11 Backpacks Like North Face You Should Check Out
North Face backpacks are popular with students and travelers alike thanks to their outdoor inspired design and versatile functionality. But for those who love the look of North Face but want to opt-in for something different - you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of other backpack brands that offer similar designs.
These backpacks offer a nice mix of everyday urban carry as well the outdoor design elements that we have come to love about North Face’s popular Recon, Jester and Borealis backpack designs. Whether you are looking for a cheaper alternative to North Face backpacks or a better quality bag, we have you covered.
Patagonia Refugio 30L
The Patagonia Refugio 30L is a versatile backpack that can be used for school, travel or outdoor activities. The Refugio includes plenty of smaller pockets for things sunglasses and water bottles plus a removable 15” laptop and accessories sleeve that transforms the pack from a daily carry backpack for work and school to an adventure pack for hiking and camping.
This backpack is a great option for anyone looking for great quality backpacks like the North Face Borealis or Jester.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 30L
Made of recycled materials with an eco-friendly water repellent coating
Removable 15” laptop sleeve
Bungee system on front of pack for additional storage
Ready for the trail: includes hydration bladder hanger and pass-through access
Osprey Nebula Backpack
Made for urban commutes and smart travel, the Osprey Nebula is one of the best North Face backpack alternatives available right now. If you are looking for a backpack like the North Face Recon then you’ll love the Nebula’s large 32 liter capacity, serious organization pockets and front quick stash pocket that offers instant access to items. Add a quality construction and Osprey’s All Might Guarantee free repair warranty and you have a serious North Face alternative that lives up to the hype.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 32 liters
Full panel organizer pocket for things like keys, tech accessories and pens
Great for school, work or light travel.
United By Blue Commuter Backpack
United By Blue offers a stylish and environmentally friendly everyday backpack with their 15-liter Commuter. This backpack is made recycled materials with a DWR coating for a water and stain resistant finish. With a 13-inch padded laptop sleeve, plenty of pockets for organization and a sleek design - the United By Blue Commuter is a great option for anyone looking for backpacks like North Face from a socially responsible brand.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 15 liters
Unisex design
13” laptop sleeve
Made of 100% recycled materials with a water resistant finish
Patagonia Refugio 26L
The Patagonia Refugio 26L is a feature-packed backpack that includes everything you need for a long day out in the city or the trail. The bag includes a roomy 26 liter main compartments and a removable laptop and accessories sleeve that has spots for tech chargers, pens and more. A PFC-free DWR finish on the outside of the Refugio gives it great water repellent protection while still being eco-friendly. We recommend the Refugio 26L to anyone who is looking for similar backpacks to North Face that don’t skimp on quality and functional design.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 26L
Made of recycled materials with an eco-friendly water repellent coating
Removable 15” laptop sleeve
Ready for the trail: includes hydration bladder hanger and pass-through access
City commuter-friendly: Includes a bike-light attachment point
Gregory Resin 28 Pack
The Gregory Resin 28 Pack is feature-packed daypack that includes everything you need for a long day on campus or out on the trail. The bag includes a roomy main compartment that’s lined with organizer pockets, side-zipper access to the main compartment and a rear zipper for quick-laptop access. We recommend the Gregory Resin 28 Pack to anyone who is looking for similar backpacks to North Face with a match in style, quality and features.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 28L
Weather resistant exterior fabric
15” padded laptop compartment
Tons of interior and exterior pockets
Mystery Ranch Prizefighter
If you want a tough and functional backpack then look no further than the Mystery Ranch Prizefighter. This backpack was made for daily carry of essentials like tech, sunglasses and documents. At a 20 liter capacity we think this is a good North Face alternative to bags like the Kaban and Kabyte. Made with 500D Cordura and YKK zippers - you can rely on the Mystery Ranch Prizefighter to weather the storm in style no matter how busy your lifestyle.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 20L
Separate laptop and tablet sleeves
Zippered top glasses pocket
Organizer panel for small items like pens and phone
Osprey Quasar Daypack
When it comes to brands like North Face, few come as close in quality and design as Osprey. And you can see this in the look and feel of the Quasar - daily carry backpack built from the ground up for school, work and daily commuting. Made with a robust nylon body and super tough nylon packcloth bottom, the Osprey Quasar is ready for a busy lifestyle with pockets for everything from a laptop to pens and phones. The main compartment is also pretty roomy without the backpack being overwhelmingly large. At 28 liters we think it’s the perfect backpack for everyday carry on campus or work commutes.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 28L (Available in 26L women’s fit)
