North Face Recon vs Surge Hands-On Comparison - What's the difference? | JUNYUAN - Golf Bag,Sports Bag,Outdoor Bag Manufacturer

North Face Recon vs Surge Hands-On Comparison – What’s the difference?

If you are on the hunt for a versatile backpack for work, school or travel then you may have already considered the North Face Recon and North Face Surge. But what’s the difference between the two?

In this North Face Recon vs Surge backpack comparison we will explore the differences so you can choose the best backpack for your needs.

If you are interested in other North Face backpacks make sure to check out our other comparisons:

The North Face Recon vs Borealis
The North Face Borealis vs Jester

Note: The North Face is known for updating their backpack designs every so often. This comparison is of the 2019-2020 versions of both the North Face Recon and Surge.

Quick Specs

	The North Face Recon	The North Face Surge
Volume	30 Liters	31 Liters
Material	600D Polyester 500D Nylon Cordura Nylon Ripstop	600D Polyester 500D Nylon Cordura Nylon Ripstop
Laptop Sleeve	Up to 15″ laptop	Up to 15″ laptop
Weight	2lbs 7.7oz	3lbs 2.8oz
Front Storage	Stash pocket	Two vertical zippered pockets
Price	Check the latest price on Amazon	Check the latest price on Amazon

Video Review

Mens vs Womens North Face Backpacks

The Recon and Surge backpacks used for this comparison are the women’s versions. If you are looking to purchase a men’s North Face backpack please note that 99% of this comparison will still apply.

The main differences between the men’s and women’s versions are as follows:

Men’s North Face backpacks have larger back panels and wider shoulder straps to accommodate broader shoulders. This is the biggest difference.
The men’s versions will weigh slightly more than the women’s versions. For example, the Women’s Surge weighs 3lbs 2.1 oz while the Men’s Surge weighs 3lbs 2.8 oz.
Both the men’s and women’s version of the Recon are 30 liters and both versions of the Surge are 31 liters.
All pockets and compartments are exactly the same in both the men’s and women’s version.

North Face Recon vs Surge Side-By-Side

Carrying Capacity and Size

On paper there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference in size between the Recon (30 liters) and Surge (31 liters) but side-by-side you can see that the Surge is the larger of the two.

North Face Recon vs Surge backpack - which is bigger?

The larger profile on the Surge is due to its slightly larger main compartment, larger laptop compartment, and two front pockets that give the Surge an overall larger footprint when compared to the Recon.

The North Face Recon vs Surge on person - women’s Recon and Surge backpack

Pockets and Compartments

Where these two backpacks differ the most is in their choice of pockets and compartments.

Let’s start with the front-facing pockets.

The North Face Recon has an open stash pocket for quick access to items. The pocket itself isn’t very large – so oversized items like a yoga mat or a pair of sneakers will not fit but it works great for quickly putting away items like a large pair of headphones or a bike lock. The stash pocket on Recon is about 9.5-inches deep.

North Face Recon review - front stash pocket size

The North Face Surge has a completely different front design and features two vertical zippered pockets. These pockets overlap each other so that one is on top of the other. This means that you can store items in both pockets simultaneously.

The pocket on the left is lined with fleece and measures to about 7.5-inches wide (horizontally) at it’s widest point. The right side pocket is not lined with fleece but it is the larger pocket coming in at 9-inches at it’s widest point.

Another difference that the Surge features is a front grab handle. This handle is great on travel days because it allows the Surge to be used as a carry on backpack since it’s easy to grab from an overhead compartment. This handle also comes in handy when grabbing your backpack from the trunk of a car.

The North Face Surge backpack front grab handle

The similarities between the North Face Recon and Surge start at the pockets on the top of the backpack. Both bags feature a fleece-lined pocket for things like sunglasses or a phone.

North Face Recon vs Surge: Front fleece lined pocket

Behind the fleece lined pocket, both backpacks feature an organizer compartment with lots of pockets for pens, phones and other small items.

The North Face Surge vs Recon backpack comparison

The main difference between the Recon and Surge organizer compartments is that the Recon features a tablet pocket in this compartment and the Surge does not. The tablet pocket on the Surge can easily fit an 11-inch iPad Pro.

