Perfect video! Some days ago I went to a store to try Borealis. I liked everything about it except that it was heavy. If it was lighter I would probably get it.
They both have about the same weather resistance: DWR coated water-repellent exterior fabric with exposed fabric zippers that aren't protected by any rain guards. The only advantage the Borealis has is that the front exterior pocket zipper faces downwards and is hidden, which gives that pocket a lot more protection in the rain. Both are good for light rain but would get nervous in a heavy storm. Hope this helps!
@@BackpackiesI once put a wet umbrella (I shook the water of it before) in the side pocket of Borealis. I kept it there for like 20 mins while I was doing shopping. The water leaked into the main compartment, making everything wet. Never happened to me before in any backpack. Making the side pockets not mesh and without any hole plus putting the bungee cords over them is what caused it I guess, trapping the water. I consider the bungee cord over the side pockets as the stupid design idea. Overall, I’d say Borealis is terrible. Refugio wins it for me.
These bags serve different use-cases. The Borealis caters to users who store and access small items directly from the bag (for example, students who carry backpacks to class and need different books or materials in each class. The variety of pockets for small items is very useful for them). The Refugeo is better suited to users-such as work commuters and travelers-who carry their stuff to one location and take most of the stuff out of the bag at the same time. For these users, pouches and packing cubes are way more useful than pockets.
One question, what do you think of durability? I am using a borealis now for almost 5 years since 2020, I have used it almost everyday but after a while it starts showing quite some wear and tear. Therefor I would like to try a backpack of Patagonia next time, what would you recommend?
Good question! The Borealis if used for a daily laptop/school/work backpack because of its organization. The Refugio if used for hiking, travel or in situations where weight matters.
The Refugio is loghter and made a real outdoor company not VF Corp fashion company. Maybe irrelevent but I am keeping my money with companies true to their origin
Perfect video! Some days ago I went to a store to try Borealis. I liked everything about it except that it was heavy. If it was lighter I would probably get it.
Thanks! All that extra padding, bungee, and fleece on the Borealis really don't do it any favors with weight. It's definitely a trade off.
I am still thinking of Refugio being better. But I am wondering about weather resistance.
They both have about the same weather resistance: DWR coated water-repellent exterior fabric with exposed fabric zippers that aren't protected by any rain guards. The only advantage the Borealis has is that the front exterior pocket zipper faces downwards and is hidden, which gives that pocket a lot more protection in the rain. Both are good for light rain but would get nervous in a heavy storm. Hope this helps!
@@BackpackiesI once put a wet umbrella (I shook the water of it before) in the side pocket of Borealis. I kept it there for like 20 mins while I was doing shopping. The water leaked into the main compartment, making everything wet. Never happened to me before in any backpack. Making the side pockets not mesh and without any hole plus putting the bungee cords over them is what caused it I guess, trapping the water. I consider the bungee cord over the side pockets as the stupid design idea. Overall, I’d say Borealis is terrible. Refugio wins it for me.
@@deadnorwegianblue614I usually strap it under the borealis and never had any problem with that method
Love your video, deadly! Can you make a video to compare Patagonia Refugio 30 and Osprey Nebula 32?
Yess that needs to happen
These bags serve different use-cases. The Borealis caters to users who store and access small items directly from the bag (for example, students who carry backpacks to class and need different books or materials in each class. The variety of pockets for small items is very useful for them). The Refugeo is better suited to users-such as work commuters and travelers-who carry their stuff to one location and take most of the stuff out of the bag at the same time. For these users, pouches and packing cubes are way more useful than pockets.
One question, what do you think of durability? I am using a borealis now for almost 5 years since 2020, I have used it almost everyday but after a while it starts showing quite some wear and tear. Therefor I would like to try a backpack of Patagonia next time, what would you recommend?
I have the older Refugio from 2017.
The fleece lining gets disgusting fast
Which one you prefer personally and why? :)
Good question! The Borealis if used for a daily laptop/school/work backpack because of its organization. The Refugio if used for hiking, travel or in situations where weight matters.
The front compartment of the Borealis is really annoying and makes getting into the main compartment awkward…..I would t recommend this bag at all.
The Refugio is loghter and made a real outdoor company not VF Corp fashion company. Maybe irrelevent but I am keeping my money with companies true to their origin