Multiple organization pockets for daily items
Side stretch water bottle pockets
Padded tablet and laptop sleeves
Dakine Wonder Pack
At a 18 liter capacity, the Dakine Wonder Pack is the perfect low-volume backpack for everyday use. What we love the most about the Dakine Wonder Pack is its extra carrying capacity thanks to its front bungee storage, mesh side pockets and fleece lined sunglasses pocket. The backpack even features straps for skateboard carry. The Dakine Wonder Pack is perfect for those looking for a backpack like the North Face Jester in a slightly smaller package.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 18L
Fleece-lined top pocket for sunglasses
Available in dozens of colors and patterns
OGIO Renegade RSS
The OGIO Renegade RSS laptop backpack is an excellent choice for anyone serious about laptop protection and tech storage. This backpack features OGIO’s popular “Reactive Suspension System” laptop sleeve design that protects your laptop from impacts and drops through suspension. It’s a pretty clever design and great for those who have the habit of putting their backpacks through hell and back. Combine this feature with OGIO’s tough as nails build quality and you have a foolproof backpack for commuting and travel.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 29.5L
Includes a crush proof tech pocket
Laptop sleeve fits 15-inch and thinner 17” laptops
Lifetime warranty
Moosejaw x Mystery Ranch Steffan Backpack
Moosejaw has teamed up with Mystery Ranch for a collab of epic proportions with their Steffen backpack. This rugged pack is made to take the abuse of outdoor adventures and daily life thanks to its 1000D Cordura construction that’s even coated with Teflon for an incredibly durable water resistant finish.
Designed as a daily driver, the Steffen backpack features a padded laptop sleeve and plenty of storage pockets for essentials like sunglasses, phones and water bottles. If you are looking for a high quality North Face alternative then the Moosejaw x Mystery Ranch Steffen backpack is worth a closer look.
Features at a glance:
Capacity: 24.5L
Padded sleeve fits up to 15.6” laptop
Made super tough: 1000D Cordura nylon and Teflon water resistant finish
SwissGear 1186 Laptop Backpack
Perfect for anyone looking for a cheaper North Face backpack alternative, the Swiss Gear 1186 is a great versatile backpack choice for commutes, travel or for lugging books around on campus. The generous 26 liter main compartment is roomy enough for most carry without making the backpack too bulky. We also like that Swiss Gear provides tons of small storage pockets and organizers for small items.
Features at a glance:
Volume: 26L
Comfortable padded airflow back panel
Laptop pocket
Reflective accents are perfect for night time commutes
Backpack Brands like North Face
We listed our favorite North Face alternatives in the list above but here are some more backpack brands worth checking out. These brands offer good quality backpacks and bags with a similar outdoor-inspired look and modern features.
Patagonia
If you are looking for brands comparable to North Face with similar designs and quality then we recommend taking a closer look at Patagonia. Catering to the outdoor space, their backpacks are built tough and with versatile features for hiking, travel, school and work. You are bound to find one that fits your needs.
Some of their most popular backpacks are the Patagonia Chacabuco and the Patagonia Refugio. Both make great commuter or school backpacks thanks to their generous main compartments and gendered fits.
Burton
Burton is mostly known for their outdoor sports gear but their bag line is actually pretty awesome. Their designs vary from outdoor heritage-inspired to more modern urban designs and most bags are equipped with must-have features like laptop sleeves, water bottle pockets and small item organizer.
Osprey
Osprey is a brand known for their outdoor and travel gear for hiking, backpacking and long-term travel. But they also offer an amazing line of everyday backpacks for school, work and commuting.
When it comes to brands like North Face, Osprey offers some of the best competing selection at comparable prices. Osprey even offers men’s and women’s versions of popular backpack styles so that you know you are getting a bag with the right fit.
JanSport
JanSport backpacks have been a carry staple for decades and although they are known for their popular school backpacks they have really been impressing us lately with all of the new modern designs currently being offered. If you are looking for a more affordable backpack brand like North Face then JanSport is worth considering.
THULE
Thule is a brand perfect for anyone who likes the functionality of North Face bags but are ready to step it up to something a bit more mature in style. Thule bags are known for their rugged construction and great pocket placement for tech. If you are looking for a daily driver for work, school, commuting or travel then we recommend giving Thule backpacks a closer look.
