Having recently covered two larger Osprey packs – the Exos 46 and the Kestrel 38, both better suited to weekend trips or hut-to-hut walking – we want to turn to a daypack for a change. Our pick is The North Face Borealis. The Borealis is not just for hiking: it works for everyday use as well.
The daypack has wide, flat shoulder straps and a back panel divided up by seams. It comes with a sternum strap and a hip belt, of course, plus compression straps to keep the load under control. The hip belt can also be tucked away in two hidden slots when you do not need it.
Inside the main compartment there is a separate sleeve that takes a laptop up to 17″ or a stack of documents. On the trail you can use that same sleeve to hang a hydration bladder, since there is a hose port directly above it. On the left and right there is a mesh pocket each for water bottles or other bits and pieces.
At the very front of the pack sits a small pocket with a water-repellent zip. Right behind it is a larger compartment with various dedicated pockets for organising everyday items such as pens or a phone.
The North Face Borealis specifications
- Weight: 1040 g
- Dimensions: 47.5 cm x 35 cm x 18 cm
- Fabric: 420D nylon, 1680D ballistics
- Volume: 30 L
Photos of The North Face pack
Verdict on The North Face Borealis daypack
The pack carries well and is very comfortable. I use it every day myself, for work and leisure. When hiking or doing anything strenuous, though, what bothers me is the complete absence of any back ventilation, as far as I can tell. The pack sits flush against you, so your back starts to sweat very quickly. Beyond that, at just under 1 kg for 30 L of volume, this is not exactly the lightest pack you can buy — although there are heavier models out there.
Ventilation and weight aside, I like the pack a lot for everyday use. The many ways of organising your things inside it, so that you can find everything again quickly, are very welcome.
