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🎒 Elevate your daily grind with the backpack that works as hard as you do.
The North Face Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack combines rugged durability with smart organization and ergonomic support. Featuring a water-repellent nylon shell, a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, and a spacious 28-liter main compartment, it’s designed for professionals who demand comfort, style, and functionality on their daily commute or travel. Certified by the American Chiropractic Association, its FlexVent suspension system ensures all-day comfort, while reflective details and a whistle buckle add safety. This backpack is a reliable, stylish investment for millennial managers who never settle.





















| ASIN | B0CN9SP9R5 |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Apparel Closure Type | Zipper |
| Apparel Fabric Stretch | No Stretch |
| Apparel Fabric Weight Class | Lightweight |
| Backpack Design | Laptop Backpack |
| Backpack Harness Type | Shoulder Harness |
| Best Sellers Rank | #10,183 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry ( See Top 100 in Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry ) #43 in Backpacks |
| Brand Name | The North Face |
| Collection Name | Borealis |
| Color | Tnf Black U Borealis Patch/Tnf White |
| Compatible Device Size Maximum | 16 Inches |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 15,215 Reviews |
| Embellishment Feature | Buckle |
| Fit Type | Classic |
| Fit to Size Sentiment | Neutral |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 6.5"D x 12"W x 19.5"H |
| Item Shape | Rectangular |
| Item Type Name | Backpack |
| Item Weight | 2 Pounds |
| Lining Description | Nylon |
| Manufacturer | The North Face |
| Manufacturer Part Number | NF0A52SE |
| Material Type | Nylon |
| Model Name | Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack | Water Repellent Finish, 16" Laptop Sleeve, Large Main Compartment for Everyday Carry |
| Number Of Pockets | 4 |
| Number of Compartments | 5 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Other Special Features of the Product | Laptop Compartment |
| Outer Material | Nylon |
| Pattern | Solid |
| Pocket Description | Utility Pocket |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Product Style | Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack | Water Repellent Finish, 16" Laptop Sleeve, Large Main Compartment for Everyday Carry |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Travel, Work |
| School Type | High School |
| Shell Type | Soft Shell |
| Shoulder to Bottom Hem Length | 19.5 Inches |
| Size | One Size |
| Sleeve Length Description | Long Sleeve |
| Sport Type | Hiking |
| Storage Volume | 28 Liters |
| Strap Type | Adjustable |
| Style Number | NF0A52SE |
| Subject Character | sports |
| Theme | Backpacks, Travel |
| UPC | 195441731849 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Repellent |
| Zippered Compartment Count | 3 |
J**O
The North Face Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack Review
Material and Build Quality The first thing you notice is how well made this backpack feels. The fabric is thick and durable without being stiff, and it has that solid, high quality feel you expect from The North Face. It holds its shape nicely even when it is not fully packed, and the water repellent material is great for everyday use. Light rain and splashes are not an issue, which is reassuring if you are commuting or walking across campus. Size and Fit The size is just right for daily use. It fits comfortably on the back without feeling bulky or oversized. The straps are padded and adjustable, and the back panel has enough cushioning to stay comfortable even when the bag is full. It works well for commuting, school, or travel, and it does not feel awkward or too large on a smaller frame. Capacity and Organization This backpack holds a lot without feeling messy. The main compartment easily fits books, folders, or extra clothing. The 16 inch laptop sleeve is well padded and keeps the laptop secure. There are plenty of pockets for chargers, notebooks, and smaller items, so everything has a place. It is easy to stay organized without having to dig around. Comfort and Feel Even when packed with a laptop and other gear, the backpack stays comfortable. The weight is distributed well, and the padding on the straps and back makes a noticeable difference. It feels balanced and supportive, which is important if you are carrying it for long periods of time. Price and Value While it is not the cheapest backpack, the quality makes it worth the price. You are paying for durability, comfort, and thoughtful design. This is the kind of backpack that should last for years with regular use, making it a solid investment rather than something you will need to replace quickly. Overall Impression This backpack is practical, comfortable, and very well made. It works equally well for commuting, school, or travel, and it looks clean and classic. If you want a reliable backpack that can handle daily use and keep everything organized, this one is a great choice.
