The North Face
Borealis Trail Backpack 26 L
The North Face Borealis Trail is a 26-liter daypack intended for commuting, school, travel, and everyday carry. It includes a FlexVent™ harness certified by the American Chiropractic Association, a padded compartment for a 16-inch laptop or hydration bladder, and multiple pockets including a zipped top pocket with snap hook and a front pocket. Made of rugged ripstop fabric with reflective detailing and measuring 18.5 x 12 x 4 inches, it offers strong organization but user reviews note quality concerns such as fabric peeling and a frameless design that limits hiking comfort.
- Material
- Rugged ripstop fabric with plaid texture
- Style
- sporty, technical
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Backpacks
Color
Size
Specifications
26L backpack with FlexVent harness, padded straps, laptop compartment, and reflective details.
FlexVent harness certified by American Chiropractic Association, padded ventilated straps with pockets, 16-inch laptop compartment, multiple tool loops, reflective details.
- Material
- Rugged ripstop fabric with plaid texture
- Style
- sporty, technical
- Occasion
- everyday, travel, hiking
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Dimensions
- 12 x 4 x 18.5 in
- Category
- Luggage & Bags > Backpacks
Additional Attributes
- FlexVent harness certified by American Chiropractic Association
- rugged ripstop fabric with plaid texture
- two-way zip closure
- padded and ventilated straps with mesh pocket on right strap and zipped cell-phone pocket on left strap
- zipped pocket on top with inner snap hook
- front zipped pocket
- adjustable chest strap with plastic buckle and built-in safety whistle
- adjustable belt
- multiple tool loops
- reflective details
Product Insights
The Borealis Trail Backpack 26 L is the latest iteration of a 25-year design lineage, offering a sweeping clamshell zipper for bulky items, redesigned side pockets that hold bottles securely, and an external bungee with tool loops for gear attachment. Its ACA-certified FlexVent suspension supports spinal health while the 845g weight reduces strain, but the harness lacks load-lifter straps and sits flush against the back, limiting airflow and making it less suitable for hiking than the Osprey Daylite Plus. Users report declining build quality compared to the Osprey Nebula. The main compartment fits a 17-inch laptop and heavy EDC, but the laptop and hydration bladder share a single sleeve, and the top pocket bulges when overstuffed. The non-PFC DWR finish sheds rain but not oil. At 180 CAD, buyers recommend purchasing on sale due to these tradeoffs, though the Trail version upgrades classic commuting complaints with trail-ready features.
Verified claims
- Design lineage
- Borealis Trail is the latest iteration in the line's 25-year history.
- Trail enhancements
- The Trail's main compartment uses a sweeping clamshell zipper for packing bulky items.
- Material
- Main body uses 210D ripstop nylon; boot uses 420D recycled nylon; non-PFC DWR finish.
- Pockets and straps
- Side pockets redesigned to hold bottles securely during activity.
- Build quality
- Users report declining build quality; Osprey Nebula described as better made.
- Harness
- Lacks load-lifter straps and sits flush to the back, limiting airflow.
- Weight
- Weighs 845 g, reducing shoulder and back strain during long days.
- Shoulder straps
- Shoulder straps include a phone pocket and anti-chafe fabric lining.
- External carry
- Side pockets and tool loops keep bottles and gear secure during movement.
- Hiking suitability
- Buyers report the Borealis is less suitable for hiking than Osprey Daylite Plus.
- Storage
- Clamshell opening and trail-ready pockets for essentials
- External lashing
- Dual-webbing bungee and tool loops for secure gear attachment
- Comfort
- ACA-certified FlexVent harness with soft-touch lining and trail-optimized proportions
- Packing capacity
- Fits a 17-inch laptop, heavy EDC, and bulk souvenirs with room.
- Packing compromises
- Laptop and bladder share a sleeve; top pocket bulges when overstuffed.
- Strap pockets
- Strap pockets: secure-zip phone pocket on left, mesh drop-in on right.
- Hydration sleeve
- Single sleeve fits a hydration bladder or 16 laptop; clamshell opening for flat loading.
- Hose routing
- Hydration-hose port on shoulder straps keeps the tube accessible and tangle-free.
- Side pockets
- Revised side pockets hold bottles securely on steep slopes, preventing loss.
- Non-PFC DWR
- Non-PFC DWR sheds rain like fluorinated DWR but lacks oil repellency.
- Price value
- At 180 CAD, buyers recommend buying on sale due to quality issues and poor hiking performance.
- Design upgrades
- Trail version fixes classic Borealis complaints with clamshell opening, webbing bungee, and tool loops.
