North Face Jester VS Borealis – 2024 Comparison – Which Is Better And What Is The Best Choice!
Backpacks from The North Face are often categorised into two distinct groups: the premium bags, which include the Borealis, Recon, and Surge, and the standard bags. These backpacks have a higher price tag since they are crafted from better-quality materials.
The Jester and the Vault belong to a category of bags called “Budget Bags,” which are less expensive since they are created using lower-quality materials. Therefore, despite their superficial similarities, the Borealis and Jester are poles apart, so our duty today is to show you the differences between both backpacks.
This review will provide a detailed comparison of North Face Jester VS Borealis. We will evaluate their key features, customer reviews, designs and durability to determine which backpack is on top. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in and find out which backpack fits your needs!
North Face Jester Overview & Key Features
Thanks to its convenient features, you can take the North Face Jester Backpack with you everywhere you go, whether to and from work or school, errands around town or even on short day trips. North Face is well recognised as a market leader due in large part to the quality and durability of its backpacks.
The rear panel of the Jester backpack is cushioned so that the bag’s weight is not distributed directly over the wearer’s back, making it a more comfortable option than a traditional backpack. Carrying your belongings around town won’t cause any discomfort because to the cushioned shoulder straps. The vented back panel adds to the overall convenience by preventing your back from heating up.
Borealis Overview & Key Features
There’s a good reason why the original Borealis Backpack is always a best-seller. You can secure your belongings inside and out with the classic bungee rope system and a spacious main compartment.
The stand-up structure, sternum strap, retractable waist belt, and padded laptop pocket make this a very versatile backpack. The Borealis offers many organisation options, including a front storage pocket and multiple external attachment points for additional customisation.
What Are The Main Differences between North Face Jester VS Borealis Backpacks?
Sturdy Construction
The North Face Jester and Borealis Backpacks come in different variants – men, women, and unisex. They all look quite similar. However, the major difference between them is that North Face men’s backpacks have elongated back panels and wider shoulder straps to accommodate men’s bigger shoulders and longer torsos.
Capacity
The North Face Borealis backpack for men has a 28-litre capacity, while the North Face Borealis backpack for women has a 27-litre capacity. While the men’s Jester can hold up to 28 litres, the women’s Jester has a far more modest 22-litre capacity.
Zipper Construction
The North Face Borealis is made with Nylon Ripstop and YKK zippers, whereas the North Face Jester is made with recycled polyester with SBS zippers. The Borealis is made from nylon ripstop, treated with a water-repellent coating, has high-quality YKK zippers, and features like fleece-lined sections to keep valuables like glasses and gadgets safe.
Pockets and Materials
However, the Jester is made from recycled polyester and has low-priced SBS closures. Most of its pockets are composed of a cheap mesh material, and it lacks any pockets lined with fleece. Overall, each bag has its unique hardware. The North Face Borealis’s sternum harness, waist belt, and compression buckles are all durable plastic. On the other hand, the Jester uses lighter plastic gear but lacks a waist belt and other essential elements like compressive supports.
Laptop Storage
Another key difference between the Jester and the Borealis Backpacks is the location of the laptop storage is a significant distinction between the Borealis and Jester. The Borealis has an independent laptop compartment in the back, whereas the Jester has a laptop partition within its main compartment.
Water Bottle Pockets
The Borealis uses sturdier blended materials, including flexible tight-weave mesh for its water bottle compartments, whereas the Jester uses a less expensive mesh material. There is no bungee on top of the Borealis water bottle pocket.
Elastic Bungee Storage System
The front elastic bungee storage mechanism is present on both the Borealis and the Jester, although the bungee designs differ in quality. The Borealis has central detachable clips that release the bungee for easy attachments. Without these hooks and loops, the Jester is more difficult to accessorise the bag. The Jester has two compression points on both sides of the bungee to hold items in place.
FlexVent suspension system
Whether you prioritise comfort, the North Face Jester backpack also has a padded back panel and a FlexVent suspension system. This provides excellent support and ventilation, making it ideal for long hours of wear
Comfort
In terms of comfort, both models feature ergonomic shoulder straps and a padded back panel, ensuring a comfortable fit even during extended wear
Borealis Design Vs Jester Design
The North Face Jester backpack is a versatile and durable option designed for everyday use, featuring a spacious main compartment and multiple pockets for organization. The Jester boasts a sleek and streamlined design, while the Borealis offers a more rugged and adventurous aesthetic.
Both backpacks excel in functionality and storage capacity, with the Jester providing ample space for all your essentials and the Borealis offering additional specialised compartments for enhanced organisation. However, when it comes to comfort, the Borealis takes the lead with its FlexVent suspension system, providing superior support and alleviating strain on your shoulders and back during extended wear.
Is The North Face Borealis More Durable Than The North Face Jester?
The North Face Borealis backpack combines durability, functionality, and style, making it the perfect choice for outdoor and everyday adventures. While the Jester backpack offers a sleek and minimalist design, the Borealis backpack takes it up a notch with its additional storage capacity and organisational compartments. Both backpacks are crafted with the highest quality materials, ensuring long-term durability and resistance to wear and tear.