M**I
Minimalist’s perspective, Its good!
I dont buy many things, and am a self proclaimed minimalist. With that being said my last and only backpack was not cutting it and causing me pain even after properly adjusting it and was admittedly poorly made, so I decided enough’s enough and I’m gonna buy something that will last me a lifetime, and this was my pick based off of extensive research both from reading reviews, and watching them as well. I have not yet regretted my purchase. * Very comfortable backpack to wear ONCE ADJUSTED: I initially did not know that there’s a proper way to adjust a backpack,once I did, any pain that the backpack was causing me went away. (Pro tip: you want your sternum strap about 3 inches below your collarbone, you want your shoulder straps adjusted so that they’re SNUG and not pinching your underarms, nor should they be as tight as you can get them, and lastly, if you’re gonna use the hip belt make sure you have the hip belt resting right on your hip bones). * The backpack is very padded, more so than any other backpack i have had experience with other than my Vanquest backpack, by which I mean the shoulder straps have a type of semi-rigid foam? perhaps in them, they remind me of a lot of anti-fatigue mat foam, whereas they do give, but only if you really try to squish them. The backpack also features a very dense feeling foam that feels great on the back part of the backpack and has a channel going down the middle to improve circulation. * All the zippers, hardware and fabrics used are of a high quality, and differ depending on location and intended use of said area of the backpack, for example, there’s a fleece lined pocket for delicate stuff, like glasses or your phone, whereas the bottom of the bag has a much beefier nylon, akin to that of toolbags. * There are reflective spots all over the backpack, so far I’ve found a spot on the shoulder staps, one of the water bottle pouches, and the loops for retaining the bungee cord all feature reflective material. * There is a pig-snout on the bottom front of the bag intended for bike lights for commuting, but the possibilites to a creative mind are endless. * There are 2 water bottle holders, both of which seem to fit up to a 32 oz bottle,and feature a hidden use slit on one of them intended for pulling your phone out if you were to store it in there and grab it without pulling the bag off but rather reaching through this slit and pulling the phone through. * Has compression straps. * The loops that retain the bungee cord has a piece of strapping that goes over it that also serves as additional loops that you can tie down stuff with, as demonstrated with the picture included with the black bungee being what comes with the bag, and the red paracord showcasing the additional spots that can be also used for lashing. * The bag has 3 main compartments: * One being for laptops, tablets or similar shaped items or alternatively can be used for a water bladder and has a hose hanger in it plus a pass though slit on the top of the bag that is in normal use concealed(demonstrated in pictures with orange gear tie),and is located to the back of the bag,and is lightly padded. * The next being a cavernous void for stuffing whatever you want in and omits any pockets or organization of any kind. * Then lastly the admin pouch close to the outside front of the backpack that you guessed it, is for smaller items and contains pockets for organizing stuff, and features a fleece-lined pocket about big enough for a phone,a few other mesh/nylon pockets, then a zipped pocket that has a key holder in it that fits my iPad mini just fine.(picture included to show how huge the pouch can expand to) * There also is a small compartment that is lined with fleece which I think is intended for sunglasses / other small items, located near the top and front of the bag. * The bag does include a hip belt that measures 35.5 inches long, and I’d reckon that it will fit anyone up to about a 3x shirt size. * The shoulder straps to feature loops incase you wanted to hang something off of them. * Sternum strap is adjustable up and down along fabric rails of sorts on both sides, and has a built in whistle. In closing, the bags great, I’ll update my review incase anything new develops, and lastly if my review has helped you, please make sure to upvote it , thank you.
M**O
Good bag overall
Asphalt gray looks more black in the picture but I like the contrast between the black straps and other areas that are reinforced with black fabric. The small details are what makes this backpack better then the cheaper ones you see. The felt like lining in the smaller pockets, the padding for the back and in turn helps protect your tablet or laptop. So back zippered area is thin for laptop. Middle area pocket largest for storing larger items, camera extra clothes, etc. Front half pocket has the pen slots zipped smaller pocket with a small clip inside that i usually put my keys on and slots for flight ticket, passport and things. The very front zipper is a felt like lined and great to put anything you need to grab quickly. Lots of straps to adjust size and the usual two back shoulder straps with belly belt and front strap clip so overall sturdy enough to go hiking with as it does have a water bottle slot on both sides. Built in top handle to hold easier say when youre in the tsa line. So overall its a nice travel bag for me. It is durable, but its not super thick ripstop like fabric so probably not the best in rain storms either. I will spray mine with scotchguard before my trips. Overall 5 for typical northface quality.
