Very good comparison video, thank you. I believe that the curved shape of the bottom of some backpacks is meant to direct the weight towards your hip, which is optimal for a backpack of this kind - a flat bottom actually directs the weight away from you, resulting in a worse carry. It's a trade-off.
This was a great comparison, really well thought through and detailed! I see them both as separate for different uses, and would probably get both, but I understand others aren't as fanatical as I am. I do cherish a separate laptop compartment, even with just a 12.3 inch Pixelbook, but I can see how the Jester is a lightweight everyday bag.
I've just bought the Jester and the waiststraps aren't really 'missing'. In fact I see less people wearing them anyway even if they own the borealis as it's much more a hiking feature than for everyday use.
Love the Jester backpack. My husband and I have owned a couple of them in the past. I just ordered two new ones, one in summit gold and black and one in blue and black. I couldn't resist the vivid colors. Our previous Jesters were solid black. I paid $70 each at Dick's Sporting Goods, which I feel is a very good price point. I absolutely love the versatility and the size of these packs. We don't want or need anything huge, just something for when we travel that can carry our water bottles and essential items that we want to have on hand at all times. The main compartment fits my 13-inch MacBook Pro perfectly. They are great for hiking as well. I feel like the Jester is the perfect size. It's not too big and not too small, but just right. I never knew there was a men's version and a women's version, LOL. I always thought backpacks were unisex.
I will hang on to my OLD Borealis. These NEW Bodealis is cramped an wont open wide. What's wrong with Northface backpack designers?😖 Thanks for the thorough review! ⚡❤
I copped the north face jester from the navy exchange for $54 I needed a durable backpack for college and to protect my laptop. The North Face is a great brand and I liked the borealis but I don’t really like how big it was on me so I got the jester cause it was smaller and lightweight.
@@devampatel5978 I’m 5’4 and the backpack is a little big on me but not too much…. I should’ve got the women’s one but they only had the men’s one in the navy exchange
That's exactly why I prefer the Jester. I don't want or need anything too bulky. I've always found the Jester to be just right. My husband and I have owned these packs in the past and they served us perfectly for traveling. I just ordered two new ones from Dick's Sporting goods for $69 each since we can't seem to find our old ones, but that's okay because I got some really awesome colors - summit gold/black and royal blue/black. Our old ones were just solid black. They really are perfect for traveling when you want to carry a few essential items as well as a water bottle. The main compartment fits my 13 inch MacBook perfectly. I have absolutely no complaints about the Jester.
Northface has better color choices, nice FLEECE interior, heavier but tougher exterior. I wish they'd update organizational pockets. You should watch VB's CAMPUS BACKPACK /Commuter. If NF can tweak their backpacks a tad, it will be a homerun.
I just got my borealis in the mail. And I gata say I love the hell out of it I wouldn’t trade it for anything else . I’m getting a smaller backpack from northface for going and coming back to work
As long as the Jester can last with years of use, I am fine with the Jester. Maybe if money is not an issue, then maybe the Borealis. Thx for the review
@@Backpackies I don’t know what either of them look like inside so.... Do they open clamshell or only typical school backpack style? Are they for travel or mainly for school?
I do not understand why a hole at the top of the laptop compartment is a good idea. If it rains and you don't have a rain cover for the bag, surely some water makes its way in?
I have to bring about 5 notebooks, a 1 inch binder, a chromebook, pencil case, water bottle, snack, etc small stuff which backpack do you recommend!! I like how the Jester would probably look better on me since I’m 5’0 but I don’t know !!
"Missing some key features" Well duh, they are meant for completely different use... I really hate the narration/review "It's superior backpack" its like comparing dogs to cats "CATS CAN CLIMB TREES AND THEREFORE ARE SUPERIOR". Like.. yeah, if you need a tree climbing animal, yeah. I thank for the comparison tho, I already have similar Jack Wolfskin backpack with laptop compartments etc. than the Borealis, and was looking for a replacement for my daily randomhaul +10yo Everest 25l backpack. So Jester would do it.
I know it's been over a year, but should do a review on, Jansport cool student vs big student Jansport superbreak vs cool student or something like that.
