The North Face Recon 30L Backpack for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

8.5
out of 10
7 Positive, 1 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 8 Reviews
Retail Price:
$99.00
Used Value:
$59.40
Sale Value:
$89.10

Type A personalities are naturally drawn to the organization and functionality of The North Face's Recon 31L Backpack. With enough space to fit text books, notebooks, a laptop, tablet, and more, you are always prepared to have a successful day on campus. Equipped with a FlexVent suspension system and injection-molded shoulder straps, you get comfortable support when your backpack is fully loaded during finals week while the mesh panel helps the back of your t-shirt to stay dry as you pace in front of the testing hall. Soft fleece lines the inside of the laptop, tablet, and sunglasses pocket to protect your valuables, the internal organizer in the front pocket neatly stores your pens, calculator, and snacks, and the newly added front stash pocket gives you easy access to your hoodie or cell phone.

Specifications

Access:
top
Claimed Weight:
2lb 7.7oz
Dimensions:
19.25 x 13 x 7in
Laptop Sleeve:
yes (11.5 x 17.75in)
Manufacturer Warranty:
lifetime
Material:
[Shady Blue] 600D 50% recycled polyester toille, [Peyote Beige, Four Leaf Clover, TNF Black, Asphalt Grey]420D nylon, [Rage Red, TNF Yellow] 210D Cordura nylon ripstop, [Fir Green Camo] polyester jacquard camo
Pockets:
1 zippered laptop sleeve, 1 zippered with internal organization, 1 fleece-lined zippered, 1 extendable stash, 2 water bottle
Recommended Use:
casual, travel
Responsible Collection:
Recycled/Repurposed
Shoulder Straps:
yes
Volume:
30L (1831cu in)
Waist Belt:
removable

Full Reviews

8
Great quality and perfect size
Sidharath R., backcountry.com
December 19, 2020
10
Very pleased with this. I get extra discount from here: coupon-bird.com
Paul C, backcountry.com
November 26, 2020
6
I still have my Recon that I purchased in 2008 which still looks great and is going strong. It got me through college, camping trips, hikes, trips to theme parks, and has recently been used as a diaper bag for my child. It's such a great pack that 11 years later I wanted a new one. This 2019 version certainly has some differences. I see what the North Face's design intention was: to be a compact everyday carrier that when packed, it expands into itself to keep a small profile, rather than expanding outward. This, in my opinion, is its detrimental design flaw and why I returned it. They designed the admin compartment to expand back into the main large compartment, thus interfering with space there. I only put a few items in the zippered internal admin section and even this caused a bulge in the main compartment that is totally in the way. Also, the old admin compartment extended further down to the bottom of the bag and would fit twice as much, this one stops half way down not utilizing valuable space down the front of the bag. This makes the bag seem much smaller than it's predecessor. I've read similar complaints and I hope the North Face is listening, because I would much rather the pack expand outward and have deep compartments. For now, Osprey is my chosen alternative because they design their packs this way. In conclusion, I love the size, quality, and look but the lack of space in the design and the tight internalized structure make it too inconvenient for my daily requirements. If the North Face were to design this more closely to the past models I would gladly pick one up. A noteworthy mention is Backcountry's customer service -they have been very helpful assisting me in finding the right pack.
Andrew J., backcountry.com
January 3, 2020
10
just a little time with this pack now and it's been great. packs a lot inside, great for a short trip when I need to keep it all with me and move a lot. My second TNF pack and the first is still going strong, always well made stuff.
Kyle Br, backcountry.com
October 14, 2019
8
Good looking bag but the redesign from the 2018 model was a step back. Straps rub uncomfortably on my neck, even when packed. Laptop compartment doesn't provide enough protection on the bottom. The half-compartment organizational pocket takes space from the main compartment and makes the top bulge out awkwardly when full. If the design of the main compartment with laptop storage, the organizational pocket layout, and the straps from the 2018 model could be be used on the body of the 2019 design, it'd be a near perfect bag. On a separate note, I am quite pleased with Backcountry's care and support of my purchase (as always).
Charlie B, backcountry.com
August 20, 2019
10
very durable and has pockets everywhere to carry all kind of stuff besides my laptop
Isaac Fernandez, backcountry.com
June 21, 2019
8
Just got this one. It has enough room to hold a bit 15-inch laptop without having to force it to close. It's not huge, but has enough room to carry my usual stuff.
Gregorio, backcountry.com
April 24, 2019
8
I looked at hundreds of backpacks, trying to find the ideal backpack. Here is what I'll say — there is no one ideal backpack that works universally for every one. That's why there are a zillion backpacks. What makes it ideal depends on your needs. I had originally purchased this backpack after months of research and also because a friend of mine had one and he let me try it. However, I ended up returning it for another backpack I found quite by accident. There are 2 main reasons why I returned this backpack (most reluctantly): I needed something a little bigger (I carry books, my laptop and all sorts of peripherals, and wanted some extra space for a few clothes). Two, I wanted a few more pockets. This is truly a great backpack — feels great on the back (super comfortable), and is amazingly well-made. I may just end up getting this backpack again in the future as an EDC. If I had all the money in the world, I'd keep both backpacks.
Yung C., backcountry.com
January 3, 2019