Ultimately, the decision between the North Face Jester and Borealis backpacks will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Regardless of your choice, both backpacks guarantee reliability and style that is synonymous with the North Face brand.
Which Has Better Customer Reviews?
The North Face Jester receives consistently positive customer reviews, with many customers praising its durability and comfortable design. Whereas the North Face Borealis is also highly regarded by customers, particularly for its spacious compartments and excellent organizational features.
Top 4 North Face Borealis Backpack
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The North Face 10L Mini Borealis
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 14 x 22 inches
- Weight: 10 ounces
- Department: unisex-adult
- Color: Tnf Black Heather/Burnt Coral Metallic
Overview:
The much-loved Borealis classic backpack is now available in a compact size, perfect for urban living. The American Chiropractic Association endorses this model in part because of its 10-litre capacity, its convenient organisation, and its comfortable FlexVent suspension.
Special Features:
With the FlexVent suspension system, you’ll have comfortable, well-ventilated support thanks to the cushioned mesh back panel, the breathable lumbar panel and the flexible yoke made from the proprietary injection-moulded and pliable shoulder strap.
This small 10-litre daypack has internal pockets for organisation.
There is a comfortable padded top handle.
Easy grab u-pull zippers.
External bungee compression for external organizations.
- This backpack may be scaled down to 10 litre but it has all the features of the large backpack.
- Double multi-use external pockets that can be used as water bottle pockets
- The primary compartment features an additional tablet sleeve and an internal pouch.
- There is an external bungee-compression system offers more organisational options.
- Comes in 15 different colours.
- The bag is really small and might not contain all your belongings.
- The side pockets are small and can only contain small water bottles.
The North Face Unisex Borealis Backpack
- Dimensions: 9.75 x 13.25 x 19.75 inches
- Weight: 2.49 pounds
- Department: Unisex-adult
- Colour: Tnf Black
- Model number: N/a
Overview:
This classic 28-liter backpack for rapidly stowing goods and hitting the road has been revised with new features and an enhanced suspension system for all-day comfort. Finished with stretch-mesh water bottle compartments for simple access and an external elastic cord for attaching additional supplies.
Special Features:
The bag is made from 600D polyester.
The main compartment has a padded, highly-protective laptop sleeve and the front compartment has a tablet sleeve to organise and secure your electronic devices.
The FlexVent suspension system has a flexible yoke made from custom injection-moulded shoulder harnesses and a flexible back panel.
- Dedicated, extremely protective compartment for 15″ laptops. Reflective 360-degree bicycle light loop, water bottle closures, and shoulder strap webbing.
- Two elongated mesh water bottle compartments are readily convertible to multi-purpose pouches, with mobile phone access on one side.
- A fleece-lined exterior compartment for eyeglasses or electronic devices.
- A modernised elastic front bungee system for exterior stowage.
- Comfortable padded handle on the top.
- The backpack has a sternum strap with a bell-shaped fastener and there is a removable girdle at the midsection.
- The bag is not lightweight.
- The bag cannot stand on its own.
THE NORTH FACE Women's Borealis
- Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 4 inches
- Weight: 1.15 Pounds
- Department : Women
- Colour: Tnf Black
- Item model number: NF0A52SIUGNOS
Overview:
There’s a reason why the Women’s Borealis sells so well. It has a spacious internal compartment, a bungee rope system that has become famous, and a FlexVent suspension system designed specifically for women.
The American Chiropractic Association has approved the FlexVent suspension system for ladies because of its soft touch chemise fabric, rounded back panel, and articulated shoulder straps.
Special Features:
Among the features, this ba has a stand-up design, U-pull zippers, 360-degree reflectivity, removable waist belt and side bungee and bottom compression straps.
Certified by the American Chiropractic Association for comfort, the women-specific FlexVent suspension system has articulated shoulder straps, a rounded back panel and stitch lines, and soft-touch chemise fabric.
Two external water bottle pockets double as multi-use pockets.
The front compartment has a padded tablet sleeve and zip pockets, and an external fleece-lined pocket stores small items.
- This backpack comes in 15 different colours.
- External bungee, two water bottle pockets and multiple spots internally.
- Dedicated and Protective Laptop Compartment
- The bag is not water resistant. You have to get a separate rain cover.
- If the backpack is ever inverted, the adjustable strap will be useless in protecting your stuff.
THE NORTH FACE Borealis Commuter
- Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 12 x 19.5 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Department: unisex-adult
- Colour: Tnf Black
- Model number: NF0A52SE
Overview:
The much-loved Borealis Backpack has been upgraded with organisational features and a suspension system that has been certified by the American Chiropractic Association. This backpack has a 28-litre capacity and a dedicated high-protective 15-inch laptop pocket,
Special Features:
The is a large main compartment for clothing and books.
Stand-up design, U-pull zippers, 360-degree reflectivity, and removable waist belt.
Side bungee and bottom compression straps.
The FlexVent suspension system provides all-day shoulder and back support with its flexible shoulder straps, rounded back panel, stitch lines, and soft chemise fabric.
