North Face Borealis (2021) vs Osprey Quasar Comparison- Popular EDC and College Backpacks

[@Seven.7556]

Bought my 1st Borealis in 1998, schools and many travels later, it’s still going strong. Just upgraded to the 2024 Borealis, the basics remain the same, but I see the slight differences.

[@Gadgeteer22]

Then there's the Osprey Parsec that seems to be the premium version of the Quasar with a breathable trampoline style back rest that Osprey calls Air Speed. The Parsec also replaces the bungee cord with a non-stretch front pocket and has a kickstand at the bottom. Both the Quasar and Parsec have a 26L capacity.

[@LiveToFly-Br]

They are both very well built. I have two Boreallis, one of them has almost 20 years of hash use. Still holding up. Amazing. TNF rules! Ospray Qasar is also very good.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bags! Glad to hear they have held up well! :)

[@dazed4daze]

Started with Northface packs. My first one was the Hotshot from 2003. I still have it. Great comparison!!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and that’s great to hear your experience with north face has been so good!:)

[@Liquidi_colors]

I have one of that osprey quasar..so far very versatile and comfortable...

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the Quasar! I’m glad to hear it has been working out well so far!:)

[@The_Distance_111]

Great job as always. Well done comparison of two more main stream packs. Nice to see both the higher end bags as well as quality packs from the bigger manufacturers showcased.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support! It’s definitely been interesting to see how many solid offerings these larger companies have!

[@jesseallen4184]

I’ve had experience with various packs from Tom Bihn, Mystery Ranch, 5.11, Maxpedition and Osprey. While my Tom Bihn Synik 22 is my edc and is pretty comfy. Nothing comes close in comfort to my Osprey Quasar. Which surprises because it has a simple back panel, harness system and thinner padding on the shoulder straps compared to my US21 and Synik 22 yet it fits perfectly on my back. While the Quasar is too large and doesn’t meet my organisational requirements for an edc pack, I use it as my “day out” pack for family outings.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bags! I would have to agree that the quasar is more comfy than the synik

[@Jaybiiird]

these backpack reviews were super helpful thanks!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)

[@chrisk5651]

Thanks for your thoroughness!!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching!:)

[@robertjamesgibbons]

Great review

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)

[@Miguel-vh5tp]

Danny is that the asphalt grey version on the the north face ?

[@JM-ct9lg]

Looking forward to watching this one!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I hope the video is helpful!:)

[@donkeybro6368]

Got a Borealis from ~2013 and been considering whether I should upgrade it. Tbh I don’t use it often but it’s light and has pretty good capacity so I don’t have the heart to throw it away.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and that’s great to hear the bag has held up well! I have a few bags like that that I just can’t let go of :)

[@erichanson5628]

Thank You!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching!:)

[@Timei]

Am I seeing this correctly and does that TNF pack have non stretch side pockets? If it does that might just be my next pack. I'm tired of backpacks with stretchy mesh pockets, they aren't durable and I refuse to buy a backpack with those, especially on the sides.

[@Mikelelelele]

Hey! The side pockets are stretchy. One of them even has a cut at the bottom so you can quickly grab something from it.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! The north face pockets have an elastic band to allow them to expand to hold a other bottle but they are not the meshy stretch pockets that the quasar has

[@anar.856]

Do you like the new Borealis more or the new Fjallraven Raven 28 more? And which do you think is more comfortable to wear when carrying a lot?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! Both bags are pretty solid, overall I prefer the raven as I like the aesthetic and organization layout a bit more and it’s pretty comfortable especially with the newer back panel, but I do think the Borealis is more comfortable (although many have disliked the newer north face straps so it might be worth trying to test the straps out of you have an REI or north face near you)

[@LauraLaWasilewska]

I think I'm the only one with something wrong 😉😂🙈. I went to the shops several times and tried on very different backpacks, some of which I ordered online then sent back (refunded with no problem). As for me the most comfortable Osprey backpacks. I have the Quasar model. The North Face Borealis backpack has better organisation. But so what if my back hurt terribly after putting this backpack on, it pinched my shoulders. I tried on some of their brand new backpacks (2024) dedicated to women or universal.

[@alextapia7633]

What color is the borealis?

