Introduction
Within The North Face’s lineup of everyday backpacks, the Borealis has become one of the more recognized models, generally known for combining a larger main storage area with practical laptop protection for daily commuting. This particular version, offered in a black-on-black colorway labeled Blk/Blk-NPF and designed as one-size-fits-all, brings together a water-repellent exterior, a dedicated laptop sleeve, and a notably large main compartment aimed at everyday commuters who need more room than a minimalist daypack typically offers.
This article takes a detailed look at what the Borealis backpack offers, the different everyday and travel-adjacent situations in which it tends to be used, who this larger-capacity commuter bag is generally best suited for, and a range of practical points worth considering before choosing it as a daily companion.
Key Features
Large Main Compartment
The defining characteristic of the Borealis, compared to some of The North Face’s other everyday backpacks, is its notably large main compartment. This is generally intended to accommodate a broader range of daily items beyond just a laptop and a few essentials, making it a practical option for those who tend to carry more with them on a typical day, whether that includes extra layers of clothing, larger folders, or additional personal items.
Water-Repellent Exterior
Like other everyday commuter bags in this category, the Borealis features a water-repellent exterior finish. This treatment is generally intended to offer protection against light rain or general moisture exposure during daily commuting, rather than providing full waterproof protection suited to sustained, heavy water exposure.
Dedicated Laptop Sleeve
A built-in laptop sleeve is included as part of the bag’s interior structure, generally intended to keep a laptop secured and somewhat separated from the bulkier items likely to be carried within the large main compartment. This kind of dedicated storage helps reduce the risk of a laptop shifting around or being pressed against heavier objects during transport.
One-Size-Fits-All (OSFA) Design
Described as OSFA, this backpack is generally built to accommodate a wide range of body types without requiring size-specific selection, which simplifies the purchasing process for a bag intended primarily for everyday commuting rather than highly technical or specialized use.
Black-on-Black Colorway
Finished in a black-on-black design labeled Blk/Blk-NPF, this backpack offers a particularly understated, versatile appearance that tends to suit a wide range of professional, academic, and casual settings without drawing attention to any specific seasonal trend or pattern.
Structured, Durable Build
As part of The North Face’s broader product line, the Borealis generally reflects the brand’s typical emphasis on durable, functional construction, even though it’s positioned toward everyday commuting rather than more technical outdoor use.
How It Can Be Used
Given its larger main compartment and combination of laptop protection with water-repellent construction, this backpack tends to be used across a fairly wide range of daily and semi-extended situations.
Daily commuting with additional gear. Compared to more minimalist commuter bags, the Borealis’s larger main compartment makes it well suited to those who need to carry more than just a laptop and a few small items, such as an extra layer of clothing, gym clothes, or bulkier work materials.
Student use with textbooks and a laptop. College students in particular may find the larger capacity useful for carrying textbooks, notebooks, and a laptop together, especially on days involving multiple classes or extended time on campus.
Weather-variable commuting. Given its water-repellent exterior, this backpack is well suited to commutes where exposure to light rain or unpredictable weather is a regular consideration, offering some added protection for the bag’s contents.
Overnight or short work trips. Due to its larger capacity, some users rely on the Borealis for very short trips or overnight stays, where a bit of clothing can be packed alongside a laptop and other daily essentials, without needing a separate, dedicated travel bag.
Carrying gym or extracurricular items alongside work essentials. The larger main compartment also makes this backpack a practical option for those who need to transport gym clothes, sports equipment, or other extracurricular items in addition to a laptop and daily work materials.
General daily errands and outings. Beyond specific commuting or student use, this backpack’s larger capacity also supports general daily errands or outings where more than a minimal set of items needs to be carried.
Who It May Be Suitable For
This type of larger-capacity commuter backpack tends to appeal to a fairly broad range of users, including:
- Commuters who need extra capacity beyond just a laptop and a few small items, such as those who also carry gym clothes, extra layers, or bulkier work materials on a regular basis.
- College students who need to transport textbooks and other class materials alongside a laptop throughout the day.
- Those in climates with frequent light rain, given the water-repellent exterior, which offers everyday protection against typical weather conditions during a commute.
- Occasional overnight travelers who want a single bag capable of handling both daily commuting and very short trips without needing a separate travel-specific bag.
- Those who prefer a larger, more substantial-feeling backpack compared to more minimalist commuter daypacks, given the Borealis’s notably large main compartment.
On the other hand, those who prefer a more compact, lightweight daily bag, or who don’t need the additional capacity offered by the large main compartment, might find a smaller commuter backpack, such as The North Face’s more streamlined Jester model, a better fit for their specific daily needs.