There is a front compartment with internal or
- The two exterior water bottle compartments also function as multiple-purpose pockets.
- The front compartment features a tablet sleeve and zippered pockets.
- There is a fleece-lined exterior compartment that stores tiny items or electronic devices.
- There are no disadvantages to purchasing this backpack.
Top 4 North Face Jester Backpack
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THE NORTH FACE Youth Court
- Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 18 inches
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Department: Unisex Child
- Colour: Cave Blue/Tnf Black/Mandarin
- Model number: NF0A52VY
Overview:
The capacity of this 24 litre classic Jester pack has been reduced for children, but not the functionality. The Kids’ Court Jester Backpack has two separate compartments for water bottles and an inside divider for neat packing.
Special Features:
Younger adolescent bodies will appreciate the cushioned back panel and shoulder straps.
Thanks to features like a sternum strap, full-body reflectivity, and a front bungee, they can go about their day without worry.
The backpack has two water bottle pockets and a spacious internal compartment.
With the backpack’s large, zipped main area and removable divider sleeve, students can store all their valuables conveniently.
- Front bungee fit oversized and bulky items
- The divider sleeves help with organisation.
- This backpack is only suitable for children because of its size.
THE NORTH FACE Jester Commuter
- Product Dimensions 5 x 11 x 13 inches
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Department: unisex-adult
- Colour: Leather Brown/TNF Black
Overview:
Padded to protect your laptop, the traditional Jester pack features streamlined organisation and can even stand on its own. The American Chiropractic Association has also given its stamp of approval.
Special Features:
This backpack features two external water bottle pockets, a stylish front bungee system for additional storage, 360-degree reflectivity and a sternum strap.
The American Chiropractic Association has approved the FlexVentTM suspension system because of its extremely ventilated lumbar panel, very comfortable cushioned back panel, and adjustable, swivelling shoulder straps.
The two webbing top handles provide easy access and a well-balanced carry, preventing the bag from swaying awkwardly to one side as you walk.
For convenience while packing and unpacking, the backpack can be set down on its own and you can protect your 15-inch laptop from drops and bumps with this padded case.
A day’s worth of textbooks and binders fit in the spacious main compartment.
- The Front compartment simplifies your organisation while retaining storage essentials such as secure-zip pockets, a tablet sleeve, and a key attachment.
- Women-specific version available
- Customers have only positive things to say about this backpack.
THE NORTH FACE Women's Jester Commuter
- Product Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 7 inches
- Weight: 10 Ounces
- Item model number: A3KV8
- Department: boys
- Color: Wasabi/Harbor Blue
Overview:
The original Women’s Jester backpack is ultra-durable, contains a cushioned laptop sleeve, and is very easy to organise. The bag has a padded 15” laptop sleeve that helps protect your laptop from bumps and falls.
Special Features:
Made of 100 percent polyester
Two water bottle exterior compartments
A fashionable front elastic system for added storage
Omni directional reflectivity and sternal belt
Padded 16-inch laptop sleeve protects against accidents and mishaps.
The front compartment’s organisation features, including secure-zip pockets, a tablet sleeve, and a key clip, are streamlined for you.
- Comes in 28 different colours
- This 22-litre backpack stands on its own for easy loading and unloading.
- There is a padded laptop sleeve and an updated front compartment that simplifies parking.
- The two webbing top handles make it easy to unzip and provide the bag with a good weight distribution, so it won’t sling awkwardly in your direction as you walk.
- Customers have only positive things to say about this bag.
THE NORTH FACE Jester Commuter
- Product Dimensions: 8.25 x 11 x 18.13 inches
- Weight: 1.63 pounds
- Department: unisex-adult
- Colour: TNFBlack 2
- Model number: NF0A3VXF
Overview:
This 28-litre backpack has received a modern update: North Face has increased recycled content, simplified internal organization and the Jest pack can now stand unsupported.
The FlexVent suspension system features a flexible yoke built from custom injection-moulded and flexible shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for comfortable, ventilated support.
Special Features:
There is a cushioned tablet sleeve and zippered compartments in the front compartment for increased security.
Stand-up design, U-pull zippers and 360-degree reflectivity
- When crossing the quad, you can swiftly and safely stow your belongings in one of two water bottle pockets that function as multi-use pockets.
- Comes in 15 different colours.
- The backpack is quite small and is best suited for only weekend or shorter trips.
Overall Verdict – Which Is Better and Why?
With a 28-litre capacity, the Jester backpack, with its spacious compartments and dedicated laptop sleeve, ensures you can easily organise and protect your belongings. On the other hand, the Borealis showcases a slightly larger capacity, providing a little extra room for additional items. Both backpacks are constructed from durable materials, ensuring long-lasting usage.
While both backpacks have multiple compartments and pockets, the Borealis takes it a step further with a dedicated laptop sleeve and a removable waist belt. Ultimately, the choice between the North Face Jester and Borealis boils down to personal preference and specific requirements.
If you prioritize a sleek design and versatile functionality, the Jester may be the ideal choice. Both backpacks embody The North Face’s commitment to quality and reliability, ensuring that you can easily tackle any adventure or daily routine.
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