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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Arlington, VA on 7/29/2008
I'm a law student, so I was looking for a bag that would hold a laptop and several large casebooks for daily travel to and from class. I've got a mile to walk each day, so comfort, space and durability are key to a backpack for me. This backpack is great for what I need. It holds everything I need it to very well, and it doesn't kill my back.
The one downside is that the laptop padding is very thin and stiff. I recommend using a protective sleeve for your laptop.
from Princeton, NJ on 6/2/2008
My 14-year-old son uses this as a school pack: with the weight of textbooks and computers nowadays it needs to be roomy, strong, and comfortable. He's thrilled with it: it has made his back feel much better. It is also flexible enough to use as a major piece of luggage for long trips.
Love this bag great for every thing i do. Great for traveling and day to day use.
from Gloucester, MA on 3/19/2008
I use this pack to transport my laptop and personals to and from work. I have a long commute on a train and on the subway. Previously I used a briefcase, but it was awkward and it killed my back. This is great!!
from Connecticut on 3/11/2008
This is a very good laptop backpack. Since this is now the second in my household I can definitely say that I have been impressed with this bag. It holds up well and has plenty of space for mid size laptops. We typically use 14.1" Dell Latitudes which fit fine even with extended batteries. This bag may be a bit snug with larger 15" laptops. Plenty of storage space for accessories. I carry this everyday and have taken it on quite a few business trips and it is no worse for wear. In my opinion - a quality product.
from Andover, Ma on 2/11/2008
This pack is perfect for commuting and travelling. The slot for PC is reasonably well padded, and access for airport security checks is simple and quick. The pockets are well organized with pens, pencils, and notepad all easily accessible.
The middle pocket can hold a large camera and chargers, or pretty much anything else I have carried. Finally, the side drink pockets hold either a good travel coffee mug, or, a metal thermos bottle.
The only thing about this pack is that it is expensive for what you get, and I'll be looking for other brands next time I need something. That said, the quality is great and the service at EMS website was outstanding.
from Minneapolis, MN on 2/10/2008
I'm on an airplane weekly. I was looking for a backpack that was comfortable, allowed quick access to the computer (airline security), and had room for my business papers. The North Face Surge was the best solution I could find. Looked and tried many others, this is the best.
from Mystic, CT on 2/10/2008
I'm a scientist/professional that doesn't want to look like a business man but need a computer all the time. This backpack allow me to travel quickly through security with everything I need as a carry-on. I just wish they designed it to have some separate areas within the computer space for files or easy access to travel stuff like a pocket for passport or tickets.
from Las Vegas, NV on 2/4/2008
Use it back and forth to work. I'm US Air Force, so had to get it in black to match my uniform...looks great! Lot's of separate pockets for books, notebooks, MP3 players, etc. Laptop pocket is perfect for my 14"er, but I could see a larger laptop being a tight fight (if you have a 15.4"er with wide bezel, it might not fit). Few complaints: main zippers get stuck on fabric occasionally (though it's getting better as I break the bag in); when using bag on only one shoulder, the straps slip a bit. Overall great bag! Roomy, well organized, very durable (owned my last NF bag for 9 years and wore the heck out of it). Enjoy!
from Seattle, WA on 2/3/2008
This product is excellent for the price. It keeps a small 14" laptop separate from books. Things have less of a tendency to clump on the bottom, which takes advantage of the whole volume. It's perfect for work/school/traveling even with a laptop.
from Atlanta, GA on 2/3/2008
It holds everything that you could possible imagine and easily fits my widescreen laptop.
from Charlottesville, VA on 1/23/2008
Just what I was looking for - a dedicated laptop pocket, another large pocket for papers and books, a third smaller pocket for miscellaneous items, and an organizer panel. An added bonus is a separate laptop cord case. Easy for airport security lines. Also a good day pack for hiking, if a tad on the weighty side. A fairly large bag, but compressor straps keep it manageable when not fully loaded. I also like that the hip belt tucks away behind the back pad. Sturdy construction.
from Sammamish, Washington on 1/4/2008
This backpack is awesome, very comfortable, and I highly recommend it to anyone who carrys a load of heavy books to and from school. Normally backpacks aggrevate my existing lower back problems, but this one doesn't. North Face must have created this bag with someone with back problems in mind. It seems to evenly distribute the weight over the entire back, rather than just to the lower back, middle back, or upper back. We got the blue bag and absolutely love the coloring, it's very sharp and have gotten several comments recently. The bag has lots of very handy pockets and has a feature to expand or collapse the bag so it's not bulky at all. I don't there is a more perfect backpack out there.
