Review: The North Face Trail Lite Backpack 65L

Light? Tick. Comfortable? Tick. Brand kudos? Tick. Might this be the only pack you need?

Feature type Review

Read time 4 mins

Published Oct 11, 2024

Jethro
Jethro Kiernan North Wales based adventure photographer, happy being in or on the sea, lakes, mountains and crags usually with a camera.

OUR VERDICT

A relatively light and very comfortable load lugger for multi-day hikes with The North Face label kudos.

Weight 1775g
Features Proprietary OPTIFIT™ suspension; cinch-top opening is easy to open and close; removable top lid; nylon ripstop fabric is durable yet lightweight; trekking-pole carry on back of pack; sternum strap with a whistle buckle.

Pros

  • Relatively light
  • Very comfortable
  • The North Face label kudos

Cons

  • Pricey!
  • Mid-range body attached to a premium back system.

WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR

This is a rucksack for multi-day hikes where the journey is the purpose and the pack should reflect this. It’s all about making the day as easy as possible and not just about depositing a load at the end of the day.

I can usually get an overnight camping setup into a 40-litre sack, normally with the camera equipment taking me over the limit! Packing for longer multi-day journeys, a bigger pack is certainly more flexible. The other one is camping in the hills with kids as inevitably I’m designated mule so having something that can comfortably do a long days walk with a heavy load certainly makes life easier.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First impressions are of a relatively light pack for its size. Despite it being lightweight, the back system felt pretty substantial and supportive and it didn’t take me long to get the back length fitted to me using the OPTIFIT system. It has plenty of adjustment which is handy as my teenage kids like to borrow my gear to go into the hills occasionally, which is no bad thing.

Packing is easy with zipped storage for sleeping bag/clothing/tent at the bottom.

But what differentiates a hiking rucksack is how easy it is to manage the gear you need through the day and on-the-go. Are your snacks and water accessible and can you add or take of a layer of clothing without disrupting the flow of walking? The pack comes well-equipped for this with pockets on the hip belt and stretchy mesh storage on the sides and front of the pack.

I was left with the impression that this is a mid-range body attached to a premium back system.  Some of the materials and finish of the body whilst acceptable weren’t top drawer at this price point, however the back and carry system balance this out as these are a well-built high-quality system.

A relatively light and very comfortable load lugger

THE TEST

With a long trip to Scotland derailed due to work commitments, some low-key camping trips with my daughter in the hills of Snowdonia was the new plan! We decided I wasn’t going to be travelling fast and light… a little comfortable camping with the Helinox chair (you can read that review here), a good book and of course my camera gear, which were easily swallowed by the pack. 

The pack comfortably handles a full load of camping gear with storage for your sleeping bag and clothes at the base of the pack. With this type of pack two key points are: how comfortably does it carry and how easy is it to manage your stuff whilst walking and on this front the pack does well. The back has plenty of ventilation and is supportive with plenty of adjustment. 

The pack has plenty of external storage to keep things at hand whilst you’re moving – my walking poles, tripod, Nalgene bottle, snacks and a spare layer were all easily stashed away in easy access.

Changeable late Spring weather meant plenty of clothing changes on the way up and the stretchy mesh storage on the outside of the pack was good for keeping the flow going.

The back system kept the load stable on my back on some fairly rough and steep terrain and this really makes a difference; especially over days with a heavy load because stability saves you a lot of energy not doing the core micro adjustments that an unstable load requires.

WHO IS THIS ITEM FOR?

Multi-day trekking, inter-railing, multi-day camping trips… this is for anyone looking for a decent capacity, comfortable load lugger with the coveted North Face logo attached. It’s on the lighter end of the scale so isn’t a rugged expedition pack and isn’t built for sustained abuse but that’s not it’s remit. Designed in a country with the likes of the Appalachian trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll get an idea of what its designers were thinking designing a pack for this type of temperate multi-day hike.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

BACK SYSTEM

The back system is a premium item, well ventilated, comfortable with plenty of adjustment and stable and this good back system is the most important part of a pack in this category.

STORAGE

There is plenty of on-the-go storage for items like clothes, snacks and drinks.

BRAND NAME

It carries the kudos of the North Face name.

VERSATILE

It is versatile enough to cover your hiking, camping and traveling needs!

VALUE FOR MONEY

You are paying a premium for the North Face name on this pack and there are packs that give you better value for money at this price point, however the back system is a premium feature and if brand is important then it is one to consider.

BASE BOTTOM LINE

A lightweight load lugger with its DNA in the Thru Hike culture of America, versatile enough for multi-day camping trips and interrailing adventures with a good back system and the North Face brand name.

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