The North Face Borealis

Rated: 4 by 34 reviews.

SummitHut.com

The interior utility pocket of the Borealis II by North Face fits a laptop and a hydration system. A great pack for people on the go.

Features:

  • ***This product available for shipping in the United States only***
  • Dual mesh side water bottle pockets secure your hydration while you are on the go
  • Front bungee system with reflective hits for night use
  • Front pocket with organizer
  • Hip belt tucks away for when not in use
  • Laminated backpanel with breathable mesh and channels let air circulate between your back and the pack keeping you cooler
  • Lets you integrate your own hydration bladder into the pack in a separate sleeve for hands free drinking
  • Safe-T whistle on sternum strap for emergencies
  • Small stash pocket with water resistant zipper on front to keep small personal items and gear dry
  • Utility pocket fits a laptop and hydration
  • Water bottles not included

Altrec

When light means fast, the North Face Flight Series Borealis Jacket for men keeps your engine humming in blended 100% recycled polyester fleece and Carbon Bamboo fabric. Anti-pilling and wicking this performance full-zip fleece layer covers the comfort quotient with flat-locked seams, continuous hem-to-cuff gusset, monkey thumb cuff, and drop tail hem. A left Napoleon patch-on pocket keeps essentials close at hand.

Features:

  • Continuous hem-to-cuff gusset
  • Drop tail hem
  • Fabric: shell a: 160 g/m2 100% recycled polyester fleece, anti-pilling face, shell b: 280 g/m2 58% polyester, 36% biconstituent fiber (98% polyester, 2% Carbon from Bamboo), 6% elastane knit fleece with jersey face-wicking
  • Flat-locked seams
  • Left Napoleon patch-on pocket
  • Monkey thumb cuffs
  • UPF 30 Carbon from Bamboo technologyQ00% recycled Borealis fleece
  • Weight: 9.88 oz. (280 g.)

Ramsey Outdoor

Free of embellishment, this refined, sleek daypack boasts two large pockets so you can stash gear quickly and hit the road. The main compartment is large enough to hold a 17" laptop, and front pocket is adorned with a bungee cord to either store additional gear, or secure what you've already stored.

Features:

  • Comfortable padded Airmesh back panel
  • Dual stretch-mesh side water bottle pockets
  • Holds laptops 17 inches or smallerR lbs 2 ozQ9" x 14" x 7"Q830 cu in
  • Large main compartment with padded laptop sleeve
  • Large secondary compartment with organization and PU zip
  • Sturdy top carry handle
  • Tuck-away hipbelt
  • X-bungee lash points on front with reflective hits

Zappos.com

The perfect bag for concerts.
Front bungee system to hold items for easy access.
Reflective material.
Utility pocket fits a laptop.
Laminated back panel with breathable mesh.
Hydration sleeve.
Tuck away hip belt.
Small stash pocket with water-resistant material.
Front pocket with organizer.
Dual mesh side water bottle pockets.
Full zipper closure.
Volume: 30 liters.
Dimensions: 13 wide x 8 deep x 19 high.

Massey's Outfitters

Avg Weight: 2 lbs 2 oz (1040 g)
Comfortable padded Airmesh back panel
Dimensions: 19" x 14" x 7" (47.5 cm x 35 cm x 18 cm)
Dual stretch-mesh side water-bottle pockets
Fabric: 420D nylon, 1680D Ballistics
Large main compartment with padded laptop sleeve
Large secondary compartment with organization and PU zipper
Sturdy top carry handle
Style Number: ABKM
Tuck-away hipbelt
Volume: 1830 in3 (30 liters)
X-bungee lash points on front with reflective hits


Backcountry.com

For lightweight missions where a bulky fleece will weigh you down, zip up The North Face Men’s Borealis Fleece Jacket. The North Face used sustainable carbon from bamboo technology to fight odors and increase moisture wicking and UV protection. The recycled fleece body takes it easy on the environment, and a continuous hem-to-cuff gusset gives you unrestricted range of motion.


eBags.com

The Borealis features front bungee system with reflective hits.

Features:

