The North Face Terra 55 is a versatile, mid-sized backpack ideal for multi-day hikes, offering durable construction, excellent comfort with its OPTIFIT suspension system, and smart organization features. However, its bulkiness and lack of a built-in rain cover are minor drawbacks. Overall, it’s a reliable choice for outdoor adventurers seeking a comfortable and well-organized pack.
Basic Specifications
The North Face Terra 55 is a mid-sized, multi-day backpack designed for both men and women. With a 41-litre to 55-liter capacity, it’s suitable for weekend to week-long trips. It weighs around 4 pounds, making it relatively lightweight for its size.
The pack is equipped with adjustable features like a sternum strap, load lifters, and a padded hip belt. The OPTIFIT suspension system ensures a customized fit, which is crucial for long treks. Its dimensions are 22.4 x 13.4 x 9 inches, providing ample storage space without being overly bulky.
Material
The Terra 55 is constructed from durable, high-denier nylon. This material is known for its toughness, resistance to wear and tear, and ability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. The base is reinforced for added durability, ensuring that the pack can handle rough terrains and heavy loads. The fabric is also treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, providing some protection against light rain and moisture, though it’s not entirely waterproof.
Comfort
Comfort is a standout feature of the Terra 55. The pack is designed with the OPTIFIT suspension system, which allows for precise adjustments to ensure the pack fits snugly against your body, reducing strain on your back and shoulders.
The proprietary OPTIFIT system helps a comfortable and secure position while carrying a heavy load in the backpack. The Dyno Lift system features equalizing, on the fly adjustable load lifters to avoid pressure and excess strain on the back.
The shoulder straps and hip belt are padded and ergonomically designed to distribute weight evenly, making it easier to carry heavy loads over long distances. The back panel is made with breathable mesh, which helps keep your back cool during strenuous hikes, coupled with the molded hip-belt providing excellent support and comfort.
Organization
The Terra 55 offers excellent organization with its multiple compartments and pockets. The main compartment is top loading, with its full J-zip giving a quick access to the main compartment, but also has a side zipper for easy access to gear without unpacking everything. There’s a separate sleeping bag compartment at the bottom, which is a nice feature for keeping your gear organized.
Additionally, the pack has large mesh side pockets for water bottles, a front stash pocket for quick-access items, and a lid pocket for smaller essentials like maps or snacks. Compression straps help secure your load and keep everything in place. The hydration sleeve helps to carry extra water while on a long journey trekking in the wilderness.
What Could Be Better
While the Terra 55 is a highly functional backpack, some users have noted that the pack can feel a bit bulky, especially for those with smaller frames. The lack of a built-in rain cover is also a minor drawback, as it requires purchasing an additional accessory to ensure full waterproof protection in heavy rain.
Overall, the North Face Terra 55 is a reliable, well-built backpack that excels in comfort and organization, making it a great choice for multi-day adventures.
