Video Review: The North Face Surge 2 32L - $125

Video review:

The good stuff:

This is the top selling pack in the North Face daypack line.  While popularity doesn't mean everything, it certainly is something.  After all, a really crappy pack would never be a best selling pack.

The pack has a LOT going on.  It has two large slash pockets on the front that span the face of the pack and yet are independent of each other (one pocket lies on top of the other).  This would be a great place for boarding passes, your wallet, or even an iPad mini.
The pack also has one large mesh side pocket that can hold a full sized Nalgene bottle.  On the opposite side, it has a small zippered pocket that seems ideal for keys, a wallet, or anything you need to get to fast.  It does stretch, so it can likely hold a pair of winter gloves, too.  On the top front of the pack is a small, fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses.

Just behind the front slash pockets is a large divided organizer panel that is one of the best that I have reviewed.  It has so many options that it would be crazy for me to describe them all; instead, simply look at the photos below.

Behind the organizer panel is the main compartment that is HUGE.  It is also lined (in this case) bright red making it a cinch to find small items that fall to the bottom of the compartment.  This pack should easily be able to hold all your books if you are a high school student.

The pack also has a separate compartment for one's computer.  In this case, it is heavily padded, unzips from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock, and has a separate padded slot for a tablet.

The suspension system appears to have everything one would want.  I has channels and mesh for enhancing circulation, perforated EVA foam on the shoulders (also for circulation), and a hip belt with wings.   There is a stiff frame sheet for stability and structure and compression straps (ugh) to help control the volume of the pack when carrying light loads.

The hardware and zipper pulls are all top notch and bombproof.  In general, the pack is really well-made and looks like it will last for 10 years.  That's not an exaggeration.

The bad stuff:

This pack is too busy-looking to me.  I know that this is completely subjective, but I would bet there are many professionals out there who would look at all the bits and pieces hanging off this pack and look for a simpler alternative.  It does not help that there are lots of fabric panels with different colors (except for the all black version).  What is interesting is that the Marmot Trans Hauler has more colors, but its overall simple design means that it is less distracting to me.  Again, this is my opinion only, so I don't expect others to agree.  In fact, there are members of my family who really like the look of this pack.

The pack is heavy.  This is the result of it being a 32L pack and being built to withstand a hurricane.  However, I think that this is overkill for what it will be facing in most situations.  I am okay with a pack that is only built to withstand a tropical depression if it means that its weight is half of this Surge II.

I know that this is unfair because it is advertised as a 32L pack, but this pack is too big to be an ideal crossover.  While you can certainly load this thing up, it will weigh a ton if you do and then the suspension system is not really built to hold such loads.  As I have said in the past with other packs, the suspension system on this North Face is not well matched for the size of the pack.  In general, the 32L size allows my camera bag and computer to shift around noticeably. Like I have said in the past, 28L is really the perfect size for my needs and I would bet it is the perfect size for most commuting professionals out there.  The North Face falls out of this zone.

Speaking of the suspension system, it may look comfy and cushy, but it is disappointing.  The foam islands are not tall enough to create the deep valleys that one needs to really allow for air circulation around the spine and kidneys.  Also, when the pack is loaded, the weight is felt low on the back more than other packs.   I am not sure how to explain this.  When compared to the Osprey Momentum carrying the exact same load, the North Face Surge II makes the load feel heavy whereas the Osprey makes the load disappear (like magic).

You now that I love having a sunglasses specific pocket and the Surge II comes through in this regard.  Unfortunately, the pocket is so small that it becomes a struggle to fit in my sunglasses (Oakley XXs).  There is no chance you will ever fit in a pair of goggles.  I would have preferred a smaller organizer pocket and a larger sunglasses pocket.

Lastly, the pack has the dreaded compression straps that crossover the zipper.  I won't say anything more about this.  See my article on "Features I Try to Avoid in a Crossover Daypack" for details.

Summary:

Hey, this is not a bad pack, but at $125 it has to be something special to get a high grade.  Granted, it is a well-built pack which some may deem is the reason why it is $125.  However, I have reviewed other "expensive" packs (e.g., the Marmot Trans Hauler & Patagonia Black Hole) that are just as well-made and have a better overall design.  I also think that North Face needs to put a more stout suspension system on this pack or shrink it to a 28L size.

Grade: B

Photos:

The North Face Surge II - front.

The right slash pocket on the front of the pack.

The left slash pocket on the front of the pack.

Mesh side pocket for Nalgene.

Mesh zipped pocket for things you need fast.

Suspension system.

Sunglasses pocket.  It is fleece lined.

Large and varied divided organizer panel.  Best I have reviewed.

Zippered mesh pocket on the front wall of the divided organizer panel.

The main compartment.

Bottom of the main compartment.

Padded laptop compartment with iPad sleeve that is separate from the main compartment.