D**I
Durable, Comfortable, and Super Practical
This backpack is amazing quality and definitely worth the price. The material feels strong and durable, and it holds up really well for everyday use. There’s plenty of space for books, a laptop, and other essentials, and all the compartments make it easy to stay organized. The padded straps are very comfortable, even when the bag is full, and the back support is great. It’s perfect for school, travel, or daily use. I highly recommend it!
C**G
my review of the north face borealis backpack
now i’ve been searching for good backpacks, even looking into bellroy and aer (although i feel like they’re too much just for my application— highschool) and i decided on this backpack. i would say that this is honestly a great option for college and high school. it’s very well made with quality YKK zips, comfortable breathable padding and a waterproof exterior for rainy weather. now there’s a separate sorta fleece lined 16 inch laptop sleeve, which coming from a north face jester was an amazing improvement (the jester had the laptop sleeve in the main compartment). and there’s a main compartment for books and binders, and lastly an admin pocket with a hidden compartment just above the bungee straps. the main compartment holds a decent amount although not too much (i personally put two 1 inch binders and a few books and journals) and the admin pocket is very organized and has a fleece lined tablet pouch to keep your belongings protected from scratches and whatnot. i could see people putting their kindles here or phones, etc. now there is a fleece lined “hidden” pocket that i previously mentioned and i use it as a snacks pocket or potentially a sunglass pouch. now, there are a lot of straps to hang stuff onto the backpack, even ones around the water bottle pocket to keep things secured, and you can tighten them to make the backpack more compact if needed. btw i suggest yall to remove the hip straps as it makes a bunch of straps hang and just looks messy. i think it looks kinda stylish and i like how it looks, the color is nice and i like the waterproofness and how it just looks like a good backpack. in conclusion, i think that this is honestly a solid option for anyone in school who wants a good backpack with a lot of functionality. it’s well made and has some fleece lined interiors, and very good zips that won’t break on you. it’s weatherproof and breathable and looks pretty good in my opinion. overall this is a good choice for highschool and college, and i recommend this backpack.
C**.
Unconventional Icon
I love this backpack. It looks luxury. It feels luxury. It IS a luxury backpack. And that's the problem. You could drive a beautiful 2020 Mercedes Benz S-class, renowned for its luxury and exceptional craftsmanship, to school every day. However, won't your neighbor's 1994 Ford Ranger do the same job? It'll get you there and back to school, right? It can go offroad, hold more volume, and you don't have to worry about pesky door dings. But then again, it's all about the looks. The same goes for this backpack. It's an icon, for sure. At least one in five high schoolers is going to have this. However, you're paying more for a brand than the actual conventionalism of a backpack. For half the price, you could get an Adiads Prime that'll hold more than 2x the volume this backpack could, all in a similarly comfortable package. The Adidas Prime has a front pocket that won't stick out like a botched BBL. That's a backpack you'll keep for life, from the classroom onto a glorified gym bag. Now, I must say that the padding, chest, and waist buckles make this one of the most comfortable backpacks I've owned. The massive water bottle holders and the bungee cord system allow you to hold all sorts of stuff. However, for $100, this is simply too small. So much more could be done to make it an everyday carry. And I despise that top-heavy front lip; who actually tested that and thought it was a good idea? I put a calculator, charger, glasses, and a few pencils in there, and the thing literally tips over like a water bucket at Six Flags and dumps your belongings on the ground. And God forbid you to put your headphones in there (where else do you put headphones?). Your backpack turns into an articulated dump truck, letting your payload fly out as soon as you set the bag down. Furthermore, one main pocket for $100 bucks? Were the boys at North Face scrapping for materials? Or was it just the outside that mattered? It's likely the latter. But in all seriousness, this should have at least another storage compartment. Maybe it could be under the bungee system to support the super mom BBL that pokes out the top of this backpack. Overall, this is an unconventional beauty. It's like marrying a p*rnstar. Sure, she's beautiful, but at the end of the day, are you really going to enjoy that? I still don't know, but I paid $100, so I WILL get my use out of this thing. Thanks for reading.