[@PlainsAyu]

Does the Osprey Quasar 26 stand up when filled?

[@kartruex]

nah

[@Fetucinee]

Forget the packs, I think it's time for a comprehensive review of Traveling Salseros' Lazy Susan, the unsung mainstay of all TS's videos.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and that’s a good idea! :) Haha never imagined it would be so helpful for KZbin videos!

[@joc912]

Is the hip belt on the Osprey Quasar removable? thanks.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and yes the hip belt is removable :)

[@joc912]

@@dannypacks Thank you for your reply! Keep up the good work with your videos, I find them extremely useful when researching bags 🙂

[@kellylevi5268]

Do you prefer the new or old Borealis?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! Although the new one is a solid bag, I prefer the harness and layout of the previous version

[@25aios]

What colour is the Borealis ?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! That is the asphalt grey / light heather

[@Zenny9]

is the Osprey Quasar able to fit a 15/16 inch laptop?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and yes that size laptop should fit in the quasar

[@stephanm.4715]

Both are good packs but the Quasar is over priced. I have a Northface Recon, quality is an issue, lots of loose stitching and a random out of place stitching by the strap.

[@cr8460]

I've worn both packs and The North Face wears horrifically. It destroyed my back and shoulders within 30 minutes. It might appear to have a more sophisticated back panel, but those straps are just awful. The Osprey presented is not an exemplary model for the brand (they generally make great comfortable packs, but more geared towards hiking), but it is still light years beyond the Borealis. Buyer beware, that thing will kill your shoulders.

[@wilsonlamlyt7138]

Is this still true for the new packs? I'm considering between some of lighter weight packs like recon and quasar, Patagonia Refugio. I've seen multiple reviews saying that the north face recon is comfortable and things like that. I think its a bit rigid?

[@cr8460]

@wilsonlamlyt7138 I haven't purchased a pack from them since, but I've looked at them and they look and feel the same.

[@wilsonlamlyt7138]

@@cr8460 ok, I'm definitely reconsidering before trying. If in my case, I would like a 26L about backpack which is versatile in different situations, school (able to put 13 inch laptop and not looking too obtrusive), possible outdoor or occasional light hiking, maybe places to put whatever I would need, hiking poles etc, weekend trips. I would also want a lighter pack, hopefully around 2 lb, at most 2.5 lb around. I've seen something like the osprey parsec and osprey quasar which looks good and fulfilling some checkboxes. Would you have other advices? Curious what bag are you using now.

[@cr8460]

@wilsonlamlyt7138 I've tried just about every Osprey pack and really I should've just stuck with the first one I purchased, the Talon 26. I generally hike home or exercise after work so I can fit my clothes in it, my books, my work materials, everything, and it's just incredibly comfortable with large hip pockets with zippers that are incredibly easy to use with one hand. That might sound like an odd thing to point out, but a lot of hip belt pockets don't comfortably fit larger phones and are stiff, and require two hands to zip or unzip which is a bit of a deal breaker for me. I've sold so many packs and now pretty much solely use this (I also purchased the slightly larger Pro though for winter hikes and I still feel the original 26 is better). I actually screwed up the hip belt zipper pocket recently (my fault) and Osprey fixed it without any questions for free. They stand by their warranty like no other brand.

[@jasnax]

I agree tbf. I use a borealis for daily carry for uni, I carry a full bag that’s even heavier during the winter. While I have to say the back panel is the best I’ve ever experienced very comfy the shoulder straps are not great. This may be due to me having the men’s version which is very large on me since I’m short (takes up my entire back). The bag isn’t worth the 115 price (I paid 80) the zips aren’t tapped and I also feel the material is thin in areas which wasn’t impressed with.

[@samuele5931]

Do you think the new Borealis materials are as durable as the old one? They look a lot thinner… The old one was used a lot but since it didn’t stand up it got consumed in the bottom near the back panel due to the constant slipping and despite useful material. Having good material is useless if you don’t have good design…

[@kevinconnaughty7013]

I would never buy northface again, they have gone in the toilet with quality and durability

[@brianaustgen6112]

Is the borealis' tablet sleeve/pocket large enough for a 13" macbook air? I have other things like to store in the laptop space of my bag.

[@hustlas4ever]

Thank you!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)