The North Face Gives This Classic Trail Pack an Everyday Upgrade

The North Face didn’t set out to create the perfect everyday backpack when it released the Borealis two-and-a-half decades ago. But according to its legion of carriers over the last 25 years, that’s exactly what it did.

The North Face says the Borealis started as a daypack designed for the trails. And, no doubt, its features make it perfectly suited to that environment.

It features a lightweight-yet-sturdy harness system, breathable back panel and tons of internal and external storage that include its iconic bungee cords.

The North Face

The Original

The North Face Borealis Backpack

• $99 at The North Face

But its size (28 liters), versatility and entry-level price tag — not to mention a ton of colorways — have also made it something of an urban classic, popular among students, professional commuters and everyone in-between.

The North Face

Online, the bag carries over 1,200 five-star reviews. And you only need to read a few of them to get the general gist.

“I love this pack,” one customer writes. “During the week I use it to carry my work materials. On the weekends I take it with me on hikes and long walks. Durable, comfortable and practical.”

Borealis 25th Anniversary Backpack

Now for the Borealis’s 25th anniversary, The North Face gives the bag a minor facelift that makes it even better-suited for commuters.

The North Face

New Release

The North Face Borealis 25th Anniversary Backpack

• $159 at The North Face

The bag, which normally comes with 300D fabric, upgrades to thicker 600D recycled polyester, now coated in a reflective film and complemented with ultrareflective cords.

The North Face

The result is a version of the Borealis that’s tuned for increased visibility and safety on a bike or busy street, whether you’re commuting before sunrise or pulling long hours at the library or office.

Otherwise, the bag features all the details that have made it a modern classic: pockets for books, EDC items and laptops; not one but two water bottle holders; a bottom compression system; breezy back padding; and durable hardware, which includes a whistle buckle.

The North Face

Pricing and availability

The added reflectivity increases the price of the bag from $99 to $159, but remember the polyester material is also thicker.

For fans of the bag who plan to use the Borealis as The North Face intended — that is, on the trail — the 600D fabric may be worth its weight in gold (or at least $60). Available now.

The North Face

New Release

The North Face Borealis 25th Anniversary Backpack

• $159 at The North Face

The North Face

The Original

The North Face Borealis Backpack

• $99 at The North Face

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