THE NORTH FACE RECON DAY PACK

I've had this backpack since 2005. It served as both my college pack, my hiking daypack, my hunting pack, and I took it on a couple warm-weather overnighters as well. My wife uses it now (she's still in school), and it has nary a tear or mark on it, despite the rather harsh environments it's been in.

Things I like:

1) The laptop pouch can hold some really big laptops or a 1-gallon water bladder. There's a hook and opening near the top to allow you to hook a bag on and run a bite valve to it. If you carry a laptop, it can handle nearly anything. I've carried a few small laptops (Dell C640, Toshiba Portege M100, Panasonc CF-73) in there, as well as a few behemoths (Dell C840Dell's three-spindle laptopand an Itronix GoBook III). The Itronix was a bit of a tight fit. Unless you're going to be putting in a 17" laptop, anything else should fit.

2) D-links and attachment points abound. I had plenty of places to hook my water bottle, pocket knife, flashlight, and all the other various goodies I like to keep within easy reach. Good attachments on both back and front.

3) Good sewing. When a pack is stuffed to the gills, it's nice to know that a zipper isn't going to pop. I've had over 50 pounds inside this bag (I was the water mule for a trip) and it handled it fine. Never skips zipper links or bursts a zipper.

4) Lots of pockets that are, for the most part, water proof. Some are obviously student-oriented and have things like pencil loops and the like.

5) Good webbing. Has a hip belt, chest belt, regular two shoulder straps, compression straps, and strap loops on the bottom, allowing you to carry a sleeping bag or tent. Also has two water-bottle pockets on the sides that are webbed. Like I said above, there's always a belt to hook something on. Hip belt is really strong, which is nice for such a small pack, and thick enough to hold the holster for my backcountry pistol, which keeps me from having to keep it stuffed in a fanny pack.

Things I didn't like:

1) Hip belt clasp broke after a relatively minor impact. It's just injection-molded plastic, I know, but they could have gone with a higher grade. At least something more impact-resistant.

2) No extras with the pack. No water bladder, no spare straps for the loops at the bottom. Advertising material said it came with a cell phone holder, but I didn't get anything like that with mine.

Those are arguably very minor complaints. Considering that a regular Jansport goes for $20-$30 and these can be found for $55-$65 and will last far longer, hold more, and protect it better, it's a good investment.

when I first saw the price of this pack I was a lil disgruntled but I bit the Bullet and bought it anyways. Best backpack so far, Plenty of room for all of my stuff whether it be for school, hiking or just biking around the city. Not only does it have compartments for everything but it has some hidden extras that some of those who bought this bag may not be aware of. the waist straps can tuck in to the lil side pockets kind of like a hole that was not stitched there all the way. The other hidden gem is the chest strap has a lil whistle that can be used if your lost in the woods and people are trying to find you. It's plenty loud as well. just some additional added features that the product description does not tell you. It is also a very durable material that takes allot to tear. Overall I'l glad I spent the extra money for this bag.

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My complaint about this pack is that the shoulder straps are a bit wide and very stiff -no problem if you have a larger frame, but I am fairly small, with narrow shoulders, and I had to return the pack because the straps were so unyielding.

Everything else about the design of the pack is excellent, and I haven't yet found a good replacement. I'm hoping that North face will make a women's version available.

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