Customer Reviews The North Face Isabella

This backpack was perfect for my 5' frame. I wanted a simple small backpack for work to put in a notebook, Kindle/book(s), pens, wallet, iPod, lunch, and a sweater/sweatshirt...later on, I added my iPad. It fits my 13" Macbook Pro easily when I need it to, and the size mesh pockets I easily placed a simple regular sized bottle of water and my keys. I've had this bag for a couple of years now and it's great. I always had bigger backpacks for school, and never really noticed how much of a difference a smaller one made for woman could feel like! This bag fits well, and I don't feel like I'm going to fall over backwards...though you can say it's because I don't have half as much stuff that I need to carry anymore. The first time I got this bag, I was taking a flight across country, and when I was walking down the aisle, I had so much space to run down if I had wanted to! Then storing it underneath the seat with ease without shoving it. Even getting off of the plane was nice, easy, and much quieter as the bag isn't hitting everything. The many pockets were great as I have the habit of carrying folded papers, and many small items. Though the large inner mesh pocket and some of the flat pockets in the main compartment are a bit annoying as they do catch on everything, if you are not careful. Never had to use the outside compression straps, but I'm sure they are great too when you are needing to put this bag in a smaller space. The bungee cords on the outside were great to hold my hoodie and light jacket in a pinch, but most of the time I had enough room to just put it inside the bag and not worry about getting my clothes dirty. Many people who see me says how much nicer I look without a larger backpack on my back...I don't look like a turtle...and have it overwhelm my petite frame...something I never really noticed. I have the all black color so that it would look alright when I took it to work, never use the waist strap so it's tightly strapped to the bottom of the bag. Used in pouring rain with no issues...and the appreciate the bungee cord and the small bottom reflective points just in case I am out in the dark. This bag works for work, some traveling day trips, light hiking, but I wouldn't use this for school unless you really have a light load. When I was in school, I was always in a rush, stuffing my book in this bag would be a bit annoying with the mesh and inner pockets, and the size of my textbooks, you would be lucky to fit two without anything in the bag. Like all North Face products, this bag is strong...mine is still going strong and there are many occasions where I stuffed this bag to the max! Maybe because of the color, but it still looks like new. I do agree that this bag is rather stiff, but most of the stiffness comes from the padded back. The shoulder straps are very lightly padded but flexible and I'm not always tugging at them...I can turn my head and not have my chin or cheek hitting them. I am happy that I look more proportionate now.

I really have enjoyed this bag since I got it about 2 weeks ago. I've previously owned two of The North Face's 'Recon' bags and used them a lot, but found that they felt too big at times. I'm not a small woman, 5'8" with an average frame, but I felt the Recon was very deep and often found myself having to dig through it to get at what I needed. When I ran across the 'Isabella' bag I was a bit unsure if it would do because so many of the reviews seem to come from small women. I was afraid it would be too small for me. I'm glad I took the risk - and it really wasn't much of a risk thanks to Zappos' wonderful return policy. Gladly though, I find I adore this bag! I use it for school and I can easily fit a regular sized binder and two textbooks, as well as my Kindle, planner, and a light cardigan. It's roomy enough that I can travel with what I need but not feel like I'm digging around in a bottomless pit when I need to reach for something! It also fits nicely on my back, women's torsos are shorter and this bag has solved the lower-back rubbing issue I had with the longer Recon model. In sum, it is a lovely bag for women (petite or average/tall) in that it fits all the essentials and looks like you're carrying the bag rather than the other way around as can happen with bigger models intended for men or overnight/hiking/camping trips.

I love this pack. It was purchased for short overnights. It was perfect for me. I am 5'3 and the pack fit perfectly, was comfortable, and roomy for my change of clothing. It is also light weight. No complaints at all.

Awesome for a petite gal like myself. At 4'11, this is one of the smallest book bags on the market that will comfortably hold a 3 ring binder but small enough not to look ridiculous. Also, the sternum strap buckle has a very non-conspicuous rape whistle. Interesting.

I bought this backpack for my 11 year old daughter and she loves it! She is petite and has to carry the workload of a middle schooler. It is compact, but still fits her binder, notebooks, and books. Also, the support straps are great for limiting back strain. I would definitely buy it, again.

Love this backpack! Everything fits perfectly and I absolutely love the color.

First of all, I have to say that Zappos is amazing! I purchased the Isabella backpack in black and received it the next day in the university dorms. It's the perfect backpack for a woman's body - not too big, not too bulky, just right. I'm happy with my purchase.

What more could I ask: free shipping, free shipping return (which I didn't need), shipped promptly after ordering, recipient of this Christmas present delighted. Great service!

The North Face backpack is great. My granddaughter loves it. I definitely recommend it.

