The North Face Backpack Black Friday 2026: Borealis, Recon, Jester
The North Face backpacks for Black Friday 2026: how the Borealis, Recon, Jester and Vault differ in size and pockets, and what to check in a listing.
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The North Face’s four best-known daypacks are close in size: the Recon holds 30 liters, the Borealis and Jester 28, and the Vault 27. For Black Friday 2026, choose by laptop size, straps and pockets rather than volume alone, and confirm the model name and version in any listing.
How the four packs line up
All four carry a laptop and a day’s worth of gear, and the Borealis, Recon and Jester share the brand’s FlexVent shoulder straps. The brand says FlexVent is certified by the American Chiropractic Association. The differences are in the extras.
| What to compare | Borealis | Recon | Jester | Vault |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume | 28 L | 30 L | 28 L | 27 L |
| Laptop | Up to 15 in | 16 in | 15 in | 15 in |
| Front storage | Bungee | Mesh pocket | Bungee | Check the product page |
| Bottle pockets | Two mesh | Two | Two mesh, loose | Two |
| Waist strap | Check the product page | Removable | Check the product page | None |
| FlexVent straps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Check the product page |
The North Face backpacks to compare
Match the pack name on the tag, such as Borealis, Recon or Jester, and check the capacity in liters. Look for photos of the inside label and the zips.
Live listings, shown by eBay
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Borealis and Jester: the bungee packs
The Borealis and the Jester are the two most alike, and the easiest to mix up in photos. Both are 28 liters, both carry a 15-inch laptop, and both have a stretchy bungee cord on the front for stashing a jacket. The Jester keeps things simpler, and its mesh side pockets have little stretch to hold a bottle in place. If a listing shows a bungee pack with no name in the title, look at the logo patch and the inside label.
Recon: the largest
The Recon is the biggest of the four at 30 liters and is the one to pick for a 16-inch laptop. It swaps the front bungee for a mesh pocket and adds a sternum strap with a whistle buckle plus a removable waist strap, which help with heavier loads. Its zippers are made by YKK.
Vault: the basic option
The Vault is the simplest pack here, at 27 liters with space for a 15-inch laptop. It has two side bottle pockets and daisy-chain loops on the front for clipping things on. It has no hip belt and no load-lifter straps. It suits school and light commuting rather than heavy loads.
The North Face also makes jackets and fleece that pair with a daypack; see The North Face Black Friday for the full set of pages.
Things to confirm before you buy a pack
Packs get updated every few years, and the name stays the same while pockets and details change. Compare the photos with the version you want. Then check:
- the model name on the inside label or the tag in the laptop sleeve;
- that the laptop sleeve size matches your machine, measured diagonally;
- strap foam and back-panel mesh for wear on a used pack;
- each zipper, including the small front pocket;
- for a Recon, whether the removable waist strap is included.
Frequently asked questions
Which North Face backpack is biggest?
Of these four, the Recon is the largest at 30 liters, and it has a 16-inch laptop sleeve. The Borealis and Jester are 28 liters, and the Vault is 27 liters.
What is the difference between the Borealis and the Jester?
Both are 28 liters with a front bungee and a 15-inch laptop space. The Jester is the simpler of the two, with mesh bottle pockets that hold bottles less securely.
Sources
- The North Face Borealis Backpack ReviewPack Hacker
- The North Face Recon ReviewPack Hacker
- The North Face Jester ReviewPack Hacker
- The North Face Vault Backpack ReviewPack Hacker
Part of our guide to The North Face Black Friday 2026: Nuptse, Jackets, Fleece, Packs.