  • Comfortable padded Airmesh back panel
  • Dual stretch-mesh side water bottle pockets
  • Large main compartment with padded laptop sleeve and hydration port
  • Large secondary front pocket with organizer and PU zipper
  • Sturdy top carry handle
  • Tuck-away hip belt
  • X-bungee lash points on front with reflective hits
Capacity:1831 cu. in.
Fleece Weight:Lightweight
Laptop Compartment Dimensions:15.5" x 11.3" x 2"  
Linear inches:39.75"
Manufacturer Warranty:Lifetime
Material:[Main] 100% recycled polyester fleece; [Panels] 58% polyester, 36% bamboo polyester, 6% elastane knit
Pockets:1 Chest
Recommended Use:Trail running, backpacking, climbing
Size:19" x 13.75" x 7"
Warranty:Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship
Weight:2 lbs , 1 oz
Windproof:No
Similar Products:
The North Face Borealis SEThe North Face Borealis SE$73.47 - $129.00
The North Face Borealis 1/4 ZipThe North Face Borealis 1/4 Zip$44.99 - $65.00
The North Face Borealis Quarter Zip ShirtThe North Face Borealis Quarter Zip Shirt$57.95
Complementary Products:
The North Face Borealis JacketThe North Face Borealis Jacket - Women's$64.95 - $75.00
The North Face Borealis BackpackThe North Face Borealis BackpackUnspecified$59.95 - $85.00
The North Face Borealis BackpacksThe North Face Borealis BackpacksUnspecified$84.90
The North Face Borealis Laptop BackpackThe North Face Borealis Laptop BackpackUnspecified$84.95

These are products that have been indicated being comparable to this product:

The North Face IsabellaThe North Face Isabella
Hiking & Camping > Backpacks
$64.95 - $75.00
Eagle Creek Pack-It Protech Cube MediumEagle Creek Pack-It Protech Cube Medium
Travel > Accessories
$18.75 - $27.50
The North Face ReconThe North Face Recon
Hiking & Camping > Backpacks
$69.95 - $89.00

The North Face Borealis Reviews Summary:

RatingNumber
of Reviews
521
44
33
20
10

Positive Reviews:

Rating:*****
I commute on foot or by bus and have neck issues so a backpack has worked the best for me (instead of messenger-style or duffel/tote bags). Tried out different styles and brands and so far, this has worked out. The sizing is great; fits my shoulders and the length is just right (I'm 5’3”.) It is large enough to fit all my stuff, distribute the weight well, is sturdy with good zippers, and I don't look like a high school kid. I use this backpack every day to commute to work with my gym stuff (shoes, clothes) and has enough room to fit an extra change of clothes. I don't carry a laptop in it (though it has a deep pocket with a strap to hold it to the back of the pack) so put my gym shoes (sz 8.5) in there. There's 2 mesh pockets on the outside that can hold water bottles. I find it very useful to carry a banana in the outside pocket without the banana getting all brown by the time I get to work. I thought I'd never use the bungee on the outside but it's been great to strap in a light jacket. It's also a handy place to stick your hat in it when you have your pack off while riding the bus and pulling it out when getting off the bus. So far I've only used it while the weather has been nice, we'll see how it does in the wetter and stormier months. Need to comment on the color. Gypsy Pink didn't tell me much but the coloring is awesome. Most of the pack is purpley-red, with a panel of brighter red in the front with accents of bright pink (bungee, and a few strips in the front) and grey. It's a adult girl's pack. :)
Keen Girl at Zappos.com on 07/04/2009
Rating:*****
Excellent medium sized day pack - Got this to hold a Mac 15" since old TNF pack is for biking and a little small. Loved the helmet holding attachment on the old pack, but the cords on this work fine for that. I'm 5'3" and didn't want a huge pack. Good size, good ventilation design for my back (hate having a pack that sticks to me), and it's nice looking. Overall very happy with the choice. Do wish it opened all the way (the zips down the sides) and that the pockets inside were of a heavier fabric like my old pack. Computer pocket makes up for all that though and also appreciate the cinches on the side pockets since old bag didn't have that and the elastic does go after a while. Straps are a little far apart for my female shoulders, but the chest strap solves that.
Anonymous at Zappos.com on 04/10/2009
Rating:*****
I loved this bag! It was exactly as Zappos described it. It arrived very quickly and was just what I was hoping it would be like. I purchased this bag for a trip to Europe in the Fall, so I haven't actually used it yet. I really like the inner utility/media pocket. It has a place for just about anything including: MP3 player, cell phone, journal, calculator, etc. I also like the reflective tabs on the front of the bag, which make it easy to see or be seen in the dark. North Face products are always high quality, so I'm sure it will hold up just fine. I'm looking forward to putting it to the test soon. I would highly recommend this bag, especially the brown/black combo.
Kelly at Zappos.com on 07/30/2009

super thin, exactly what i wanted

Rating:****

i love this jacket, if it can be called a jacket. i like to use it as a mid layer for cold days and as a jacket on cool days. if you don't like wearing a heavy fleece under your shell, you've found what you're looking for. the only reason this didn't get 5 stars is that i don't think it'll hold up for too long. the thumbholes and neck wear pretty quickly, especially if the neck if you aren't shaving for a few days. this won't deter me from picking up another one or two if i can find them for a deal.

