The North Face Surge and The North Face Recon are two very popular backpacks. Granted, the Recon has more of a name for itself than the Surge. But it doesn’t mean that it is the best backpack for you.
And this review of The North Face Surge vs Recon, we are going to cover the main differences so that you can decide which one you’re going to purchase.
The North Face Surge vs Recon
What each is used for
The main difference between these two backpacks is the fact that the Surge holds more volume and has more organizational pockets than the Recon.
While the Surge can hold more items, it is not always the best choice for someone who wants a simple daypack that does not have a lot of bulk. The Surge does have a lot of pockets that some feel make it little bit bulky. But if you are going to go on an overnight trip, The North Face Surge is usually the best choice.
Lets go over some of the key points in making the difference between the Surge and the Recon.
Organizational pockets and volume
As mentioned above, the Surge holds more volume than the Recon. While the Surge holds 31 liters of gear, the Recon only holds 30 liters. But this still puts both of these backpacks in the same category in terms of volume. Both are considered medium sized backpacks that can be used for daytime use or for overnight stays.
The Surge has more pockets than the Recon. One of the key differences between them is the fact that the Surge has a front organizational pocket featuring many different sub pockets. For example, the Surge’s front pocket has a fleece-lined media pocket, a zippered pocket, and an elastic webbing.
Instead of the front organizational pocket, the Recon has a front stash pocket. This can really come in handy if you are going to be using the Recon for going to a sports event or for bicycling. In the front stash pocket, you can store your bicycle helmet or your soccer ball. It will expand to fit your items.
Alternatively, you can use the front stash pocket of the Recon in order to store your dirty laundry.
Also, while both backpacks have side pockets to hold your water bottles, the Surge has two vertical zippered pockets on the sides. This simply provides for a means to store the smaller items that you will be accessing on a frequent basis.
One feature that we won’t overlook about is the Recon’s hydration port. If you have a hydration pack that you want to put into the main compartment, you can run it through the hydration port.
How they hold your electronics
Perhaps one of the key differences in the pockets for these backpacks is how they hold your electronics. Both can hold a 15 inch laptop inside of their fleece-lined pockets.
In particular, the Surge features a laptop pocket that opens completely and lays flat. This meets the TSA requirements for protecting your laptop.
Additionally, the Surge has a fleece lined pocket for your tablet, and your sunglasses.
The North Face Surge vs Recon Price differences
The North Face Surge is now available at the same price as The North Face Recon on Amazon. If you would like to see current prices, here are the links below:
The North Face Surge vs Recon: The Verdict
What you will find with all of the North Face backpacks is that they are all made with high-quality materials. As we mentioned before, the Recon does have more popularity than the Surge. This could be due to how it is being marketed. But it could also be due to the fact that there are more people that are choosing to purchase a backpack that they can use just for daytime.
People are looking for simplicity, and they can find that in the Recon. The Recon is a staple backpack of The North Face line. But that does not deter us from recommending the Surge. It is all a matter of what you will be using it for and how much space you actually need.
Both backpacks have the same style, and they both come in roughly the same color combinations. If you like backpacks that have an earthy tone, these ones are slightly monochromatic compared to other backpacks. But some of the color options do kind of stand out.
We have a slight preference for the Recon because it is not as bulky as the Surge. But we would definitely want to be using the Surge if we were going to go backpacking for a day or overnight.
If you have your own opinions about any of these two backpacks and would like to share it with our visitors, please leave us a message below.
The North Face Surge and The North Face Recon are two very popular backpacks. Granted, the Recon has more of a name for itself than the Surge. But it doesn’t mean that it is the best backpack for you.
And this review of The North Face Surge vs Recon, we are going to cover the main differences so that you can decide which one you’re going to purchase.
The North Face Surge vs Recon
What each is used for
The main difference between these two backpacks is the fact that the Surge holds more volume and has more organizational pockets than the Recon.
While the Surge can hold more items, it is not always the best choice for someone who wants a simple daypack that does not have a lot of bulk. The Surge does have a lot of pockets that some feel make it little bit bulky. But if you are going to go on an overnight trip, The North Face Surge is usually the best choice.
Lets go over some of the key points in making the difference between the Surge and the Recon.
Organizational pockets and volume
As mentioned above, the Surge holds more volume than the Recon. While the Surge holds 31 liters of gear, the Recon only holds 30 liters. But this still puts both of these backpacks in the same category in terms of volume. Both are considered medium sized backpacks that can be used for daytime use or for overnight stays.
The Surge has more pockets than the Recon. One of the key differences between them is the fact that the Surge has a front organizational pocket featuring many different sub pockets. For example, the Surge’s front pocket has a fleece-lined media pocket, a zippered pocket, and an elastic webbing.
Instead of the front organizational pocket, the Recon has a front stash pocket. This can really come in handy if you are going to be using the Recon for going to a sports event or for bicycling. In the front stash pocket, you can store your bicycle helmet or your soccer ball. It will expand to fit your items.
Alternatively, you can use the front stash pocket of the Recon in order to store your dirty laundry.
Also, while both backpacks have side pockets to hold your water bottles, the Surge has two vertical zippered pockets on the sides. This simply provides for a means to store the smaller items that you will be accessing on a frequent basis.
One feature that we won’t overlook about is the Recon’s hydration port. If you have a hydration pack that you want to put into the main compartment, you can run it through the hydration port.
How they hold your electronics
Perhaps one of the key differences in the pockets for these backpacks is how they hold your electronics. Both can hold a 15 inch laptop inside of their fleece-lined pockets.
In particular, the Surge features a laptop pocket that opens completely and lays flat. This meets the TSA requirements for protecting your laptop.
Additionally, the Surge has a fleece lined pocket for your tablet, and your sunglasses.
The North Face Surge vs Recon Price differences
The North Face Surge is now available at the same price as The North Face Recon on Amazon. If you would like to see current prices, here are the links below:
The North Face Surge vs Recon: The Verdict
What you will find with all of the North Face backpacks is that they are all made with high-quality materials. As we mentioned before, the Recon does have more popularity than the Surge. This could be due to how it is being marketed. But it could also be due to the fact that there are more people that are choosing to purchase a backpack that they can use just for daytime.
People are looking for simplicity, and they can find that in the Recon. The Recon is a staple backpack of The North Face line. But that does not deter us from recommending the Surge. It is all a matter of what you will be using it for and how much space you actually need.
Both backpacks have the same style, and they both come in roughly the same color combinations. If you like backpacks that have an earthy tone, these ones are slightly monochromatic compared to other backpacks. But some of the color options do kind of stand out.
We have a slight preference for the Recon because it is not as bulky as the Surge. But we would definitely want to be using the Surge if we were going to go backpacking for a day or overnight.
If you have your own opinions about any of these two backpacks and would like to share it with our visitors, please leave us a message below.
What is the best bacpback for a 13 year old boy to use as school backpack?