The North Face Jester Backpack - 1850cu in

"Dont get me wrong, there are a lot of packs worse than this but it is very easy to do better. Performs as well as many similar packs from High Sierra and other third-tier brands, though those packs usually provide more features and cost less. No laptop sleeve, not hydration compatible, no ventilation or back support, no sternum strap, and an utterly useless hipbelt. Returned mine after a month because a stitch had popped out along where the shoulder straps attach and a number of stitches had popped along the mesh water bottle pockets.Bottom line: If you are a parents of high school and middle school kids looking for something with a TNF logo plastered on that doesnt break the bank, this is your pack. Hikers, climbers, college students, and commuters would be better served looking elsewhere."

"I love this bag. I am a high school student and this bag is big enough for all my books, but takes up no room for storage. It looks great and is incredibly durable!"

"This is an excellent 2 compartment backpack. For those of you at school, it can nicely fit about 4-5 good size textbooks in the main compartment. The smaller compartment is excellent for calculators and small notebooks. In the smaller compartment is a nice organizer for pens and other small items. The best and most important thing about this pack is that it is very comfortable to wear on you back. Even with a full load. For hikers or backpackers, you may want a bigger pack."

"This is a really nice and spacious backpack. It could use a few more pockets though. Water bottle pockets very useful."

"When I ordered the backpack, I didnt realize the cord was red so when it came it was a great surprise. I wanted a calm color, I chose light grey, something besides black. The red cord made it pop just a little. I also was very happy with the sturdiness of the material and stitching. Cant go wrong with this bag."

"This is a great bag with lots of storage space. Lots of compartments."

"I bought this bag as a new school bag. Ive had the same bookbag prior to this one for three years and thought it was time. Glad I ordered it, too, as my old one just broke a day ago on a hike. This bags very comfortable on your shoulders, and has lots of space (as youd expect for 1850 cubic inches). Plenty of space for a bunch of goods. I carried shoes, a fleece, two water bottles, camera, and other stuff with me today as I hiked. Again, this is a great bag."

"I bought this bag because it was comfortable, was black (I use it for work) and because it did not have the mesh style backs and straps that are fashionable now, but which cause some clothing fabrics to pill, scuff and tear. I do not overpack my bag, it has only been used in day-to-day city life and it is 6 months old. However it has split between the padded back and the base - and is now unusable. Because it was bought in a location outside of where I am living now it is difficult to get a replacement. I have not found North Face at all helpful as a company in this respect (i.e. in assisting me with a replacement or refund). Looking at the bag it is obvious that it needs a thicker fabric at the base and a more resilient method of stitching the base to the back. I have been looking at others comments to see if I am the only one with this problem and I see I am not. Pity because other than this it is a good bag."

"Ill give this a 3 for hiking, a 4 for college. its got great features for walking around campus, but theres probably 50 better daypacks out there for hiking PROS: lots of space inside w/ easy access to both compartments, bottle holders can fit 32oz nalgenes, shoulder straps work pretty well, shock cord on front of pack is very good for a multitude of things (mainly drying off wet jacket, socks, etc), zippers dont snag and stay protected from rain under zipper guard, north face warranty CONS: waist strap is worthless, you have to put something soft in the bottom of the pack b/c whatever is down there will hit up against your back when walking, smaller compartment has all these little pouches in it but none of them really hold much if the bag is jostled around in the slightest. i cut mine out b/c they were just dead weight - like the waist strap"

"After my Eddie Bauer backpack wore out after 6 years, I decided it was time to splurge on a new bag. This is my first North Face purchase, and Im very happy with it. Im a college student, and the Jester easily accomodates my books and binders. It also has plenty of pockets in the front pouch for organizing pens, pencils, keys, gum, calc, chapstick, notecards, personal items, etc. And the mesh pockets on the side are handy for drinks. At times, I have also been able to pack my laptop (in a sleeve), plus 2 books. Its very comfortable and easy to carry, even when the bag is packed to the max. Im hoping this bag will last me through a few more years of college. *Bonus* Backcountry is awesome! My bag was shipped to me within a few days even though I used the economy (free) shipping. Since my original purchase I have ordered more items. Thanks!!"