North Face Recon Backpack Review

[AppleIcedXTea]

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on either the recon or the surge? I'm torn between the two :/ I like all the organization pockets the surge has, but the recon is more compact and cheaper. (p.s I'm a high school junior right now, but I'm planning on using it for college too! :)

[beguie]

what did you find out by accident?? what a cliffhanger.. lol

[beguie]

@beguie nvm i just read it in the info section

[jainaxoxo1]

Great review, it was very helpful.

Thanks 

[kingBaREY]

nice watch

[sobabypleasedontgo]

The small pocket on the strap is actually for a knife.

[thinkofmybaby]

what actual year was this version made? and what is the color?

[Pimclick]

Discover new fashion and unique backpack

laosmiddle-shop com

[deathgravez]

Is this the current recon backpack at The North Face website? I thought the current version's waist belt can still be stowed away. Does the current version of the Recon at The North Face website have those two compression straps on the bottom of the backpack? PLEASE RESPOND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE :)

[mick1316591]

@deathgravez The current version for 2011 does indeed have the stowable waist belt, while the 2010 version I own does not. I can't be sure, but when I looked at The North Face website yesterday the current Recon didn't appear to have the bottom compression straps.

[mick1316591]

@mick1316591 Or maybe mine is the 2009 version.

[Azurken]

"my sister's been opening and closing it so much"

[angeloisabk]

North Face backpacks have a whistle. Its at the clip thing at the chest area.

[IslandBoii357]

@angeloisabk  i had this bookbag forever and never noticed it lol

[The21Marine]

gonna get it but every1 has it plus couldt find it in a store went with the sweeper

[marcgs]

Is there a way to charge trekking poles in this backpack?

[stoutevan]

haha i use the waist strap hidden compartment to smuggle weed and booze into music festivals, GOOD DESIGN NORTH FACE THANKS!!!

[myusername94]

Newest model doesn't have the compression straps on the bottom anymore! :(

[roseyrayf]

This was an excellent review, quite helpful. I found a Recon at a thrift store, little used, for $3.99, Yes, there was defect. Ths waterproof zipper on the front had torn from the pack on the upper zipper strip. This caused the zipper closer to disengage. I belive I can so in a replacement zipper myself though it won't be water proof.

[mnguyen1224]

Why does the video cut off at the end? "oh! I actually found this out by accident.  If you look here..." -> video ends...

[MrKemokixz17]

Is this good for like middle school. I carry like 3 or 4 half inch binders a day will I have a little extra room or will it be tight.

[dahgutone]

@MrKemokixz17

3 or 4?, that's a shet load.

Probably not. If you got it to fit somehow, you wouldn't have room for anything else....(assuming they are 1-1.5 inch binders)

That's what I hated about middle school. My classes required me to have a binder for each subject... Rediculous.. 4-5 binders?.. Kidding me?....

[juanreyes1212]

Great review. I wish someone made a video like this for the Box Shot.

[AyeeJustinn]

Thank you for the review, i was thinking of getting jansport but kinda felt lime it wouldnt hold enough so decided north face and this one is perfect

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn it's a bit small dont u think?

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum nah it may look small but its just compact, but actually its a heavy duty bag and makes carrying easy and comfy

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn really? after i put it in my binder, i can only put a few more small books :/

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum lol i don't own this but based on seeing people and my friends with it, you can fit like about your binder and 5 other textbooks that are like 1 inch and a half

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn dang that's a lot of stuff haha

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum haha i know right and its north face which should be more expensive, but 75 is a good price or ok i guess

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn lol i got it for $61.95. it was like a mistake or something cause right after i ordered it online, they changed it back to $89. lolol

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum loll i ordered mine for 79 and got gray because its cheaper than black and it looks good enough

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn nice do you know the one that's mostly black with a white pocket with some red on it? tnf black/white? ya do you know if that one is waterproof? lol

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum no sorry idk but if your talking about the one in this video then yeah i guess

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn haha thaks

[AyeeJustinn]

@BoJigglebum actually more than what i just said, just add in a laptop and some small books like a dictionary

[BoJigglebum]

@AyeeJustinn ah ok thanks and do you think it can fit three binders? lol cause i need that for school

[clarafromtoronto]

Can you do a review for the Ivar Backpack?

