The North Face Backpack Guide: Borealis vs Jester Compared

Anyone who has spent an afternoon comparing backpack specs knows the feeling: two models look nearly identical on paper but feel completely different once loaded. That’s exactly the situation with The North Face’s two most popular daypacks — the Borealis and the Jester — and this guide breaks down their real-world differences, sizes, and durability so you can pick the right one for your commute, campus, or carry-on travel.

Years in business: Since 1966 ·
Popular backpack models: Borealis, Jester, Recon ·
Capacity range: 20L to 40L ·
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty ·
Price range (approx.): $60 – $180

The following table summarizes key company and product details.

Which North Face backpack is best for travel?

Top travel-friendly features to look for

• Laptop compartment that doubles as a water-bladder sleeve — available on the Borealis (Pack Hacker review)
• Stowable shoulder straps on the Travel 40L for checked-bag safety
• Carry-on compliance: 40L fits most airline sizers (Pack Hacker Jester review)

Travelers who need a single bag for a weekend trip often gravitate toward the 40L Travel Backpack, while the Borealis works as a roomy personal item. The Jester, at 23L, is best for ultralight urban trips where you carry only a tablet and a layer.

Borealis vs Jester for travel: a head-to-head

Three travel scenarios, one pattern: the Borealis handles more gear but the Jester carries lighter and packs flatter. Data from Backpackies (backpack specialist site) shows the women’s Jester at 1 lb 8 oz vs the women’s Borealis at 2 lb 1 oz — a meaningful difference for all-day walking.

The 40L travel backpack option

The Travel 40L is a duffel-style backpack with stowable straps and a clamshell opening, making it ideal for longer trips. It meets carry-on size limits for most airlines, though it can be tight on budget carriers like Ryanair. No integrated rain cover is included, which is a gap for wet-weather travel.

What are the differences between the North Face Borealis and Jester?

Design and capacity comparison

The Borealis uses nylon ripstop with a water-repellent coating and YKK zippers; the Jester uses cheaper mesh in many pockets and lacks fleece-lined compartments (Backpackies material breakdown). Capacity numbers vary by gender variant: the men’s Borealis is 28L, the men’s Jester also 28L, but the women’s Jester drops to 22L while the women’s Borealis is 27L (Backpackies data).

One key structural difference: the Borealis has a separate padded laptop sleeve and a fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses; the Jester uses a single large compartment with a suspended sleeve.

Comfort and suspension systems

Both use The North Face’s FlexVent suspension system, but the Borealis has a stiffer internal frame that transfers weight to the hips more effectively. The Jester’s frame is lighter and more flexible, trading load-bearing ability for packability. Pack Hacker calls the Borealis’s harness “well-built and flexible” while noting the Jester “carries comfortably for its size.”

Organizational features and pockets

• Borealis: lid pocket, two mesh water-bottle pockets, front daisy chain, external bungee cord
• Jester: two zip pockets on the front, one organizer panel inside, single water-bottle pocket

The Jester’s simpler layout means fewer places to lose things — a trade-off that some commuters prefer.

Price and value for money

According to Sports Unlimited (retailer comparison), the women’s Jester costs $64.95 and the women’s Borealis $88.95. The Borealis’s extra $24 buys a padded laptop compartment, fleece-lined pocket, and more robust zippers.

How do I choose the right size North Face backpack?

Understanding backpack volume (liters)

North Face offers sizes from 20L (compact daypack) to 40L (travel). A 20–25L pack fits a laptop, lunch, and a light jacket. A 28–30L pack (like the Borealis or Recon) can hold textbooks, gym clothes, or a weekend change of clothes. The 40L Travel Backpack can hold outfits for a 3–5-day trip (Pack Hacker Jester review supports these use cases).

Sizing for torso length and fit

Torso length is more important than height. North Face backpacks come in one size with adjustable sternum straps and hip belts (on larger models). The Borealis fits most adults with a torso range of 16–20 inches. The Jester similarly fits a wide range but has a shorter back panel.

Daypack vs travel pack: when to go bigger

If you carry a laptop plus a lunch and a water bottle, a 20L pack is tight. Most users find 25–30L ideal for daily use. For travel, 30–40L gives room for extras without needing a checked bag. Check airline size restrictions before buying — the 40L fits most overhead bins but not all.

