Customer Reviews The North Face Recon Backpack

I had always admired the recon backpack, so I decided to purchase it since I will be starting college this fall. When I went online, I noticed that a new design was replaced with the old backpacks. Not gonna lie, I was a little saddened, because I loved the design of the old backpack. But, I still went ahead and purchased this one. The backpack is designed great, it fits alot of things very easily. But there's a huge downsider- the straps are VERY uncomfortable. The new backpacks have this weird attachment that connects the back of the backpack to the straps, you can see it in the photos. But, that area creates horrible pain when I wear the backpack. Even pain after I took it off! The backpack also doesn't stand on it's on! The back support is longer than the bottom of the "sack" so it makes the backpack lean forward. There is no flat surface on the bottom. A real disappointment, it is not comfortable at all. Not satisfied 100% with this design, and it's sad because I really was expecting something wonderful! I will be purchasing an old "out of season" recon on a different website and when it comes in, compare it to this recon to see which backpack I like better. The old backpacks have a smooth strand, which I am hoping will work better for me. Really wish I could say I love it, but I don't. Don't think the packs should have been changed so much.

Awesome backpack. Tons of room! Love the laptop sleeve. Not near as bright as the picture shown. Very disappointed in that aspect.

Overall a good backpack. The material used is durable though I'm not sure how it would do in rainy weather. Lots of pockets of different sizes for your storage needs. Sturdy back for shoulder and back support. The only reason it did not get an extra star was because the laptop compartment was too small for my laptop. Unless you have a smaller than average portable PC you'll find your laptop asking for more space. Otherwise, I'd choose this pack as my everyday carry.

I purchased this backpack to use for school. When it first arrived I was excited about the look and feel of the backpack overall. Pockets are nicely lined and I was able to fit my laptop, empty binder, 2 single subject notebooks and a pencil pouch in the main pouch comfortably. Now the issues I had with the backpack.. The straps when warn comfortably the backpack was up so high on my back it was right up to my neck, and there is a random plastic piece at the top under the material that rubs against my neck/head if I turn my head in any direction or look up. When I lowered the straps so the backpacks was more comfortable, (besides the super stiff back) the straps inside of the straps point upwards and do not lay flat on the shoulders. The back is so stiff and there is zero flex to this backpack at all so don't expect any sort of comfort from that. It is nicely padded but it doesn't help with the comfort. The corners of this backpack are sharp and when you bend to the side they poke. Very disappointed in this backpack!

I loved the color of the backpack but I was disappointed with how stiff it was and how quickly it tore from the shoulder strap area. I'm not sure if mine was defective but I only had it for 5-6 months and I only carried my macbook, a five subject notebook, cell and laptop chargers and snacks while walking around campus. There was no way it should've torn so quickly and easily.

Ok so I had this backpack for about four months before the straps completely ripped off. Grated, I'm a student...so I cary fairly heavy books. But this backpack is built for hiking and other very trying activities, and the fact it broke after just four months of use is disappointing. I like the style of this backpack and its pretty roomy, but the seams were just so weak. I'm gonna give this pack another try (maybe it was a manufacturing issue?). Anyways, I would just be aware of the weakness of the straps of this product, especially if you carry heavier items.

I bought this backpack for my first year of college, knowing that in the past I really liked backpacks from North Face. Before my second semester I bought a new backpack from a different company because this one was so uncomfortable to carry. It hurt my back, the straps would rub my arms and neck, and it wasn't even big enough to be carry all the notebooks I needed in a day. I will not be purchasing again due to the fact that you are spending so much money on a bag that hurts your back so badly when you've only been carrying it for 10 minutes. Very disappointed.

I just got this backpack as an upgrade from the Jester backpack (the older model with no padding on the back) and I really love the features and size of this backpack, it's much bigger and has nicer finishes than my old one. However, I ordered the Blackberry Wine/Chambray Blue color and it's nothing like shown in the picture. The picture makes it look like the majority color is navy, but really it's more of a grayish-light blue and the purple part also has a diamond pattern on it. This color scheme really makes the light blue zippers pop out less and I was really disappointing upon receiving it as I now have to take the time to return it and buy a new color.

