Jansport Vs. North Face Backpack: Choose Wisely

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People are looking for a nice backpack that looks appealing, carries stuff without altering its shape and size, is highly comfortable on the body, and is durable.

Whether you are a school student or a working professional, there are two most popular brands that will attract you one is Jansport’s & the second one is North Face.

If you are really confused between North Face and Jansport then this article is going to be very informative and, in the end, you will be more confident about your buying decision.

Let’s have a look at some differences and similarities between Jansport and North Face backpacks so that you can understand them well.

But wait…

If you are in hurry then this brief comparison table will make it much easier to understand these two brands better in a very short time.

Jansport Vs North Face Backpacks: Comparison Table

Jansport BackpackNorth Face Backpack
1. Jansport backpacks come in a classic look and are most popular among students.North Face backpacks look premium and are most popular among travelers, hikers, and commuters.
2. Jansport backpacks are affordable and cheaper than North Face backpacks.North Face backpacks are expensive.
3. Jansport backpacks are made of Cordura Nylon and polyester which are highly durable. North Face backpacks are also made from the same material.
4. Ripstop Nylon and polyester-based Jansport backpacks are water repellant and washable.Some North Face backpacks come with water-resistant build quality and others are water-repellant.
5. Jansport backpacks come with separate laptop compartments, but lack padding.North Face backpacks come with finely padded laptop sleeves and provide better protection for your laptop.
6. You will not get a false bottom in Jansport backpacks.North Face backpacks come with a false bottom to keep your laptop safe from any bump.
7. Jansport is a sustainable brand.North Face also uses sustainable materials in its product and in packaging.
8. Right Pack, Super Break, and Big Students are some of the most popular and best seller Jansport backpacks.Borealis, Recon, and Surge are some most popular North Face backpacks.
9. Comes with a limited lifetime warranty.A limited lifetime warranty is included with all North Face backpacks.

North Face Vs. Jansport Backpack: Similarities & Differences

Every brand has some pros and cons that make them the best or worst than others. Let’s dig deeper into every single detail of these two brands.

Brand Reputation & Popularity

Jansport

Jansport is known for its budget backpacks. An American brand in the field of backpacks and collegiate apparel was started in 1968 with the name Jansport.

North Face

North Face is known for the production of outdoor clothes, footwear, and other accessories, but is also a very popular brand in the field of backpacks. The company was started in 1968 as a climber equipment retail store and is now very popular in manufacturing backpacks.

Reports stated that Jansport and North Face are acquired by VF Corporation, and both brands cover 50 percent of the market share of all the backpacks sold in the United State.

Also Read: Patagonia vs North face: In-Depth Comparison


Jansport Vs North Face: Which One Is Affordable?

The price decides will the brand can sustain itself in this competitive market for a long time. However both the brands introduce their backpacks from the budget category to the premium segment, but Jansport is quite more affordable than North Face.

Where you will get a North Face backpack on an average between $80 to $90 (Avg), on the other hand, a Jansport backpack will cost you around $40 to $50(Avg).


Which Jansport Backpacks Are So Popular?

Here, I’ve listed some most popular and best-selling Jansport backpacks.

Jansport Right Pack
Jansport Right Pack

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Jansport Big Student Backpack
Jansport Big Student Backpack

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Jansport Super Break Backpack
Jansport Super Break Backpack

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  • Jansport Right Pack is best for those people who want to pack light and is the best for school and college students with very limited space.
  • If you need to carry lots of books, and binders along with a laptop then Big Student Backpack could be the right choice for you.
  • If you want a backpack on a budget that looks elegant as well as can hold your belongings perfectly then you can go with its Super Break variant.

Which North Face Backpacks Are So Popular?

Here, I’ve listed some top-rated and feature-rich Nort Face Backpacks…

North Face Borealis Backpack
North Face Borealis Backpack

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North Face Recon
North Face Recon

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North Face Surge
North Face Surge

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Surge is made of ripstop Cordura Nylon fabric and it has a nice laptop compartment with false bottom support. Even you can carry two laptops at the same time in their different compartments.

You can also consider Recon if you want to save a few dollars. It also has the same build quality with a small volume as you have seen in Surge. It has nice vertical front pockets.

If you are on a tight budget then North Face Jester could be the right choice for you.

Also Read: Canada Goose Vs. North Face: Choose Confidently


Variety & Features ( Jansport And North Face)

Every brand tries to put effort to make their backpacks unique with some special features. Let’s find out which brand offers more features and varieties to its customers.

Jansport Backpacks

I found Jansport backpacks are unisex means there is no separate category for men and women as you will find in North Face.