from Seattle, WA on 1/2/2008
Very nice. It fits me perfectly. Just use the straps to make it fit you. It's comfortable, roomy and great for movement around the downtown without taking it even off and carrying it. Awesome!
from Kingston, NY on 1/2/2008
My son's Gateway Tablet PC laptop is a bit of a squeeze.
from chi town on 12/2/2007
super pack
from Manhattan on 11/29/2007
I'd been using a Lands End briefcase for years, but with the current one wearing out, had my eye open for something different. I'm a mixed business/academic person, traveling a lot on subways, trains, taxis, buses, planes, and bike. My briefcase was just starting to be a pain; heavy, not holding what I wanted, uncomfortable.
This caught my eye. It holds more than my old bag, and is unbelievably comfortable. In some ways, it is more convenient. For example, on my day trips up to New Haven to teach, there is a place to hold the insulated coffee cup I bring with me. Walking my daughter across Central Park to school is going to be a lot more comfortable, and I'll have a few more hands free to carry her things.
There are some straps on the bottom that look like they could hold a rolled up yoga mat or poncho.
Things that interest me less are the iPOD holder (I don't have one). I'd prefer to see more pockets for holding chargers, and more pockets that zipped up. The outside pocket is designed for easy access, but seems a little insecure: it doesn't totally close, and seems like it would be possible for someone to unzip it on a crowded subway.
The blue color is nicer in reality than the picture.
There ought to be some sort of luggage tag or place to put an id.
For biking, I will want to strap this to the rear rack. Not clear if this is going to be practical or not.
For style, it's not something that can be brought to a meeting that is suit and tie. But what backpack is? For those occasions, I'll bring a real briefcase.
from Deep River, CT on 11/10/2007
This was a gift to my daughter in college. She absolutely loves it. The computer pocket is the best aspect.
my last north face pack lasted almost 10 years before a clip broke...it may have looked 10 years old but the stitching, zippers, and materials held up amazing... i use my packs during the week for commuting to work and on the weekends its used like a day pack should...filled to the brim with your hiking needs. i can only hope i get half as long with the surge pack.
from Hollidaysburg, PA on 10/8/2007
Good fit for my new, bigger laptop. Laptop protection is a major issue with me. I also need lots of room for other stuff.
from Maryland on 10/7/2007
Good product and it works well.
from NY on 9/5/2007
This is the best backpack and most efficient computer/backpack ever. Very stylish, and super roomy.
from Syracuse, NY on 8/8/2007
Well made with nice features - but it really will not fit a 17" Dell M90 laptop, though the specs might lead you to believe it will. For a smaller laptop it would be great. It is about 1/2" shy each dimension of actually closing with a 17" machine in the computer pocket.
Our first priority is your complete satisfaction with your Eastern Mountain Sports® purchase.
Please call us in customer service @ 888.463.6367, check out our website www.ems.com, or visit one of our EMS Retail locations if we can assist you in any way.
from St. Louis, Missouri on 8/5/2007
Plenty of room for computer, portable printer, cables, files/books/magazines and other carry-on items. Very sturdy, well designed and well made. Nicely organized and pockets and storage spaces, with good padding and protection where needed. Comfortable even when fully loaded. Note that larger laptops may not fit--the pocket is plenty deep but the opening is about 12-13 inches wide, comfortably wide for a T42 with extended battery inserted sideways but could be tight for something bigger.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from salem, or on 7/22/2007
Best day pack i've bought so far. used to have the recon II, but decided to upgrade and this was a perfect solution. the recon was fine, but i just wanted a bag that was meant for a laptop. Fits my 15.4" vaio perfectly. GOTTA LOVE IT.
from Birmingham, AL on 6/5/2007
I travel atleast 26 weeks a year. This is the best backpack I have purchased. It fits all my manuals, laptop, and other items needed to work. It is lightweight and roomy. I would highly recommend this backpack to anyone.
from Provo, UT on 6/4/2007
I love this thing. It's a little pricey for a backpack but it's a great product. It holds everything I need and it's comfortable. I thought it would be big and bulky but it actually looks really good. I would recommend it if you're willing to pay a little bit more for great quality. It's a good investment, you'll probably never need to buy a new backpack ever again.
from Newtown Connecticut on 5/29/2007
[...] I am an executive who travels alot. Was looking for something functional and easy to tote my laptop and files around. This backpack has everything I needed. Zippered compartment to store my passport and IPOD....nice padded compartment to store my laptop..and the bag fits nicely on my back