I actually found a black and highlighter yellow Jester and then a few weeks later I found a black and white Borealis! I just don't know which to use as my main! So I'm looking forward to this video!
In the video they show that the borealis can hold up to a 15.6 inch laptop, but can it fit a 16 inch laptop? The laptop dimensions are 13.98deep by 9.57wide.
Unfortunately we didn't have a 16 inch laptop to test with but The North Face does have the laptop compartment dimensions for each backpack on their website so that you can measure your laptop and compare it to the compartment dimensions.
Yes, its the women's Jester that's shown in the video but both the men's and women's versions have the same size laptop sleeve on the inside. You may be able to fit a 15" Macbook Pro but we didn't have one to test with. A 15.6" laptop is too large for the sleeve. Hope this helps!
I just picked up the borealies and recon, “ 2020” versions I couldn’t get the jester it lacks pockets and overall features. I needed a pack for edc to carry my gym gear, school, hiking, work. I like the recon for more tech, and borealies for all around. Both bags are great I have to find a way to be able to store my firearm this is the only thing I am having a hard time storing with lack of a Bulge. If you can save up the extra cash to get the recon or borealies or buy the last year model on sale that’s what I did.
I need help! I am a female high school student looking to buy a new backpack. I am trying to decide between the Jester and the Borealis... the Jester seems lightweight and easy to carry around campus, but I am worried it won't fit all of my notebooks, binders, and textbooks. That is why I began looking into the Borealis, however, I'm concerned it will be huge on my 5'3, 90 pound body. If anyone has any tips, guidance, or purchased one of these with a situation similar to mine, please help!!!! School starts in 13 days!
I would recommend going into a store selling these two backpacks to see how they fit and feel. You could also bring a large binder to compare how much space you have in each of them.
@@isela_rosa hey! i ended up going with the women's borealis! i am so happy i did - any less room would have been much too small for all of my notebooks and textbooks. totally recommend! (doesn't look bulky at all!)
Kids looking for a stylish book Bag with the “right” brand on it. It’s North Face’s own fault. You gotta be a die-hard NF fanboy to even try to sift through their catalog to find legit outdoor kit any more.
Check out our updated 2023 Borealis vs Jester video to see what's new: czcams.com/video/Sw4a1oen2HI/video.html
Very good comparison video, thank you. I believe that the curved shape of the bottom of some backpacks is meant to direct the weight towards your hip, which is optimal for a backpack of this kind - a flat bottom actually directs the weight away from you, resulting in a worse carry. It's a trade-off.
Good point!
This was a great comparison, really well thought through and detailed! I see them both as separate for different uses, and would probably get both, but I understand others aren't as fanatical as I am. I do cherish a separate laptop compartment, even with just a 12.3 inch Pixelbook, but I can see how the Jester is a lightweight everyday bag.
I've just bought the Jester and the waiststraps aren't really 'missing'. In fact I see less people wearing them anyway even if they own the borealis as it's much more a hiking feature than for everyday use.
Improvements can be: better zippers (YKK), a deeper frontpocket and deeper mesh pockets (within the frontpocket) and softer shoulder straps.
Love the Jester backpack. My husband and I have owned a couple of them in the past. I just ordered two new ones, one in summit gold and black and one in blue and black. I couldn't resist the vivid colors. Our previous Jesters were solid black. I paid $70 each at Dick's Sporting Goods, which I feel is a very good price point. I absolutely love the versatility and the size of these packs. We don't want or need anything huge, just something for when we travel that can carry our water bottles and essential items that we want to have on hand at all times. The main compartment fits my 13-inch MacBook Pro perfectly. They are great for hiking as well. I feel like the Jester is the perfect size. It's not too big and not too small, but just right. I never knew there was a men's version and a women's version, LOL. I always thought backpacks were unisex.
Do you use the Jester as your main ( carry on only) bag ? And if so, it fits all you need for a week ? Thx
I will hang on to my OLD Borealis. These NEW Bodealis is cramped an wont open wide. What's wrong with Northface backpack designers?😖
Thanks for the thorough review! ⚡❤
I copped the north face jester from the navy exchange for $54 I needed a durable backpack for college and to protect my laptop. The North Face is a great brand and I liked the borealis but I don’t really like how big it was on me so I got the jester cause it was smaller and lightweight.