Jansport backpacks are available in 5 different categories such as…

LaptopOutdoor
CampusTravel
Commute

Everyone has different needs that Jansport understands better that’s why it offers several different features that can satisfy every customer’s needs. Jansport backpacks come with these special features…

Water Bottle Pocket BackpacksAbrasion Resistant BottomLaptop Sleeve
Internal OrganizationTwo Large CompartmentsNice Front Utility Pocket With Organizer
Fully Padded Back Panel

You have all the possible features in Jansport to choose from.

Jansport backpacks are available in several different sizes. You will get around 1300 cubic inches of volume in a small-size backpack. A medium-size backpack comes up to 1900 cubic inches volume with a capacity of 31L, and if you want to pack for a week-long trip then a large-size backpack with a volume of 2000 cubic inches (32L or up) is also available to choose from.

North Face Backpack

Unlike Jansport, North Face has endless choices of different backpacks and here I’ve listed some popular categories of it.

Bags & LuggageHeritage BackpacksYouth Packs
Women BackpacksBackpacking PacksFanny Packs
Men BackpacksCommuter BackpacksTote Backpacks

North Face has backpacks for every person and for every occasion. Unlike Jansport where there are 3 different size options available to choose from, In North Face, you have small, medium, large, extra small, extra-large, and one size to choose from.

North Face One size category is very appealing and premium. Here, you will get some premium backpacks such as Borealis, Surge, etc.


Material & Build Quality

You can feel the build quality by touching the fabric that is used in manufacturing a backpack. The quality of material and good handcraft manship make a backpack perfect for a buyer.

Let’s have a look at what kind of material these two brands use.

What Material Are Jansport Backpacks Made Of?

Jansport brand is very sensitive to our Planet’s health and has been working to protect our natural resources for the upcoming generation.

Jansport uses 100% recycled polyester and nylon to manufacture their backpacks. Their products are PVC-free. For packaging, they use 100% recycled FSC papers. The whole manufacturing unit of Jansport is operated on renewable sources of energy.

Some of their most commonly used materials are listed below…

  1. 100% Recycled 900 Denier Polyester
  2. 100% Recycled Nylon Webbing & Cording
  3. Recycled Polyester labels

What Material Are North Face Backpacks Made Of?

Like Jansport, North Face backpacks are also made of sustainable materials. The brand has some best future plans to become more sustainable than earlier.

Some of the most popular materials that North Face uses in its manufacturing unit are…

  1. 600D Polyester
  2. 500D and 420D Nylon
  3. 210D Cordura Nylon Ripstop
  4. YKK Zippers with pull

North Face offers different patterns, textures, styles, and designs in its backpacks and I found the material is changed with the color and texture of different backpacks. On the other hand, Jansport doesn’t try to change the design and style of its backpacks since a long ago.


Internal & External Compartments

A backpack is not useful at all if it looks great but doesn’t have enough space to stuff your goodies. Let’s have a look at which brand offers a nice and spacious backpack.

Jansport Backpack Front Pockets

Jansport backpacks come in decent sizes with some nice organized pockets. Most of the Jansport backpacks have a large front pocket with tiny separate pockets to carry small items that you have to access most often such as pens, car or home keys, a smartphone, etc.

Its front pocket has enough space to carry some small size notebooks or 2 to 3 water bottles.

Jansport Backpack Laptop Sleeve

Most buyers have a doubt about…

Which Size Laptop Can I Carry In My Jansport Backpack?

In Jansport, you can choose a backpack that has a dedicated laptop compartment, in which you can carry up to 15 inches of laptops.

I found the laptop compartment in most of its backpacks is not padded at all and it is unable to provide the required protection for your costly laptop.

Even Jansport backpacks lack bottom protection for your tech gadgets. You will not find any false bottom-like feature that is helpful to protect your laptop from any bumping.

North Face Backpack Front Pockets

You will get different varieties in the front portion of the North Face backpacks. Some backpacks come with simple front pockets, some have long vertical pockets with fleece lining and others have nice bungees to carry some extra stuff just outside of the backpack.

Most of the North Face backpacks have a nice front pocket with fleece lining that is very useful to carry your smartphone, sunglasses, earbuds, etc because it protects such items from stretches.

Its front large pocket has space to keep some small stationery goodies such as a pen, and pencil, and to carry some large stuff, it has zip and stash pockets.

North Face Laptop Compartment And Its Size

North Face is a clear winner in this segment. Unlike Jansport, North Face backpacks come with nicely padded laptop and tablet compartments.

Whereas Jansport backpacks have to lack bottom protection while North Face backpacks offer false bottoms in most of the backpacks. False bottom means there is a space between the laptop compartment and the bottom of the backpack to prevent any kind of damage when dropped.

The majority of North Face backpacks can accommodate up to 15.6 inches of laptops with ease, and a few premium backpacks can carry 2 laptops in their different compartments as the surge can.

Some North Face backpacks have a nice front pocket with fleece lining to carry a table in it.

Verdict: In terms of a better laptop compartment with proper safety and security no doubt North Face is far better than Jansport.


