The North Face Router Backpack Review (2 Weeks of Use)

[@groberti]

I have a ~2018ish version of the router and I have no idea why they removed the possibility to open up the main compartment "in full". Makes it much easier to pack such a big backpack imho.

[@vikramsaggarwal697]

I have this bag and absolutely love it. The one modification I made and would recommend is remove the waist belt that comes with the bag and replace it with a wandrd waist strap. As for the water bottle pockets I enjoy the large size as it allows me to carry an umbrella plus water bottle in one and a coffee thermos in the other, and all I have to do is strap it down and nothing’s coming out.

[@Diegoemperor5]

This may sound dumb but how did you remove the waist band? I have no intention on using it and want to take it off.

[@FlipChipSerg]

@@Diegoemperor5i second this. The stock belt doesn’t really do much

[@zeppelin2a]

You're essentially just removing the strap from the hardware that fastens it to the bag.

[@tichondriusstormrage]

I'm doing it! I'm buying the sucker! Thanks for the in-depth reviews :)

[@postdorian]

Still feels that the 2018 iteration is the best and holds well. Unfortunately since 2019 they have been doing strange things to this back

[@SteveMartinUSA]

Thanks for the review. I like the older Router Transit a lot, but after a few years the top handle is about to break loose so here I am again... It looks like they switched to ripstop nylon, but the older version was a more rugged material that was smoother-the newer ripstop nylon makes it look like a wrinkled up camping pack. I like the older outside front pockets, but these look ok. The newer zippers look less substantial-they went cheap. Thanks for comparing it to other packs too. 40L to me is a great “transit” pack for me to get back and forth to work. Some days I use all the space, and I never collapse the pack.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙

[@SteveMartinUSA]

I’ve been using the new Router for a couple months now and I do like the ripstop, maybe better than the original. It stays clean and looks better. The new pack may be 41 liters but it’s definitely a lot smaller than the previous version in the main compartment area. Like now I have to take two packs.

[@cestseb]

Doesn’t northface have a lifetime warranty send it in for replacement

[@seannarae]

I have the 2018 version, and I am on the fence whether or not it was a good design choice to remove the ability to open the main compartment up in full. I dont frequently unzip her main compartment all that often, but when i need to, its nice to have that feature. But a couple gripes i have with the 2018 version, that i dont think have been addressed with this new version: (1) how the pack will NEVER sit upright on its base. It has no firm base, so if you want this pack to stand upright, you have to lean it against something, and depending on how you've packed it, it will be quite front-heavy and therefore need a steep lean. This pack WANTS to flop over onto its belly. (2) how the zippers on the main + admin compartments and far from one-hand zippers. The construction of the bag and/or the placement of the zippers (IDK) means that sometimes unzipping but almost ALWAYS zipping back up cannot be performed one handed. Needs one hand to hold the trailing fabric in place and the other to pull the zipper.

[@TheMarcpollard]

I dig the background tunes

[@PackHacker2]

🤙🤙🤙

[@nicholassmith9509]

At the end you mention that only a couple other travel bags compress like the router. Would love to know which ones, this is the exact kinda bag I'm looking into for really everything. from work travel to beach and pool

[@kurzfassung]

i like yout review. thinking on every part and how you tell everything the negative points too

[@j_tw1612]

in my experience with north face backpacks, the water bottle holders are mostly mesh and rip open easily. this rubbery material *hopefully* wont rip open in the same way that the old mesh ones did.

[@MacGyv3r]

Good point. They still have expandable mesh on a small portion of the bottle holders on the side. Ideally it should be a mix of the hard wearing material on the bottom 1/3 and expandable mesh on the top 2/3.

[@jaysun070476]

This was a nice bag but unfortunately had to return it. The main compartment was just to small even with all tension straps loosened . The old nourth face surge 30l had a bigger main compartment then this. Thanks for the video.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙 -Eric

[@DazedN7]

I'm looking for a replacement currently. Do you have any recommendations?

[@Jay_Pride]

Same thoughts here.. doesn’t seem any larger than my Borealis on the main compartment as well.. maybe about 1” wider side to side and about 2” longer. Just doesn’t feel like a 40l bag at all and certainly not fitting more things over a 28l bag either.

