This is a comparison of the North Face Jester vs Borealis, two laptop backpacks. Both of these backpacks are very similar in design, so choosing between the two can be a bit of a challenge. In this comparison, we will first go over the similarities, then the subtle differences.
From the front, they both have a bungee cord where you can attach your larger items such as your coat or your soccer ball. But on the inside, there are some differences to take into consideration.
It is worth noting that both of these backpacks have a version specially made for women.
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The North Face Jester vs Borealis Backpacks
Looking at the Borealis and the Jester
These two backpacks can be used for many of the same purposes. Some common ones are for your daily commute to work or school. You can use these as a daypack for any purpose.
However, the Borealis can also be used for hiking purposes. This is because it has many more of the features that a hiker would probably want. For example, it has 3 loop daisy chains at the front. There, you can hang extra pouches or any other implements that have loops on them. It also has a zippered front compartment to store away the smaller items that you will be accessing on a frequent basis.
Perhaps another advantage to the Borealis is the fact that it has compression straps on each side. This helps to cinch down the size of the stuffed backpack and prevent it from swaying back and forth while you are walking or running. But the Jester is best used for work or school.
Most of the basic features of these backpacks are somewhat the same. For example, they both carry 15-inch laptops. It is worth noting that the Jester has a 12.75 x 11-inch sleeve, while the Borealis has a 12.5 x 11-inch sleeve.
This means that the Jester has an extra 1/4 inch of coverage at the top of the laptop. These laptop sleeves are fully padded in order to protect. Both of these backpacks also have a spot where you can put your tablet in the front pocket.
In the front pocket of these backpacks, the compartmentalization is very similar.
As mentioned, there’s a spot for your laptop. But there’s also a spot where you can put your cell phone, your pens, and your earbuds. As you will see below, the Borealis backpack is slightly more featured in terms of this front pocket.
As you can see from the image above, both the Borealis and the Jester have bungee cords running through the front of the backpack. These are there in order to allow for the attachment of external gear, such as a helmet.
In order to facilitate the hauling of these backpacks while they are not on your back, they both come with a padded top handle. More padding is provided on the back panel of these backpacks. Customers have expressed satisfaction with how comfortable they are on their backs. It does not apply much force to any pressure points.
The 360-degree bike light loop allows you to attach a third-party bike light for your protection in low light conditions. But this is also reflective of light even without the bike light.
The two mesh side pockets allow you to store a water bottle. These mesh pockets are the same size so there’s no guesswork between these two backpacks. In them, you can also store your snacks, your compass, your map, or any other small items.
Related: The North Face Vault vs Jester
Comparison of the Borealis vs Jester
If you know anything about the Borealis and the Jester, you may have realized that the Borealis is the more fully-featured of these backpacks.
Here is a list of the features that the Borealis has that the Jester does not:
Compression straps: The Borealis comes with compression straps. This means that you can compress your content if you’re only going to be filling it partway. The Jester does not come with compression straps. This means that it will sort of hang loose if it is not more than halfway full.
Fleece-lined tablet sleeve: While both backpacks come with a tablet sleeve in the front pocket, the Borealis’s tablet sleeve is fleece-lined to protect from scratches.
Fleece-lined external pockets: While both have external pockets, the Borealis has fleece lined external pockets for your sunglasses and electronics. This offers extra protection where the Jester cannot offer it.
Removable waist belt: Unlike the Jester, the Borealis comes with a waist belt that you can actually remove. This waist belt helps to stabilize the backpack while you are on the go. But it also has the added benefit of transferring the weight from the back panel to your waist.
Size and Volume
The Borealis is slightly larger than the Jester. While the Borealis can hold 28 liters of gear, the Jester can hold 26 liters.
The Borealis is also wider than the Jester by 1 inch. This means that you can stuff the Borealis a little bit more than the Jester.
Borealis dimensions: 11 x 6.75 x 17.25 inches
Jester dimensions: 19.75 X 13.25 X 9.75 inches
Variations in Quality and Design
While both of these backpacks are made with high-quality materials, the Borealis is made to be more durable. This makes sense because it is made to be used while hiking. Because the Borealis is more durable, it also comes at a higher price.
Because the Jester is made to be more affordable, it has fewer features and storage options. For example, the Borealis has a fleece-lined laptop sleeve, while the Jester’s laptop sleeve is not.
The Borealis also has a padded tablet sleeve. If you own a tablet, purchasing the Borealis could be a good decision.
Similarities Between the Borealis and the Jester
As mentioned previously, both of these backpacks are made for roughly the same purposes. It’s just that the Borealis is also made to be optimal for hiking.
But they are also similar in the fact that they both have a version specially made for women. These versions offer a different shape for the shoulder straps and the hip belt. They are also slightly on the smaller side, so they will carry less volume.
Both have side pockets for your water bottle on each side, and they have reflective materials for safety at night. And for a great fit, they have a sternum strap that runs along the shoulder straps.
Spec Comparison
North Face Jester:
- Weight: 1lb 10 ounces
- Dimensions: 11 x 6.75 x 17.25 inches
- Volume capacity: 27 liters
- Laptop sleeve: 12.75″ x 11″ inches
North Face Borealis:
- Weight: 2lbs 5oz ounces
- Dimensions:12 x 6.5 x 19.5 inches
- Volume capacity: 28 liters
- Laptop sleeve: 12.5 x 11 inches
As you can see, the Borealis can carry 2 liters more gear than the Jester. But the tablet sleeve of the Jester is slightly bigger, even though it is also made for a 15-inch laptop.
The North Face Jester vs Borealis: Price Comparison
The Borealis costs around $20 more than the Jester on Amazon:
The Verdict
We feel that the biggest consideration to be made here is the cost of these backpacks. First of all, they are both very similar but the Borealis offer more features.
Granted, the Borealis costs about $30 more than the Jester. But if you are like us, you may prefer simplicity over the convenience of having more pockets.
The Borealis is also larger than the Jester, and it will take up more space. If you do not need a 28-liter backpack and want to opt for something smaller, the Jester is a great choice.
But we must give points to the Borealis for being more durable and of slightly higher quality. We love the fact that it gives the option to go hiking, and has plenty more room to just stuff your backpack with things that you will need on a daily basis.
Either way, both of these backpacks come in many color variations. On Amazon, both offer 17 different styles and colors to choose from.
If you have a personal preference between these two backpacks or have any questions regarding them before you make a purchase, please leave us your comment below.
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