The North Face Buying Guide: Which Backpack and Shoes Are Worth Your Money?

The North Face makes solid outdoor gear, but not every product justifies its price tag. The Women's Borealis Laptop Backpack at £286.43 is genuinely excellent for professionals carrying expensive tech daily. Meanwhile, the Base Camp Tote Pack at £69 delivers surprising durability for casual use. Our analysis of their current range reveals which products offer real value and which ones you should skip.

Why The North Face?

The North Face, founded in 1966, specialises in outdoor clothing and equipment designed for serious adventurers and urban commuters alike. They've built their reputation on weatherproof construction, thoughtful organisation features, and durability that actually lasts multiple seasons. Unlike purely casual brands, they invest in reinforced stitching, water-resistant fabrics (often using proprietary coatings), and ergonomic designs tested in actual mountain conditions. Their backpacks typically feature padded laptop compartments, reflective details for low-light visibility, and compression straps that prevent shifting during movement. That said, their pricing sits 20-40% higher than competitors, which means value depends entirely on the specific product.

Top Picks

Women's Borealis Laptop Backpack (15") — £286.43

Best for professionals carrying laptops and daily essentials. This is the range's standout: a dedicated 15-inch laptop compartment with memory foam padding, internal organisation pockets sized for chargers and cables, and a padded back panel that protects both your device and your spine. The 28-litre capacity swallows a full day's work without looking bloated. Premium price, but justified for anyone spending 8+ hours daily in transit with fragile tech.

Base Camp Tote Pack — £69

Best for value-conscious shoppers needing flexible, everyday carrying. This isn't a traditional backpack—it's a hybrid tote with convertible straps that work as either handles or shoulder carry. At 29 litres, it holds groceries, gym kit, or office overflow without commitment. The fabric is DWR-coated (durable water-repellent), so light rain won't seep through. The lowest price in the range, and it genuinely earns it.

Women's Luxe Borealis Backpack — £105

Best for comfort-focused daily commuters. Upgraded padding and a curved back panel reduce shoulder strain compared to the standard Borealis (£99). The Luxe version adds a teal accent colourway and slightly roomier compartments. For an extra £6, the comfort difference is noticeable if you're carrying 5-7kg daily. Skip if you travel light.

Unisex Haystack Laptop Backpack — £62.03

Best for budget-conscious laptop carriers. A 17-litre pack with a padded 15-inch laptop slot and basic internal pockets. Significantly cheaper than the Women's Borealis, though the padding is thinner and there's less organisation. Suitable for students or occasional commuters; professionals carrying expensive gear all day should stretch to the Women's Borealis.

Base Camp Fusebox Backpack — £129

Best for hybrid outdoor-office use. Sits between casual and professional tiers. The 35-litre capacity is generous, and the clamshell opening (the main compartment opens like a suitcase lid) makes packing easier than traditional top-load designs. Better for weekend trips or mixed outdoor-commute days; overkill if you're desk-based most days.

Quick Comparison

| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Women's Borealis Laptop (15") | £286.43 | Professional daily commute | Memory foam-padded 15" laptop compartment | | Base Camp Tote Pack | £69 | Flexible everyday carry | Convertible handles/straps, water-resistant | | Women's Luxe Borealis | £105 | Comfort-focused commuting | Enhanced padding, curved back panel | | Unisex Haystack Laptop | £62.03 | Budget laptop carrying | 15" laptop slot, most affordable laptop option | | Base Camp Fusebox | £129 | Hybrid outdoor-office trips | Clamshell opening, 35L capacity | | Borealis (standard) | £99 | General-purpose daily pack | 28L balanced size, solid baseline |

What to Look For

• Laptop compartment sizing: The Women's Borealis fits up to 15 inches; the Haystack also takes 15 inches but with less padding. If you carry a 16-inch MacBook Pro, neither works without a sleeve.
• Water resistance: Look for DWR (durable water-repellent) coatings—the Base Camp Tote and Fusebox have them; budget packs like the Haystack omit it. In UK weather, this matters.
• Carry capacity and weight distribution: The Fusebox (35L) suits weekend trips; the Women's Borealis (28L) suits daily commutes. Heavier packs require better back panels—the Luxe version's curved design reduces shoulder strain at 7kg+.
• Compartment organisation: The Women's Borealis has 4-5 internal pockets; basic packs have 1-2. If you carry multiple cables, keys, and cards, organisation prevents daily frustration.

The Bottom Line

The Women's Borealis Laptop Backpack at £286.43 is worth the premium if you commute daily with an expensive laptop—the memory foam padding and organised compartments actually protect your gear. For everyone else, the Base Camp Tote Pack at £69 delivers surprising durability and flexibility at a fair price. The North Face's range has genuine standouts, but several mid-tier products (like the standard Borealis at £99 versus the Luxe at £105) are easily outpaced by just adding £6.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The North Face good value for money?

Depends on the product. The Base Camp Tote Pack at £69 is excellent value—durable, water-resistant, and versatile. The Women's Borealis Laptop at £286 costs 3x as much, but the memory foam padding and organisation justify it for daily professional use. Mid-range packs (£99-£129) sit in a murky space where a £10-20 price difference often means better features, so comparison shopping matters.

Which North Face backpack is best for commuting with a laptop?

The Women's Borealis Laptop Backpack (15") at £286.43 is purpose-built for this—memory foam padding, internal cable management, and a padded back panel designed for 5+ hours daily wear. If that's too expensive, the Unisex Haystack at £62.03 holds a 15-inch laptop and costs 77% less, though the padding is minimal and there's less organisation for chargers and accessories.

Do North Face backpacks actually last? What's the warranty?

The North Face uses reinforced stitching and quality fabrics that typically survive 3-5 years of daily use without seam failure. Most backpacks come with a standard 1-year manufacturer's warranty covering defects, though this guide doesn't include warranty details for each product—check with Forage directly for coverage specifics.

Can I use a North Face backpack for hiking and commuting?

Yes—the Base Camp Fusebox at £129 works well for both. The 35-litre capacity suits weekend trips, and the clamshell opening makes packing office gear easy. For serious hiking (multi-day treks), their larger 50L+ packs are better; for office-to-gym trips, the standard Borealis is sufficient. Choose based on your most frequent use case.