The North Face
Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L
The Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L is The North Face's compact technical daypack for hiking, commuting, and everyday use. Built with rugged DWR-treated ripstop fabric, it offers a main compartment with zipper closure, a padded tablet/hydration sleeve, mesh bottle pockets, and an adjustable chest strap with a safety whistle. According to user feedback, it handles personal gear well but is too small and lacks the stiffness required for heavy climbing loads like ropes and quickdraws; dimensions are roughly 17 x 10 x 4 inches (43 x 25.5 x 10 cm).
- Material
- Rugged plaid-textured ripstop fabric
- Style
- sporty
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Backpacks
Specifications
Rugged 16L trail backpack with hydration compatibility, multiple pockets, and reflective details.
Hydration bladder compatible, adjustable breathable straps, multiple pockets, integrated safety whistle, reflective details.
- Material
- Rugged plaid-textured ripstop fabric
- Style
- sporty
- Occasion
- hiking, travel
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Dimensions
- 10x4x17 in
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Backpacks
Additional Attributes
- DWR treatment
- hydration bladder compatible
- integrated safety whistle
- reflective details
- plaid-textured ripstop fabric
Product Insights
The North Face Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L delivers an ultralight 385g daypack with a padded back panel that prevents gear jabbing and stabilizes on rocky terrain, sacrificing a laptop sleeve and secondary organizer for weight savings. Its 100% nylon 210D ripstop with PU coating and non-PFC DWR offers water resistance with less abrasion resistance, and features like vented shoulder straps with a mesh pocket, a sternum strap with whistle, an adjustable waist belt, and a front bungee system enhance trail functionality. The main tradeoff is limited load capacity—too small and not stiff enough for a rope or technical climbing—and an internal sleeve that holds only a tablet or hydration bladder, not both.
Verified claims
- Weight
- At 385 g, one of the lightest daypacks with a padded back panel.
- Material
- 100% nylon in a lightweight 210D ripstop with PU coating and non-PFC DWR.
- Feature tradeoffs
- Sacrifices secondary organizer and laptop sleeve for weight savings, while adding shoulder pocket, front bungee, and waist belt.
- Load capacity
- The pack is too small and not stiff enough for carrying a rope, limiting it to light personal gear.
- Back panel
- The padded back panel prevents internal items from jabbing your spine and gives the pack enough structure to stand upright when placed on the ground.
- Shoulder straps
- Vented shoulder straps with mesh pocket; sternum strap has a safety whistle.
- Waist belt
- Adjustable waist belt stops pack bounce and shifts weight to hips.
- Front bungee
- Dual-webbing front bungee system secures jackets and trekking poles without shifting.
- Sleeve tradeoff
- Internal sleeve holds a tablet or hydration bladder, not both at once; straw slit allows drinking without opening the pack.
- Water resistance
- The DWR treatment can wear over time and typically can be reapplied with a spray-on or wash-in DWR product.
- Pocket layout
- Hydration sleeve and vertical zip pocket replace laptop and organizer.
- Trail features
- Dual-loop front bungee, whistle buckle, and tool loops added.
- Capacity positioning
- The pack is deliberately small—roughly half the classic Borealis's capacity—to prevent overpacking and suit minimalist fast-and-light trail use.
- External carry
- The front elastic cord system can secure a helmet externally, adding carrying capacity without using interior space.
Product record
- Title
- Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L
- Brand
- The North Face
- Price
- 130 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 13 sourcesUses
Attach a jacket or trekking poles to the front of the pack
When hiking, you can lash quick-grab gear to the outside instead of digging through the main compartment. The front bungee system with multiple webbing-loop options can hold a jacket or other item, and dual webbing loops add versatility for trekking poles or similar gear. Walking poles attach at the front, with the bungee helping keep the handles in place while the lower webbing loops secure the pole tips.[1,2,4]
Carry a tablet or hydration bladder in a dedicated inner sleeve
The zippered main compartment of this 16 L backpack includes an inner sleeve meant for either a tablet or a hydration bladder, with a straw slit for routing a drinking tube. The sleeve sits near the rear interior wall, keeping a tablet or reservoir separated from the rest of your gear.[1,5,6]
Carrying one or two bottles on the go
The Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L has mesh pockets inside and outside that are designed to hold one or two bottles, so you can keep water within reach while hiking or heading out for the day.[5]
Carrying tools on the trail
This 16 L Borealis Trail backpack includes multiple tool loops, so you can attach tools to the outside of the pack while hiking. That keeps hands free and gear within reach on the move.[1,5]
Packing personal gear for a climbing day
