The North Face Jester vs. Boreali vs. Vault vs. Recon Backpacks: Full Comparison & Reviews 2024

The North Face Jester vs. Boreali vs. Vault vs. Recon Backpacks: Overview

1. The North Face Jester

Official Price: $75

Colors: Leather Brown/TNF Black, TNF Red - TNF Black, Shady Blue/TNF White, Sulphur Moss/TNF Black, Utility Brown Camo Texture Print/New Taupe Green

User reviews: 4.7/5.0

The Jester is the North Face’s best-selling backpack for many reasons. It packs in every TNF standard feature plus a few extras, but does so without breaking the bank.You get a lot in this pack for an excellent price, including the FlexVent suspension system that TNF is famous for. The FlexVent™ suspension system, certified by the American Chiropractic Association, features a flexible yoke built from custom injection-molded shoulder straps; an unbelievably comfortable, padded back panel; and a highly breathable lumbar panel.

The Jester is extremely light for a 27.5 L backpack. It’s made up of 2 compartments. The main compartment features a padded 15” laptop sleeve. The front compartment has a zip pocket inside for secure storage, as well as mesh pockets for easy access to your small personal items. It hasn’t got any pockets on the outside, but it does have an external bungee cord and dual stretch-mesh water bottle holders.Compared to other TNF backpacks, this affordable pack lacks stiffness which gives it a less robust feel, but also makes it very lightweight and comfortable to wear.

PROS	CONS
Lightweight & roomy, ideal for sports and college	Simple layout lacks some organizational options, cuts down on ease of access
Amazing suspension system and support so you'll be comfortable all day long	There aren't any external pockets
15-inch padded laptop compartment in main interior	Doesn't always stand up on its own
Front compartment has internal organization with secure-zip pockets and a padded tablet sleeve
Two durable, external water bottle pockets can easily double as multi-use pockets
Stylish front bungee system for additional storage
360-degree reflectivity enhances visibility
Affordable

2. The North Face Boreali

Official Price: $99

Colors: TNF Navy - TNF Black, TNF Navy - TNF Black, Tin Grey Dark Heather - Asphalt Grey - TNF Black, Dark Sage/TNF Black, Mandarin/TNF Black, Rose Quartz/TNF Black, Summit Navy/Dusty Periwinkle, Sulphur Moss/TNF Black, TNF Blue/Mandarin, Dark Sage/Fiery Red

User reviews: 4.7/5.0

The design of the North Face Boreali  backpack is all about allowing its users to quickly pack all of their essentials and get out into the world. It’s a stylish 28-liter model and one of the company’s bestsellers. It features a standup design, an updated version of the original Borealis’ iconic external bungee storage system across the front and sides, and TNF’s FlexVent suspension system with its padded, ventilated back panel, and free-moving, padded shoulder straps plus a seemingly self-adjusting sternum strap.These components provide you with plenty of support, making your load feel lighter.

The North Face Borealis Backpack comes in 40 different designs and colors, so as long as you like the shape, you can change everything else about it to fit with your personal style. It also incorporates plenty of storage and organizational options. There’s a padded sleeve in the main compartment that fits a laptop up to 15”. The front compartment has a tablet sleeve and electronics pockets. Externally, you’ve got a fleece lined pocket, a bungee cord and dual stretch-mesh water bottle holders. Moreover, the Borealis receives a full-body water-resistant finish, both the bottom panel and the external water bottle pouches perform particularly well in this department, a handy feature if you frequently set your bag down in wet or damp locations.

PROS	CONS
Standup design,  lightweight and spacious	Hip belt stabilizes pack but isn't designed to be load-bearing
Made of tough polyester and nylon ripstop for outstanding durability	Neither the sternum strap or the waist belt are padded, so it could get a bit uncomfortable if you're carrying a heavy load long distances
Water bottle pouches and bottom panel use highly water-resistant build materials
Plenty of pockets make it easy to stay organized
Premium comfort provided by the fantastic FlexVent suspension systemas well as a sternum strap and waist belt
External bungee-compression system with clips offers several options for organization
364-degree reflective bike-tight loop
Available in over 40 different styles

3. The North Face Vault

Official Price: $65

Colors: TNF Black, Aviator Navy Light Heather/Tnf White, Banff Blue/Aviator Navy, Deep Grass Green Painted Camo Print/Asphalt Grey, Leather Brown/Tnf Black, Mid Grey Dark Heather/Tnf Black, Pine Needle/Summit Navy/Power Orange, Shady Blue/Tnf White, Sulphur Moss/Tnf Black, Summit Navy Light Heather/Vintage White, UrbaNavy/Persian Orange, Utility Brown Camo Texture Print/New Taupe Green

User reviews: 4.7/5.0

From The North Face, the Vault Backpack is a flexible daily storage solution that is lightweight and practical. The pack has a 28-liter capacity, which is more than enough for your books or work files. It is made from ripstop nylon, has a waterproof interior, and has an internal frame system that holds the backpack securely in place. It also has a removable waist belt that can be used as a handle if you need to carry something heavy, and it has a comfortable shoulder strap that will help you carry the backpack comfortably. Moreover, the FlexVent Suspension system incorporates a cushioned air mesh back panel, and a ventilated lumbar support panel to help keep you comfortable at all times.

