The North Face BOREALIS vs JESTER Explained in 5 Minutes

🎒 MORE NORTH FACE VIDEOS
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✍️ ITEMS SHOWN IN VIDEO
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The North Face Borealis vs Jester: Two Different Planets

Why do these two backpacks get lumped together so often? We think it’s that bungee cord. When you have both in front of you, it becomes clear that they are two very different bags.

The North Face Borealis is a part of the brand’s premium line of backpacks that features many bells and whistles such as compression straps, a separate protective laptop compartment and premium fleece-lined pockets.

With the Jester, The North Face cuts costs in materials to offer a more affordable option. The Jester includes a laptop sleeve inside the main compartment and ditches the compression straps for a more lightweight bag for those who just need the basics.

Which Backpack is Better?

Choose the North Face Borealis if… you value better quality, need more pockets and appreciate small details like easier-to-use bungee storage, fleece-lined pockets and a separate laptop compartment that keeps your tech away from your main packing.

Choose the North Face Jester if… you value a lightweight backpack that’s easier on the wallet. The Jester is cheaper but it still retails some of the great features that make North Face backpacks so great - a breathable Flexvent back panel, a front organizer compartment and a bungee for storing extra items.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
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Free Products
At Backpackies, we may sometimes receive free products from brands to consider adding to our buying guides and reviews. However, what we choose to showcase is at our discretion and our opinions are our own. Our goal has always been to help our audience find the perfect backpack for their specific needs and we strive to keep our opinions and recommendations honest based on that goal.

#thenorthface #northface

[heyitsdaniel]

This is a really great explanation video. I work at North Face and I've had customers asking me about our products, especially the backpacks. Watching this video gave me a TON of information that I can use on the floor. Thank you very much!

[lindevoskamp]

"It has a hydration hook up, so you can turn it into a hiking backpack" THANK you for showing that, because I have not seen that in any pictures/short video's yet and that is very useful info to have.

[thenotoriousstg]

I like the Boralis, I just wish it was the size of the Jester. Looking for something for my personal item for traveling. Great review though!

[eluiziqx]

this video helped a lot as i am stuck between the JESTER and BOREALIS i will be getting the jester as i am i’ll be using it for school!!

[RandomDrood]

Amazing video, very detailed and short, which makes it perfect. Thank you ❤

[deadnorwegianblue]

I have both and I honestly prefer Jester. It’s more comfortable, looks better, better accessibility, more comfortable top handle. The only positive of Borealis for me is separate laptop compartment. Also when I put a wet umbrella in Borealis side pocket, it leaked into the main compartment, it didn’t happen with Jester.

[jackgoodman]

i've had the older model jester for 6 years now which has basically the same specs with a slightly different look. it got me through highschool years and college years. It has been across the country from Maine to Wyoming to Oregon to Alaska. I've brought it on trips to class and rough Alaskan hiking trips. I would recommend getting the jester for sheer lightweight versatility as it not only looks sleaker than the borealis but is also more versatile and lighter. If you are on the fence of which one to get I hope this sways you into making the right choice and choosing the jester. I wish you too will share many memories with your back and may it take you far along on your journey as it did with mine.

[CeeMKE]

Great comparison video, I’ve looked at both bags before but you offered info I wasn’t aware of. Thanks for sharing 👍🏽

[librababe]

This helped me soooo much😭 this is exactly what I needed as looking for!

[fsdfmsbcxx]

Thank you very much for these comparisons. That's exactly what people want to know. Subscribed.

[leonwunderlichderfield]

Thank you soooo much!!! Very helpful in my search.

[Sohmore]

After watching this video I returned the Jester and purchased the Borealis. Thanks for the comparison video.

[emiliopelaez]

Absolutely awesome and detailed review; much appreciated!

[israellaveaga]

Thanks! GREAT Review. Well done. Love the comparison. exatly what i was looking for.

[stephaniedegroff]

I picked the Borealis!! Exclusively for my tech perfect fit extra pockets compared to my kankin backpack

[mariacamilagarciafernandez]

Great great video, clear and to the point. Thank you 😊

[hudas.]

Is the jester good for carrying a lot of school materials like notebooks and binders?

Does the Jester feel heavy on the shoulders after putting stuff in it?

[girlmamareviews]

I’m 5’4” and feel the Borealis women’s looks huuuuge on me! I ordered a Jester and a Borealis in black and plan to decide after checking them out side by side. I wish NF made a slightly smaller Borealis though.

[luxury-ryck]

I like design of TNF Borealis and it's quality however one major design flaw stops me from purchasing it.

Two main compartments have cotton tape zipper pullers you still can attach a backpack lock to it. However it can be easily cut with scissors. Suppose that you are going on metro or bus on a busy overcrowded day, such cotton tape zipper pullers would be an easy target for a thieves, they could with out efforts cut those zip pullers and get access to your staff.

The Jester, Surge have same problem.

The TNF Hot Shot, Borealis Classic have conventional metal zipper pullers, you can easily attach a backpack lock. Cutting them requires more bigger tools and needs more time and of course it would increase attention from surrounding people. So thieves would just avoid such bag.

But TNF Hot Shot, Borealis Classic is made with lower quality materials they looks quite cheap and misses FlexVent technology. I do not like their design.

I would definitely would not feel relaxed with TNF Borealis when going on overcrowded days on metro or buses as with such insecure zipper pullers I would be an easy target for thieves.

Very sad that TNF spoiled such great cool looking bag with such poorly made zipper pullers.

[Mujioak]

trying to decide which backpack i want for skl next yearrr