A Reddit commenter suggests this 16 L pack works for days when you're only toting personal items to the crag. They caution, though, that it's likely too small and not stiff enough if you also need to carry quick draws or the rope.[3]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Borealis Trail Backpack 16 L: Choose this if you want a lightweight trail daypack: it weighs about 13.6 ounces (385 grams), holds around 16 liters, and is made of plaid-textured ripstop nylon with a durable water-repellent finish. It suits hikers who carry only personal gear, thanks to a hydration-friendly sleeve with a straw slit, inside and outside mesh bottle pockets, padded vented straps, an adjustable chest strap with a built-in whistle, and a front bungee system with dual webbing loops for jackets or trekking poles. Note that it lacks the second front organizer pocket found on other models, which reviewers say urban users may miss for small essentials, and one Reddit commenter found it too small and not stiff enough for also carrying climbing gear like quick draws and rope.[1,2,3,4,5] | Borealis Trail Backpack 26 L: Choose this if you want a 26-liter daypack for commuting or trail use, with a compartment that fits a 16-inch laptop or a hydration bag with a straw slit, plus a FlexVent harness certified by the American Chiropractic Association, adjustable straps, a chest strap with built-in safety whistle, and an adjustable hip belt. The rugged 210D nylon ripstop body carries a non-PFC durable water-repellent finish, a front bungee system holds a jacket or other gear, and this Slate Grey, one-size variant weighs about 1 lb 13.8 oz (845 g). Note that laptop-fit guidance varies: one user reported the pack was labeled for 15-inch laptops yet still carried a 17-inch laptop with room to spare.[7,8,9] | Jester Luxe Backpack: Choose this if you want a slim-fit school or campus pack: its 22-liter main compartment swallows binders, books, and a lunch, with a zipped secondary compartment, front pockets, side bottle pockets, and a crisscross bungee, all in rugged recycled polyester with a water-repellent finish and metallic zipper pulls. Note that the padded laptop compartment is labeled 16 inch, but reviewers report a 16-inch laptop is a very tight squeeze, so it is better suited to 14-inch devices or tablets. Also be aware that some wearers found the straps and handles stiff enough to cause chafing during extended wear, which led a few to return the bag.[10,11,12,13] |
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a black technical backpack with a vertical central zipper, external crisscross bungee cord system, top carry handle, visible brand logo on the front right, and webbing loops at the bottom.
- Central zipper and webbing placketA vertical central zipper runs down the front, overlaid by a stitched vertical webbing placket with sewn ladder-style loops along its length.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.08 · w 0.34 · h 0.82 (high) - Crisscross bungee cordElastic bungee cord runs in a crisscross pattern across the front panel, anchored at side toggles and meeting at an adjustable cord lock near the top.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.12 · w 0.76 · h 0.68 (high) - Top carry handle and cord lockA short fabric carry handle sits at the top center; immediately below it a triangular cord lock and tied bungee cord are visible.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.01 · w 0.20 · h 0.10 (high) - Front right logoWhite printed brand logo reading 'THE NORTH FACE' appears on the upper right front panel.
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.24 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high) - Bottom webbing loopsTwo short horizontal webbing loops extend from the lower left and lower right corners of the backpack base.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.86 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.76 · y 0.86 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high) - Right-side d-ringA small D-ring or attachment loop is visible on the right side edge at mid-height.
1 region
x 0.88 · y 0.44 · w 0.06 · h 0.12 (high) - Front panel fabric patternThe central front panel fabric has a fine grid of very thin lighter pinstripes creating a subtle checked appearance against a dark ground.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.14 · w 0.60 · h 0.72 (high) - Small vertical side text“TRAIL 16”Partial
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.62 · w 0.16 · h 0.24 (medium) - Brand text transcription“THE NORTH FACE”
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.24 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio-style product shot centered on a neutral light gray background with even lighting and a soft shadow beneath the backpack.
- Shot compositionBackpack centered in frame, photographed from the front with full product visible and small soft shadow directly beneath.
- BackgroundSolid light gray background with no visible props or packaging.
- Lighting and shadowEven diffuse lighting with a subtle shadow under the bag indicating a consistent light source from above.
Colors
charcoal with light gray grid· central front panel#2C2B2Bmatte black· side panels and base#0E0E0Ewhite· printed logo- Central zipper and webbing placketA vertical central zipper runs down the front, overlaid by a stitched vertical webbing placket with sewn ladder-style loops along its length.
- 02
Product
Rear view of a compact technical backpack showing padded back panel, two contoured shoulder straps with sternum strap, top carry loop, and an external side zip pocket with corded zipper pull. The right shoulder strap bears a printed brand logo.
- Shoulder strapsTwo contoured shoulder straps with visible padding, stitched channeling, and reinforced webbing at the lower attachment; left strap has a foam-padded mesh inner face, right strap has a perforated outer face.
2 regions
x 0.15 · y 0.05 · w 0.35 · h 0.90 (high); x 0.45 · y 0.05 · w 0.42 · h 0.90 (high) - Sternum strap and buckleAdjustable sternum strap connecting the two shoulder straps with a small side-release buckle and stitched webbing adjustment.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.50 · w 0.20 · h 0.15 (high) - Top carry loopSingle fabric carry loop at the top center made from tubular webbing.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.02 · w 0.16 · h 0.08 (high) - Padded back panelVertical padded back panel with breathable mesh covering and stitched horizontal padding channels.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.18 · w 0.44 · h 0.60 (high) - Side zip pocketExternal side zipper pocket on the left side with a corded zipper pull and a D-shaped metal or plastic clip attached to the pull.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.50 · w 0.18 · h 0.32 (high) - Right strap reflective trimDiagonal reflective trim strip on the outer face of the right shoulder strap.