The North Face Vault Backpack has two different compartments that will allow you to organize all your school stuff easily. Inside the main compartment is a padded laptop sleeve that’s designed to safeguard your device from incidental knocks when you’re out and about. It is worthing mentioned that the laptop compartment is advertised as a 15-inch slot, but it’s a very, very tight fit.So I recommend only fitting a maximum of a 12-inch laptop screen within this compartment.  The front utility pocket’s organizational compartments and secure tablet sleeve offer additional business storage.The two water bottle pockets are also handy, especially when you’re exploring the great outdoors or city jungles.  The affordable price makes it a great student backpack.

PROS	CONS
600D recycled polyester with water-repellent finish	15-inch laptop space, but it's a tough fit; works best with 12-inch and smaller
Huge main compartment holds books and binders for a day on campus	Overall low-grade build quality
Front compartment simplifies organization for the modern user while maintaining essential features for storage such as secure-zip pockets, a tablet sleeve and a key clip
The FlexVent suspension system offers breathable air mesh back and shoulder carrying support.
Front daisy-chain loops let you hang additional gear externally
Visibility in dark conditions s greatly enhanced by the luminous strips on the outside of the backpack
Budget-friendly

4. The North Face Recon

Official Price: $109

Colors: Asphalt Grey Light Heather - TNF Black, Tin Grey Dark Heather - Asphalt Grey - TNF Black, TNF Black - TNF Black, TNF Navy - TNF Black, Mandarin/TNF Black, Coal Brown/Fiery Red, TNF Blue/Mandarin, Summit Navy/Dusty Periwinkle, Sulphur Moss/TNF Black, Dark Sage/TNF Black

User reviews: 4.7/5.0

Recon is a 30-liter daypack which includes all the standard features you might expect on a TNF backpack plus most of the Borealis’ features, although it boasts two extra liters of storage space than the Borealis. It has two large compartments for storing everything that you might need for a day out in the city.You get an 18-inch laptop sleeve in the internal pocket, and this one properly fits your full-sized laptop with room to spare. The small external pockets are large enough for a few water bottles, your smartphone, or other quick-access items such as sunglasses. 

Available in over 20 different color and style options, this backpack is crafted of ultra-durable 2100 Cordura nylon mini-ripstop material. It stands out thanks to its external mesh stretch pocket, dual daisy chains, and side compression straps, all handy features which I think make for a nicer aesthetic as well. Plus, the FlexVent suspension system, as well as a sternum strap and removable waist belt, make this bag really comfortable to carry around. The North Face Recon is one of the most versatile backpacks of its type on the market.

PROS	CONS
Durable 2100 Cordura construction	Laptop sleeve isn't suspended
More streamlined, slightly larger than the Borealis	As with the Borealis backpack, there isn't any padding on the sternum strap and waist belt
Comfortable to carry, with a great FlexVent suspension system along with a sternum strap and waist belt
Webbing daisy chain offers lash points
External stretch-mesh pocket
Great storage capacity and organization
Water bottle pouches and bottom panel use highly water-resistant build materials
360 degree reflective bike light loop, which comes in handy when you're cycling at night

Where to Buy the North Face Jester, Boreali, Vault and Recon Backpacks?

thenorthface.com (1.5-2% cashback)

thenorthface.co.nz (4-5% cashback)

dickssportinggoods.com (1.5-2% cashback)

moosejaw.com (5-6% cashback)

zappos.com (9.5-11.5% cashback)

scheels.com (8-10% cashback)

backcountry.com (3-4% cashback)

macys.com (4-5% cashback)

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The North Face Jester vs. Boreali vs. Vault vs. Recon Backpacks: Full Comparison

