The North Face Backpacks
The North Face has 2 backpacks on PackRanker, priced from $210 to $220. The highest-rated The North Face pick is the The North Face Terra 65 at 4.5★. Compare the full lineup below.
Founded in San Francisco in 1968 by Douglas Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell, The North Face has been part of VF Corporation since 2000 and moved its headquarters to Denver in 2020. Its backpacking packs are the kind sold in mainstream outdoor shops, which means they can be tried on loaded before buying.
The Terra 65 is the budget hauler, the pack outdoor programs buy in bulk because its adjustable harness fits nearly anyone in minutes and the heavy polyester survives years of loaner use. Owners put its comfortable range at 40-45 lb, though side-by-side reviews find its hipbelt falls behind the Kelty Coyote above 40 lb, and it has no rain cover. The Trail Lite 50 took over from the Banchee as the mid-weight option, with OPTIFIT suspension that moves the thoracic carriage within S/M and L/XL frames, a 210D recycled nylon body and a detachable two-compartment lid. The Banchee 65, now replaced and sold only as remaining stock, is the lightest of the three, on a trampoline mesh back, and reviewers report about 45 lb as its comfortable ceiling with performance falling off past 50.
The North Face's warranty covers defects for what it calls the lifetime of the product, its reasonably expected life, which consumer advocates have criticized as vague. Torso size is the more practical thing to check: the current Terra and Trail Lite both come in two frame sizes with adjustment inside each, so measure your torso before picking S/M or L/XL.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, altitude-sports.com, theoutfitters.nf.ca, mouseprint.org
The North Face
The North Face Terra 65
The Terra 65 is The North Face's mainstay budget backpacking pack, a simple adjustable hauler that shows up everywhere from REI floors to college outdoor programs. The women's version is sold as the Terra 55/65 women's fit.
Weight
4.3 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
Also in 55 L
The North Face
The North Face Trail Lite 50
Taking over from the Banchee, the Trail Lite 50 is The North Face's current mid-weight backpacking pack. OPTIFIT suspension adjusts the thoracic carriage within each of two frame sizes, the lid detaches and has two compartments, and the body is 210D recycled ripstop over a 600D boot. The nominal 50 L measures 53 L in S/M and 54 L in L/XL; S/M weighs 3 lb 13.7 oz and L/XL 4 lb 1 oz.
Weight
3.86 lbs
Capacity
50 L
Frame
Internal Frame
The North Face
The North Face Banchee 65
The Banchee is The North Face's lightweight backpacking pack, at about 3.3 lb for 65 L (3 lb 9 oz on one reviewer's scale). It sits well under the Terra in weight while carrying more, and reviewers put its comfortable ceiling around 45 lb with performance falling off past 50.
Weight
3.28 lbs
Capacity
65 L
Frame
Internal Frame
The North Face backpacks: common questions
Which North Face backpacking pack suits a first trip?▾
The Terra 65 is the usual starting point. It is quick to fit and very durable, which is why outdoor programs use it as a loaner pack, though heavier haulers may want a better hipbelt above 40 lb.
Is the Banchee 65 still sold?▾
The Trail Lite 50 has taken its place as The North Face's mid-weight backpacking pack, so remaining Banchee stock is likely limited to retailers clearing older inventory. Check availability before planning around it.
Do North Face packs come with a rain cover?▾
The Terra 65 does not include one, so add a cover or liner, because its polyester handles drizzle but not a soaking. Plan for a liner with the other models too.