1 region
x 0.66 · y 0.28 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high) - Brand text on strap“THE NORTH FACE”
1 region
x 0.66 · y 0.36 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high) - Lower attachment straps and bucklesLower ends of shoulder straps include adjustable webbing tails and plastic tri-glide style adjustment buckles.
2 regions
x 0.05 · y 0.80 · w 0.25 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.72 · y 0.78 · w 0.22 · h 0.20 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a light neutral background with soft even lighting and subtle shadow under the backpack; image shows full rear view centered in frame.
- Shot compositionBack of the backpack centered and upright against a light neutral backdrop with visible soft shadow beneath the base.
- Lighting and shadowsEven diffuse lighting with soft shadow under the bag and mild specular highlights on textured fabrics.
- Image qualitySharp focus on backpack details and textures; no visible motion blur.
Colors
dark charcoal· main fabric and back panel#211D1Emedium graphite gray· shoulder strap outer faces#4C4B4Blight gray· logo and small trim- Shoulder strapsTwo contoured shoulder straps with visible padding, stitched channeling, and reinforced webbing at the lower attachment; left strap has a foam-padded mesh inner face, right strap has a perforated outer face.
- 03
Product
Close-up top/side view of a black backpack showing the top grab loop, adjustable shock cord with toggle, open main compartment zipper, internal lining, sewn webbing loops, and a printed brand logo on the exterior face. Fabric has a fine rectangular dotted grid pattern.
- Top grab handleRounded woven grab handle made from tubular webbing stitched into the pack at the top center; visible loop rises above the pack body.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.80 · w 0.40 · h 0.18 (high) - Adjustable cord and toggleThin rounded shock cord routed across the top and right side with a small cylindrical plastic cord lock toggle holding the cord in place.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.72 · w 0.34 · h 0.28 (high) - Main compartment openingPartially open zipper revealing the interior lining and a vertical divider or sleeve pocket inside; zipper teeth and slider are visible along the opening edge.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.22 · w 0.52 · h 0.48 (high) - Interior liningSmooth black interior lining visible through the open compartment, with a stitched vertical divider or sleeve near the rear interior wall.
1 region
x 0.29 · y 0.20 · w 0.34 · h 0.46 (high) - Sewn webbing loopsMultiple horizontal nylon webbing loops sewn into the exterior near the zipper and shoulder area, forming attachment points.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.30 · w 0.30 · h 0.34 (high) - Exterior fabric patternBlack fabric printed or woven with a fine rectilinear dotted grid pattern of thin light dots forming small rectangles across the visible exterior panels.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.02 · w 0.90 · h 0.98 (high) - Brand logo text“Stacked white printed text reading 'THE NORTH FACE' on the exterior near the zipper opening.”
1 region
x 0.09 · y 0.16 · w 0.25 · h 0.20 (high)
Other
Studio-style top-down close crop of the backpack on a light background with even diffuse lighting and soft shadowing; image focuses on the upper third of the pack.
- Shot compositionTight top-down detail crop showing the pack rotated so the top is near the upper edge and the main opening is visible centrally; background is a pale neutral surface.
- Lighting and shadowsEven diffuse lighting with soft shadows under the handle and along the lower right edge, minimal specular highlights.
- Image qualityHigh resolution close-up with clear detail and visible fabric texture and stitching; no motion blur.
Colors
charcoal black with light grid· main fabric#221F21white· logo textblack· cord and toggle#110D0Dblack· zipper tape#0E0E0E- Top grab handleRounded woven grab handle made from tubular webbing stitched into the pack at the top center; visible loop rises above the pack body.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
1 threads · r/hikingReddit users find the Borealis Trail 16L limited for climbing gear and heavier than some alternative daypacks.
One user considers it too small and not stiff enough for climbing with a rope, while another switched to a lighter Patagonia backpack, indicating some dissatisfaction with weight and comfort.
Themes
Use Cases
- Climbing daypack (light gear only)
- Everyday and hiking
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Osprey Soelden 42
The Borealis Trail is much smaller and less stiff, unsuitable for carrying a climbing rope.
vs Patagonia Refugio
The Patagonia Refugio is lighter and more comfortable than North Face backpacks.
Source Threads
Borealis Trail too small and not stiff enough for climbing with a rope
I think if you're only carrying personal gear, like a bum, it'll be fine. If you're also carrying quick draws and/or the rope, and you're not an ultralight masochist, it'll be way too small and also not stiff enough.
u/Fun_Apartment631r/hikingView thread →