How tall r u? I wanna get one and want to make sure!
@@devampatel5978 I’m 5’4 and the backpack is a little big on me but not too much…. I should’ve got the women’s one but they only had the men’s one in the navy exchange
is the womens jester big enough to fit a binder and a few notebooks???
They got a unisex one
That's exactly why I prefer the Jester. I don't want or need anything too bulky. I've always found the Jester to be just right. My husband and I have owned these packs in the past and they served us perfectly for traveling. I just ordered two new ones from Dick's Sporting goods for $69 each since we can't seem to find our old ones, but that's okay because I got some really awesome colors - summit gold/black and royal blue/black. Our old ones were just solid black. They really are perfect for traveling when you want to carry a few essential items as well as a water bottle. The main compartment fits my 13 inch MacBook perfectly. I have absolutely no complaints about the Jester.
Northface has better color choices, nice FLEECE interior, heavier but tougher exterior. I wish they'd update organizational pockets. You should watch VB's CAMPUS BACKPACK /Commuter. If NF can tweak their backpacks a tad, it will be a homerun.
I should’ve bought the jester. The borealis doesn’t sit up and it bothers the hell out of me in class when it falls
Thank you for the well done video, I didn't know the difference between men's and women's backpack.
I just got my borealis in the mail. And I gata say I love the hell out of it I wouldn’t trade it for anything else . I’m getting a smaller backpack from northface for going and coming back to work
So borealis it is much bigger than dimensions showed in the north face webpage?
@@yeeenim it’s not big at all it expands if you need it to and if your want to tighten it up, it has buckles and straps to tighten the feel and look
As long as the Jester can last with years of use, I am fine with the Jester. Maybe if money is not an issue, then maybe the Borealis. Thx for the review
I wish the video included a comparison of the main internal packing area. 🤷♀️
Sorry! They aren't terribly different. You can expect the Jester main compartments to be slightly smaller in width and height.
@@Backpackies I don’t know what either of them look like inside so....
Do they open clamshell or only typical school backpack style? Are they for travel or mainly for school?
Thank you for your detailed explanation.
This is very helpful.
I have the Borealis and love it a lot more backpack for not a lot more money
Everybody forgets the little hole located between laptop and main compartment.
I do not understand why a hole at the top of the laptop compartment is a good idea. If it rains and you don't have a rain cover for the bag, surely some water makes its way in?
would the borealis look big on me since i am 5’ 1” ? i feel like it might look big so i might purchase the jesters although i really like the borealis
i’m also 5’1 lol
@@taralove8830 I am too and that’s there i’m concerned 😂
im 5'1 and i just bought it and its not bad, i was scared too but its cute
Just get the women’s version
There’s also a mini version
Love the comparison video. Well explained.
Are they have protection pad under?
Can you do a video on the new borealis vs the older one if it’s worth the upgrade? Thank you!
I have to bring about 5 notebooks, a 1 inch binder, a chromebook, pencil case, water bottle, snack, etc small stuff which backpack do you recommend!! I like how the Jester would probably look better on me since I’m 5’0 but I don’t know !!
definitely borealis…it’s bigger and gives more room for not much more money! I carry about the same as you and I thought the jester was too small!
Thank you for such a great comparison!
"Missing some key features" Well duh, they are meant for completely different use... I really hate the narration/review "It's superior backpack" its like comparing dogs to cats "CATS CAN CLIMB TREES AND THEREFORE ARE SUPERIOR". Like.. yeah, if you need a tree climbing animal, yeah.
I thank for the comparison tho, I already have similar Jack Wolfskin backpack with laptop compartments etc. than the Borealis, and was looking for a replacement for my daily randomhaul +10yo Everest 25l backpack. So Jester would do it.
I just got my jester today, and I would say it's a decent bag
If u don't mind, u can share the different uses for these two bags.
I hate how these northface backpacks don't have two full length compartments. Great video though!
Dimensions between jester and borealis showed in this video are different than the north face webpage. Why?
Did you physically measure them?
Does the Jester fit as "personal item"? That'd be a plus
I know it's been over a year, but should do a review on,
Jansport cool student vs big student
Jansport superbreak vs cool student
or something like that.
