Updated March 2026.
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The North Face Borealis is one of the most popular daypacks in the US, and it’s held that spot for over a decade. You see it on college campuses, commuter trains, and airport gates. It sits at around $100 retail, which puts it in the gap between budget backpacks ($30-$50) and premium travel packs ($150+). For a lot of people, it’s the first “real” backpack they buy after outgrowing a JanSport.
I’ve used a Borealis as a secondary daypack for about 18 months. Here’s what makes it work, where it falls short, and who it’s actually built for.
What the Borealis Is
The Borealis is a 28-liter daypack with a padded laptop sleeve (fits up to 15 inches), a fleece-lined top pocket for sunglasses or a phone, and North Face’s FlexVent suspension system on the back panel. It weighs about 2.6 pounds empty. The design hasn’t changed dramatically in years – North Face updates the colors and minor details each season, but the core layout stays the same.
It’s not a hiking pack (no hip belt, no load-lifter straps, no hydration compatibility). It’s not a travel pack (no clamshell opening, no packing cube organization, no trolley sleeve). It’s a daypack for carrying a laptop, books, a water bottle, and daily essentials. That’s the entire scope, and the Borealis does it well.
What It Gets Right
The FlexVent back panel is the standout feature. It uses flexible foam with a mesh overlay that creates a small air gap between the pack and your back. On hot days, the ventilation difference between the Borealis and a flat-backed backpack is immediately noticeable. You still sweat, but the mesh prevents the full wet-rectangle-on-your-back problem.
The laptop compartment sits against the back panel (closest to your spine) with dedicated padding on all sides. It’s separate from the main compartment, so your laptop doesn’t share space with books, food, and gym clothes. The 15-inch sizing fits most laptops comfortably, including the 14-inch MacBook Pro with room to spare.
The fleece-lined pocket on top is a small touch that makes a real difference. Tossing your sunglasses or phone into the main compartment means scratches and fishing. The fleece pocket keeps them safe and accessible from the outside.
Durability is strong for the price. The 600D polyester holds up to daily commuting without showing wear for 2-3 years. The zippers are smooth and haven’t jammed on mine. The bottom panel is reinforced, which matters if you set your bag on wet ground or rough surfaces. If you’re curious about how polyester compares to nylon for backpack durability, the short version is that nylon is tougher but polyester handles daily use fine.
Where It Falls Short
The water bottle pockets are too shallow. A standard 32oz Nalgene sticks out the top and can fall out if the pack tips over. Slimmer bottles (20oz) sit fine, but the elastic doesn’t grip tightly enough for larger bottles during movement. This is a common complaint in reviews and North Face hasn’t fixed it.
There’s no internal organization beyond the laptop sleeve and the main compartment. The main compartment is essentially one big bucket. If you carry chargers, pens, notebooks, and snacks, everything ends up in a pile at the bottom unless you use a pouch or organizer. Some competitors at this price include dividers or built-in organizer panels.
The shoulder straps are comfortable for loads under 15 pounds but start digging into shoulders with heavier loads. There’s no sternum strap adjustment (it’s fixed-position), and the lack of a hip belt means all the weight sits on your shoulders. For choosing a backpack that handles heavier loads, you’ll want something with load-transfer features.
Who Should Buy the Borealis
Students and commuters who carry a laptop, a few books or notebooks, and daily essentials. The 28-liter capacity is right-sized for that load. The FlexVent back panel makes it comfortable in warm weather. The $100 price point is accessible without feeling disposable.
It’s not the right pack for travel (no clamshell packing), hiking (no load support), or heavy daily loads (no hip belt). If your primary use case is “laptop + daily stuff to and from work or class,” the Borealis nails it.
FAQ
Is the North Face Borealis worth $100?
For a daily commuter or student pack, yes. The FlexVent back panel, padded laptop sleeve, and durable construction justify the price over budget alternatives. It’ll last 3-5 years of daily use, which works out to about $0.05-$0.09 per day. Hard to argue with that math.
Can you use the Borealis for hiking?
For short day hikes under 5 miles with a light load, it works fine. For serious hiking with heavier loads, you want a pack with a hip belt, load-lifter straps, and better weight distribution. The Borealis puts all the weight on your shoulders, which gets uncomfortable with anything over 15 pounds on longer trails.
What’s the difference between the Borealis and the Jester?
The Jester is smaller (27.5L vs 28L) with a simpler back panel and fewer organizational pockets. It costs about $20 less. The Borealis has better back ventilation (FlexVent) and the fleece-lined top pocket. For most buyers, the Borealis is worth the small price difference.
How do you wash a North Face Borealis?
Hand wash with mild soap and warm water. Don’t machine wash – the agitation can damage the FlexVent foam and zipper tracks. Scrub stains with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and hang dry. Never put it in a dryer.