North Face Recon vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Feature by feature
| North Face Recon | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| front | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
The North Face Borealis Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the North Face Recon and The North Face Borealis Backpack
- Opening: Other on the North Face Recon; Top zip on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Front on the North Face Recon; Top on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the North Face Recon; 16in on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the North Face Recon; 4 on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the North Face Recon; No on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 172 accept both. 1 accept only the North Face Recon, and 0 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Only the North Face Recon fits
Air Niugini.
North Face Recon vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?
The North Face Recon carries 2L more than the The North Face Borealis Backpack (30L vs. 28L), while the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the North Face Recon fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the North Face Recon; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the better call.