G**I
Stylish and sturdy
This bag is stylish and very sturdy together. I use it as my everyday office bag. You could really feel the quality once you get the grip of it. The North Face logo stands out and there are loads of strap adjustments I have ever seen on any backpack. The storage is adequate and the laptop compartment has a good protection. The rear side of the backpack gives good cushion and protection of your back. Overall this is worth the buy.
J**E
Great Backpack
Fantastic Backpack! Both of my teen sons use this backpack. One is in college and one is in 8th grade. It keeps the laptops safe and holds a lot. They tend to last for several years with every day use. Totally worth the price because they hold up so well. Keeps me from buying cheap, crappy backpacks every year.
P**9
Quality Backpack - What one would expect from North Face.
A solid built backpack well worth paying the extra for. The fabric feels robust and likely to last for a long time. The design is spot on and the layout with the various pockets inside provide plenty of options. I recently used it on a trip to London and carried an slr camera, an iPad and a change of clothing together with various affiliated bits and bobs. There was plenty of space and it was comfortable to carry.
B**Y
Excellent for a commute but could do with an additional internal pocket
Extremely well made bag has ample space for a commute with a decent amount of kit. The raised laptop pouch holds your device snugly - I have a Dell Latitude 5450 and there is room to spare for a tablet next to it although anyone who has a laptop with with a weight problem may need to stretch the pouch a little. The colour (Zinc Grey/Vaporous Grey) is nice and a little different although can pick-up some scuffs. But it was the cheapest colour option and I am a little "tight" like that so I lumped for it. I am not complaining though as it looks professional as a North Face rucksack can. My only gripe (and I would knock a half star off for this) is a lack of additional pocket or divider in the main compartment. For anyone that needs to carry files or books, it would be nice to segregate the laptop charger inside. I tend to keep my smaller items in the fairly spacious outer pocket, but as a result books tend to get a little mangled if languishing around in the bottom of the main compartment. It's not a deal breaker by any means but would be nice to have. Best of all though is the straps and vented back. It is exceptionally comfortable to wear even when fully loaded. My only wish is that I didn't buy one sooner.
E**E
Innamorato
Super funzionale, che prometta di durare, con un ottimo schienale per la mia non ottima schiena e anche bello da vedere, ma i gusti sono personali: se anche per voi questi sono i principali requisiti che il vostro zaino dovrebbe avere, vi consiglio di non andare oltre, entro questo prezzo si intende. Rispetto alla generazione Borealis Classic precedente (zaino posseduto in famiglia che ho potuto confrontare) sono stati fatti diversi salti in avanti. Lo schienale è veramente ben fatto, non penso si trovi in commercio uno zaino da tutti i giorni con questa fattura, imbottito e rigido da cima a fondo anche per evitare che il portatile, pur avendo la tasca rialzata, possa toccare quando lo appoggiate. La sezione dedicata per il portatile la trovo utilissima sia per poterci riporre il computer, sia come ulteriore scomparto per inserirci cartelline/quaderni che potrebbero avere troppo movimento nello scomparto principale. La tasca frontale più piccola è felpata nel nuovo modello, potrà sembrarvi una sciocchezza ma questi piccoli dettagli sommati insieme fanno la differenza (vedi foto). Anche i materiali al tatto sembrano leggermente più robusti e resistenti, ma questo solo il tempo potrà dirlo. Lo uso per l'università e uscite giornaliere, ovviamente verrà con me nei prossimi viaggi ed escursioni in montagna appena sarà possibile :'). Spero vi sia stata utile questa recensione :)
B**R
A good option if you need a strong distinctive rucksack
Exactly as described in the review, it's a good quality rucksack. The colour is attractive, not just for girls although it is labelled that way. A good option if you need a strong distinctive rucksack
A**L
Mi mochila preferida
La compré porque un amigo me la recomendó y no me puedo quejar para nada. Muy cómoda, calidad-precio insuperable. El hueco del bolsillo grande viene ideal para llevar el portátil protegido y su capacidad parece ilimitada. Me encanta.
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