Loved this backpack at first, but 2 weeks in I seen the seam was ripped and one strap was longer than the other. Needless to say im returning mine.

I've used a northface backpack for about 15 years now. I've had the Jester, Recon, and Borealis. Decided to purchase a new backpack for nursing school because I loved the new colors. Upon receiving my new Recon, the colors were just as pictured online. The back padding however was super stiff and the backpack will NOT stand even when holding 20 pounds inside. (Dealbreaker) I am very disappointed in the new design of the northface backpacks. I will have to search for a new brand, sadly.

The bag is really comfortable and seems durable. However, the bag has a huge flaw. Once you put things in the main compartment, the organizing bags in the secondary compartments become useless because nothing will fit in them anymore. For something to fit in these small bags would require the main compartment to be almost empty.

I use this backpack for school and it drives me nuts that I always have to battle putting my laptop in the tight laptop compartment. I have a neoprene cover so it's hard to slide in. I had a Recon before and the laptop compartment was stretchable so I liked that better. In my backpack I can only fit max 3 textbooks, a notebook and my pen bag. Compared to the other model which more spacious. Might be best suitable for hikers with light loads not for students.

This bag was not at all as pictured. It was much darker in color. I didn't give it a chance since the color was so off. I returned and ordered a different style.

This was a gift for a family member

Love the backpack, but the color wasn't anything like displayed on website. We returned for a different NF backpack,

Sorely disappointed I did not buy last year's model of this backpack. This new model is not nearly as good looking as the previous. Will continue to search for a new favorite for school next semester.

I honestly really love the padding on this backpack, the colors are nice too! But my complaint about this backpack is the new designs... in my opinion, the old model of the recon backpack looks way better

I would not buy this product, or any other from The North Face ever again. I purchased a Recon backpack after doing extensive research when starting university in Winter of 2014. After spending 4 hours doing online comparisons, I thought it was time to replace my Jansport backpack which I had for over a decade, & which, there was nothing wrong with it, but it did not have a Macbook pocket for a laptop. I take 3-4 courses a semester and this is all I use this backpack for. After having it for about a year, the mesh water bottle pocket wore down. I was not concerned about it really and kept using the backpack just the same. Last year, the back fabric wore down. I took it into the North Face Store in West Edmonton Mall in December of 2017 (where I purchased it) in between my semesters to have it replaced/fixed because I thought this was unusual for a lifetime warranty backpack I had had for only 3.5 years. On December 30th, the store manager replied that the warranty department could not fix it because the backpack was undergoing normal wear and tear (meaning wearing it on your back is going to destroy the fabric) I replied to the store manager with this: "Hello and good afternoon. Thank you for your response, however, I find it to be absolving your company of the onus of accountability. By simply wearing a backpack on your back, the fabric is supposed to have a complete deterioration in a mere 3 years time? How is that normal wear and tear? I would call that faulty craftsmanship and an inability to accept responsibility for a product that claims to carry a lifetime warranty, when in fact it is actually only a few years time. I do not find this acceptable. I feel like I have been duped and furthermore, that I have honestly wasted good money on a product that has no quality associated with it." I was also informed the backpack was ready to pick up, but when I spent two hours in January going to the West Edmonton Mall location to pick it up, it was not there.

