---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/"
title: "North Face Recon vs The North Face Borealis Backpack"
description: "North Face Recon vs The North Face Borealis Backpack: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/"
---
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2.  [Carry-On Travel Backpacks](https://onebag.travel/carryons/)
3.  North Face Recon vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack

# North Face Recon vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [North Face Recon](https://onebag.travel/carryon/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/)

by [North Face](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=North Face)

![Front facing view of the North Face Recon](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/carryons/bdkmimoaej8y2ukywt50)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>30 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.2 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>49×30×19 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>92%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$110</td></tr></tbody></table>

## 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 |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish</td><td>210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [The North Face Borealis Backpack](https://onebag.travel/carryon/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/)

by [North Face](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=North Face)

![Front facing view of the The North Face Borealis Backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1618892700/carryons/The_North_Face_Borealis_yjcf2c.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>28 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.1 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×31×17 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>91%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$100</td></tr></tbody></table>

## 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.