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Prices checked November 9, 2026Not tested in handNo paid rankingsHow we pick
You give up: Osprey doesn't list a waist belt or sternum strap, and it holds a little less than the Borealis.
Short answer: The closest cheaper alternative to The North Face Borealis Backpack is the Osprey Flare 27, about $95 instead of $115 (save 17%). What you give up: Osprey doesn't list a waist belt or sternum strap, and it holds a little less than the Borealis. The cheapest is the JanSport Big Student at about $62. Prices checked November 9, 2026.
Why it's a good swap A 27 L campus pack with a sleeve for most 16-inch laptops, internal organization and two water bottle pockets.
You give up: Osprey doesn't list a waist belt or sternum strap, and it holds a little less than the Borealis.
Why it's a good swap A 34 L JanSport with two main compartments, a front organizer pocket and 600D polyester fabric.
You give up: Zappos's listing mentions no laptop sleeve, sternum strap or waist belt, just S-curved shoulder straps.
Why it's a good swap The North Face's cheaper school pack: 27.5 L, FlexVent shoulder straps, a sternum strap and a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve.
You give up: No waist belt or fleece-lined pocket, and the laptop sleeve fits devices up to 15 inches rather than 16.
Typical US prices, checked November 9, 2026. Not live prices; check the listing before you buy.
Looking for a cheaper alternative to The North Face Borealis Backpack? It usually sells for about $115. Here are 3 cheaper swaps from $62: the Osprey Flare 27 is the closest match from another brand, The North Face Jester Backpack is a cheaper option from The North Face and the JanSport Big Student is the cheapest at about $62. Each one says what you give up for the lower price.
The Borealis is worth it if you want a structured school or commuter pack with real suspension. Zappos lists recycled fabric with a non-PFC water-repellent finish, FlexVent straps accredited by the American Chiropractic Association, a 16-inch laptop compartment, a removable waist belt and a stand-up design. REI shoppers rate it 4.5 from 31 reviews.
If you don't need the waist belt or fleece-lined pocket, The North Face Jester Backpack ($90) keeps FlexVent straps and a 15-inch laptop sleeve. The Osprey Flare 27 ($95) fits a 16-inch laptop, and the JanSport Big Student ($62) gives the most space for the money.
| Option | Type | Typical price | You save | What you give up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The North Face Borealis Backpack | The original | $115 | – | – | View ↗ |
| JanSport Big Student | Budget pick | $62 | $53 (46%) | Zappos's listing mentions no laptop sleeve, sternum strap or waist belt, just S-curved shoulder straps. | View ↗ |
| The North Face Jester Backpack | Same brand, cheaper | $90 | $25 (22%) | No waist belt or fleece-lined pocket, and the laptop sleeve fits devices up to 15 inches rather than 16. | View ↗ |
| Osprey Flare 27 | Close match | $95 | $20 (17%) | Osprey doesn't list a waist belt or sternum strap, and it holds a little less than the Borealis. | View ↗ |
Typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, checked November 9, 2026. They are not live Amazon prices and may have changed, so check the listing before you buy.
The JanSport Big Student, at about $62 (46% less). A 34 L JanSport with two main compartments, a front organizer pocket and 600D polyester fabric. The catch: Zappos's listing mentions no laptop sleeve, sternum strap or waist belt, just S-curved shoulder straps.
The Osprey Flare 27, at about $95 (17% less). A 27 L campus pack with a sleeve for most 16-inch laptops, internal organization and two water bottle pockets. The catch: Osprey doesn't list a waist belt or sternum strap, and it holds a little less than the Borealis.
Yes. The North Face Jester Backpack, at about $90 (22% less). The North Face's cheaper school pack: 27.5 L, FlexVent shoulder straps, a sternum strap and a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve. The catch: No waist belt or fleece-lined pocket, and the laptop sleeve fits devices up to 15 inches rather than 16.
It's $115 at The North Face, REI and Zappos. The Borealis Patch is $125 and the Borealis Pro is $130.
Zappos lists a 16-inch laptop compartment for the unisex Borealis. The women's Borealis is listed as fitting most 15-inch laptops.
Zappos lists the women's version at 25 L with a women-specific fit and a padded, stowable hipbelt. The unisex Borealis has a 29 L main compartment and a removable waist belt.
The North Face Jester Backpack ($90) is a 27.5 L pack with a 15-inch sleeve. The Osprey Flare 27 ($95) takes a 16-inch laptop, and the JanSport Big Student ($62 list) holds 34 L.
Each swap links to amazon.com. Prices are typical US prices checked November 9, 2026 and change often, so check the listing before you buy.
Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
Prices are typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, last checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices, which change often. When a price couldn't be confirmed, the page says “Check price on Amazon” instead of showing a number.
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