I love this bag. It's a great bag for a 13 year old. Very comfortable. Love the size and color and it fits what I need.

This is a great small backpack. I am 5'2" and this fits my lower back correctly. It has many useful pockets and organizers, convenient water bottle nets on the sides. The back padding felt a little stiff at first, but once the pack was loaded, I was glad for the firm support. I would recommend this for school, travel, and any other needs you may have.

Bought to take to Europe this summer and I am so happy with the size! Will be perfect for me, a female, without being overwhelming.

This is the backpack I have been looking for for the past four years. I tried the jester, which was great, but the style was not as compact as I like a backpack to be also not as comfortable to wear. I had the Recon last year which was better, but it was just too big. Although this one isn't as comfortable with the padded back, it is perfect for my senior year in high school and fits everything that my Recon could but it looks so much sleeker. It is perfect, highly recommend.

This backpack is great for females with small/short torsos. It has plenty of space inside the three pockets. It's a good backpack for school or even going out. You will not regret buying it.

Best overall backpack for petite women. I'm 5'1" and it is the perfect size. It's great for backpacking and for school. I like the separate compartments for everything from lotion, sanitizer, tissue, passport. It is well-designed.

Best overall backpack for petite women. I'm 5'1" and it is the perfect size. It's great for backpacking and for school. I like the separate compartments for everything from lotion, sanitizer, tissue, passport. It is well-designed.

I really like this bag. I got the red one, though it doesn't look as red as it does in the picture, it looks more like a dark pinkish color, and I love it. I am 5'2 and so most of my bags look huge and I always hear the phrase, looks like she is running away when I pack my bags. This bag isn't too large and it feels great, the straps sit right and secure the bag to me and I am able to attach a hoodie through the bungies if I need too. I am not able to fit too much in here, but I am able to fit a 1 1/2" thick binder, a 5 star 5 subject note book, my Kindle (in a case), a note book and a few other items in the main area (more can be put in I'm sure, maybe another notebook, like a 3 subject). I like the small pocket on the front for pens and gum, and the side mesh pockets are great for a drink and an umbrella. This is water resistant, I found out the hard way from my car to class in a down poor, and I forgot my umbrella. This is a great bag and I know North Face lasts a long time, very durable, and I'm bad with my bags! And Zappos is always my first pick!

I purchased for my teen and she loves the bag. She puts all of her books and things in it and for the first time...a backpack that can stand up to her mess! I love you and am sure it will last.

Love this backpack. I just went back to graduate school and after a few years of working and carrying professional looking totes, I didn't want a big bulky backpack. This backpack is pretty sturdy and fits my 13" MacBook plus a few books, a binder and notebooks. It's not as large as some others so I can't fit a ton of stuff in it, but I knew this would be the case when I purchased it. I get compliments and some friends have ordered the same backpack after seeing mine. It would also be great for a hiking daytrip. It does have a lot of straps and I usually tuck the waist straps into the side pockets to keep them from dangling all over the place.

I just got my Isabella 2010 and I love it. It's definitely made for a short person. I'm 5'1 and this fits me perfectly. It doesn't sit in the small of my back or hurt my shoulders. Just keep in mind that this is a smaller backpack made for a smaller person. I wouldn't suggest it if you have to carry around a ton of stuff.

This bag is great for commuting 1.5 hours one way on a train to work everyday. I didn't want something too heavy, but needed something sturdy, which I've gotten with this bag. It is my first North Face and very happy with my purchase. The color is cute, too.

Excellent bag. I don't use it as a school bag, I use it as a diaper bag! The large compartment has two slip pockets for diapers, wipes and a changing pad. The zip mesh bag is good for ointments and small things. The large one I use for snacks The front compartment is my personal compartment and it is nicely organized. mesh pockets are great for sippy cups! I'm 5 feet tall and this bag is nice being smaller and not as long or deep as most bags. It is very comfortable on my back.

This backpack is perfect. I stuffed it with books and definitely don't look like a turtle like I did with my Jansport. This bag looks small even with books. Also, it's super cute (for a backpack). It's also reinforced so I don't feel books poking me in the back. I totally recommend this backpack. I got black and my friend got blue, which is cute. The pink isn't a feminine fun color though, otherwise I would've got pink.

Just got back from Israel and Jordan, this back pack was perfect! Our luggage was lost the first day but I had everything I needed in this backpack so I was OK. It held up beautifully. Airplanes, buses, walking everywhere else it was great.

I bought this backpack for my sister, and she LOVES it! My sister wanted a simple backpack that didn't have too many compartments and this one was it. This is probably one of the smaller North Face backpacks. She's approximately 5'2", and the backpack didn't overwhelm her small frame. It fits a decent amount of books and a laptop.