[likvry1trustno1]

im thinking of getting a northface for my junior year of high school this yr. the only thing is we walk around campus all day and we dont use our lockers..so we have our books and notebooks and everything basically to carry around. im also only 4'11 1\2 and i was thinking of the Isabella backpack because everyone says thats for smaller girls...but i like how the recon has that angled bottom and how it seems more durable....which would you recommend?

[Johnny2k1X]

@likvry1trustno1 u should just go for the recon if you like it. I've had it and its a perfect size for all.

[1tehnoobshow]

What.cool fact at 9:01

[BoJigglebum]

@1tehnoobshow i think he was gonna say the whistle on the strap

[dontmakepatarangry]

Hello, i know it doesn't specify water resistance. But if i were walking home from school (less than half an hour) and it was raining would my books stay dry?

Thanks.

[chocolatejc]

omg, thank you so much for telling me about the hidden waist belt compartment! i got this bag a few days ago, and was quite annoyed by the waist belt dangling down. now that you've tols me i can hide them! thank you! love this bad 5x more now!

[pInkSUPR3]

thanks a lot! very informative!

[ramblinblogger]

Another added feature that can be over looked by genius engineering is the newer models at least on the chest strap have a built in whistle.

[moto815]

well i have a north face back pack call the Vault.

color blue-black & gray.only 2 zippers.

[iKuhnetic]

the new models have zippers in the organizer pockets

[hennesean93]

@iKuhnetic No, no they don't

[onlinehacker1]

big shot its beast

[jumpthemap]

@alhun123

Yes, look in the details sections and contact Young's Backpacking to see if they still have it in stock.

[TheMrZOMBIE13]

I am going to buy a backpack for outdoors and school and I am thinking between this and the bigshot (bigshot hotshot I don't remember)... Which one would you recommend?

[xReacTiioNxx]

is this specifically a womens bag?

[TheSmackfan101]

@xReacTiioNxx no

[hennesean93]

@xReacTiioNxx fight me and ill tell you

[tc123123]

this is probably the most popular northface backpack. atleast for what i seen people wear on their backs around my school.

[chuloyo650]

Are all the North Face backpacks fully water Proof?

[47trea]

A pack that finally has room for your bike helmet lol yay ;p

[5dsTv]

Does anyone know the defference between a real north face book bag and a fake one ???

[luciferdy9]

I have a 17'' laptop.

Which backpack should I get?

thanks.

[noslen1968]

I really like mine. I use it for photo-shoots.  I carry two tripod light-stands - one in each 'water-bottle' pouch and use the strap above to make them really secure. Inside I can fit two flash-heads a full-size camera, a couple of lenses and all else needed with room for more stuff - great pack! (I cut the hip belt off of mine.)

[temple0333]

is there a huge length difference between the bigshot and the recon?

[mexicano0069]

dude ur dumb about the hit u gave the bottle mesh pocket. it's better than if it was just elastic because you can adjust it really tight so its closed if you don't put a bottle in there but like something else that would fit and you don't want it to fall out. if you wanted to put a bottle in there u could just adjust it to fit the bottle then leave it and everytime u want to put ur bottle in it will function just as an elastic one would...

[Powerful996]

Was the sceat pocket

[Powerful996]

The one that u put ur hand in th

[WolfVindicator]

an people said recon sucked....its da shit now

[prashee001]

Nice review, and really nice bag too! I'm looking for a backpack which can carry my laptop and camera and still have space for more. This one seemed very nice, but sadly here in my locality, I don't have much options. I'm thinking of buying one online.

Just one suggestion, include prices in your reviews, it will make them even more helpful for budget constrained buyers, like me!

[jcjx91]

Hey Norm! Does Young's Backpacking still sell this exact model(which like you said is the original) or are they out now and selling the newer models of the recon?

[jumpthemap]

@jcjx91

Yup,

just give them a call.

The contact info is in the details section underneath the video.

Tell'em I said HI:)

[flammerkid]

@jcjx91 what is better hot shot or recon?

[lanieldho]

What a great review. Thanks for sharing.

[psittacid]

I just bought a new one and the waist belt CAN be packed away just like the one in the film.

[psittacid]

I just bought a new one and the waist belt CAN be packed away.

[wacthnclips]

how does this bag fair in the rain?

[wacthnclips]

how does it fair in the rain?

[Powerful996]

U need a new north face man

[ej1208]

haha, i have the same backpack! i've had it for 5 years now and i looooove it!

your reviews are so useful! thank you. could you please review The North Face Spire 40? :D

[soxpats8]

what was the thing at the end that got cut off? good review btw

[2015USAFA]

@soxpats8 there is a whistle on the female part of the chest strap.

