The North Face Recon Pack - 2017
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The iconic Recon daypack now has a stretch front stash pocket and improved organization for your electronics, your laptop and a tablet for your daily commuting, campus life and travel.
Shop newer versionKey Details
- Padded, fleece-lined sleeve in main compartment protects a 15 in. laptop
- Padded, fleece-lined tablet sleeve in front compartment
- Front stash pocket with stretch side panels for additional volume
- External fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses or electronics
- Internal organizer has a fleece-lined media pocket, zip pocket and cord manager
- 2 stretch-mesh water bottle pockets
- Comfortable shoulder straps and padded mesh back panel with venting
- Sternum strap buckle has built-in emergency whistle
- Padded top handle
- 360° reflectivity
- Removable waist belt
Imported.
View the The North Face Recon Product LineView all The North Face Travel Daypacks| Best Use | Travel |
|---|---|
| Bag Style | Backpack |
| Gear Capacity (L) | 31 liters |
| Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 1,892 cubic inches |
| Number of Exterior Pockets | 5 + main compartment |
| Laptop Compartment | Yes |
| Fits Laptop Size (in.) | 15 inches |
| iPad / Tablet Compartment | Yes |
| Carry-On | Yes |
| Material(s) | 210-denier Cordura ripstop nylon |
| Dimensions | 19.25 x 14 x 9.5 inches |
| Weight | 2 lbs. 10.68 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
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Great but with two potential issues
I am very happy with the initial quality of the pack. The materials seem rugged as well as the sewing and the zippers are very adequate and smooth. I received it about a week ago and immediately took it on a camping trip where I managed to pack a wool blanket, full size towel, toiletry bag, 32 oz water bottle, extra shirt, Bose mini SoundLink speaker, knife, bug spray, sunscreen, extra cash, two pill bottles, deck of cards, headphones, boonie hat, and headlamp along with more small nick-nacks like a pen, lighter, eye drops and nail clippers. I didn't even use the front stash pocket. It is deceptively large, nice looking and comfortable to carry. Although, I identify two potential problems. 1) the plastic back panel that gives the pack rigidity seems a bit long (shown in pictures). With repeated use and setting the bag down I can see the material wearing out exposing the panel. 2) there are two types of mesh on the front stash pocket. There is a stretchyand a more porous, rigid one that the compression straps are attached to with no reinforcement. With repeated use I could see the mesh ripping. With these potential issues I am still very pleased with the bag. The North Face claims their bags are built to last and if this one doesn't I am certain it will be because of one or both of these design flaws.
Not my first Recon
I've been getting the Recon since 2001- this must be my 4th one (I would still be on the 3rd, but an ink bleed has made it unusable). I purchased the 3rd Recon 2-3 years ago, where there the main compartment has a padded laptop AND tablet sleeve. The newest one has a new additional section all the way in the back, where you could throw in something like a camelbak bladder or a laptop. My preference is the combo laptop/tablet sleeve, so this will get some getting used to, and I feel like now I need to start using a padded case again inside the bag. The next compartment is rather large, and is just what you would expect to find in a standard backpack. The 3rd section got a bit of a redesign, as well, and just seems longer. Gone is the key chain /clip leash, and that's a miss for me. I now have to go diving for my keys, and it's something that was easily accessible in the last version. The very front pocket is now fleece-lined, which is nice to easily store sunglasses, but I would always throw things like pens, lip balm, and other small items in there so I could grab them quickly. This new lining makes it seem a little too nice to dump that stuff into. Hopefully, the water bottle pockets will hold up better than all Recon past. I'm not using a ginormous water bottle- these pockets always were done and stretched out in a matter of months, to the point where you would put a bottle in there, and it will end up falling right out when you would put the backpack on (made for some lovely dented water bottles). Finally, the waist strap. The last model, I was able to tuck it into the bag itself when I wasn't using it. The new model doesn't have that option, so you are left with either the buckle digging into your back, or hanging down at your butt. Overall, it's a solid bag. Hopefully the next generations of the Recon will have the issues solved. I really do love the coloring, and reflective material is a necessity.
Perfect for commuters or weekends.
This is my second Recon bag. The first is still in daily use after 5+ years. The design has been updated to accommodate laptops making the back hard for protection but, the bag does tend to tip over. When used on the back, not an issue and lightweight. If you have an older design you will notice less space in the main compartment. However, the additional lined interior pockets more than make up for this.
