The North Face Recon Backpack (Black)

This bag checked more boxes than others on features I like for a do all pack.The laptop compartment is great and decently padded. It has a semi ridged frame that I think should help as well and helps the bag keep it's shape when storing or setting it down. It has its own zipper and compartment for the laptop which I love.Jacket and blanket straps are a must for me when camping or hiking and these are great with built in strap management.It's kind of annoying that there's no slack management on the rest of the adjustable straps. Straps are hanging all over the place.The waist strap is kind of an after thought, but it's there and functional which I like because mine is usually not in use. They just don't have any way to stow it built in.The bottle pockets ... MoreThis bag checked more boxes than others on features I like for a do all pack.The laptop compartment is great and decently padded. It has a semi ridged frame that I think should help as well and helps the bag keep it's shape when storing or setting it down. It has its own zipper and compartment for the laptop which I love.Jacket and blanket straps are a must for me when camping or hiking and these are great with built in strap management.It's kind of annoying that there's no slack management on the rest of the adjustable straps. Straps are hanging all over the place.The waist strap is kind of an after thought, but it's there and functional which I like because mine is usually not in use. They just don't have any way to stow it built in.The bottle pockets are nice and deep, except they cut into the interior of the bag so with a full sized bottle it's harder to fit more things in the main pocket. it does make the bag nice and streamlined, but at a cost.I'm not going to be one of the people who knocks the capacity of the bag when it's listed in description, but this bag is just a hair smaller than what I would have liked, but I've managed just fine.Major materials seem nice. I love the rubber material on the bottom in case you have to set the bag down on wet surfaces. Can be dried and cleaned easily so as not to get the user wet. Shoulder straps attachments are somewhat thin, but if the material holds up, should be good.Over all a good do all pack that's been comfortable to wear having fun and convenient to use for my work. I'd probably buy it again regardless of some flaws because of the features it DOES have. Most of the problems I've described can be fixed with cheap aftermarket solutions although I wish I didn't need to. Been a great pack so far.

Let me start off by saying I LOVE this pack. Probably the best backpack I have ever purchased. High quality stitching, zippers, and interior/exterior fabric. I was looking for a pack that could do it all (everyday carry, laptop sleeve, travel/day pack, hiking compatible, hydration reservoir compatible, comfortable shoulder straps, hip belt, chest buckle, good amount of interior and exterior pockets). It even has sleeping pad straps on the bottom which I don’t know if I’ll ever use for that purpose, but I like to strap in my sandals down there.This bag achieves all of it. The water bottle pockets are great fabric and construction. Fits a 32 oz Nalgene perfectly and snug. There is a secret pocket with fleece lining that prevents rattling of items which is a feature ... MoreLet me start off by saying I LOVE this pack. Probably the best backpack I have ever purchased. High quality stitching, zippers, and interior/exterior fabric. I was looking for a pack that could do it all (everyday carry, laptop sleeve, travel/day pack, hiking compatible, hydration reservoir compatible, comfortable shoulder straps, hip belt, chest buckle, good amount of interior and exterior pockets). It even has sleeping pad straps on the bottom which I don’t know if I’ll ever use for that purpose, but I like to strap in my sandals down there.This bag achieves all of it. The water bottle pockets are great fabric and construction. Fits a 32 oz Nalgene perfectly and snug. There is a secret pocket with fleece lining that prevents rattling of items which is a feature I love. The stretchy pocket on the exterior is amazing. I love it. Probably my favorite feature. Laptop sleeve is strong, sturdy, and soft at the same time. The zippers glide with ease and never get caught/stuck.Now the only CON… I wish the middle compartment had some pockets… but it’s okay, I’ll live with it. Also, sometimes it’s hard to find the zippers due to them being black and them getting lost in items I have in the side pockets.I previously had the REI Trail 25 and it was maybe half as good as this bag. This bag was only about $20 more. North Face will take my money any day after buying this bag. Highly recommend!

I bought a used Recon- probably from the mid 00s- in a thrift shop for 15 bucks and used it constantly for 7 or 8 years until I finally put a hole in the bottom (pro tip: don't poke holes in stuff you like and don't put sharp-edged stuff in your backpack). I was so fond of the old one that the updated version was the only option I considered, and it doesn't disappoint. I like the slight redesigns- the separate compartment for the laptop makes sense, the padding/lining in the outer pocket is nicer, and the handle on top is much better. I just don't really feel a need for the waist and sternum straps and compression straps, but maybe they'll grow on me. The general quality of materials and assembly is at least as good as the old one and in many ways better. ... MoreI bought a used Recon- probably from the mid 00s- in a thrift shop for 15 bucks and used it constantly for 7 or 8 years until I finally put a hole in the bottom (pro tip: don't poke holes in stuff you like and don't put sharp-edged stuff in your backpack). I was so fond of the old one that the updated version was the only option I considered, and it doesn't disappoint. I like the slight redesigns- the separate compartment for the laptop makes sense, the padding/lining in the outer pocket is nicer, and the handle on top is much better. I just don't really feel a need for the waist and sternum straps and compression straps, but maybe they'll grow on me. The general quality of materials and assembly is at least as good as the old one and in many ways better. Considering that the last one was good for someone else for a long time before I had it, I think I'll be lugging this thing around for many years. It works perfectly for going to and from work or gigs, and just as well for overnighters or weekends, if you don't bring everything you own. As for the old one, I'll patch it up and drop it off at the same thrift store where I bought it, and maybe someone else will get another decade out of it.