The North Face Surge vs Osprey Tropos vs Patagonia Black Hole! Battle of the 31/32L Backpacks!!!

[@memorobles7857]

Funnily enough, back in March used my brother's Tropos for a 1 week trip around Puebla and I have the exact opposite opinion of yours about some stuff. The compression straps are awesome. No... perfect. When compression straps *don't* go over zippers they don't help at all to take tension out of the zipper when your bag is full. Even worse, when they attach right next to the zipper they literally pull the zipper apart when you actually need to compress the bag. It's also great that the top compression straps go through the top of the front stash pocket as it gives more longevity to the bag (which I guess gives them sustainability points too) cause whenever the elastane on the fabric gives out and the pocket becomes all loose you'll still be able to have the confidence of locking your stuff in there with the strap and knowing it won't fall out when you're scrambling on rocks or putting the bag in and out of vehicles or luggage compartments. Although I agree that it could be more opaque, in fact, given that you have the compression strap at the top already it doesn't even need to be stretchy to begin with, they could've just used a bellowed pocket with drains at the bottom... I also find it great that it's a bit tall rather than wide or "deep". If you have the right torso length the lowed part of the frame has this great shape that nests into your lower back (even without the belt) and then, because the frame is actually tall enough, the load lifters actually work as they should taking weight off your shoulders and distributing the pressure along the whole shoulder strap and across your chest. For hiking or actually carrying your bag for several hours around town "deep" square shaped bags suck cause the weight always ends up waaay behind your back and it pulls on you and makes the bag flop around whenever you turn. I get why most 30-40 liter travel bags are optimized for airline carry-on dimensions but that really doesn't translate well to comfort if you're gonna actually wear the thing for more than 30 minutes a day. Plus, another somewhat niche advantage (for a mostly US audience) about the "tall" shape is that overhead compartments on coach type buses are usually way narrower than planes, so in places where bus/coach travel is the norm, a "longer" but narrower bag that can be properly compressed is the way to go for one bag travel. Great review, finally convinced me to bite the bullet and get a Tropos for myself...

[@cwoods1132]

Excellent review. I feel you were honest and fair in all of your evaluations. My experience with Osprey bags is consistent with what you pointed out: taller and the compression strap + zipper conflict. Both can be annoying; digging deep in the bag for items, and the bag tends to fall-over more with all that weight up high, and it's hard to put under the seat on an airplane (which I prefer to do). However, I can say these two cons are minor and shouldn't shy anyone away. I like how taller bags move with me when I walk, have less of a reach for top-mounted accessory item pockets, and tend to be thinner. Whereas, I feel wider and thicker bags swing, distribute weight poorly, tend to move against me walking, and look kind of tacky. Personally, a bag's inability to move with me or act as a mobile cabinet are my two concerns.

[@DesmondCheng]

thanks for sharing your thoughts!!!

[@tinkngleek]

This was super helpful, I hadn't even considered the Osprey but now it's my top contender. Thank you, Desy! Going to to check if you have a video on the Cotopaxi Allpa.

[@DesmondCheng]

no problem! unfortunatley i have not reviewed that pack yet!

[@JesusQuintanna]

My favorite is the Osprey nebula 32liters, good video idea and agree with your choice!

[@DesmondCheng]

ill have to try out the nebula one day!

[@Rleebeck051]

I went with the Radial. Its marketed for bikers but its basically the same bag with a few different features. The ONLY reason I went with the Radial is because of the compression straps on the Tropos and a few other Osprey bags. I never use them personally. When I need to get into my bag, I want the least amount of steps possible. Plus that Tidal Atlas color on the Radial is shhhexaay.

[@DesmondCheng]

Radial has always been on my radar! I'm jsut waiting for a sale to get one =)

[@daltonramsey9585]

When did the surge stop using YKK zips?

[@ollum1]

I have a Savotta Jääkäri M. Its really heavy when compared to these but it is so durable I dont have to buy another backpack probably ever. It is modular with molle webbing and comfortable enough.

[@DesmondCheng]

noice, those bags look sweeet!!!

[@ollum1]

@@DesmondCheng I had a Savotta backpack when I did my military service in the Finnish military. Those things were so durable I had to get one. The ones issued are really uncomfortable with no back support but the Jääkäri line is much better as you can get an aluminium frame on it. I have used it with added pouches in Swizerland and of course in the Finnish wilderness and I do recommend it!

[@DesmondCheng]

@@ollum1 thanks for the info about it!

[@obiwan7840]

I have the surge and it does not carry as much as my other 32l backpack (kelty eldora), in fact it carries as much as my osprey quasar 28. The internal organization is AWESOME but I cant ignore the huge amount of reports of the shoulder straps breaking/ripping when you consistently carry some weight (I’ve seen this in actually the 3 main TNF bags - recon, surge, and borealis -since they implemented the newly designed straps a few years back) . So whats the point of having a 32 liter pack if your’re limited to carry only light items. That’s why I never use it.

[@DesmondCheng]

yeah its a shame, all they have to do is put on a better strap!!! but its been years and they still havent done anything about it!

[@mauriciou]

I went for the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L and I'm with you with the Dislikes, I bought a Black Hole 6L pouch for the inside and it fits awesome, I carry my EDC, sneakers, water bottle and all this for commuting bike, it's really light weight and confortable even when riding my bike, is a nice backpack anyway so im happy with it !

[@DesmondCheng]

yeah i still love all 3 of these. ill keep all 3 as they each have their uses =)

[@KerryFrey-t6q]

Does the Surge have a hole someplace to accommodate a camelback tube? I haven’t been able to find that anyplace.

[@DesmondCheng]

no it does not!

[@KerryFrey-t6q]

What about the osprey or recon? I’m looking for one that includes this feature, but still has a similar volume capacity.

[@DesmondCheng]

@@KerryFrey-t6q of these 3 bags, only the osprey has a hydration port. i did a full review of it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWjWh6qgm8ahobMsi=iglioyHcqm4qrN3k

[@DesmondCheng]

@@KerryFrey-t6q recon does not have a hydration port

[@dhikarifaldi3879]

Mine is Ykk zipper for surge

[@DesmondCheng]

noice!

[@19wolfgang25]

have you tried using the Tropos 32L as a carry on?

[@DesmondCheng]

yup, took it to Mexico! I put it in the overhead bin, and then used my Wandrd Rogue 6L sling under neath the seat so I could have plenty of leg room =)

[@daniel-lee888]

The North Face Surge easily has the worst straps on any pack recently. I cannot understand why any pack designer would bevel the edges of the padded straps so that they actually cut into your shoulders when carrying any weight. Loved the organisation but if a pack isn't comfortable (with a load) then it's useless. Eventually ended up with the Mystery Ranch 2DAP which carries as much the Surge.

[@DesmondCheng]

ooooo nice! yeah i was looking into the new mystery ranch Catalyst, which is the urban version of the 2DAP. Can't wait to get my hands on one! I'll have to wait until black Friday... lol