001]

What an absolute killer comparison video. No fills, just thrills! Gangstah! Thank you........

[@francescocarpagnano8505]

The Recon has also two daisychains on the sides of the stash pocket, so theoretically you can pass a bungee cord trough them and have both.

[@City-Hiker]

That’s true and why I choose Recon, not Borealis.

[@barriewylde5915]

I love my Recon it just does it all for me.The stretch pocket works great for me.And I really like your reviews.Thanks

[@Backpackies]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts on the video! The Recon is a real workhorse and one of our favorite North Face backpacks. Glad you are getting the most out it!

[@nathanjamesbaker]

I have both of these packs. I prefer the Borealis for day hiking and the Recon for everyday urban use.

[@City-Hiker]

You can add a bungee cord on the daisy chain of the Recon, so you can use the mesh pocket and bungee. Many hiking backpacks add a bungee on the daisy chain. Such as Raven Skule 28, New Balance Concept One Adventure Backpack are good examples. The newer Borealis version, bungee is not replaceable. Once you broke the bungee, you can’t replace it. Recon doesn’t need to be worry.

[@Backpackies]

Good insight!

[@brooklyngidley9658]

Omg great idea! I like the mesh pocket for gloves/hat, but they can’t fit a blanket or jacket. Was struggling to decide between the two but now I’m definitely getting the recon and some bungee cords now!

[@City-Hiker]

@@brooklyngidley9658 ：That’s truth. I am a casual urban hiker, and I have both Borealis and Recon. Recon also has bigger water bottle pockets. Borealis’s water bottle pockets are not secure to hold the water bottle. For the blanket, if not too big, you can put it on the bottom of Recon backpack. There is a compression strap on the bottom of the Recon.

[@mightbenat1307]

Hey, I was wondering how do you fasten that extra bungee cord on the daisy chain? I am very curious about it and this is a deciding factor between the recon & the borealis for me

[@tuckerbobrow5107]

@@City-Hiker Can you elaborate on the differences between the water bottle holders? Looking at the video... the borealis pockets look deeper?

[@ajinreji03]

Your video is so good. Both the content and the video quality. I think I will go with the Recon, cuz I feel like Recon looks better than Borealis, on the other hand Borealis is more bulky in appearance. Thanks

[@766366372]

great video, thank you sm!! i love backpacks and i love your channel, i just ordered the recon ❤️

[@Backpackies]

Awesome! Thrilled to hear that you enjoy the channel and hope you love your new backpack!

[@gxaxw666]

I have been following this channel, and a lot of your videos help me in decision making when I buy bags. Thanks to you now I have Borealis and Osprey Porter+Daylite!

[@JeepsCafe]

Went with the Recon, it is the proper backpack for scootin through the streets of downtown Toronto and hiking through the woods. Again, excellent review and comparison video.

[@Backpackies]

Glad to hear the comparison was helpful!

[@MunroMcLaren]

I do wish the second compartment in the Borealis went all the way down to the bottom for more space.

[@1986Unlimited]

Very helpful. Love these comparison videos to help with reducing research time when shopping.

[@jeff-ph9bc]

Excellent video. Really helpful for choosing between the two backpacks!

[@JeepsCafe]

Thank you for this vid, it helped me decide which backpack is more suitable for my needs. Excellent review!

[@Backpackies]

Awesome! Good to hear it helped!

[@mtbgeologist]

This video actually made me buy the Recon over the Borealis for the "flaw" you mentioned regarding the false bottom of the laptop compartments. I have a 17" laptop, so the larger compartment accommodates my laptop so that it is not pushing the corners at all.

[@Backpackies]

Glad the video helped you decide! Flaw might be the wrong way to put it, it was just an odd design decision that The North Face would make one laptop compartment so much deeper than the other. That detail was mentioned in the video in case someone preferred one over the other.

[@CEOLISSS]

@@Backpackies it doesn't go all the way down because it is designed to be suspended? that way it doesn't hit the ground hard.

[@hollow494]

@@CEOLISSS I don't think so. Now I understand why the recon's specs say that it can store a 17 inch laptop is because as you store it deeper, it doesn't interfere with the top where the backpack closes, so it's a design change so a larger laptop could be stored.

[@nathanjamesbaker]

@@hollow494 CEOLISS is correct. The reason why the laptop compartment in the Borealis is suspended a couple inches off the ground is to raise the compartment so that laptops do not come in contact with the ground. I have seen North Face literature that promotes it for exactly that reason. This does matter to some people, for example if you were to check the backpack with your luggage and the handlers drop or throw the bag on the ground.

[@lonnie4827]

@@nathanjamesbakerBut if both backpacks have a false bottom in the laptop sleeve, making the cheaper one’s false bottom much larger is just a way to force more customers to buy the more expensive bag with deeper pocket and a shallowed false bottom.

[@ceeweedsl]

What are people's experiences with failures and TNF warranty response? We know that Osprey is very good. But it's sounding like TNF has started cutting back on quality and then support. True? Talking about recent experience, not from years ago.

[@strawberrymochiiz]

I like the borealis laptop compartment is 3" higher. I carry an expensive work laptop every day and making sure it's safe is a higher priority. On some of my other backpacks I've been then down a little to quickly onlyntk hear my laptop hittingnthe ground 😂

[@styledliving]

I'd prefer a sub

[@Backpackies]

Patagonia and Osprey Packs might have the kind of bag your are looking for. The Patagonia Refugio has a removable tech sleeve and the Osprey Daylite Plus is super lightweight. We recently made a video about the Osprey Daylite bags here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3acaJmrf9ZnY5o

The laptop compartment in the Borealis makes a lot of sense... how many times you have forgot about your precious laptop and dropped the backpack on the floor?

