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- Board carry straps with a reinforced front panel to carry even the widest boards
- Main compartment with a universal padded sleeve and hydration port
- Bottom compartment with zipper and drain holes for your snow-caked gear
- Zippered water bottle pockets keep your aqua secure
- Tricot lined optics pocket doubles as an audio system with the in-line audio port
- Removable waistbelt for the heavy loads
- Sternum strap with Safe-T whistle
- Stitched foam backpanel won't kill your spine
- Capacity: 2050 cu. in.
- Weight: 2 lb. 7 oz.
- Fabric: Nylon
- Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9 inches
- Pockets: Main compartment +2
from Buffalo, NY on 4/7/2008
I sought a replacement for my duffel-style sport bag including an option to strap a jacket and other items to the bag's exterior in a pinch. I did not want a bag with side compression straps that obstruct access to the main compartment or zippers that repeatedly snag on their protective flaps. The placement of the main compartment's zipper on the FR 720 is perfect for easy access, and the lack of extraneous straps aids access not only to the main compartment but to all exterior pockets as well. The two straps on the sack's non-harness side do not at all interfere with interior access.
Although designed for carrying a snow board, the FR 720 is versatile and the perfect size to function as my duffel-bag replacement. The two straps designed for carrying a board are useful for carrying other large items such as an insulated parka, boots, snowshoes, and so on such that the total carrying capacity of the bag easily exceeds The North Face's stated 2,050 cubic inches. The carrying flexibility afforded by this design is one of the primary reasons I settled on this sack over the Surge, which I also considered.
Since this bag lacks a frame, it essentially is a ruck sack and not a back pack so any load is supported solely by the shoulders. The bag's shape is important to its carrying comfort. The shoulder pads are comfortable, and the bag's narrow profile insures that any reasonable load is carried closely to the body to minimize potential back pain.
This bag has a double bottom. By leaving the heavy-cloth exterior bottom unzipped, an extendable inner-bottom fabric layer can be utilized for extra carrying capacity. This might not have been the inner bottom's original intent, but this is another way in which the FR 720 offers flexibility in carrying options.
Aside from the lack of exterior attachment points (such as D rings or daisy chain), which are of little concern to me, I found only one drawback to this pack thus far: the carrying handle/strap, which is the only reason I did not give this bag a perfect rating. I often have to carry this sack by hand for some distance. I found the narrow doubled-over fabric handle somewhat uncomfortable since it digs into my hand. I resolved this problem by removing the stitching and unfolding the fabric handle. The broadened handle is more comfortable but still can be improved. I recommend The North Face replace it with the handle currently used on the Steep Tech 30, which is broader, wider, and lightly padded. The greater surface area of the Steep Tech's carrying strap results in greater comfort when carrying a sack by hand.
I know this pack is designed for snowboarding, but it's an awesome surfing pack as well. The bottom compartment of the pack designed for carrying snow-drenched items is the perfect size for carrying a wetsuit and towel. The wetsuit compartment is totally waterproof and everything else in the pack stays completely dry, the perfect pack for surf spots you have to hike to get to. If you?re a surfer that likes a little mission to get to a spot check out this pack.