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The North Face Borealis II Pack

Item # 716408

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Description
Specs
Customer Reviews

This technical daypack moonlights as a school bag or work briefcase--with its versatility you'll never want to leave it behind.

Panel-loading pack offers plenty of room for gear and clothing, plus it will hold a laptop and hydration
Front pocket features an internal organizer for pens, pencils, wallet, electronics and other necessities
Small stash pocket has a water-resistant zipper; dual mesh pockets give quick access to water bottles
Bungee system on front pocket lets you stash a jacket or bike helmet
Adjustable shoulder straps, sternum strap and laminated backpanel with breathable mesh channels for ventilation and load-carrying comfort
Hipbelt tucks away when not in use; side compression straps help stabilize and control the load
Reflective accents increase your nighttime visibility to others
Hydration-compatible design features reservoir pocket and drink tube exit port for on-the-go hydration (reservoir & water bottles sold separately)

Imported.

Item 716408

REI Membership

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$20.00

The North Face Borealis II Pack Specs

Specification	Description
Best use	Hiking
Frame type	Frameless
Average weight	2 lbs. 1 oz.
Average weight - metric	0.94 kilograms
Adjustable torso	No
Material(s)	Nylon/Hypalon
Number of exterior pockets	4 + main compartment
Gender	Unisex

The North Face Borealis II Pack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

The North Face Borealis II Pack

4.4

(based on 10 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Adjustable (9)
Good padding (9)
Large capacity / good size (7)

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip (8)
Hiking (6)
School (5)
Car camping (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (8)
- What Is Your Gear Style:
- Comfort driven (4)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 10 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

Jun

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Solid pack

By Georgia lawman

from Georgia

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip
Hiking

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I have been in the market for a new day pack since my Jansport is wearing out and does not have side pockets for water bottles. I wanted a new day pack under $100.00, less than 2000 cu inches and a different manufacturer. I liked the looks of The North Face Recon and Borealis. I tried them both on and took them for a test ride in the store. The packs are identical with the exception of a front mesh panel and bottom cargo straps on the Recon instead of the bungee system on the Borealis.

Shortly after departing the store with the Borealis, I filled my water bottles, put some snacks, rain gear and a few other items and off to the trail. This is a solid built pack that rides very well and is fairly adjustable. The hip belt is wide and supports the weight evenly (when not used it has a handy hide away in the rear panel), the sternum strap has some vertical adjustability, shoulder straps have ample adjustability and the compression straps allowed me to adjust the load as I up loaded or down loaded the pack for the day’s activities. Both shoulder straps have small D rings for attaching items and one strap has a small elastic nylon pocket for a cell phone or small item.

The front mesh pocket of the Recon might be nice, but I find myself always getting things tangled in the mesh. The rain flap for the zipper does interfere with the zipper operation, but by folding it back you can avoid any interference. A major problem with a larger pack is you will over pack and I prefer a small pack for day hikes and this one fits the bill. My only dislike is the organizer in the second compartment. It has multiple small compartments and when filled up sags in the pack. The simple fix is only using it for small items. The pack will accept a hydration bladder and has an exit port for the drinking tube.

Three days and three hikes gave me a short period for evaluations, but save the $10.00 between the two and get the Borealis.

Jan

2008

(4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Well designed and comfortable to carry

By Outdoor Professor

from Jackson, TN

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Large capacity
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip
Hiking

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I wanted a well padded pack without breaking the bank. I only dayhike now and was just looking for something comfortable to carry water and snacks. I used the Borealis on several day hikes when I visited Phoenix and it was as if I wasn't even carry any gear, but I did have it somewhat loaded with camera, water, food and a few other emergency items. I really like the exterior pockets for drink bottles, they made it easy for two people to have quick access to water. I also like the pockets inside for small items. I use the pack for day hikes now but I can see many other times it will come in handy. Glad I bought it.

Jun

2008

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Practical, comfortable, affordable

By EarthGirl

from Milwaukee, WI

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Fun colors
Good for school stuff
Good padding
Good size
Large capacity
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Bike riding
Car Camping
Day trip
Going to school
Hiking

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I love this Borealis backpack!
i am going to be a camp counselor this summer and its great to hold a couple of sweatshirts,water bottles, and first aid kits. I also used this to go to school and it fits all of my high-school sized binders and books. i can't even tell that i'm carrying so much because of of the backsaving technology. great for camping and for day trips up the mountain. the anemone green is a great, fun color! best backpack i've ever had!

Oct

2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great Buy!

By RedRaiderMegs

from Lubbock, TX

About Me Casual/ Recreational, Student

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Great organization
Large capacity
Padded laptop storage
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip
School

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I purchased this pack two months ago and love it. The padding is excellent and allows me to carry large loads (school texts and laptop) comfortably. Laptop compartment is large and fits my 16" widescreen. Lots of pockets, etc. for simple organizational use. Overall, this is a great, well-made product!

Sep

2007

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Great for School/Work

By Jaym

from Longview, WA

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Very adjustable

Cons

Small Capacity

Best Uses

Day trip
School
Work

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I carry around my laptop (14in) in this bag and it fits nice. Lots of pockets for all sorts of stuff plus two mesh bottle holders. Loved it when I took it day hiking--waist strap and other straps adjusted well so no weight was on my shoulders.

Sep

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Good Schoolbag

By Oscar

from Renton, Washington

See all my reviews

Pros

durable
Good padding
Large capacity
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

School

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

My son uses this for school and its perfect for him. This bag has enough space for all his things and it is very comfortable and durable. I use this bag too and its great!

Jan

2008

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This is awsome

By reigrill

from Fuquay-Varina, NC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Good padding
Large capacity
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Car Camping
Day trip
Hiking

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

This bag is going to be my new back pack for school and trips to places. This bag is very durable, comfortable , and stylish.

Sep

2007

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Good School Backpack

By Coxster15

from Portland, OR

About Me Casual/ Recreational, Student

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Very adjustable

Cons

Won't Hold 17" Computer

Best Uses

SchoolCampus

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

I bought this backpack going into my senior year of high school and haven't used anything since. It has held up to A LOT of use and wet conditions. Though the many straps can get annoying for casual walking, I assume they would be useful for backpacking and/or camping. The three sections divide the backpack nicely. The only complaint I have is that the built-in laptop sleeve will not hold a 17" laptop (like mine), though a 15" will fit very nicely. Other than that it is an awesome backpack for any high school/college student.

Jun

2008

4.0

a great pack

By tubbs

from san francisco

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Large capacity
Very adjustable

Cons

Best Uses

Day trip
Hiking

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

i really like this pack. i've tried a few, both from rei and l.l. bean. this is by far the best.
i loaded it up pretty well today, and used both mesh spaces with full nalgene water bottles...about 15 lbs. only complaint would be that the shoulder straps rubbed me a bit on my neck....i think it will break in and be fine.
tons of room in this pack, and easy to use.

Sep

2007

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Pretty Good

By NorthernDan

from Minneapolis, MN

About Me Globe trotter

See all my reviews

Pros

Good padding
Large capacity

Cons

Outer lashings

Best Uses

Car Camping
Day trip
Hiking
Travel

Comments about The North Face Borealis II Pack:

This is a great backpack. I used on a couple of trips over seas. The one thing I didn't like was the outer lashings. When you strap stuff it gets hard to access the other pockets. I recommend spending a little more and buying the North Face RECON. It has a mesh catch all pocket and the straps are under the bag.

Displaying reviews 1-10