I would not buy this if you're a college student.
I have back issues, and I thought buying this would solve that problem. However, the top part of the shoulder strap is uncomfortable. There is also a lot of space, yet the two big compartments are very constricting and I have to take everything out to either get something or put something back. The most annoying part is that it does't stand still when I put it on the ground during class, and it tilts over. It also does not have a laptop bag, and that was very disappointing. If you're a college student I would not recommend this backpack!!!! I do like the style, but overall it's not comfortable and does not have enough space for a college student.
Great bag - would buy again if needed
I am a full-time student and have been using this backpack for about a year and a half. I love it. However, I've found that this bag has its pros and cons. The Recon has room for lots of storage with its various pockets both in and on the bag, making it easier for me to stay organized. The bag appears very sleek and simple, yet stylish, which I am a huge fan of. However, one thing I am not too fond of is the condition of the mesh water bottle pockets. I never expected my water bottle to leave such noticeable tears in the pockets, especially after not being in either one for very long. I carry around a 32 oz. Hydro Flask in my bag, and maybe I'm at fault for thinking I could do so without causing any damage, but I'm still disappointed with the pockets' durability. Quite honestly, I get a little sad when I look at the pockets because I feel like the bag doesn't look as nice anymore, and that maybe I'm not getting all of my moneys worth out of it. I'm not sure if the warranty still applies to me/my bag, but if it does, I would absolutely love it if TNF team could reach out and let me know. Regardless, I think this bag is wonderful, and extremely efficient, and I most definitely recommend it to those looking at it.
I really like this backpack!
I ordered this product to use for college. I love it! I got the vintage white and new taupe green colored one, the white is a little less vibrant in person than online. I still really love the look of the backpack. A common complaint in the reviews was that the backpack cannot stand on its own, this is true. However, when filled it stands easier. The reason it does not stand on its own is because of the back support, which I would rather have than have my backpack stand freely. The only other thing is that the straps are a little uncomfortable, but its a fairly new backpack so with time it will probably get more comfortable. I expected to have more space in the middle packet, but it is enough room for what I need. Despite these few negatives, the backpack is great!
Must Have Gotten An Old One
No fleece lining in the laptop compartment, bag will not sit properly due to the flexvent hitting the floor first, not roomy enough for all the college books, notebooks, supplies I need to care for college, and not reflective at all. Laptop compartment feels too tight to put a laptop plus charger in it. Book compartment can probably hold maybe 2 books and 2 notebooks. Pocket that holds pencils, pens, and other necessities is to small.
Backpack came with different coloring than in the picture
I ordered this product online for my upcoming freshman year at college in the color Rumbred/ Grsllgy and expected it to come as the same color as on the website, but when the backpack arrived the colors were slightly different from the picture. Instead of the linings for the mesh on the outside pocket being white, they are dark grey, along with the bottom part of the backpack, which appears to be light purple in the photo on the website. There are a few other color changes to on the backpack, but they aren't as noticeable as the ones highlighted above. I do love the backpack itself and have heard good things about it, but I am a bit confused as to what happened with the coloring...
Nice book bag, not correct picture
I ordered this book bag in the dark gray and dark turquoise as it is pictured. After i received the book bag, i noticed the colors weren't as dark as they were in the picture and ended up being entirely different. Customer service said it's a pre manufactured image so make sure to contact them for specifics on the bags. Love the bag, just expected the colors in the picture. That's the reason why i ordered it.
I love the color but..
I decided to buy a new recon because I loved the one I bought about two years ago. I love the color that I chose (rabbit grey with copper), but when I got it and compared it to my older one, I realized that it seemed a bit smaller. My older one is 31 liters compared to one and it's also a bit wider, which makes taking out items easier. Also, with the first zipper that has the pockets, it doesn't run all the way down like the older one and it also has less pockets (probably because it doesn't run all the way down & because it's not as wide). Another con is that it has less padding, but it does have a separate zipper for my laptop which I LOVE (but still wish it had a bit more padding). All in all I still love my new one and it's still as comfortable, but I just wish it had a bit more padding and pockets like the old one. This is still a great backpack and I still recommend it! :)