- Sustainability and certification
- Recycled nylon, non-PFC DWR, and ACA-certified suspension add value for eco- and health-minded buyers.
- Cargo system
- Clamshell main holds 16-inch laptop or hydration; strap pockets and bungee secure gear.
- User reports
- Buyers report classic excels for commuting but lacks hiking features; Trail upgrades address this.
- ACA certification
- ACA certification—rare in daypacks—confirms the FlexVent suspension supports spinal health.
Product record
- Title
- Borealis Trail Backpack 26 L
- Brand
- The North Face
- Price
- 180 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Borealis legacy and what the Trail version changes
- The Borealis launched in 1998 as a trail daypack but was adopted by commuters and students for decades, creating a deep reservoir of real-world feedback that The North Face used to re-tune the Trail version — buying it means you’re getting the fourth decade of a design continuously refined by both city and trail use.
- The main zipper opens in a sweeping clamshell arc, exposing the full cavity — a departure from the classic Borealis’s simpler top opening — so you can pack a puffy jacket or hydration bladder flat without forcing it through a narrow hatch, a practical gain for packing efficiency on the trail.
- The Trail version shortens by 0.1 inches, widens by 0.4 inches, and deepens by 0.59 inches relative to the original Borealis silhouette, creating a squatter, lower-center-of-gravity shape that resists sway and keeps the pack from toppling when placed on pitched ground — a geometry tweak that prioritizes stability over maximum volume.
- The Trail version swaps the standard Borealis’s 300D polyester for a 210D nylon ripstop with a PU coating and non-PFC DWR finish — the ripstop grid resists tears better than plain-weave polyester of the same denier, and the nylon base keeps the pack weight to 845 g, making it more packable and less fatiguing on long approaches.
- Instead of the original’s elastic-only bungee, the Trail uses twin webbing loops that create four secure lash points for a jacket, trekking poles, or a helmet — a structural upgrade that turns the front panel into a proper external carry zone rather than just a quick-stash area.
- The FlexVent harness — stamped by the American Chiropractic Association — pairs articulated shoulder straps with a rounded back panel to distribute weight across the shoulders and upper back in a way that’s been independently validated for spinal comfort, a rare certification in the daypack category that signals long-haul wearability on trail or campus.
- A zippered smartphone pocket on the left strap and a mesh drop-in pocket on the right are trail-first additions absent from the classic Borealis family, giving the wearer hands-free access to a phone, energy gel, or GPS while moving — a small detail that shifts the pack’s usability toward fast, on-the-go access typical of running vests and hiking packs.
- The internal sleeve fits a 16-inch laptop or a hydration reservoir, and the shoulder strap includes a hose routing port — a single deliberate detail that makes the pack a true weekday-to-weekend crossover rather than a backpack that can technically hold each separately.
What FlexVent certification means for your back
- The FlexVent system is certified by the American Chiropractic Association, a credential awarded after a board of doctors of chiropractic rigorously evaluates the product’s quality, durability, and comfort—not just a manufacturer’s self-declaration; this third-party medical review ensures the pack actively promotes proper posture and reduces strain, unlike typical backpack suspensions that lack any external health validation.
- The harness lining is finished with a soft-touch chemise fabric that reduces skin irritation when the pack shifts during movement or when worn over thin shirts in warm weather; it’s a small comfort spec that signals The North Face engineered the harness for continuous body contact, not just structural support—especially relevant for summer commuters who might otherwise develop chafing from coarser materials.
Sustainability: recycled nylon and PFC-free water repellency
- The boot fabric uses 420D recycled nylon, engineered from waste streams such as discarded fishing nets or fabric scraps, which can match the performance of virgin nylon when manufactured to the same specification—meaning the abrasion-resistant lower panel doesn't compromise durability for sustainability.
- Unlike fluorinated treatments, non-PFC DWR lacks oil repellency—a consistent finding across multiple studies—so while the bag resists water, it may absorb greasy stains more readily; for a commuting or day-hiking pack, this is largely a cosmetic trade-off rather than a functional failure.
- Recycled nylon production typically avoids the energy-intensive extraction and refining of virgin petroleum, yielding a lower carbon footprint—an advantage that aligns with the growing demand for lower-impact outdoor gear without stepping down in performance for daypack loads.
- The backpack is finished with a non-PFC durable water repellent, which research shows provides water repellency equivalent to conventional fluorinated DWR for consumer outdoor clothing—so the pack will shed rain and moisture effectively while avoiding the persistent chemical compounds associated with PFAS.