**The North Face Recon has a tablet pocket on the front and the Surge does not**

On the Surge – this entire organizer compartment is actually smaller than the one the Recon and I found that a regular sized iPad can just about fit on its side. But is there is no tablet protection so store a tablet here at your own risk.

Now let’s take a closer look at the main compartments.

The North Face Surge vs Recon main compartment

The Recon features one large open 30-liter main compartment while the Surge features a 31-liter main compartment with a slim zip pocket against it’s back. This is a smaller pocket that is great for stashing smaller items you want to keep safe like a wallet, phone or other valuables.

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Recon vs Surge Laptop Compartment

Both the Recon and Surge have robust suspended 15-inch laptop compartments that do a great job at keeping your laptop safe. Where they differ is in overall size.

Much like The North Face Borealis, the North Face Recon features a single padded laptop compartment while the North Face Surge offers a larger divided compartment with a slip pocket.

The laptop compartment on the Surge has a slip pocket on the divider itself that can comfortably fit an 11-inch iPad Pro. So instead storing your tablet on the front of the bag like the Recon, you can instead keep you tablet in the rear compartment with your laptop. This divider pocket can also comfortably store your laptop charger and cables.

**The laptop compartment on the Surge is large enough for two laptops if needed.**

The other side of the laptop divider can fit anything you need to keep flat like paperwork, a binder or large textbook. We were surprised to find that the Surge can also fit an additional laptop in this compartment which is great for anyone looking for dual laptop backpack.

We were able to comfortably fit both a 13” Macbook Pro and a 15.6” Acer PC laptop inside the Surge’s laptop compartment.

**Turn your Recon into a hiking backpack with its secret hydration bladder loop**

Another small yet important difference between the Recon and Surge is that the Recon includes a velcro loop attachment for a hydration bladder and the Surge does not. This allows you to turn the Recon’s laptop compartment into a hydration pocket if you were to ever go hiking.

Comfort and Fit details

When it comes to comfort and fit features there is very little difference between the Recon and Surge in terms of how they feel when worn. The only real difference is that the Surge is slightly heavier since it’s the larger backpack of the two.

But both the Surge and Recon feature the same Flex Vent back panels and we can honestly say both bags feel the same against your back.

They also feature the same adjustable sternum strap and removable waist belt.

Where these backpacks do differ slightly is in the top of the shoulder straps. The North Face Recon features Flexvent shoulder straps with cutouts on the foam to help with airflow. The North Face Surge has solid foam shoulder straps.

Which Backpack is Better?

The North Face Recon

Check Price on Amazon

The North Face Surge

Check Price on Amazon

Choose the North Face Recon if… you want a reliable backpack that can be used for work, school or the occasional outdoor adventure. Although smaller than the Surge, it still has plenty of room in its large 30-liter main compartment. We also like the front organizer compartment a lot better on the Recon since it includes a tablet pocket and is larger overall. And let’s not forget about the hidden hydration bladder loop that can turn the laptop compartment into a hydration pocket if you ever want to take the Recon on a hike.

Choose the North Face Surge if… you need a workhorse that can be used for school, work or even travel. The North Face Surge also make an incredible tech backpack thanks to its larger laptop compartment, multiple fleece lined pockets and great organization. The Surge’s 31-liter main compartment and front grab handle also make it great for those who need a versatile backpack that can also be used for travel.

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Is the North Face Surge water proof?

The North Face Surge is specialized for traveling with a laptop, but its utility does not end there. If you need to keep plenty of devices secure when on the go, this pack won’t let you down. With its only drawbacks in water resistance and style, there is a lot to like with this pack.

What is the difference between the North Face backpacks?

This is the biggest difference. The men’s version of the North Face Borealis has a 28 liter carrying capacity while the women’s version is 27 liters. Both the men’s and women’s version of the Recon are 30 liters. The men’s version of the Borealis has a wider front elastic bungee system and includes daisy chains.

Is The North Face Recon backpack good for school?

The 30-liter North Face Recon backpack is ultra-durable and boasts improved suspension for all-day comfort. It features plenty of compartments and pockets to stash away your gear. Mesh water bottle pockets help you stay hydrated while you’re on the go. Large, but comfy, it’s one of the best backpacks for college.

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