[Review] The North Face Purple Label Daypack Beige: The 70s Analog Romance Revived by nanamica

Hello, this is Lislab.

If you were to pick the most familiar outdoor brand to us, it would undoubtedly be 'The North Face.'

Depending on where you look in the world, this giant brand morphs into entirely different identities. In its birthplace, the US and Western markets, it remains a rugged, hardcore outdoor gear staple rooted in alpine heritage. In the domestic Korean market, it manifests as 'White Label,' catering to lifestyle comforts and trendy urban streetwear.

However, there is a hidden sanctuary that stands completely worlds apart from both the heavy-duty American outdoor mainline and the fast-fashion-adjacent Korean White Label—a line that drives fashion enthusiasts and heritage geeks worldwide absolutely crazy. It is 'The North Face Purple Label,' a Japan-exclusive line developed by the innovative Japanese casual brand, nanamica.

Unlike the functional obsession of the US mainline or the fast-paced trend-chasing of White Label, Purple Label reinterprets The North Face’s original 1960s and 70s vintage archives through a modern lens, exuding a heritage so deep and classic it almost feels obsessive.

The item I am introducing today is 'The North Face Purple Label Daypack in Beige,' which silently protects my back every morning on my commute, growing old right alongside me. Moving beyond a mere trendy backpack, I want to share the true essence of this gear—a bag that slowly completes itself by recording its owner’s daily habits over time.



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01. Product Details

"The Heritage of nanamica Layered Over a 70s Vintage Silhouette"

• Model: The North Face Purple Label Daypack
• Color: Beige
• Use: Daily Commuter Backpack
• Features: A perfect harmony of 70s vintage and nanamica's distinct heritage.

• Authentic vintage daypack design replicated from The North Face 70s archive.

• Exceptionally stiff yet supple texture achieved through premium fabric from Italy's renowned Para mill.

• Ample storage capacity, genuine suede leather accents, and a functional 2-tier split-compartment structure.



The ultimate charm of this bag lies undoubtedly in its unique canvas-like texture.

While anyone could easily mistake this bag for being made of standard cotton canvas, it holds a high-end twist: it is crafted not from regular cotton, but from a premium, ultra-high-performance acrylic fabric by Para, Italy's legendary textile master. This specialized fabric is primarily engineered for heavy-duty marine gear like yacht sails, outdoor awnings, and high-end luxury tents.

Due to these fabric characteristics, the bag feels noticeably stiff and rigid when you first encounter it compared to standard canvas. However, this fabric beautifully breaks in over time, creating natural creases and contours tailored precisely to the owner’s movements and daily lifestyle habits.





The genuine suede leather accents found on the bottom and various parts of the bag are equally stunning.

Far from being mere ornaments for a superficial vintage aesthetic, the small leather pull-tabs on the zippers are cleverly designed to give you a comfortable grip when opening the bag. Furthermore, the suede bottom provides outstanding durability, effortlessly enduring the daily friction of being set down on floors and desks. This suede also offers the pure joy of aging gracefully, darkening and gaining a rich patina as it absorbs the oils from your hands over time.



02. Sizing & Features

"A Flexible Divided Space Hidden Within a Lightweight Silhouette"





Judging solely by its design, it looks like a simple 70s analog backpack, but unzipping it reveals nanamica’s signature flexible, modern storage layout. The biggest structural characteristic of this bag is that the interior is split into a '2-tier upper and lower system.'

At first glance, the exterior bottom zipper looks like it leads to an entirely separate pocket, but it is actually a clever gateway. Inside the bag, there is a middle fabric divider; when you zip it shut, the interior completely separates into top and bottom compartments, bringing absolute order to your gear so everything doesn't get jumbled together.

You can unfasten the divider to use the bag as one spacious, open compartment, or keep it zipped to utilize the 2-tier separation, allowing you to adapt seamlessly to your lifestyle.









Personally, I usually leave the divider open and use the interior as one continuous, wide space. On my daily commute, it easily accommodates all my documents, two Traveler's Notebooks, a pencil case, and two T.S.L pouches packed with various everyday carry items, boasting a remarkably generous carrying capacity.

Thanks to the unique charm of canvas gear, even when fully packed, it avoids the awkward, overly protruding "turtle-shell fit." Instead, it drapes down naturally along the back, maintaining a beautifully clean, slouchy silhouette. It effortlessly holds all the baggage of daily life without compromising the fit of your outfit, achieving the absolute ideal look.





03. Aging Data & Fit

"Everyday Commutes: Evidence of Time Etched Upon My Back"





Quite a bit of time has already slipped by since I started tackling busy workdays with this bag on my back.

While it lacks the sleek, glossy allure of a nylon backpack, the beautifully muted beige tone unique canvas and the natural wear patterns developing across the fabric bring a deep sense of satisfaction every single time I look at it.







Thanks to the raw denim jeans I wear religiously, the suede base of the bag has developed a distinct, deep indigo bleeding.

To some, this crocking might look like a stained ruin, but to me, it is a badge of honor and a romantic trace of the years spent alongside this bag. Witnessing even the minor scratches and scuffs transform into a beautiful 'vintage patina'—rather than mere dirt—when meeting Purple Label's 70s archive aesthetic is a truly remarkable experience.







I genuinely believe that the current state of the bag—worn-in by my own hands and adapted to my life until it hugs my body perfectly—is far more valuable and precious than the pristine, stiff structure it had when brand new. It has truly transcended being a mere object to become a dependable companion growing old with me right behind my back.





Closing: The Journey of a Stiff Canvas Bag Breaking In



In an era of hyper-minimalism where a smartphone is practically all you need, carrying a heavy canvas bag packed with a paper diary and a pencil case might seem like nothing more than stubborn foolishness.

Yet, watching the natural wrinkles form along my stride and seeing the suede base dyed a deep indigo by my favorite raw denim jeans reminds me that this gear is not just a container for carrying things—it is a living archive recording my daily trajectory.

Bags that merely flaunt brand status or loud logos inevitably become tiresome after a short while.

However, this Purple Label Daypack—blending the 70s original archetype of The North Face with the subtle, sophisticated touch of Japan's nanamica—will quietly establish itself at the very core of your life as time flows on. Keeping an item by your side that grows to resemble its owner more and more with each passing day is one of the few romantic luxuries we can afford in the midst of a frantic, chaotic life.

I look forward to continuously sharing the journey of how this piece cures and deepens within my daily life.

Thank you for reading this long journey.

Sincerely, Lislab

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