- The boot earned the recycled nylon because it's the high-abrasion zone—the 420D recycled nylon is heavier and coated for toughness—while the body uses a lighter 210D nylon ripstop that saves weight without needing as much abrasion resistance, a deliberate material engineering decision that assigns recycled content where it contributes most to durability.
Creative ways to use the front bungee and tool loops
- A pair of tool-carry loops give you extra lashing points for clipping on carabiners, a hat, or other trail essentials that you want to grab without rummaging inside, expanding the external real estate beyond the bungee and making the pack more configurable for multi-sport use.
- A dedicated pole-carry setup emerges from pairing the bungee with the lower webbing loops: the loops anchor the pole tips while the bungee stabilizes the handles, letting you mount hiking poles hands-free without them swinging against your back—a thoughtfully integrated feature that makes the Trail a true day-hiking pack rather than a repurposed commuter bag.
- The Trail replaces the classic Borealis' clip-based bungee with multiple webbing loops across the front, providing extra anchor points to secure bulky or irregularly shaped items—a hiking pole, a wet windbreaker, or a rolled jacket—without the item shifting, a design choice that directly addresses the quick-stash needs of day hikers.
- The redesigned mesh water bottle pockets sit higher than on the classic Borealis, which keeps a water bottle or a pair of gloves securely in place even on technical terrain—a change that addresses the classic's common complaint of loose pockets without adding weight or complexity.
- The left shoulder strap has a secure-zip pocket sized for a smartphone, while the right strap has a mesh drop-in pocket—putting your phone and a snack or earbuds within one-handed reach without stopping to take the pack off, a convenience that matters equally on a crowded train and a rocky ascent.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front-facing backpack with a tall rounded top, a central vertical zipper and criss-cross bungee cord on the front panel; light cool-gray main fabric with darker gray base and side panels, visible brand logo on the upper right front.
- Overall silhouetteBackpack shown upright, front-facing, with a tall rounded top, tapered sides, and a flat darker base panel.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.03 · w 0.76 · h 0.93 (high) - Main fabricSmooth, light cool-gray ripstop-like fabric on the front and top panels with faint square weave texture visible.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.04 · w 0.64 · h 0.66 (high) - Base and side panelsContrasting darker gray fabric on the bottom base panel and side panels, matte finish.
3 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.71 · w 0.76 · h 0.23 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.28 · w 0.14 · h 0.45 (high); x 0.80 · y 0.28 · w 0.14 · h 0.45 (high) - Central vertical zipperProminent vertical zipper runs down the center front with a stitched webbing strip on each side and a small metal triangular ring attached near the top.
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.06 · w 0.22 · h 0.66 (high) - Front bungee cord systemElastic cord in dark gray threaded in an X criss-cross pattern across the front, anchored at multiple webbing loops and meeting at a small plastic triangular lower anchor.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.20 · w 0.44 · h 0.64 (high) - Top carry loopSmall fabric grab loop at the very top center in darker gray.
1 region
x 0.47 · y 0.00 · w 0.06 · h 0.08 (high) - Zipper pulls and hardwareMultiple zipper pulls visible with dark tabbed ends; small metal zipper slider visible at left top pocket.
2 regions
x 0.03 · y 0.18 · w 0.16 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.78 · y 0.18 · w 0.12 · h 0.20 (high) - Brand logo text“THE NORTH FACE”
1 region
x 0.58 · y 0.17 · w 0.24 · h 0.15 (high) - Vertical model text“BOREALIS TRAIL”
1 region
x 0.09 · y 0.48 · w 0.10 · h 0.36 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a uniform light gray background with soft diffuse lighting and a faint shadow beneath the backpack; image centered and cropped to show full front face of the bag.
- Background and lightingNeutral light gray seamless background with soft, even studio lighting and subtle shadow under the bag toward the front.
- Shot compositionBackpack centered in frame, full front view, small margin around product, no props or labels visible besides the bag.
Colors
pale cool gray· front and top panels#C3C4C4medium slate gray· base and side panels#5C5C5Adark gray· bungee cords and trim#6B6D6Cdark charcoal· logo text#444444- Overall silhouetteBackpack shown upright, front-facing, with a tall rounded top, tapered sides, and a flat darker base panel.
- 02
Product
Rear view of a two-tone backpack showing padded shoulder straps, padded mesh back panel, sternum and hip straps, side stretch pocket, and top carry loop.
- Overall silhouetteRear-facing backpack with a rounded top, tapered sides, and a slightly rounded base; main visible face is the back panel and shoulder straps.
