The North Face Surge vs Surge Transit

The North Face company has an extensive library of travel gear that ranges from clothing to backpacks. This company is known for its quality products and has gained a cult following throughout North America and beyond.

The backpacks that North Face has designed are the result of quality craftsmanship. Each has its own unique flavor, and choosing between them can be rather difficult. We have created this The North Face Surge vs Surge Transit comparison because we feel that many customers are asking how they can differentiate these backpacks.

It is our hope that we can clear up the confusion so that you can make a decision as to which North Face backpack is for you.

Looking for a great alternative for The North Face Surge? Learn more in this comparison review: The North Face Surge vs Box Shot 

The North Face Surge vs Surge Transit

Preview
The North Face Surge
The North Face Surge Backpack, Zinc Grey Dark Heather/Evergreen, OS
The North Face Surge Transit
THE NORTH FACE SURGE TRANSIT TNF Surge Transit Pack LAPTOP BACKPACK
Title
The North Face Surge Backpack, Zinc Grey Dark Heather/Evergreen, OS
THE NORTH FACE SURGE TRANSIT TNF Surge Transit Pack LAPTOP BACKPACK
Price
Price not available
Price not available
Capacity
31 L
38 L
Dimensions
20" X 13.25" X 10.5"
21.42" x 10.63" x 2.76"
Materials
100% Nylon
100% Nylon
Weight
3 Lbs 2.8 Oz
3 lbs 3 oz
Backpanel
FlexVent™ suspension system
FlexVent™ suspension system
Laptop Compartment
15"
15"
More Information
The North Face Surge
Preview
The North Face Surge Backpack, Zinc Grey Dark Heather/Evergreen, OS
Title
The North Face Surge Backpack, Zinc Grey Dark Heather/Evergreen, OS
Price
Price not available
Capacity
31 L
Dimensions
20" X 13.25" X 10.5"
Materials
100% Nylon
Weight
3 Lbs 2.8 Oz
Backpanel
FlexVent™ suspension system
Laptop Compartment
15"
More Information
The North Face Surge Transit
Preview
THE NORTH FACE SURGE TRANSIT TNF Surge Transit Pack LAPTOP BACKPACK
Title
THE NORTH FACE SURGE TRANSIT TNF Surge Transit Pack LAPTOP BACKPACK
Price
Price not available
Capacity
38 L
Dimensions
21.42" x 10.63" x 2.76"
Materials
100% Nylon
Weight
3 lbs 3 oz
Backpanel
FlexVent™ suspension system
Laptop Compartment
15"
More Information

How The Surge And The Surge Transit Are Similar

It goes without saying that both of these models are excellent for your daily commute. You can use these backpacks while you are riding your bicycle, or simply walking to work or school. These backpacks come in various colors and textures to suit everyone’s design preferences.

The North Face Surge, Wrought Iron Dark Heather/Vandis Grey/Srspggn, OS
The North Face Surge comes in different colors including navy blue, taupe green light heather and dark grey.

Some people decide between these products based on what color options are available. This is partly because they have such similar designs. We will be talking about what the actual differences are in the section below. But before we do this, we would like to cover the ways in which these backpacks are identical.

  • One size fits all:

    The Surge and surge Transit come in only one size. They fit most torso lengths, so there is no guesswork or measurements to take before ordering a backpack.
  • Lay flat laptop compartments:

    To ease the checkpoint process of the airport, the lay flat laptop compartments meet TSA requirements.
  • Compatible with 14 inch laptops:

    While these backpacks may not fit large laptops, they do you fit average size 14-inch laptop. Both backpacks have the laptop sleeve in the front compartment. These laptop sleeves are padded in order to protect your electronics from hard bumps and scratches.
  • Main compartment:

    The main compartment of The Surge and surge Transit are especially made to hold thicker books and binders.
  • Tablet sleeve:

    Apart from the laptop sleeve, the front pocket also has a tablet sleeve.
    The North Face Surge, TNF Black, OS
    The North Face Surge has a huge main compartments and 2 additional front pockets!
  • Reflective bike loop:

    Because these backpacks are often used by cyclists, the design includes a reflective bike Loop so that you can attach a blinker light, or just allow the reflective strip to show your presence.
  • To external zippered pockets:

    In both these backpacks, the front compartment has two vertical zippered pockets. These zippered Pockets light externally and accommodate for smaller items. You can use his pockets to quickly store and retrieve items that you will be using on a regular basis.
  • Two water bottle pockets:

    On each side of his backpacks is a water bottle pocket. Unlike some other backpacks, these pockets are not see through. You can store things in these Pockets without anybody being able to discern what is in them.

The North Face Surge vs Surge Transit: The Differences

There are only some minor differences between these backpacks. The main difference is the size. While the north Face surge accommodate 31 liters of gear, the Surge Transit accommodates 38 liters.

While these backpacks hold different amounts of gear, it is clear that the gear capacity is optimal for your daily commute. You could use the surge transit for overnight stays somewhere and have enough space to store some extra pieces of clothing. But a 38 liter backpack is not quite large enough to store bedding or other accessories for sleeping.

The Surge also has a loop on top of the front pocket, one of the surge Transit does not. This extra Loop will facilitate the attachment of external gear. Most people seem to like this Loop just for aesthetic purposes, but you could attach your helmet to this Loop.

Price Comparison

If you would like to compare the best prices for The Surge and The Surge Transit, please see below:

The North Face Surge vs Surge Transit: The Verdict

If you want a large backpack for your daily commute, the Surge Transit is a great choice. But if you do not like the bulk of a heavier backpack, the regular Surge is perfect. The regular surge backpack has a Slimmer profile, and even has a loop on top of the front pocket. Using this Loop, you can attach some external gear. The North Face surge Transit  does not have this Loop.

Overall, we don’t feel that one is higher quality than the other. The choice to make seems to rest upon the size backpack that you will need.

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