[mbd303030]

thanks for the great review- very helpful!

[Thazzorr134]

I think about buying this backpack for school.. i got a 15,5" laptop and i'm not sure if it can fit in.. would you be kind and send the length/wide of the laptoproom? so i can figure out whether it can get in or not :)

[alexcravin]

Can you review The North face Vault? And compare it to other things? For a size comparison.

[Herky420]

You have the hottest sounding voice!

[MrGMXander]

Hey there the North Face Surge is also a very popular backpack, any chance you will review that too?

[cinquetorque1]

that bag is fake

jus saying??

[TheWayze]

One of the best bag reviews I have ever seen. Kudos to you.

[ciphernemo]

Actually, an update is needed in this video since it can be misleading. The waistbelt on the new models are detachable, but there is no opening to tuck it away. I recently purchased a brand new Recon NightCamo Brown backpack.

[nimrod74741]

can you review the watch you're wearing please..

[jumpthemap]

@nimrod74741 I already did. Look up the SurfSect Watch Review on my page.

[KiiNgofTheCastle]

@nimrod74741 ur a weirdo

[nimrod74741]

@KiiNgofTheCastle yeah?

TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE.

[yurkler]

omg the whistle is sooooo badass. truly a pack for all scenarios

[hikinguphigh]

can you please do a review on the north face hot shot as i dont no werever to get the big shot or the hot shot

kind regards

[ciphernemo]

Thanks for making and uploading this video! Great review; helped me make a decision to purchase the Recon over a couple others.

[CrystalLovesFP]

PLEASE ANYONE who knows how to get the colorful recon backpack Please tell me!!

[A2Kaid]

@CrystalLovesFP

You can find the North Face Recon (any available color) at Amazon.com.

[CrystalLovesFP]

@A2Kaid i cant find the colorful one Anywhere.

[A2Kaid]

@CrystalLovesFP

You can buy it from the "TheNorthFace . c o m" (official website) all colors are available.

[CrystalLovesFP]

@A2Kaid i tried it dosnt have it...

[A2Kaid]

@CrystalLovesFP

Well which specific color are you looking for? I have heard that the North Face has discontinued some colors, so it's possible the color you want has been discontinued.

[CrystalLovesFP]

@A2Kaid it is colorful.

[A2Kaid]

@CrystalLovesFP

Okay I see I think that has been discontinued. What you can do is contact (pref. by phone) The North Face company and make a special request for the colorful Force Recon backpack, they may or may not be able to do that. It's worth the shot!

[CrystalLovesFP]

@A2Kaid Thanks very much. ill try

[superathelete]

have you ever heard of the North Face Tholu? i think its the same as this recon but a different name. I think it may be the Canadian version, but im not sure, so I was hoping you could help me out.

[diplomatic423]

the new one is way more improved

[Zulu12514]

If you have time, I'd like to see your take on The North Face "Surge". It's a toss up between the two for me now, I'm leaning towards the Surge. Here in Canada, it's $146.89 for the Surge and $112.99 for the Recon.

[iloveiphone93]

is there any chance of a north face borealis review

[1987dman]

are you sure you dont work at a sporting goods store? it seems like everyone you know has a northface. lol.

[solzion]

thanks

[solzion]

can you do a review with the heckler. i trying to fgure out which bookbag should i get for the first yer of high school please help!

[jumpthemap]

Sorry,

I couldn't find the heckler at my local dealer.

I looked at the specs for both online and personally I like the Recon because it has all the features I need.

Good Luck with school!

[cubaniacan]

were can i find this exsact model on the back pack? not the new one. i want this one. plz help

[swaggsurfin137]

i just bought the new recon n its very cool. i know i will be disrupting class alot with the whistle

[jackxu1]

i use this pack for my laptop and books for school

[mikeytime01]

He was gonna say there's a whistle on the sternum strap that you can reach without using your hands (in case you fall into a mountain crevice and can't move, or if you just want to disrupt your lecture hall)

[WAFFLES081]

Does anyone know if you can machine wash this bag? I have one, and Im not really sure.....

Nice reveiw, what were you going to say at the end before it cut off?

[josephgrovers]

Actually another obvious difference is that where it says "recon" it is written vertically on the side on the newer model. This version has it written horizontal on the bottom smaller.