[@Tseringzzz]

Amazing review🔥

[@Backpackies]

Thank you 🙌

[@MatthewMoscotto]

The Recon is an amazing pack. I love mine. Might get it another color

[@Backpackies]

Glad to hear you love it! It's one of our favorite packs by The North Face

[@underthesun-ml4mu]

In short: Recon for City-trips and school. And the Borealis for Adventure and Hiking.

[@brianlarson1668]

The bungee cord on my Borealis snapped within a year. Recon for adventure hiking.

[@mdan17]

Apakah borealis cocok dengan laptop 17” (30x40cm)?

[@elektravartpedersen8357]

Can a 17" laptop be squeezed into the recon?

[@shar0ndipity2009]

My only question is.. How did you get the backpacks to stand on its own for the shot. Hahaha.. I love my recon but it cant stand on its own ever! I'm aware of that when i bought it but i sometimes still wish for it to not fall over.

[@Backpackies]

It's a secret 😉

[@Ben-dk6is]

very nice video and compassion👍

[@LiamsCR]

good reviews, thanks

[@hanfnysi]

thank you for helping me with making this hard decision! i have another question for you. i would use this as my school backpack and i'm planning to wear this for 4years so which one is stronger? borealis or recon?

[@Backpackies]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to watch! Both the Borealis and Recon are near identical in construction and quality so you should be ok with either. They use the same materials, back panels and shoulder straps.

[@City-Hiker]

You can add a bungee cord to the Recon making it looks like the Borealis. If you buy the Borealis, when the bungee is broke, you need to buy another backpack because the bungee can’t be replaced. I have the Recon for about a year. I can add the bungee or remove the bungee.

[@giannalyons5662]

I’ve had both for school and prefer the recon.

[@jiraphatwetchaphram2870]

thank youuuu

[@Backpackies]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@brianlarson1668]

The bungee cords on the Borealis water holder snapped within a years use. Very poor design change over the last version. I switched to the Recon.

[@Backpackies]

Those side bungee cords always felt more like style over function. They aren't very effective for compression, since the bottom compression straps are more useful, and they aren't needed to secure water bottles because there is already elastic on the side pockets. Hopefully The North Face will get rid of them in their next redesign.

[@andresacevedo2728]

Excellent ❤

[@Backpackies]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidballesteros1284]

It helped a lot, thanks

[@joaomunhoz8908]

Can I fit a 15.6´´ laptop on the Recon Backpack? Every backpack I find has a 15´´ area for laptop. I dont want a huge backpack.

[@Backpackies]

Unfortunately not, a 15'6" laptop would be too big for that laptop compartment

[@liongamer2188]

Same bro I have 15.6 inch laptop and I want to buy the borealis so will it fit or not?

[@dreiGodom]

Does the recon have a 24L?

[@alan_fisher]

What a great comparison!

[@Backpackies]

Thank you!

[@adammiliani5448]

I love the recon!

[@lourdesfaccini8903]

Do the straps underneath stretch enough to put a sleeping bag in?

[@Backpackies]

No, the straps aren't big enough. It's really more for compression than holding stuff and we wish they big enough for blankets and beach towels.

[@KID_CHAMELEON]

Definitely not a sleeping back but a rolled up yoga mat, a small tripod, or a rolled up towel should fit fine.

[@user-yq8qw9yg6e]

Does the borealis hold a MacBook of 16 inches? Or better getting the recon?

[@KID_CHAMELEON]

I just got my Borealis (28L) today and I can confirm my 16 inch MacBook with a case on it fits perfectly!

[@user-yq8qw9yg6e]

@@KID_CHAMELEON I ended up getting the Surge xD, as it fits better my needs (2 PCs + a tablet and food)

[@mofosos]

I love the design on the Recon but the head of Borealis is bigger can fit a shoe box easy, Recon can't

[@Robert-cd5zr]

Should have just made one with the stash pocket AND bungees on one pack...

[@rawlvee]

would It be really uncomfortable if a male wore the women one. Might've ordered the wrong bag on accident.

[@Backpackies]

It really depends on your height and frame. The women's bag has a smaller back panel and the shoulder straps are closer together but it's not that extreme. Hopefully, you can return or exchange the bag if it feels too small.

[@rawlvee]

@@Backpackies 5’11 somewhat broad shoulders and yeah hopefully thanks but; I hate going through that stuff process lol

[@itsTJSlays]

How big of a water bottle can the recon fit in the side pocket?

[@Backpackies]

We could fit 1L and 32oz bottles in the side pockets just fine

[@sadcakar1022]

borealis all day

[@MorganMcAuley2027]

Borealis

[@surfearth1]

Get the recon and add bungees yourself

[@mightbenat1307]

hey (rizz)

[@Benst2178]

Imagine a backpack channel not knowing what a suspended laptop sleeve is....😬

[@Backpackies]

Absolutely wild that this was your interpretation lol

[@Benst2178]

​@@Backpackies"The laptop compartment in the borealis i about 3 inches above the bottom of the bag, it's a very odd design choice by The North Face" It floats 3 inches higher to protect the laptop when the bag is put down or dropped. It's called a suspended laptop sleeve, not an odd design choice. Amazing review....😂😂😂

[@giovannipinci371]

👍👌🎒

[@kirby.03]

the backpack on your video is the woman or the mans version?

[@Backpackies]

Both backpacks are the women's versions

[@Tralala691]

For some reason I’m just not a chick bag buyer. Huh?

[@maciejflisak5249]

i hate name borealis recon sounds far better

[@baccano614]

Does any of those bags can fit a 17-inche laptop in their laptop compartment?

[@Backpackies]

No a 17" will most likely be too large for the laptop compartments