The North Face has been creating backpacks for school and hiking for decades and has garnered quite a cult following. There is good reason to use The North Face backpacks. They are highly durable and are carefully desired for optimal usage. And the name isn’t always recognizable by anyone in North America and beyond.
We have created this The North Face Surge vs Box Shot comparison because many people would like to know how these two particular models are different. Even though they do look different, some are confused as to what particular features they might have that are unique from each other.
We are going to be comparing these backpacks in this review. But before we do this, less cover what these backpacks have in common.
The North Face Surge vs Box Shot
The Surge And Box Shot Are Similarities
Since these backpacks come from the same company, it is not surprising that they also have many of the same features.
- Material: Both these backpacks are made of a durable ballistic nylon. The weave in ballistic nylon is made in such a way that it maintains its integrity even in rugged conditions.
- Compression straps: Compression straps are useful for when your backpack is very full or half empty. By snapping your compression straps tight, you help prevent the gear from your backpack from sloshing around and creating a slimmer profile.
Main compartment: The laptop sleeve in the main compartment of these backpacks can handle 15-inch laptops.- Organizational compartment: Both of these backpacks have a front compartment that contains plenty of organizational pouches. You will not be left without a place to put your credit cards, your cell phone, you media, your agenda, your pens, and plenty of other items.
- Side pockets: The Surge and the Box Shot backpacks have side pockets on each side. This will help you carry around your water bottles, as well as energy bars and other small items.
- Front panel pockets: The pockets on the front panel in both of these backpacks are two vertical zippered compartments that are separated with a piece of fabric. This allows you to store your smaller items and have them separated for organization.
Comparing The North Face Surge And Box Shot
Rather than creating separate lists of features of for each of these backpacks, we are going to condense them into one list. Each of the items in this list have to do with a difference between the Surge and the Box Shot. We will be going into detail as to how these backpacks differ based on each of the features below.
- Shoulder straps: The shoulder straps on the Box Shot have some useful little compartments where you can store a small cell phone and other small items. This may not be super useful in this day and age given the average size of today’s cell phones.
- Front panel design: The front panel of the Box Shot has a daisychain so that you can attach semester gear onto it. In contrast, the Surge has a padded handle on the front panel. This really helps in placing your backpack onto the back of the vehicle.
- Top handle: The top handle of the Surge is highly padded, while the top handle of the Box Shot is rather flimsy and not padded.
- Gear capacity: The gear capacity of the Surge is 33 liters, while the gear capacity of the Box Shot is 34 liters. This is not that great of a difference, and will be barely noticeable.
- Top slash pocket: The Surge has a top/pocket for your sunglasses, while the Box Shot does not even have one.
- TSA-approved laptop compartment: With the Surge, you get a TSA-approved laptop compartment to make it far easier for you to go through an airport checkpoint.
- Fleece-lined pockets: The Surge has plenty of fleece-lined pockets for your laptop, media, and sunglasses.
The Verdict
It is worth noting here that The North Face Box Shot does not seem to be in production any longer. It would be difficult to obtain the Box Shot online nowadays. But we also like to point out that the Surge has more features than the Box Shot. The Surge is definitely an improved version of its boxy counterpart.
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