The North Face Women's Terra 55 Review

THE NORTH FACE Women’s Terra 55 has been designed for female hikers looking for a smaller backpack with plenty of storage options and is comfortable to carry.

THE NORTH FACE Women's Terra Backpacking Backpack, Agave Green/Pale Lime Yellow, XS-S 55 L

Table of Contents

Pros / Reasons to Buy

Plenty of storage with 7 pockets
Comfortable to carry

Cons / Reasons to Avoid

Torso length isn’t adjustable
Rain cover not included

This backpack has a capacity of 55 liters, the minimum needed for a multi-day hike. However, despite its smaller size, it offers as much organized storage as a bigger pack. The seven pockets are all easy to access and generously sized. This backpack’s design distributes the load’s weight evenly and helps to make it comfortable to carry. The molded hip belt and the cut of the shoulder straps are specifically designed for a female body shape, and we think this is the best smaller backpack for women.

Compare to Similar Products:

Product	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Osprey Kestrel 48	Osprey Aether Plus 70	Gregory Paragon 58	Gregory Baltoro 65	Big Agnes Parkview 63	Osprey Aether 65	Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women	The North Face Women's Terra 55	Dueter Air Contact Core 60+10

Buying Options
Our Award	Best for Men	Best Lighter Backpack for Men	Best Large Capacity Backpack for Men					Best for Women	Best Lighter Backpack for Women	Best Large Capacity Backpack for Women
Size	S/M - L/XL	S/M - L/XL	S/M - L/XL	S/M - M/L	S - M - L	M - L	S/M - L/XL	WS - UL	XS/S - M/L	W - Regular
Weight	2 - 2.2 kg	1.9 - 2.1 kg	2.5 - 2.8 kg	1.5 - 1.6 kg	2.1 - 2.4 kg	1.6 - 1.8 kg	2.2 - 2.3 kg	1.3 - 1.4 kg	1.6 - 1.7 kg	2.1 - 2.3 kg
Capacity	65 - 68 liters	46 - 48 litres	68 - 70 liters	58 litres	65 litres	63 + 10 liters	65 - 68 liters	60 liters	55 litres	60 + 10 liters
Load	13.6 – 18 kg	9.1 – 15.9 kg	14 – 27 kg	22.7 kg	22.7 kg	22.7 kg	14 - 27 kg	22.7 kg	N/A	15 - 20 kg
Pockets	9	10	8	6	10	8	5	6	5	8
Torso Lengths	43 - 58.9	40.5 - 58.5 cm	43 - 58.5 cm	38 - 60 cm	40.6 - 55.9 cm	46 - 56 cm	43 - 58.5 cm	38.1 - 60.9 cm	35.5 - 47.7 cm	35 - 62 cm
Rain Cover	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

Editor’s note: This article is part of our buyers guide to waterproof hiking backpacks. See other articles in this series:

Looking for other waterproof gear? Check out our buyers guides on:

Analysis and Test Results

THE NORTH FACE uses its OPTIFIT suspension system to provide shock-absorbing support. They also use their Dyno Lift System to adjust the load lifters. Aluminum stays combine with a foam back panel to distribute weight evenly between your hips and shoulders. The hip belt and shoulder straps are well-padded and easy to adjust. All of these features combine to make this a very comfortable backpack to carry. The pockets are all generously sized and easy to access. With seven pockets and plenty of straps and loops for attaching gear, this backpack provides plenty of intelligently designed storage. The torso length isn’t adjustable, but the two sizes cover 12 cm (5 inches).

Performance Comparison

Material

The body of this rucksack is composed of 210 denier nylon, with the base made of tougher 600 denier polyester. The frame is made from lightweight aluminum.

Breathability

The back panel has a channel cut into it to create an air channel and is covered with breathable mesh. This helps to increase breathability so your back doesn’t get too sweaty.

Waterproofing

The material of this backpack is coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to make it water resistant. However, if you are caught in the rain, this backpack is not waterproof and does not include a rain cover.