Jeremiah at Backcountry.com on 12/15/2009
Rating:*****
Lacking in size for high school students - This is a well constructed backpack. The material, etc. is of high quality but the size of the back is not sufficient for high school students to carry their textbooks and binders in. If you are looking for a backpack that is small and will hold just a couple of books, I would recommend the Borealis. My son took his to school only one day and then changed back to last year's Under Armour backpack because it is much larger.
Catherine at Zappos.com on 11/07/2008
Rating:*****
I ordered the bag for my boyfriend because he carried an old, ugly, back in the day lap top bag. He wanted a backpack that would fit his 17" laptop and this was it. He loves it. He can fit his laptop along with a couple books and materials such as pens can be organized in a separate pocket. It is a sleek design, not bulky, and provides adequate protection and space.
ng at Zappos.com on 07/13/2009
Rating:*****
This very stylish backpack is professional-looking enough for me to carry it to work and to MBA classes interchangeably. It seems to have a lot of straps hanging off it at first, but you can easily remove and store the waist belt straps for future use. The bag has good organizational features and I like its ability to carry a couple liters of water. Overall a great bag.
Sara P at Zappos.com on 05/15/2009
Rating:*****
Wonderful - I love wearing backpacks, and this bag did not dissapoint me whatsoever. I got the Spanish Rust color, and it looks great. It's very comfortable, and there is ample space for stuff that you would carry from day to day. I highly recommend this bag, as you will not regret buying it if you decide to make the decision to purchase it. Hope this review helps!
Chewy at Zappos.com on 08/12/2005

Looks good, feels good

Rating:*****
This jacket is lightweight but very warm. It's a great mid-layer in cold months (especially with the monkey thumb cuffs) or can be worn as a jacket when it's chilly out. Looks slick too! There's also a 1/4 zip version of this available too so if you're looking for more of a shirt/pullover than a jacket then that's probably a better option for you...
Adam Br. at Altrec on 10/28/2009
Rating:*****
I love this bag! I got it for camping this summer and it is great! It has quite a bit of room and is very comfortable. The different pockets and holders are nice. The best part is that it looks great! My boyfriend is thinking about getting one as well.
TH at Zappos.com on 06/01/2009
Show all positive reviews...

Other Reviews:

Initially I really liked this bag, but then the fabric separating the organizer panel from the first section started to tear. I put some heavy tape on, but I could see that it was wearing away. I used this bag to carry my daily stuff (book, water, magazine, lunch, snacks) and then my clarinet, music, stands on days I had rehearsals. The bag held all the weight (about 25 lbs) well, and it was comfortable on my back. Another con: was the items in the big sections would fall to the bottom and it was at times a hassle trying to find something that had drifted to the bottom.
Anonymous Customer from Brooklyn, NY at eBags.com on 12/23/2009
The back pack is constructed well and is durable, just as I would expect from The North Face, but when I attempted to put my laptop in it, the backpack is too small and will not fit around the corners of the laptop, even though the website identified it as specifically fitting my Dell Studio 17 laptop. Great backpack, but eBags should reassess the sizing of this to the laptops they list as compatible.
Richard from Courtland, VA at eBags.com on 11/10/2009
This backpack is perfect for my needs. I can carry all of my books in it, as well as my laptop. The outside matierial is water-resistant so when it rains I dont have to look like a total goofball wearing my backpack like a Baby Bjorn carrier. Love it!
Alexandra from Arlington, TN at eBags.com on 12/11/2009
This bag has been great. It holds everything I need to carry back and forth from school, looks great and is very durable. Its comfortable to carry even when heavy.
Isabel from Andover, MA at eBags.com on 01/22/2010
It is durable, fits everything I need including my laptop, and it is pretty too!
Maria A from Champaign, IL at eBags.com on 12/04/2009
The design, color and the quality!
Lisa from Manlius, NY at eBags.com on 12/04/2009

Neutral Reviews:

Rating:***
I don\'t love this bag. Contrary to one review I read, it really is too big for a 5\'4" woman. The pouches are all the wrong size and shape, and there\'s no small internal zipper pouch for a wallet, change, or the various sundries women need to carry around. Everything goes into one of the 3 big pouches and gets lost in the bottom somewhere. I am a grad student and have a lot of books to carry, though, and this bag does have plenty of room, and the shoulder straps (though they are too wide for my frame) are well-padded. If I hadn\'t spent so much on this one I would probably go back to the old Jansport I used in undergrad.
Jess at Zappos.com on 09/30/2009

Much thinner then I thought

Rating:***
While the jacket seemed comfortable, it was too thin to wear in the northeast during late fall/early spring like I was looking for. I felt cold when wearing it in 48 degree weather. I ended up sending it back. I imagine if I lived further south this would be a good jacket
Anonymous at Altrec on 11/16/2009

Nice overall fit

Rating:***
Good fit but a bit thin for a fleece. Good for 50 deg.F & above. I wear as a sweater or under another jacket. Pros: Full Zipper. Cons: Only 1 upper pocket near chest. No NF logo on back like other jackets.
Daley at Altrec on 03/30/2009