1 region
x 0.07 · y 0.03 · w 0.86 · h 0.94 (high) - Back panelCentral padded back panel in a dark mesh fabric running vertically between the shoulder straps.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.10 · w 0.28 · h 0.78 (high) - Shoulder strapsPair of padded shoulder straps in a lighter grey with a perforated dotted texture on the upper portions and smooth fabric on the lower portions; straps have sewn channeling and a slight curve.
2 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.07 · w 0.22 · h 0.78 (high); x 0.50 · y 0.07 · w 0.22 · h 0.78 (high) - Sternum strap and buckleAdjustable sternum strap connecting the two shoulder straps with a small plastic buckle and webbing; strap positioned across the upper chest area of the straps.
1 region
x 0.57 · y 0.48 · w 0.28 · h 0.20 (high) - Hip/waist strap and buckleSoft padded hip belt at the base of the back panel with a central adjustable webbing strap and a plastic quick-release buckle.
1 region
x 0.33 · y 0.79 · w 0.46 · h 0.16 (high) - Side pocketStretch fabric side pocket in dark grey on the visible lateral panel, positioned near the lower side of the pack.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.44 · w 0.24 · h 0.42 (high) - Top carry loopSmall woven carry loop at the top center between the shoulder straps.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.03 · w 0.12 · h 0.08 (medium) - Logo print“Small block of printed text on the right shoulder strap that reads 'THE NORTH FACE'.”
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.44 · w 0.11 · h 0.12 (high) - Lower attachment loopsNarrow webbing ends and small adjustment buckles extend from the lower ends of both shoulder straps.
2 regions
x 0.18 · y 0.86 · w 0.20 · h 0.11 (high); x 0.64 · y 0.85 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (high) - Zipper pull visibleShort corded zipper pull visible along the left side near the top edge of the pack.
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.19 · w 0.12 · h 0.18 (medium)
Other
Studio-style product shot on a light neutral background with soft even lighting and minimal shadows; three quarter rear angle crop showing right side and back.
- Background and stagingLight neutral grey background with the backpack standing on a flat surface and a soft shadow beneath the base.
- Shot angleImage taken from a low three quarter rear angle, showing the back panel and the right lateral side of the pack.
- Lighting and shadowEven, diffuse lighting with soft shadows under the pack and subtle highlights on curved strap edges.
Colors
light grey· upper body panels and shoulder strap outer#BEC9CAdark grey· lower panels and side pocket#615E5Bcharcoal black· back panel mesh#2C2C2Cpale dove grey with dots· shoulder strap dotted section#C9C5C4- Overall silhouetteRear-facing backpack with a rounded top, tapered sides, and a slightly rounded base; main visible face is the back panel and shoulder straps.
- 03
Product
Close-up of the backpack's upper side showing a partially open main compartment with a padded sleeve, ripstop outer fabric, zipper pulls with corded triangular plastic tabs, bungee cords with cord lock, and a mesh side pocket.
- Padded sleeve interiorPadded rectangular sleeve visible inside the main compartment with a smooth light-gray lining and an elasticated gray top edge.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.04 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high) - Main compartment openingPartially unzipped curved zipper opening showing the main compartment throat and inner lining; zipper teeth and tape visible along the opening.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.02 · w 0.40 · h 0.38 (high) - Zipper pullsTwo zipper pulls with braided cords ending in small triangular dark-gray plastic tabs; cords are light-gray with darker flecks.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.22 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.44 · y 0.48 · w 0.18 · h 0.20 (high) - Ripstop outer fabricOuter shell fabric is light gray with a subtle square ripstop weave visible on smooth matte surface.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.06 · w 0.60 · h 0.70 (high) - Bungee cord and cord lockElastic bungee cord routed across the front with a small cylindrical black cord lock and stitched webbing anchors.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.48 · w 0.28 · h 0.28 (high) - Mesh side pocketDark gray stretch mesh side pocket visible at lower right with a sewn top edge and adjacent fabric trim.
1 region
x 0.70 · y 0.52 · w 0.25 · h 0.36 (high) - Top grab/webbing loopShort woven webbing loop in dark gray attached near the padded sleeve opening, folded and stitched.
1 region
x 0.54 · y 0.02 · w 0.12 · h 0.10 (medium) - Reinforced stitch patchRectangular reinforced stitch patch on the outer face near the side pocket with visible topstitching.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.44 · w 0.30 · h 0.28 (high) - Foam back panel edgeRounded foam edge or padded panel visible at the rear-most interior, covered in light-gray fabric.Partial
1 region
x 0.60 · y 0.02 · w 0.28 · h 0.18 (medium)
Other
Tight studio product crop on a neutral light-gray background with even soft lighting and minimal shadows; image focuses on the backpack upper side and interior.