(FAQ)

Which Jansport Backpack Is The Biggest?

Jansport backpacks are available in different sizes from small to large. If you want to know, Which Jansport backpack is the biggest among all the others categories then you will find some of the biggest backpacks in their outdoor section.
In the outdoor section, you have several different varieties to choose from. One of the biggest Jansport backpacks that I figure out is Far Out 65 and its volume is 3966.5 cu in / 65 L.

Are North Face Backpacks Durable?

North Face backpacks come with ruff and tuff build quality. Whether a backpack is durable or not, is totally depends on its material.
North Face backpacks are made of Cordura Nylon and Polyester. North Face manufactures some of its backpacks from Cordura Nylon 500D, 420D, and 210D material.

North Face Cordura Nylon is highly durable and comes with better water and abrasion resistivity than Polyester.

Which Jansport Backpack Is Best For College Or High School?

Jansport has a huge variety in its student backpack segment but I would recommend only three top-quality backpacks that will please you very much.
1. Jansport Super Break Backpack ( Budget Jansport Backpack)
2. Jansport Big Student Backpack ( Best Mid-Range Backpack)
3. Jansport Right Pack ( Top Pick)

All of these backpacks are perfect for College or High School students. If you wanna pack light then Super Break could be the right choice for you. It has no side pockets.

If you want to stuff more notebooks, binders, and other goodies then the Big student backpack is the one that could satisfy your needs and it has side pockets.

If you want looks, space as well as better build quality then Jansport’s right pack is for you.

Which North Face Backpack Is Best For School Or College?

North Face backpacks are best for the outdoors and for travel even if you can also carry them in school or college.
Many people have a doubt that is…
Are North Face backpacks good for school or college?
The clear answer is yes, Some of their backpacks are perfect for school and colleges.
North Face backpacks are made of high-quality Cordura Nylon and Polyester fabric. For school and college, I would recommend buying a backpack that is made of Cordura Nylon ripstop.
North Face Best Backpacks For School & College are listed below…
1. North Face Surge ( Top Pick)
2. North Face Recon ( Best Buy)
3. North Face Jester (Budget Pick)
Surge is made of ripstop Cordura Nylon fabric and it has a nice laptop compartment with false bottom support. Even you can carry two laptops at the same time in different compartments.

You can also consider Recon if you want to save a few dollars. It also has the same build quality with a small volume as you have seen in the Surge.

If you are on a tight budget then North Face Jester could be the right choice for you.

How To Wash A Jansport Backpack Without Ruining It?

Backpacks are attached to our emotions and people want to keep them forever. If you want to keep your Jansport backpack so that it will be with you for a long period of time then proper care of it is a must.

But the question is…
Is It Safe To Wash A Jansport Backpack?
Yes, Jansport backpacks are washable and you can wash your Jansport backpack with proper care.

Steps to clean your Jansport backpack in a safe way…
1. Take all the things out from each pocket of your backpack.
2. Most Jansport backpacks such as Super Break, Big Student, Right Pack, etc, are made of Cordura Nylon and Polyester. To wash such backpacks you have to use cool water and a soft damp cloth to wipe its fabric.
3. Avoid using harsh detergent and other cleansing agents on your backpack fabric.
4. After washing your backpack properly, hang it in a dry place and wait till it gets dry completely.

Can I Put My Jansport Backpack In The Washing Machine?

To keep your Jansport backpack safe from ruining or color fading, keep your backpack away from the washing machine.
Machine wash is prohibited by the Company and never throw your Jansport backpack in the washing machine to keep its look, feel and shine alive.

Can North Face Backpack Be Washed?

Yes, you can wash your North Face backpack with care.
The brand doesn’t recommend putting your North Face backpack in the Washing Machine.
Machine wash is not recommended. Some of its most famous backpacks such as Borealis can be washed by using cool water and a soft damp cloth.
Wipe the wet cloth down and gently rub it in the dirty places.
When done dry the backpack in dry air.
Don’t submerge your Borealis backpack in the water.

Can A North Face Backpack Be A Personal Item?

Many people have doubts about their North Face backpack…
Can A North Face Backpack Be A Carry On?
Yes, you can carry your North Face backpack on a plane as long as it can be squished into the box at the checkpoint or can slide under the seat.

Why is My North Face Backpack So Stiff?

A backpack with a stiff back creates lots of problems such as back pain, the strain on muscles, etc.
If your North Face backpack is stiff then there are many reasons for this problem.
1. If you overstuff your North Face backpack. Your shoulders struggle to haul such a heavy weight and you suffer back and mussels pain at the end of the day.
2. Sometimes we forget to adjust the shoulder straps properly, which causes tight and narrow straps that hurt our shoulders.

Elly Watson

Hi, I'm Elly. A passionate writer from Newyork. I love to explore backcountry backpacking adventurous trips in my spare time.