The North Face  Recon Pack

This pack is my very best favorite! There's enough room and pockets that if you can't fit what you need in here, you probably don't need to take it. The pack is great for full day-hiking and even carries enough for off-trail stays; it's not a framed pack for extended travel but anything less, this is perfect. I won't repeat all the kudos from previous reports but suffice it to say I carry full emergency gear, extra clothing (layer/rain), water purification, shelter packs, minimal fishing equipment, and more. With a good knife and this pack, you don't need anything else. Plus, my small LED light clips through an elastic band on the shoulder strap for easy access. Put a water bottle in one of the two side pouches and some bear spray in the other... and head out!

Pack has a great deal of pockets for the little stuff and big. I use it for car camping because of the big space for clothes. One major con is the sturdy shoulder straps that are too big and uncomfortable for my 5'2" female frame; so, I don't take it on hikes which is what I bought it for. Otherwise, the shoulder straps, multitude of pockets and tightening/compressing straps are nicely designed for your average-sized or male frame. Overall, superior North Face quality but not the best day pack for smaller people.

I own the older model (straps on the bottom which I have used for a pad.)) I always do a lot of review reading before making a purchase and this pack was what I was looking for. Lots of pockets for organizing all of the essentials. The side pockets can hold my OD military canteens (which look great against the green pack) It is my "everything pack" and although I have a larger pack the Recon still beats it for organizing everything. Good for backpacking with another person. On its own, a dayhike. Comfortable straps

I use it for everything..travel, backpacking, day trips, etc. Its a very versatile bag and can take a tremendous beating. It looks good and professional. Two things I dont like about it.. 1. The interiors are black so its hard to find things when you are looking for them 2. Somehow when it loads up it gets very heavy..my Tumi convertible laptop bag can take 90% of the same load and yet feel 50% lighter. Not sure why this is the case. The straps are uber comfy and again look solid enough to take good loads.

I've had my Recon Pack for a couple of years now. I've been to many places and on many adventures with it. I use it for pretty much everything. I mainly use it daily for my computer to work. The padded compartment is great for a laptop. I also use this whenever I go on any sort of short trip (day hike, biking, car camping, overnight trips, short vacations). I'm amazed by how much stuff I can actually fit in here when I need to and the padded laptop compartment also doubles as a good place to put a camelback. Durability wise, I haven't had any issues at all. I tend to be pretty rough on my gear and this has held up to everything I've put it through. I don't really have any cons. The only thing I'd say is that it has a waist belt that is pretty useless. The straps for the waist belt just got in the way for me, so I took them off.

I had the older version of the Recon (purchased in 2005) and I loved it. It was a fantastic day-pack that I used daily in college and also for short trips and day hikes. My old backpack started to wear out so I sent it to TNF to get repaired. Lo and behold it sends me a NEW 2011 backpack as a replacement. At first I was stoked to receive a brand new backpack in place of my six year old backpack. However, I soon realized TNF removed the straps at the bottom. Although I did not use these straps frequently, they came in very handy during some weekend trips or picnics. They were extremely convenient to strap sleeping back or blanket. I'm not sure if I should keep this new and improved backpack or search for an older version to get those straps back. Without the straps it's still a great backpack but a lot less versatile in my opinion.

After 5 years of use, my old one still has plenty of miles left in it. I recently bought a new one just in case they discontinue or muck up the design. I am a discriminating gearhead and after extensive researching, this daypack is still my favorite. It can carry generous loads on hikes and climbs, good for skiing, works great for air travel and touristing, and goes with me daily to the office. It's a mountain-man purse.

I bought the Recon mainly for the exterior pockets. The stash pocket and the small zippered pocket above the stash pocket are very handy. The water bottle pockets are functional, but a simple elastic around the pocket would work better than the toggle cord. A narrow strip of padding protects the bottom of your laptop. Many laptop packs have too much padding inside to be used as a hiking pack, but that's not the case with the Recon. The shoulder straps are quite good---the padding is dense but not bulky. Now for some problems. 1. The bottom of the pack hits my back in the wrong place. It seems to curve in against your rear end. It's the only daypack I've ever had that does that. 2. I'm expecting this pack to be hot in the summer because of the padding on the back and the lack of any real air channels or mesh in the back. 3. The waistbelt is too narrow and it's unpadded. It's not going to carry any of the weight of the pack. I've purchased some wide webbing and expect to replace the waistbelt for hiking. I would expect a better waistbelt at this price. 4. There are too many interior pockets. I know that sounds weird, but there are so many pockets I can't find things in there. 5. OK, this is really aggravating: The Recon isn't flat on the bottom, and it won't stand up on it's own when you're loading it or when you set it down. 6. The colors are a bit weird. I looked for the "perfect pack" for two years and finally got the Recon. I'm basically happy with it, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Researched several packs before selecting this one and I'm extremely pleased with it. I commute 22 miles (one way) an avg of 4 times/week by cycle, and barely notice the pack on my back. Great weight distribution and ergonomics. Most recently, I stuffed into the Recon: a thermos; 1 litre Camelback Better Bottle; shoes; a compression bag with cyclng pants, R1 Insulator fleece pullover, and my work clothes; text book, folders, and notebooks; plastic food containers; and 32oz of fluids in a Camelback Mule bladder. It was full, but not stressed. I've made this 90 minute trip during continuous light rain, and the pack contents remained dry. The exterior mesh easily holds a Prolight helmet. The hydration valve holder is flimsy, so I use the one from my Camelback Mule. This is the only improvement I'd recommend after 3 months of using the pack. I like the waist belt when I used the pack for day hiking. I love the padded back, too!

I've been carrying a daypack since 1973.I.ve had two Jansports, one Eastpack in all that time. I gave this North Face Recon as one of my 60th birthday presents to myself. I bought it at the Backpacker on a drop in to see about a canteen. It has everything I need to carry all my stuff. I feel like a kid again. Thanks North Face.