	Jester	Boreali	Vault	Recon
Dimensions	11'' x 8.25'' x 18.13'' (27.9 cm x 21 cm x 46.1 cm)	12'' x 6.5'' x 19.5'' (30.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 49.5 cm)	11'' x 8.5'' x 18'' (27.9 cm x 21.6 cm x 45.7 cm)	11.6'' x 7.5'' x 19.3'' (29.5 cm x 19.1 cm x 49 cm)
Weight	1 lb 10 oz (740 g)	2 lbs 5 oz (1050 g)	1 lb 11 oz (770 g)	2 lbs 9 oz (1165 g)
Capacity	28 Liter (Men) 22Liter (Women)	28 Liter (Men) 27 Liter (Women)	27 Liter	30 Liter
Material	50% 600D recycled polyester and 300D heathered polyester	210D Cordura nylon mini ripstop, 420D nylon, 600D polyester, 1680D Ballistic nylon	50% 600D recycled polyester and 300D heathered polyester	210D Cordura nylon mini ripstop, 420D nylon, 600D polyester, 1680D Ballistic nylon
Laptop Compartment	Fits up to a 15″ laptop	Fits up to a 15″ laptop	Fits up to a 15″ laptop	Fits up to a 18″ laptop
External Carry	Two water bottle pockets	Two water bottle pockets	Two water bottle pockets	Two water bottle pockets
Suspension System	FlexVent™ suspension system	FlexVent™ suspension system	FlexVent™ suspension system	FlexVent™ suspension system
Reflective Elements	Yes, bike-light loop and reflective elements	Yes, bike-light loop and reflective elements	Yes, bike-light loop and reflective elements	Yes, bike-light loop and reflective elements
Elastic Bungee Cord	Yes	Yes	No	No
Daisy Chains	No	No	Yes	Yes

Materials & Durability

The North Face backpacks can be split into two tiers: Premium Bags, which include models like the Borealis, Recon. These bags are made with premium materials at a higher price point. Then there are the Budget Bags which include the Jester and Vault, which are made with cheaper materials and cost less.

So when it comes to materials & durability, both the Recon and Borealis are on the same page. The North Face uses the exact same primary materials for both backpacks, and construction quality feels identical. They use a combination of 210D Cordura nylon mini ripstop, 420D nylon, 600D polyester, 1680D Ballistic nylon, top-of-the-line YKK zippers.Together these fabrics are tough enough to withstand tears and abrasions while looking great at the same time. They also offer fleece-lined pockets throughout to protect items like sunglasses and tech.

The Jester and Vault lacks the nylon fabric. They used the premium quality polyester lining as their central element, primarily a mixture of 50% 600D recycled polyester and 300D heathered polyester with cheaper SBS brand zippers. Most of its pockets are made of a cheaper mesh material and it features no special fleece-lined pockets. Though these types of fabric aren't quite as durable, they will dry faster if wet and retain its color better when under the hot.

Capacity and Storage

Recon is a little bit bigger than Borealis, with the carrying capacity of 30 liters for both men's and women's variants. Men's version of Borealis has a carrying capacity of 28L, while the women's variant sports a carrying capacity of 27L. The men's Jester can hold up to 28 litres, the women's Jester has a far more modest 22-litre capacity.The Vault even has a smaller storage capacity than the Jester. It is only 27 liters. So if you want to store some extra items, the Vault is not a better choice.

A 2-3 liter difference in carrying capacity isn’t all that much.However, the bigger primary compartment of the North Face Recon has its advantages – it’s perfect for folks who often need additional room for items such as books or extra clothes.

Pockets and Compartments

The North Face Recon and Borealis are essentially the same backpack with different exterior shells. Both backpacks almost  use the same exterior pockets, organizer panels, and laptop sleeves with each bag. Their laptop sleeves are also very similar and can both support a laptop up to 15 inches. The only difference is that the laptop sleeve on the Borealis sits 3 inches higher than the one on the Recon. The two elastic water bottle pockets are also almost the same that both can easily fit larger 32oz bottles, but the difference is that the Recon has compression straps to secure the bottle in place, while the Borealis has bungee compression.

The big difference between Recon and Borealis is that the frontal part of Borealis comes with a special bungee system.Used for attaching heavier items to the daypack, this system consists of flexible tie-out loops. The North Face Recon, on the other hand, replaces this bungee system with a simple stash pocket. The front stash pocket does its job pretty well when it comes to smaller items – it will fit a small notebook, a bike lock, or a light sweatshirt. So both Borealis’s bungee system and  Recon’s stash pocket has its own advantages.

The Vault and Jester both have one huge main compartment where you can carry a number of clothes. This compartment of both bags also includes a laptop sleeve that can fit a 15-inch laptop.Moreover, the front pocket is equipped with slots and sections to organize your items quickly. Along with them, both backpacks have two water bottle holders on either side.

The big difference between North Face Jester and Vault Backpack is that the Jester has an elastic bungee cord on the front for external storage.The bungee is very handy for travelling and hiking, as you can put some additional items there. The Vault does not have the front bungee cord, so it does not have much to offer for external storage.

A major difference between Recon/Boreali and Jester/Vault  is the location of the laptop storage. The Recon and Boreali have an independent laptop compartment in the back, whereas the the Jester and Vault have a laptop partition within its main compartment. It is worthing mentioned that the Recon and Vault have daisy chains on the front of stash pocket for hanging items on the outside, while the Boreali and Jester don't have.

Bottom Line