The North Face Borealis Commuter Laptop Backpack Review
A hands-on look at The North Face Borealis commuter laptop backpack: the hard laptop slot, the pocket maze, and why an overpacker can't use it for long trips.
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Quick Verdict
The laptop slot is legitimately hard, you can tap it and hear it, so your laptop rides safe. The face Borealis nails everyday commuting and light travel at 28 liters, but I’m an overpacker and it’s too small for me on long trips.
Buy if you:
- Commute daily with a laptop and want the hard-backed sleeve protecting it
- Pack light and want one bag for the office and a long weekend
- Carry a raincoat or shoes you want strapped outside, not inside
- Want a durable, water-repellent brand you already trust
Skip if you:
- Are an overpacker like me, 28L runs out fast and it doesn’t expand
- Want one bag for week-long trips, this isn’t the big expanding kind
- Hate hunting for the main zipper among a dozen pockets
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The Laptop Slot Is Legitimately Hard, And That’s the Point
When I unboxed the Borealis, the first thing that struck me was the rigid laptop panel on the back, you can tap it and hear it, like actual hard plastic, not foam. North Face has been making gear for Himalayan expeditions since the ’60s, and you feel that lineage in the Borealis the second you pick it up, the fabric doesn’t flex or crinkle like a budget bag, and the zippers pull with a satisfying weight. You can check the current price on Amazon here if you want to skip ahead, but stick with me because there’s one thing about this bag that surprised me.
The laptop slot on the back is hard. Like, actually hard. You can’t tell just looking at it, but when I tapped it, you could hear it. That rigid panel means when your laptop or case is in there, it’s not going to get slammed around. For a commuter backpack that gets thrown on train floors and shoved under airplane seats, that’s the feature that matters most.
What The North Face Borealis Is Packing
28 liters, no expansion, that’s the hard ceiling for this bag. That’s the headline number. The laptop sleeve measures 13.75″ by 11.25″, so a 15-inch laptop fits, and the whole bag is 12″ x 6.5″ x 19.5″. It weighs about 2 pounds 5 ounces empty, which is light for how sturdy it feels.
There’s a front pocket with a zip section inside and a little carabiner for your keys, so you can pop them in and forget about them. Two side pockets that double as water bottle holders. And the bungee cord system on the front, which I’ll get to, because that’s the part I absolutely love.
Living With It: Keys, Wallet, and a Wet Raincoat
The front pocket is my easy-access one. That’s where I throw my keys, my phone, my wallet, the stuff you grab a hundred times a day. The zipper compartment inside means anything you don’t want sliding around stays put, and the carabiner keeps keys from disappearing to the bottom.
The bungee cord system on the front is the feature I keep coming back to. If you’ve got a wet raincoat and you don’t want to put it inside soaking everything else, you shove it under the cord and pull the little tab to cinch it tight. I’ve seen a lot of people strap their shoes there too, so the dirty soles aren’t inside the bag with clean clothes. On the commuter-laptop-backpack question, water-repellent materials plus that outside-storage trick is what makes it flexible.
The main compartment holds plenty for what it’s meant for. A change of clothes, a raincoat, the basics if you’re heading out hiking. And against your back, right behind that hard laptop panel, there’s a really nice cushion of foam. So even though the laptop side is rigid, your back rests against soft padding. It feels good even loaded up.
The Pocket Maze Got Me, I Couldn’t Find the Main Zipper
There are so many pockets I couldn’t find the main zipper at first. I fumbled around, opened the front pocket thinking it was the main one, and had to correct myself on camera. The first day or two, the layout isn’t instantly obvious with this many compartments.
The bigger catch is size. 28 liters and no expansion. I’m an overpacker, so this is not something I’d use for a long trip. I need more space than that, full stop. A lot of people could absolutely do a long weekend out of it, but if you’re the type who packs three outfits for a two-day trip, this bag will fight you.
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The North Face Borealis Backpack
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Who The Face Borealis Is Really For
The Borealis earns its keep on a train platform, not a trailhead. The hard laptop panel does the heavy lifting, but it’s the combination of the front-pocket carabiner, bungee cord, and waist belt that turns a commute bag into an all-day carry, loaded with a laptop, water bottle, and change of clothes, my shoulders weren’t screaming by the time I got home.