Dimensions

This is a woman’s backpack, so it only comes in two sizes – extra small/small and medium/large.

Sizes	Capacity	Weight	Measurements
Extra Small / Small	55 liters 3356 cubic inches	1.6 kg 3.9 lbs	53 x 34 x 25 cm 20.9 x 13.4 x 9.8 inches
Medium / Large	55 liters 3356 cubic inches	1.7 kg 3.12 lbs	57 x 34 x 26 cm 22.4 x 13.4 x 10.2 inches

Fit

The torso length of the Terra 55 is not adjustable, but the two sizes cover a range from 35.5 cm (14 inches) to 47.7 cm (19 inches). The hip belt can be adjusted by 6 cm (15 inches) to help the rucksack fit a variety of body sizes and shapes. To better fit the female frame, the shoulder straps are narrower and more curved, in particular around the lower back. An adjustable sternum strap can be moved up or down to the best height for each individual.

The hip belt is easily tightened by pulling the two straps on each side of the central buckle. The shoulder straps can also be tightened by pulling on them. To release the straps and make them longer, you simply lift the buckle and slide it along the strap.

	Torso Length	Hip Belt Length
Extra Small / Small	35.5 – 43 cm 14 – 17 inches	24 – 29.9 cm 61 – 76 inches
Medium / Large	40.5 – 47.7 cm 16 – 19 inches	29.9 – 35.8 cm 76 – 91 inches

Storage

Even though this is a smaller rucksack, it still provides plenty of storage options with seven pockets. The main section has a J-shaped zip, so you can easily access all the contents without rummaging through from the top. A removable divider at the bottom of the main section can be used to create a separate compartment.

On the front of the pack, there is a large stash pocket. Each hip pocket has a mesh pocket with zips, which are larger than usual. The floating lid also has a generously sized external zippered pocket with a clip for your keys. On each of the sides, there are large mesh pockets ideal for water bottles that can be accessed from both the top and the side.

Comfort

This is a very comfortable pack to carry. The foam back panel, the hip belt, and the shoulder straps have plenty of padding in the areas that take the weight. The Dyno Lift System is adjustable on one side by pulling on a strap, and it evenly adjusts the load to bring it closer to your body. The aluminum stays help to distribute the weight between your hips and shoulders. The Terra 55 has THE NORTH FACE’s OPTIFIT suspension system, which is shock-absorbing, helping your knees and back.

Features

Although there isn’t one included, this rucksack is compatible with a hydration system. A sleeve inside the main compartment can hold a 3-litre water bladder with Velcro fastenings. There is an exit port to feed a tube through.

As well as being adjustable, the sternum strap has an emergency whistle built into the buckle.

The spindrift collar and floating lid can be used to provide extra storage. The lid also has a daisy chain for attaching extra gear. There are also loops at the bottom of the pack that are useful for securing a sleeping pad. At the top of the pack, you can find a bungee loop on each side to make it easy to fasten trekking poles or ice axes to your pack. On each side, two compression straps help stabilize the load. You can also use the compression straps with the large side pockets for equipment such as tent poles.

Durability

This is a sturdy, well-made backpack. The high-denier material used on the base and the DWR coating help increase the durability. The zips have pull cords to help them run smoothly and less likely to break or tear.

THE NORTH FACE offers a two-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. Damage caused by accident, improper care, negligence, laundering, everyday wear and tear, or the natural breakdown of colors and materials is not covered.

Sustainability

THE NORTH FACE says sustainability is “central to everything we do”. They are working towards making all the materials they use in their products recycled or responsibly sourced by 2030. They are also developing ways to make their gear easier to recycle and reuse.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a smaller backpack with the organization and comfort of bigger and more expensive models, then this THE NORTH FACE Women’s Terra 55 is ideal. Although you need to get a rain cover, this is a practical, durable backpack. With seven generously sized and easy to access pockets you will have plenty of room for everything you need for a multi-day hike.

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