Packing it in: The North Face Backpacks Help You Slog Your Stuff in Style

School kids, college students, travelers and hikers all rely on backpacks to help them transport the maximum amount of stuff in the minimum amount of space. The perfect backpack is sturdy, durable, versatile and roomy. Recently, I had the opportunity to do a test drive (or test hike, actually...) with The North Face Isabella backpack. Read on for my review:

For organization aficionados who absolutely need everything to occupy its rightful place, The North Face Isabella backpack is a dream.  Its compartments have compartments--so not only will you never run out of places to pack that map, lodge key or extra pair of ski socks, but potentially spill-able snacks won't infiltrate your cargo should an 'incident' occur. 

If you're using the Isabella around campus, the strong back support comes in handy when you're carrying a laptop or books (though there may not be room for both if you've got a lot of books) and the external bungee offers the added benefit of holding that sweater you carry for cold classrooms. 

If it's a hiking daypack you're after, the two mesh side pockets carry extra water (though the pocket size could be slightly larger), and there are elastics on the shoulder straps for your walking sticks and a belly strap helps support your back for heavy loads.  The small size is convenient, especially on a woman's frame--and, though the pack doesn't hold everything, it may surprise you with all it can.

Need a new backpack? You're in luck--we've got two brand new backpacks from The North Face to give to two lucky winners. One is the Isabella (described above, the other is The North Face Heckler pictured above. To enter, just write a comment on this blog post. You can also enter by tweeting (and retweeting) "Win The North Face backpack from @savings. Here's how: http://bit.ly/kYaRt #freepack." Contest ends October 15th, and the winner will be announced on the blog.

In the meantime, take advantage of The North Face coupons on our site--like free shipping on orders over $150 and a free shipping code for November if you make a purchase in October.

Happy Trails!