- Shot compositionClose-up crop framing the upper midsection of the backpack at a slight top-down angle, left side of product more visible than right.
- BackgroundUniform very light-gray background without texture or props.
- Lighting and shadowSoft, diffuse lighting with gentle shadows along seam lines and inside the compartment; no harsh reflections.
Colors
light gray· main outer fabric#C2C4C4pale gray· padded sleeve lining#C1C6CCdark charcoal· mesh side pocket#4C4C4Bdark gray· cords and cord locks#2A2B2C- Padded sleeve interiorPadded rectangular sleeve visible inside the main compartment with a smooth light-gray lining and an elasticated gray top edge.
Documents & Data
Q&A
1 answered- What is the empty weight of the backpack?
- The Borealis Trail Backpack 26L has an empty weight of 1 lb 13.8 oz (845 g) according to the manufacturer's specifications [1].
Reddit Insights
6 threads · r/backpacks, r/hikinggearReddit discussions about the North Face Borealis Trail Backpack 26 L reveal a mixed reputation: praised for capacity and organization but criticized for declining quality, poor hiking performance, and design flaws like peeling and loose water bottle pockets.
Positive comments highlight durability and versatile storage, but numerous users report quality issues, discomfort for extended use, and better alternatives from Osprey.
Themes
Use Cases
- Daily commute / office
- College / school
- Travel / weekend trips
- Hiking (not recommended)
- Everyday carry (EDC)
Watch Out For
Community Q&A
- Is the North Face Borealis worth the money?
- It depends: many find it worth it for daily use if you can get it on sale, but quality has declined and alternatives like Osprey may offer better value.
- Is the Borealis suitable for hiking?
- Generally no; it lacks proper back ventilation, is frameless, and has a laptop-focused design that doesn't accommodate a hydration bladder.
- How durable is the Borealis?
- Mixed; older models are durable, but recent versions have reports of peeling and reduced quality.
- What are the main design flaws?
- Peeling fabric, loose water bottle holders, and a bulging top pocket when overpacked.
Compared To
vs Osprey Nebula
Osprey Nebula is often preferred for better build quality and similar organization.
vs Osprey Daylite Plus
Daylite Plus is lighter and better for hiking, but may be too small; Borealis is larger but not as comfortable for hikes.
vs Millican Rolltop
Some users switch to Millican for better durability and less peeling issues.
vs Other brands (Patagonia, Fjallraven, Osprey)
Users often recommend switching to Osprey, Patagonia, or Fjallraven due to quality concerns with North Face.
Source Threads
Why the Borealis Classic was chosen over Women's Borealis, with peeling issue
I think I didn't like the pocket organization, and the compartment for the laptop just being for the laptop. I wanted a bag that had 2 main compartments, and the Women's Borealis had just 1 main compartment and 1 laptop compartment. I wanted to be able to put everything office related in 1 compartment, and everything else in the 2nd. But now I think the peeling is my main issue, so I would consider buying it!
u/another_whitechickr/backpacksView thread →
User compared Borealis and Nebula, kept Nebula
I had both of these backpacks. I ended up keeping the Nebula because it's better made.
u/[deleted]r/backpacksView thread →
Detailed review of Borealis for commuting and hiking
So I use the Borealis as my workplace commuter bag and as a weekend bag. It is spacious and practical for those purposes. However, the back pocket in it is felt and designed for a laptop, not for a bladder, it does not have all of the strap and back adjustability that you might like for a hiking pack, and it is also frameless, sitting flush to your back meaning a lack of airflow. It also sits quite wide on your back. Not ideal for hiking at all.
u/philosophicalquokkar/hikinggearView thread →
Borealis Trail capacity and what it can hold
Im not a climber but I do mountain bike, I had one a few years ago until someone decided they wanted it more than I needed it. I normally at that time carried a 17in laptop (for work) it says 15in laptops but there is still room. I also carried a hoodie, cellphone portable battery, laptop cord, miscellaneous tech pouch, umbrella, toiletries including dude wipes, first aid kit, 2 tactical flashlight, 2 spare mags, tire patch kit. I took it to Disneyland as my edc bag it held all of my wifes merchandise she purchased several Tshirts, sweatshirts, stuffed animal and other stuff. Now I use a Yeti 26l backpack or a Original Penguin Backpack
u/Relevant-Canary-9816r/backpacksView thread →