Thank you for this! So informative and helpful.
Here is Hungary there are SBS zippers on the Borealis' too.
I actually found a black and highlighter yellow Jester and then a few weeks later I found a black and white Borealis! I just don't know which to use as my main! So I'm looking forward to this video!
Same i found a jester and a borealis one and ended up getting borealis since it had more pockets but now idk! Lol
Could it find a lunch bag in the pocket with the tablet holder
Can you fit a 17inch laptop in the borealis?
In the video they show that the borealis can hold up to a 15.6 inch laptop, but can it fit a 16 inch laptop? The laptop dimensions are 13.98deep by 9.57wide.
Unfortunately we didn't have a 16 inch laptop to test with but The North Face does have the laptop compartment dimensions for each backpack on their website so that you can measure your laptop and compare it to the compartment dimensions.
How come the Jester doesn’t fit a 15” laptop? On the official website it says it does. Is it the women’s version?
Yes, its the women's Jester that's shown in the video but both the men's and women's versions have the same size laptop sleeve on the inside.
You may be able to fit a 15" Macbook Pro but we didn't have one to test with. A 15.6" laptop is too large for the sleeve. Hope this helps!
Jester is looking more stylish for urban sweller
please ad metric measurements to your reviews.
So the borealis is better because you can fit a lot of supplies ?
very informative nice review
which one fits a 3-inch binder better
Nice review. Very informatif
I have a 15,6 inch laptop does the jester fit or not?? I need a answer asap
No it doesn't. Learned it the hard way.
I just picked up the borealies and recon, “ 2020” versions I couldn’t get the jester it lacks pockets and overall features. I needed a pack for edc to carry my gym gear, school, hiking, work. I like the recon for more tech, and borealies for all around. Both bags are great I have to find a way to be able to store my firearm this is the only thing I am having a hard time storing with lack of a Bulge. If you can save up the extra cash to get the recon or borealies or buy the last year model on sale that’s what I did.
I need help! I am a female high school student looking to buy a new backpack. I am trying to decide between the Jester and the Borealis... the Jester seems lightweight and easy to carry around campus, but I am worried it won't fit all of my notebooks, binders, and textbooks. That is why I began looking into the Borealis, however, I'm concerned it will be huge on my 5'3, 90 pound body. If anyone has any tips, guidance, or purchased one of these with a situation similar to mine, please help!!!! School starts in 13 days!
I would recommend going into a store selling these two backpacks to see how they fit and feel. You could also bring a large binder to compare how much space you have in each of them.
@@lelux62 thank you! i am hoping to go to the store later this week, as my mom recommended doing the same thing ;)
@@isela_rosa hey! i ended up going with the women's borealis! i am so happy i did - any less room would have been much too small for all of my notebooks and textbooks. totally recommend! (doesn't look bulky at all!)
I love your name theyre both first names.
But does it have a whistle?
Excelente video!
Thanks
where can i buy borrealis?
You can grab one at many outdoor and sporting good's stores or through North Face directly.
i have the Borealis in the women but it's black and it was a lot of money but worth it.
can i fit 17 inch laptop on the borealis
Jansport vs jester north face
Wish these Backpacks were Available in India 😏
Is this the new version of the backpack ???
I don't think it is
After
Waterproof test ?
These backpacks would definitely fail our waterproof test! But they are water resistant and can handle a light rain.
I buy the borealis today haha
YKK
So beefy
Reggie Johnson children are
Is borealis possible for sports use?
It depends on what you need to carry! The bungee system on the front is good for carrying bulkier items.
😂 got both love them
Clown jesters lol
You shouldn't have used the BOREALIS to compare with the JESTER 🙄
Well those are the ones that most people choose between when looking for a school bag
YAYAYAYA
?
Who in their right mind compares these two bags?
People who want to know which is better
What a stupid question
Who in their right mind comes to this video an says "who in their right mind compares these two bags?"
Kids looking for a stylish book Bag with the “right” brand on it. It’s North Face’s own fault. You gotta be a die-hard NF fanboy to even try to sift through their catalog to find legit outdoor kit any more.