Quick access zippers are the one thing I always look for when buying a backpack – I like being able to pull out and throw in random stuff whenever I need them even while I’m on the move. The North Face Access does the quick access zipper one better by having an entire compartment that can open and stay open with the simple touch of a button.
Unlike many of the outfit’s products, this one isn’t designed for mountaineers and outdoorsmen. Instead, it’s aimed strictly at daily commuters who carry a backpack to school, work, or whatever shenanigans take up the hours of their days. And, North Face claims, it’s their most innovative backpack ever. We have to agree.
The North Face Access Pack has a spring-loaded main compartment that stays wide open as long as you want it to, giving you easy access to the contents even while you briskly rush to catch the morning train. It comes with multiple fleece-lined pockets inside that main compartment (one sized for a tablet or a small laptop and two for small tablets or phones), each of which come with built-in ejector tabs for quickly pulling any gear stored in each pouch. There’s also an external laptop pocket, which comes with a webbed pull handle for quickly lifting the laptop out.
Construction is aluminum for the internal frame, EVA foam for the body, and steel for the structured main compartment. Features include a 22-liter capacity, two external stash pockets, water-resistant zippers, and a dedicated mesh pocket for sunglasses.
Available now, the North Face Access Pack is priced at $235.