The North Face

Router 40L Backpack

Great customer service

My second one. The first had an issue with one of the straps, but customer service was great and quickly replaced the bag!

There should be more color varieties

The North Face router backpack is very popular. However, there should be more color options, such as blue, pink, green, etc. In my opinion, the main compartment is not very wide. It should be wider or should at least have another pocket just as big. I need to put a lot of stuff in my backpack and utilize a lot of room.

Good in theory, not big enough/wide enough to be practical.

The Router Backpack is a good backpack in theory. I like all of the pockets. It is well-constructed. However, it was not big enough for my high schooler. He was not able to fit his laptop & laptop accessories, plus a binder, plus his lunch, plus any smaller things he carries like a padlock, etc. The backpack is too narrow! Fitting a binder plus anything else in the main pockets is a challenge, because the backpack is too narrow. Also, the way the main pocket zippers are designed, they do not zip down all the way to the bottom of the backpack, barely half-way (zoom in to see what I mean), therefore, it is difficult to fit larger items in those pockets. This backpack has a lot of straps. A ridiculous amount. I'm sure those straps are useful to maybe hikers, or people using the backpack for something other than school. We cut most of them off because there were so many that my son would never use, they were in the way, and made him look like he had 10 tails coming out of his back.

An improved version of the router backpack.

I use this back pack for travel. It is replacing an older Router backpack model that has traveled the world with me. The New router has improvements which make its purchase worth while. For example putting more pockets on the front of the pack as opposed to one full size pocket. Also the water bottle holders are deeper.

Glad I bought it.

So far it's holding up nicely. I use it every day for work. The straps on the bottom of the bag are kinda useless but, meh, I can't complain. Very happy with this purchase.

I would not by this again for my use.

The front bottom pouch is essentially an upside down pouch, very weird and not efficient. Also need at least one compartment to fully open, the bag has all slim pockets making it hard to get into.

Awfull design

Person who designed this backpack either never used any backpack in their life or did not know what they are doing Large side pockest should have some kind of elastic so the stuff does not fall out out them. Main compartment is really small. If you put something in frot pocket then you will have roubles to acces or remove stuff from main compartment. Same applies for top pockets. When backpack is fully stuffed it feels rigid and unatural to wear.

Waste of money. Bring back the original Router Transit!

Pros - None Cons - No zippered organizational front pocket - Ripstop material is cheap and doesn't match the color of the backpack - No side buckle straps to hold water bottle in place - Etc.

Would not purchase again.

I've had an older version of this bag for a few years now and the straps are still as stiff as when it arrived in the mail. They actually bruise my shoulders. It's unfortunate because it holds so much.

Well designed pack

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Height:

6' 3"

Weight:

175

This pack has it all. This is a very well thought out and designed pack for day to day work/school needs, travel and trail. Very happy with it.