[wellXelloXgovna1]

i was thinking of getting this for skool... would this able to hold skool items i usually hve just 1 binder thats 2 or 1 1/2 inchs and a pencils case that can get a little big at times.. so would this be a good backpack??

[selorgif]

This is for laptop???

[MuddyTrails]

so i have been using this pack for about three months now. my impression is that the cup holder mesh is not very strong and there are large holes throughout. the airmesh is now not as springy and takes a while to expand now. i also carried a skateboard on the bottom straps for a while, and the bottom fabric didn't get damaged at all from the boards griptape. my recon is great for holding school stuff and i practically live off of it and i dont notice anything with the visible hip belt. recon ftw

[nikidizzi]

the NEW recons aren't much compared to the OLD recons. :(

[OhSnapItsJohnny]

THAT is the EXACT one I wanted!! like the old one!!

and I cant find it ANYWHERE...

:(

grrrr.....

where do I get THAT EXACT one??!!

[jkhouth]

hey thanks a lot man, great review and highly informative. kudos

[MienBoy]

i just bought the recon yesterday and was wondering how i can hide the hip clip on the new model? i'm thinking about returning it and buying the older model on ebay, would that be a good idea?

[jumpthemap]

Hi,

some of the newer models don't have the tuck-in waistbelt. North Face, like most backpack companies, likes to change their design each from time to time for the same model.

It's really up to you how important the tuck-in waistbelt is to you.

If you're gonna get another Recon, make sure the seller can verify this feature before buying it.

[dahgutone]

Yep. The old one do look better. The real reason why they changed the designs to pretty much all of the models were because the tuck in waist belt was common for people to hide weapons and just buckling it on the outside. If someone wasn't familiar with the bag, it is easy to miss if there were a weapon especially a knife because it has a stiff back and you could hardly feel if there were something was in it as if you were being searched.

[odstroy22]

i just got a north face recon today with the green and black color, lol i hardly found it grabbed the last one...anyways.. its really comfortable but is it good for school? jw

[MacMike1000]

Love The North Face products, own four backpack and a few shell jackets with one Denali Flleece. Love my BigShot backback, sold my original HotShot backpack.

[jkhouth]

does the new recon (not the recon SE) have the lower hip waist belt, and the tuck in waist belt design? Ive read a few reviews, and some say it does, some say it does not. i can only buy online so if you could answer itd be much appreciated! thanks, awesome vid also

[jumpthemap]

Hi,

I went to sporting goods store to check out a recon and it seems like some of the newer models don't have the tuck in waistbelt.

If you really want this feature I'd suggest buying from a reputable retailer who can guarantee this feature.

Good Luck!

[orchid93]

the new recons don't have the padded waist belt, but they do have a waist belt, (two straps and a buckle). this waist belt can easily be removed, all you have to do is pull it out of the buckle that connects it to the backpack. you can put it back anytime. i prefer this method to the one shown in the video, because that means you don't have any awkward lumps pushing at your back in the "stowaway" part when you're actually wearing the backpack.

[aerokidzach]

i have the new one

[cokacola600]

can u sell me that one foe $40

[MuSiCfALiFee]

what was the part at the end that you forgot to mention?

[jumpthemap]

The clasp on the sternum strap has a built in whistle. It's not any bigger than a normal clasp and is easy to miss if you don't look for it. My sister didn't even know about it till I told her.

Nice little bonus on a pack:)

Thanks for watching!

[99F]

watz the point of the compression strhaps

[ThePhreshPhorce]

What year is this model from? And what are the colors...it looks so good.

[aerokidzach]

i have one to very cool

[MuddyTrails]

i also noticed that you cannot hide the waist strap on the new bag =(

[veyrichrin]

I'm pretty sure the bag I just brought home is the 2008 edition, but on mine, there are little holes build in where the water bottle pockets meet the back of the bag where you can thread the waist straps through, albeit with a bit of a struggle. So even the new bags (without the padded waist straps) have this feature.

[MuddyTrails]

i bought the black recon last night and i'm going to review it soon. its totally awesome, right!

[jfdyj]

wow this backpack is sexy bro nice!

[Xylo23]

whoah... what camera r u using? freaking clear!

[jumpthemap]

Haha,

it's a Canon G9 that I'm borrowing from a friend.

I'll be sad to give this baby back.

Also, I've found that lighting can make all the difference. You can have the most expensive camera in the world but if the lighting is bad your footage will be crummy as well.

Thanks for watching!