Important Things to Consider
Before choosing this type of larger-capacity backpack, a few practical points are worth thinking through.
Overall bag size and weight when empty. Given its larger main compartment, this backpack is generally bulkier and potentially heavier when empty compared to more minimalist commuter bags, which is worth factoring in for those sensitive to overall bag size and weight, particularly during extended daily wear.
Water-repellent versus fully waterproof. As with other everyday bags in this category, it’s worth understanding that water-repellent construction is intended for light rain or splashes rather than sustained, heavy water exposure, which would require a more specialized, fully waterproof design.
Laptop sleeve size compatibility. It’s worth checking the specific dimensions of the included laptop sleeve to confirm it comfortably accommodates a particular laptop model, since sleeve sizing can vary even within different backpacks from the same broader product line.
Storage space for the bag itself. Given its larger size, it’s worth considering how much closet or storage space is needed for this backpack when it’s not in use, particularly for those with more limited storage areas at home.
Balancing capacity with organization. While the large main compartment offers substantial storage space, it’s worth considering whether additional smaller pouches or organizational inserts might be useful for keeping smaller items from getting lost within the larger, more open storage area.
Fit considerations for the OSFA design. While generally built to accommodate a wide range of body types, it’s worth checking strap adjustability specifically for those at the shorter or taller end of a typical size range, to confirm a comfortable, well-balanced fit even when the bag is more heavily loaded.
Comparison of General Categories
Commuter backpacks with laptop protection, particularly larger-capacity options like the Borealis, can generally be compared against a few other broader categories.
Minimalist commuter daypacks prioritize a smaller, more streamlined design, generally offering laptop protection and basic organization without the additional bulk of a larger main compartment, suited to those who prefer traveling lighter on a daily basis.
Larger-capacity commuter backpacks, like the Borealis, are designed for those who regularly need to carry more than just a laptop and a few small items, offering additional room for clothing, gym gear, or bulkier daily materials.
Dedicated travel backpacks typically exceed even the Borealis’s capacity, often incorporating features specifically intended for multi-day trips, such as additional external straps or more substantial internal organization systems, generally better suited to travel extending well beyond an overnight stay.
Fully waterproof technical backpacks are built for more demanding wet-weather or outdoor conditions, generally incorporating sealed seams and waterproof zippers, and are typically more suited to backcountry or extended outdoor exposure rather than everyday, larger-capacity commuting.
Choosing between these categories generally comes down to how much daily carrying capacity is genuinely needed, typical weather conditions during a commute, and whether occasional very short trips might be handled by the same bag used for daily commuting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Borealis compare in size to The North Face’s other commuter backpacks, like the Jester? The Borealis is generally recognized for offering a larger main compartment compared to more streamlined commuter options within The North Face lineup, making it a better fit for those who need to carry more than just a laptop and a few small daily items.
Is this backpack suitable for an overnight trip? Given its larger main compartment, some users do rely on the Borealis for very short overnight trips, packing a change of clothes alongside a laptop and other daily essentials, though those needing more substantial travel capacity would likely require a dedicated travel backpack instead.
Is the water-repellent exterior enough for regular rainy commutes? Water-repellent construction is generally intended to protect against light rain or splashes rather than sustained, heavy exposure, so those commuting in consistently heavy rain may want to consider additional protective measures, such as a rain cover, for more complete protection.
What size laptop fits in the included sleeve? Specific sleeve dimensions can vary, so it’s worth reviewing the exact product details to confirm the laptop sleeve comfortably accommodates a particular device size before relying on it for daily use.
Does the larger main compartment include internal organization, or is it a single open space? This can vary by specific version of the bag, so it’s worth checking the product details to understand whether the main compartment includes any built-in organizational features or functions primarily as a single open storage area.
Is the OSFA design comfortable for both shorter and taller individuals? One-size-fits-all backpacks are generally built with adjustable straps intended to accommodate a broad range of body types, though it’s worth checking the specific adjustability range to confirm a comfortable fit for individuals at either end of a typical height range, particularly when the bag is fully loaded.
Conclusion
The North Face Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack offers a larger-capacity approach to everyday bag design, combining a water-repellent exterior and dedicated laptop sleeve with a notably spacious main compartment suited to those who need to carry more than the basics on a typical day. For commuters, students, and occasional short-trip travelers who want a single, versatile bag capable of handling a fuller daily load, this type of backpack presents a practical, well-rounded option.
At the same time, those who prefer a more compact, lightweight daily bag may find a smaller commuter backpack a better fit for their specific needs. As with most everyday carry decisions, the right choice ultimately depends on typical daily carrying habits, how much extra capacity is genuinely useful, and how central laptop protection and weather resistance are to a person’s regular routine.