The North Face Backtrack 70

Before the review begins I must say that I honestly tried to make this pack work for me but I had to return it, not for quality but because it was just too small.

Background:
I purchased it for an 8 day urban backpacking trip to Barcelona, Spain, which included a wedding (with the requisite suit and shoes) on the first weekend. The trip also included gear for light hiking (without main pack), train and bus hopping, and long walks to multiple hotels so I wanted a backpack for the convenience.

Construction:
The quality of both main pack and day pack is outstanding, the material is durable and water resistant (even without using the included rain cover), the frame is rigid, and the buckles and zippers are substantial (the zippers include very useable pulls even with gloves). All that is both good and bad because with the heavy duty nature of the materials used, the bag is physically heavy even when empty (8.5 lbs.) when compared with other packs.

Day pack capacity:
One of the requirements for me was to carry a 15 inch MacBook Pro laptop in the removable day pack/carry on. Although the computer technically "fit" into the daypack, it was bulging at the seams, putting a strain on the bag and more importantly the computer. There was also very little room left for the other "essentials" (fleece pullover, Lonely Planet guidebook, passport folder, small digital camera, energy bars). The outside side pockets were adequate for a collapsible umbrella and a thinner 27 oz. aluminum water bottle but I believe they would be tight for a typical 32 oz. Nalgene bottle (although I didn't try one).

Main pack capacity:
Clothing was kept to a minimum and was tightly rolled and packed into multiple stuff sacks. I also purchased and used an Eagle Creek Pack-It folder (HIGHLY recommended) for the suit jacket, pants, dress shirt and sweater. Although I tried for three hours packing and repacking, I just couldn't get what I needed to fit into the main bag. One reason (besides carrying too much stuff ;-) was due to the bottom compartment. It is a typical sleeping bag type compartment, that I was using for shoes, with its own zippered access. However, the bag becomes thinner along the track of bottom zippers so anything placed in the lower compartment is forced in and up into the main compartment. I mention this because the bag I finally used (Eagle Creek Grand Voyage 90L) did not have this same problem. The EC bag got wider rather than thinner and items in the lower compartment went down and out instead of up and in.

The bottom line is this is a very well made, rather small pack. If you can pack lightly, you won't be sorry because this bag will last a long time, has many good qualities, and should carry the load very well.

Its a very attractive pack, has good compartmentalization options in both the main pack and removable day pack, and neat small features and small pockets tucked everywhere (including the shoe compartment on bottom which can instead be zippered open to be included as extra room directly with the rest of the main compartment).

The included rain cover is really nice. It is comfortable on. I am about to set out on a ~7 month world trip and am finding that its just on the small side when all my clothes, tripod, sleeping bag, and gear are packed in (even considering I have a slightly more useful day pack in addition to the mini one they provide [it's pretty small] that I plan on wearing on my chest).

But ultimately, I think I am going to have to return it for a combination that offers slightly more room for my purpose. The one factor that pushed me over the edge, and that is more applicable to everyone's potential use, is how the removable day pack clips to the main pack. It just kinda hangs and can be moved around a lot and DOES NOT SEEM VERY SECURE in the least (especially a concern for airport travel in my case). It seems that the straps connecting the two packs could easily be torn or cut for that matter. Other companies like Eagle Creek (the Grand Voyage) and Osprey (the Waypoint) make the removable day pack not only clip in but entirely zip in, which is much more attractive to me.

bought this pack for a recent trip to thailand. i was a little hesitant at first because of the price. was considering other cheaper brands/models (some of which had more space). but in the end, i'm extremely happy i went with the north face. yes, it's expensive, but you also won't find a better built/designed pack.

i was also worried that it wouldn't be big enough for my 10 day trip. if you're packing light (as you should on any backpacking trip) you should have no problem with space; more than enough. i read one review of the bag saying that it was too small - well, this guy was also using it to pack for a wedding. so yeah, if you want to try and pack in a suit, a couple pairs of shoes, in addition to all your casual stuff, of course it'll be too small. but again, that's not really what this bag is made for.

had to take it on a couple longtail boats, ferries, buses\ and 4 separate flights. it withstood thunderstorms, sea air, being burried under dozens of other packs and still came out looking pretty unfazed.

daypack is the perfect size. can fit a 13" macbook along with a camera, books, etc.

i will be using this one for quite some time.

Bought this pack 04/08. Before I left the North Face store I put my 3 shopping bags, new sneakers in box, and my army backpack in it and still had room. The pack is very strong. I put it to the greyhoung, amtrak, and airport test the pack passe with flying colors. The one problem that I have with the day pack. When I put my 15.3 inch laptop and a book in the day pack it keeps disconnecting at the plastic piece at the bottom of the day pack. When It disconnects the entire bag DROPS to the ground with my laptop in it. This happend to me twice and I have the scars on my laptop to prove it. What I did was replace the cheap plastic with some cliff hanger hook and my laptop is safe now. Other than that I would recommend this bag to best of backpackers plenty of room to fit a pretty midget for them cold nights.NEVER STOP EXPLORING

I love this pack. I have traveled with it, and never have to worry about my straps getting trashed by baggers(the small pack is perfect for carry on, fill your water bladder at a water fountain). Backpacking is ok but a bit heavy, I can however fit all my gear for a long weekend or longer in it. The rain cover is great, I carry my tent on the bottom(tadpole 23), and the rainfly still covers everything. If you can afford one pack for a multitude of uses this is it. I highly recommend it.

Bought this pack for my trip to Malaysia. Since then it has been using this thing for more than a year now. Put a lot of mileage already. Seen a lot of airports, luggage carousels, and train stations. Stand out at carousels, complements at train station, most importantly served the purpose well.
The straps tuck in nicely for checked luggage. No worry about being handle roughly with 2 handles.
Daypack is perfect in size. For my gears and gadgets when strolling in the city.
This one will last a while. Just well made.

for the price. wow. the day pack is very nice. there are way more options to this bad boy then in the description above. i prefer it this way tho. the inside sleeping bag compartment is nice. and there are 2 mesh compartments inside. the daypack can hold a h20 bladder. there is also music ports. the big pack has a raincover that converts to a nice cover for the straps for airline travel. veryyyyy convenient. highly recommended!!!

Great travel bag. I took this bag on a 4 day trip. Had plenty of room for all my stuff, and the packs separated are perfect for carry on. Even on a small plane, I had no trouble fitting the pack into the overhead compartment and putting the daypack under the seat, then they clip back together for the trek through the airport.

Lots of pockets, and the attached rain fly/strap cover is great.