The implication: Match your liter capacity to your daily load, not your maximum trip size.

What is the capacity of the North Face backpack 20L and 40L?

North Face 20L backpack: typical features and uses

Models like the North Face “Pivoter” or “Router Transit” offer 20L capacity. They are designed for light daily essentials: a laptop up to 15 inches, a tablet, and a few small accessories. The 20L size easily slides under airline seats.

North Face 40L travel backpack: what fits inside

The Travel 40L can hold a pair of shoes, 3–4 days of clothing, a toiletry kit, and a small laptop. The duffel-style opening makes packing and unpacking fast. It lacks a separate laptop compartment, but the internal sleeve works.

Capacity vs. weight: trade-offs to consider

More liters often mean more weight. The Borealis 28L weighs 2 lb 5 oz (men’s) while the 40L travel pack weighs around 2 lb 15 oz. For air travel, every pound matters. The 20L packs are around 1 lb 5 oz, ideal for minimalists.

Both the 20L and 40L sizes meet carry-on restrictions for most North American and European airlines — but double-check the specific dimensions (The North Face spec pages provide exact measurements).

The pattern: Smaller packs save weight but limit versatility; choose based on your most frequent use case.

Are North Face backpacks durable enough for daily use?

Material quality: nylon vs polyester

Most North Face backpacks use high-denier nylon (typically 210D to 600D) for abrasion resistance, with a water-repellent finish. The Borealis uses nylon ripstop; the Jester uses a mix of nylon and polyester mesh. Backpackies notes that the Jester’s mesh pockets are less durable over long use.

Stitching and zipper reliability

YKK zippers are standard across the lineup — a benchmark for durability. The Borealis uses heavier zipper tape and larger pulls than the Jester. Some Jester reviewers on The North Face official page mention zipper material concerns.

Real-world longevity reports from users

Warranty claims indicate above-average durability compared to budget brands. The limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects (not normal wear). User reviews on the official site give the Jester a 4.7-star average from 1,737 reviews with a 93% recommendation rate (The North Face Jester page).

Three packs, one pattern: the Jester saves weight and cost, the Borealis balances features and price, and the Recon is the heavy-duty option for users who carry more gear.

The spec table confirms that material and weight differences are directly tied to price. The Jester’s lighter construction is also its durability trade-off.

What we know and what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• North Face backpacks carry a limited lifetime warranty (The North Face official site)
• Borealis and Jester are the best-selling models based on review counts
• FlexVent suspension is used in both Borealis and Jester
• Travel 40L has a 40-liter capacity and stowable straps
• YKK zippers are standard across all models

What’s unclear

• Exact sales figures per model (not publicly released)
• Whether future models will include integrated rain covers
• Long-term zipper reliability on the Jester — mixed user reports
• Precise composition of recycled materials in “sustainable” models

Expert and user perspectives

“The Borealis is a versatile everyday pack that handles light hiking and commuting with ease.”

Outdoor Gear Lab review editor (via Pack Hacker)

“The Jester is designed for the daily commute and light travel, with a streamlined profile.”

The North Face product description (official site)

“The Jester carries comfortably for its size, but its main-compartment zippers can open too easily when left ajar.”

Pack Hacker (gear review site)

“The women’s Jester costs $64.95 and the women’s Borealis costs $88.95 — the extra $24 buys a padded laptop compartment and better materials.”

Sports Unlimited (retailer comparison)

Summary: The North Face lineup offers clear trade-offs. For the daily user who carries a laptop and a few extras, the Borealis justifies its higher price with better organization and durability. For the minimalist traveler or student on a budget, the Jester’s lighter weight and lower cost makes it a smart pick — but be aware of the simpler zippers and less robust materials. For a traveler in Singapore or Southeast Asia where rain is frequent, the lack of a built-in rain cover is a real gap; consider buying a separate pack cover or choosing a different model. The choice is clear: prioritize features and weight, or go lighter and cheaper. Your back will thank you.

Related coverage: Jester vs Borealis review fördjupar bilden av The North Face Backpack: Jester vs Borealis Comparison.

Frequently asked questions

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