THE NORTH FACE Borealis MINI Backpack

For a recent trip to Paris, I wanted a small lightweight backpack to wear during my long walking excursions throughout the city. The backpack needed to be lightweight and hold a water bottle, light jacket or sweater, umbrella, extra iPhone battery, other small items, and anything else I might need to spend the day away from my hotel. It also needed to be "packable" (which typically means folding into a small pouch that comes with it and may or may not be attached)—or at least not take up a lot of space or weigh a lot. Thus, I embarked on a 3-month long search for exactly the right backpack, spending hours and hours online. However, I kept coming back to this one. This backpack comes in a variety of very nice colors. I considered black—so neutral and goes with everything. But I was really attracted to the “gardenia white” one. Since most of my travels will be, if not during summer, in milder temperatures, the light color appealed to me. It’s actually a warm off-white, rather than a stark white color. The black trim and zipper pulls give it some sophistication, and the total look is very appealing. Having decided on the color range, I then looked at hundreds of backpacks in white, off-white, and beige. Once again, I kept coming back to this one. While I was willing to pay more, this one met most of my needs and just happened to also be very reasonably priced. It has a small, but sufficiently sized, front pocket with an almost invisible zipper (which I like, in case of pick pockets). On the exterior, one side has a stretch pocket that holds a bottle of water or smaller umbrella. The other side is claimed to be a second water bottle holder. However, it is actually a very tiny pocket, which (as others have noted) has such a narrow opening that it is almost impossible to get into and thus useless as a practical matter (and I have very small hands). Ultimately, I used it as a place to store clean, loose tissues that I could quickly access if I needed to blow my nose, because of spring pollen, or needed to wipe something up. The padded top handle is useful and comfortable if one needs or wants to carry it that way (such as on a crowded subway or bus). And internally there is an open pocket and a nice sized zipper pocket with a key clip I hadn’t initially considered it necessary but began to really like the idea of the front bungee system. I could use it for compression. However, I found that the most practical use for it in my case was as another place to store a sweater or jacket. This way, if I acquired items along the way that I put into the backpack, the bungee system could be used to make way for them internally by attaching my jacket to it. Finally, the padded straps and back panel make this backpack very comfortable for all day use. This means that it isn’t foldable, but it’s small and thin enough to simply store flat in the bottom of your luggage. The slight amount of bulk the back panel padding adds is worth it. Backpacks without it means that items inside can protrude and bump against your back as you walk. The only downside is the lack of a true second outside pocket. I do miss this as exterior pocket for an umbrella that can be quickly accessed (always useful when travelling to Europe). But this meets all of my other needs so well that it was worth the trade-off. I’m back from Paris and truly love this backpack. I used it every day, all day. I found it more useful and comfortable than a sling bag would be, especially since I could put a lot in it-- from fruit purchased at a stand to souvenirs to everything needs to stay out for 8 or more hours at a time. Its light weight, along with padded straps and back panel, made it very comfortable. It looked great, with enough of a put together and appealing style that I never wished I’d brought a handbag. For all that it does, it is a terrific value.

I absolutely love this little backpack! It’s small. 10 liters. Not 30 liters. So don’t expect it to carry your laptop or school books. It’s an alternative to a 6.5 liter sling bag. Basically a day bag to carry small essentials. That said, my iPad fits in it no problem along with a couple books or a packable jacket and a whole lot more little stuff. This thing is well made and durable. The zippers are top notch. The color is exactly what I wanted and expected it to be. The pockets hold quite a bit of stuff and even if you stuff it full you can still get your hand in the openings, unlike my Osprey sling that this replaced. Buy with confidence but also knowing what you’re buying. This is a MINI backpack. It’s a great little EDC if you don’t carry a lot of stuff every day. For me, it’s perfect. I wish I’d bought it sooner.

Great little pack. I was looking for a (very) small pack that would have just enough room for my Canon R5 camera for photography for light day trips and this little pack fits that requirement nicely. Most camera bags/packs are far too bulky and heavy due to all the protective padding and I don't really need anything like that when I am just doing short trips/walks with my camera. This pack is just big enough to carry my camera, even with a lens as large a 70-200mm (w/an EF adapter) attached to the body. There's not a lot of room left for anything else with my camera in the pack, but I wasn't looking for that, I just wanted a little two strap pack to carry my camera so I don't have to always carry the camera in hand and this pack is perfect for that.

i usually never leave reviews but i just had to for this one,, i originally bought it for a hiking trip but figured i could try to see if anything i owned would fit into it. i could fit my ipad 11 inch air into this as well as fit my sony xm4 headphones in front of it, however thats all that could fit into the main pocket. i love that it has small pockets for keys and other small things. i could fit three b5 campus notebooks with a pencil pouch inside, however i would advise using a larger bag for school as this one is still very small despite being able to hold these items.

It is small also the strings I the front were loose ,broken , snapped off the color is great blue and black the pocket on the side is too small for a water bottle might be good for pens pencils and a marker or a small tote umbrella in the picture it’s next to another mini backpack from north face hot shot mini as a comparison as to how small it is I’m 4 ft 11 and I felt the hotshot mini was better in size in photos you also see the string not connected I of course fixed it because I love the color

Freaking love this backpack. It is the perfect size and lightweight for carrying a few things around. I like how flat it sits on my back, and that it doesn't stick out too much. I bought this for a cruise and it was awesome! It fit my Samsung tablet and many other things. It is roomier than it looks. The zippers are great quaily, and it sturdy.

great little bag! thought it was a little pricey at first but after using the bag i think the price is worth it for the quality. great for day trips like the zoo or amusement parks. would be good for hiking too. very comfortable. the only problem is the side water bottle pouch is very small and doesn’t fit most water bottles so if i bring a bottle i have to put it inside the backpack, but it’s not really an issue and does not affect my rating at all.

Kaliteli ve istediğim gibi ebatı küçük. Küçük eşyaları taşımak icin ideal. Malzeme kaliteli.

Llegó bien y muy práctica y bonita

Estatura 1.57m así que me queda perfecta, le he metido de 3 a 4kg en artículos, muy resistente. Acolchada en la espalda y tirante ancho. La recomiendo si tus libros son pequeños, enfrente en los elásticos ato una cobija para viaje. Definitivamente la volvería a comprar, los colores están hermosos! Borealis excelente calidad

Super !

I love it. So light and compact. Just roomy enough for everything and super sturdy.