[@cedrics3399]

Hey thanks for the video! How waterproof is this backpack??😊

[@Jay_Pride]

I bought both the Borealis and this Router couple of days ago and I’m not convinced that this Router is actually 40l.. I was able to max out both bags with the same exact items without any respectable difference in extra space on the router.. maybe like 3 liters larger.. I tried playing Tetris with the setup to see if maybe I’m not optimizing the space but nothing made it better.. visually on the outside the Router is definitely taller looking but it doesn’t seem to expand hardly more than the Borealis.. either way it’s still a very nice bag but not sure if it’s worth the extra 60 bucks over the Borealis

[@eedoeseedoes4873]

could i fit a 17 inch alienware laptop in the borealis?

[@Jay_Pride]

@@eedoeseedoes4873I think it might be a tight for a 17” unless it’s like one of those small 17s like a LG Gram or something. 17 gaming laptop I would probably say no but my 16” gaming laptop fits snugly

[@BryanMiraflor]

i bought the router bag from 2020 and it definitely fits more things than this version in the video. the only annoying thing is that it didn't stand up on it's own. it falls over, so it's best to keep it leaning against something or flat on the ground.

[@philipbaldassini9528]

I feel the router and the surger are the same pack, the only difference is the Surge has those two outside pockets and the routers has it like a door swinging open

[@DDanielll1991]

Great review once again! Love the channel.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@rashadhilou4815]

I ordered a light color off white , is it easy to clean the exterior? Or better to change it to a darker color?

[@gmcjpill1527]

Thanks for that review. I enjoy your reviews the most. I really don’t like the front of this one, I would rather have my Recons front.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙 -Eric

[@willywonka9118]

Would this bag if not fully pack out pass for a personal bag on a flight? I need a new bag and i love the whole look of it

[@SRIRAMDEVADI]

I loved this bag but returned it and ordered a recon as this bag felt super heavy with just a 13inch 2017 macbook, 2 spiral binders and a waterbottle.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙 -Eric

[@cineplexx13]

so you're saying that with the recon the macbook turned lighter somehow?

[@SRIRAMDEVADI]

Not gonna lie I know that sounds stupid but yeah. The router was just so damn big it felt more heavy as I added more things. I now carry 2 big textbooks and 2 large spiral notebooks. It feels relatively easy to carry as the recon bag is not as big as the router. Hope this helps. @@cineplexx13

[@ovictorkim]

Great review! :) Hey, do you know if you can use the front hand strap as a trolley strap?

[@ShatteredF1re7733]

I wish you had showed the main compartment in the uncompressed state.

[@Utubeisazzho]

Those small pockets are perfect for flashlights, multi tools, and forced self protection ( pepper spray ).

[@SteveMartinUSA]

Documents go between the dividers so they don’t get smashed as you put the laptop in and out.

[@morganainsleymusic]

Where did you get this colour? I can’t find it anywhere online

[@CorpoHawkWasabi]

TNF has site where You can buy every color as well ;)

[@christinaheiney3228]

I have a question. Would you recommend this bag for school? I am looking for a bag for college and am wondering If you would recommend it or what you would recommend as a good bag for college. I need a new bag with good back support, does this one approve?

[@jennym011]

I was thinking about getting this one bc it mentions it can hold 17inch laptops while most others are 15 but i was just worried of it looking too big and bulky

[@07alip]

Can you check out the north face voyager daypack?

[@Elo46_R]

Can it stand on its own? The problem of all The North Face backpacks is that they don’t stand 😢

[@tforlee2955]

Sometimes, depends how it’s weighted an if the main compartment is fully out

[@jimperkins1509]

Would a camelbak 1.5 litre water bottle fit in the side pockets?

[@amanwithnoname6998]

I have this backpack however mines its dark blue I LOVE IT

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙 -Eric

[@chowee21]

How do you feel this will stand against daily usage and weather exposure? I’m debating on using this or the Farpoint 40 and I’m curious if this will be able to withstand rain snow and carrying loads regularly.

[@AjeroZ]

I use this everyday for study, work and travel, since April. And so far it's been great! I haven't been in a lot of rain but when I have it's been resisting the rain good. But no signs of usage, even though I overpack it when I travel, even with my laptop in it as well. When I was considering buying it it was between this or farpoint 40, farpoint 40 was too much focused on travelling whick made it chunky and big,and laptop compartment was bad, so I chose this one, but farpoint may be better for only travelling

[@coachangel1005]

Will this backpack fit under airplane seat?

[@aarnav_s69]

Yes

[@rajendrabareto8065]

I have this bag. But I feel it is very heavy unnecessary. I feel like tearing apart the extra padding which are really not necessary.

[@BryanMiraflor]

nah, they messed up this bag. the 2020 version I have is much better. not sure what the designers are thinking. hoping that the next iteration has better pocket and zipper layout.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙

[@maxad11]

Hydroflask??? 😂😂😂😂😂