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The North Face
Recon 30L Backpack

4.682310469314079 out of 5 stars
1108 Reviews
$109.00
Color:Asphalt Grey Light Heather/TNF Black-NPF

Size:

Size Chart

Quantity


Why We Like The Recon Backpack

Now with lighter materials, increased durability, and an endorsement from the American Chiropractic Association, the Recon is our go-to for day-to-day commutes and lunchtime treks. With enough pockets for type-A organization and daisy chains for lashing on last-minute extras, this backpack totes all our needs from work to play.


Details

  • Rugged backpack for your commutes and travels
  • Water-resistant, durable material fends off light precipitation
  • Articulated shoulder straps and rounded back panel provide comfort
  • Sternum strap with buckle whistle for added stability and safety
  • 360-degree reflectivity to increase your visibility in low light
  • Separate, protected compartment safely stows your laptop
  • Side and bottom compression straps reduce shifting and bulk
  • Stand-up design lets you easily pack and unpack essentials
  • Item #TNFZB13
Responsible Collection
Recycled/Repurposed
Material
210D recycled nylon ripstop, non-PFC DWR finish
Volume
30L (1831cu in)
Shoulder Straps
FlexVent
Access
front panel
Pockets
[external] 1 zippered front, 2 water bottle, 1 zippered sunglasses, [internal] 1 laptop sleeve
Laptop Sleeve
18.9 x 11in
Dimensions
11.6 x 7.5 x 19.3in
Claimed Weight
2lb 9oz
Activity
casual
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime

What do you think about this product?

Overall Rating

4.5 based on 1108 ratings

Review Summary

1 Stars - 21 reviews
2 Stars - 27 reviews
3 Stars - 26 reviews
4 Stars - 135 reviews
5 Stars - 899 reviews

Fits Slightly Small

Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.
Runs smallTrue to sizeRuns large

Customer Images

Here's what customers have to say

This backpack is praised for its versatile and durable design, with ample storage space and good organization. Reviewers find it comfortable to wear, with sturdy construction and useful features like a dedicated laptop compartment. Overall, it is described as a reliable and functional option for everyday use, school, work, and travel.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews.

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5 out of 5 stars

August 20, 2025

Amazing product

Works really well for daily college work, great back support, and a ton of pockets to keep everything neat and organized.

Nick
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 20, 2025

Great for college student!

Bought this for my son as his new college backpack. He loves it!

Cian
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 19, 2025

I would by this again and again

Perfect for college it will fit anything you need without a bulky design room for everything from your laptop to your books and binders highly recommend

Sam
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 18, 2025

Nice pack for traveling

Haven't used yet but looks nice. That front pocket might be a little sketchy as it looks like it may get stretched out.

Jeffrey
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 17, 2025

Totally would buy this again!!!

Backpack used for high school classes. Very durable and lasts forever!

Christa
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 13, 2025

Great Backpack

I use the backpack to carry books on a college campus. The backpack is durable and holds everything I need.

Matt
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 13, 2025

Value for money

The north face backpacks are the absolute best. My son carried one to school for 5 years and it held up no scratch no tear out handles even though it's always heavy with books / labtop etc. This year I am treating him to a new bag not because the first one is in bad condition but because I think it has done its time. I bought him the same bag in a different color. I am expecting the same result. The north face is really built to last

user image
Christine
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

5 out of 5 stars

August 10, 2025

The ultimate backpack for any mission

Very high quality material. Has just enough space and more for all my needs. Looks and feels great.

user image
David
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

4 out of 5 stars

August 9, 2025

Okay student bag

I have been using this backpack for a couple of months for high-school. It is pretty good and I like the backpack appearance and how it distributes the weight of many binders, notebooks, and textbooks. The front mesh is so useful for quick-access items like a hat, keys, brochures, etc.. I haven't utilized the daisy chain system yet, but I heard that you could attach bungees to behave similarly to the Borealis backpack, where you can stuff extra clothes or other items. However, you do have to pack smart (and less) due to the backpack's slim profile. When you have lots of books/notebooks/folders/binders, everything is stressed and gets squished pretty easily (which increases the difficulty in taking in or out school items). This backpack would be perfect for students attending schools that have lockers, or if you just pack less in general. Additionally, you have to keep in mind that the backpack is very prone to fall over when you set it to stand vertically (unless there is a lot of space taken up) due to the slim profile. There are some things I wish the backpack could be improved on: PLEASE ADD strap loops on all of the straps (it gets messy and confusing), improve zipper quality (the zippers are decent, but compared to other bags in this price range, it feels cheap), ADD A FALSE BOTTOM for the laptop compartment,

GK
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

1 out of 5 stars

August 8, 2025

The strap padding is really thin and hurts my shoulders

I got the recon backpack in hopes to use it for my trip but the straps are hard and the padding is very thin. The movement around my arm is limited and the straps are rigid.

John
thenorthface.com

Originally reviewed on thenorthface.com

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