I am totally stunned that there aren't more reviews stating how uncomfortable this backpack is! The straps are the absolute worst design of any backpack I've ever owned. They come in right up against my neck if I don't deliberately position them more outward than they are intended to sit and make an ongoing effort to keep them there. They are also very stiff! But what makes it almost unbearable to wear is the sandpaper-like material around the straps. It will rub your neck RAW quickly if you don't wear a high collared shirt. The same goes for the inside of your arms if you aren't careful, but at least your arms aren't smashed against the straps. Additionally, this backpack holds less than I anticipated, sits weird on me, won't stay upright when I sit it down, and the laptop compartment is TIGHT. The organizational compartment is nice and there is a nice padded handle at the top (good thing too bc you'll need it to keep it upright and/or carry it once your poor neck can't take anymore abuse!). It does also seem well made although for me personally that doesn't matter being as though I won't be using it. Overall this is the most disappointing purchase I've made in a long time despite the fact that I got it at half price. I am definitely going to try to return it. I should have sucked it up and got another Patigonia backpack, but half price was so tempting and it got such good reviews. This was my first and last TNF backpack purchase.

Bought to use at college. Strap broke less than three months of use. Never had a strap break on less expensive packpack. Disappointed in the quality I thought would be there.

I feel like something is either wrong with me or my backpack. Everyone is writing these great reviews and I am not impressed. I love the look and color of my pack but it is so heavy and uncomfortable. My shoulders hurt from wearing it after only a few minutes. It could be the stiff cardboard in the back or the stiff shoulder straps. My water bottle pouch also tore very easily and my dog bit through the straps in minutes.... not impressed with my first ever North Face backpack.

Previously had a Recon, in middle school into high school and loved it. When it was finally time to get a new one, I wanted the same backpack. It was comfortable and fit everything I needed it to while protecting my laptop. Bought a new one < 2 years ago that was the model before the redesign and the back has already started to rip and show the foam underneath near the base of the backpack. As a poor college student, this was an expensive purchase for me and I am extremely disappointed with the quality of the new backpacks and will probably need to buy a new one shortly. It will probably not be another North Face.

Took it on one 15 mile hike. Several areas of the fabric wore, frayed and distressed and fabric dye discolored. One hike, standard load. The pack couldn't handle the movement, any moisture, and didn't properly secure. It's pretty obvious that you market a "durable, outdoors" pack for use as a backpack or office laptop carrier. The logo gives off a perception for the user but the actual product doesn't hold up for the way it is marketed. Even worse, is the warranty doesn't cover actual use the way it is advertised.

I was SO disappointed in this backpack! The pack is supposed to be 31L, but I highly doubt it. There's certainly not 31L of usable space. That stupid non-removable and inflexible back stiffener board not only hampers pack capacity, but makes it impossible for you to sit your pack upright. The front of your backpack (part away from the back straps) will get constant wear and tear on the floor when your pack tips over. All. The. Time. I am a teacher (not an option in the choices given), and I was hoping to use this pack for work, but there is NO way it's big enough for: wallet, pen pouch, lunch, planner, EDC organizer, glasses, notebook, sweater, e-reader, keys, girl things pouch, water bottle, coffee mug--by now I would have to be leaving one or more of those things out. And if you have one or more things in the organizer pocket, the space of the back pocket is cut down even more. ALSO! Any backpack over $50 should REALLY have strap keepers!! Also, the bag is HEAVY on its own. I could not be more disappointed, and I wish I could get my money back. (The backpack is durable, and the double water bottle pockets are very nice, as is the front stretchy pocket. But with as little as it holds, and the constant tipping over, it makes this bag almost unusable. :(

I bought this bag to use for school and for short day hikes. Almost immediately upon putting it on out of the shipping box I found that this bag was wildly uncomfortable. I adjusted the straps multiple times hoping for a good fit and less strain on my shoulders but nothing seemed to help. I was very disappointed considering this backpack is advertised as "fitted for women." I think they simply made the straps thinner which made the bag all the more uncomfortable. After wearing the bag around my house to test it out, my back was sore the rest of the day. I really wanted to like this bag and knew that North Face was known for quality backpacks but I was sorely disappointed. It has so many good reviews so I thought it might just be the way the bag fit me in particular. I had multiple other friends and family try the bag on and they all agree: the bag was quite uncomfortable. I think the reviews reflect the hype around North Face bags, not the actual quality and comfort of this backpack.