The North Face Surge is an elegant day bag that doubles as a laptop bag. It has a dedicated space for a laptop up to 15″.

These compress the bottom of the bag, making it easier to carry and squeeze into tight spaces. Handle It’s also water-resistant, so there’s no need to worry about your belongings being damaged by bad weather or damp ground.FlexVent injection-molded shoulder straps that include a top layer of Atilon foam for added comfort As most have come to expect from this major name brand, it’s made of the highest quality materials – in this case, ripstop nylon. It also has a FlexVent suspension system and a sternum and waist straps to make it more comfortable to carry.

This laptop day bag is bigger than the women’s alternatives, being 17″ rather than 15″. So it fits much more than just a laptop. Keep in mind that this bag is very deep, so small items in this compartment may get shuffled to the bottom of the bag, which can be a bit inconvenient. The North Face is a brand that specialises in outdoor clothing and gear for adventurous campers and travellers. The Surge II is outfitted with a large capacity Joey T55 power supply so that you can easily charge your electronics on the go. It can equip you with three and a half full battery charges or can provide a partial charge for several days for devices such as a cell phone, mp3 player, tablet, or other USB devices. The Borealis’s interior is also designed for those who like to keep organised. It has different compartments, and some padding to keep your belongings from becoming squashed, damaged or bashed.Now that we’ve covered the materials, let’s get into the external components. On the front of the bag there are two rows of daisy chains where you can clip on additional accessories with a carabiner. We used these to attach a Topo Designs Square Bag pouch and it was pretty much perfect. Below that, there are compression straps that you can use to condense the bottom of the bag for everyday carry. We didn’t find these to be too necessary since the bag is only 31L with a relatively slim profile in the first place. If you’re commuting via crowded train, however, being able to cinch the bag down a bit could come in handy. The suspension systems makes carrying heavy weight easier, which is especially useful if you plan on hiking with a lot of gear. It also comes with a waterproof cover that can be easily pulled over the bag, so there’s no need to worry about traveling in bad weather.

The guys out there will be pleased to hear it’s designed to be just as comfortable as the ladies’ Surge and Recon, with the same FlexVent suspension system and padded straps providing ultimate comfort.

The Cons of the North Face Surge II Backpack

If you intend to wear this bag for a long time, breathability is one feature that you absolutely must consider. Made of a water resistant 420D nylon material with a 600D polyester print and 1680D ballistics nylon