The North Face Terra 45 Backpacking Backpack - Women's

Excellent first backpack
September 06, 2012

I bought this pack because I needed a pack for overnight trips. I mostly do daytrips, and obviously those packs would not have the volume needed to carry my things. This pack is good for someone who doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles, just the a very durable pack and good support. What I liked most about this pack is the padding. The shoulder and hip belts are nicely padded, so much that I nearly forgot that I was carrying a full pack at the end of the day. I am easily able to pack enough gear for three full day (mind you, I live in a tropical climate). There aren't a lot of pockets, just the main drawstring opening, a small one on the top lid and another zip pocket on the outside. If you're someone who likes everything organized and separated, this pack isn't for you. There is a sleeping back compartment at the bottom as well. If I could've improved one thing about this pack, I would've like to have some pockets on the hip belt or shoulder straps, so I don't have to take my pack off when I need something. Other than that, this pack fit my needs great, handles dirt and rain well, still going strong after many trips. If you're a once in a while backpacker or looking to get started, this is a good pack for the cost. For reference, I'm 5'4", 125 lbs with a 17 in torso.