It also crosses over to light backpacking and everyday outdoor use, which makes sense given the brand. Change of clothes, raincoat under the bungee, water bottle in the side pocket, you’re set for a day out. Just know its lane: office to travel and light adventures, not week-long expeditions. If you pack heavy, look bigger.
Borealis vs a Cheap Laptop Backpack
The rigid laptop panel is what separates this from a generic bag. Cheap backpacks give you a soft padded sleeve at best, and your laptop takes every bump. This one is hard enough that you can tap it and hear it, so a case inside isn’t sliding into every jolt. That’s the trade-off in a nutshell: a budget bag saves you money today, the Borealis protects the far more expensive thing riding inside it, and it’s built by a brand people trust to reach the top of Everest.
Where a cheap bag can win: raw volume for the money. If you truly need to haul a lot and don’t care about protection or longevity, a bigger no-name bag holds more per dollar. But it won’t last years the way this is built to.
Advice Before You Buy
Be realistic about how you pack. 28 liters that doesn’t expand is a firm ceiling. If you know you overpack, don’t fight it, this bag will frustrate you the same way it would frustrate me. Match the bag to your habits, not to the marketing.
Give yourself a day to learn the pockets. With this many compartments you’ll fumble for the main zipper at first, then it becomes muscle memory. And use that bungee cord system, it’s the underrated feature. Wet raincoat, dirty shoes, anything you don’t want inside goes under there and cinches tight with the pull tab.
Pros
- Rigid laptop panel you can literally hear when tapped, real protection for your gear
- Soft foam cushion against your back even behind the hard laptop side
- Bungee cord front system for a wet raincoat or dirty shoes, cinches tight
- Water-repellent, sturdy, heavy-duty build from a brand you trust
- Easy-access front pocket with a zip section and a key carabiner
Cons
- 28 liters and no expansion, too small for overpackers or long trips
- So many pockets I couldn’t find the main zipper at first
- Not the big expanding travel style if that’s what you need
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the North Face Borealis fit a 15-inch laptop?
Yes. The padded laptop sleeve measures 13.75″ by 11.25″, which fits most 15-inch laptops comfortably. The sleeve sits against a hard back panel, so the laptop is protected from bumps, not just cushioned.
Is the Borealis carry-on friendly for flights?
Yes, at 12″ x 6.5″ x 19.5″ and 28 liters it slides under airline seats and fits carry-on size limits for major airlines as a personal item. It’s a daypack, not a rolling suitcase, so you won’t hit dimension issues.
How much does the Borealis actually hold?
28 liters, enough for a laptop, tablet, a change of clothes, a raincoat, and daily essentials. A light packer can get a long weekend out of it. It does not expand, so that 28L is a hard ceiling.
Is the Borealis water-repellent?
Yes, it’s built with North Face’s water-repellent materials, so light rain won’t soak through to your electronics. It’s water-repellent, not submersible, so don’t expect it to survive being dunked. For commuting through weather it holds up.
What’s the waist belt and sternum strap for?
They distribute weight so a heavy load doesn’t rest entirely on your shoulders. The waist belt is removable for a custom fit, and the sternum strap has a whistle buckle for safety. If you carry it loaded often, both make a real difference.
Can I use the Borealis for hiking, not just commuting?
Yes, it works well for day hikes and light backpacking. The side water bottle pockets, bungee cord for a raincoat, and weight-distributing straps all suit outdoor use. Just don’t expect multi-day expedition capacity from a 28L daypack.
How do I clean the Borealis?
Spot clean with mild soap and a damp cloth, then air dry. Avoid machine washing, which can damage the water-repellent coating and the structured panels. Empty all the pockets first, and there are a lot of them.
Does the Borealis come with a warranty?
North Face backs its packs with a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. That typically doesn’t cover normal wear, misuse, or damage from airline handling, so check the current terms before you count on a claim.
Will the Borealis last years or fall apart in a year?
The stitching at the stress points, shoulder strap anchors, zipper pulls, looks overbuilt compared to anything in this price range I’ve thrown on a hook and dropped on a train floor. The rigid laptop panel doesn’t flex when the bag gets squashed under a seat, which is the actual test that matters for daily commuting.
Get it now
The North Face Borealis Backpack
Get the best price on Amazon →This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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