The North Face Jackets Review: Are They Worth the Price?

When it comes to outdoor apparel, few brands are as iconic and trusted as The North Face. Since its founding in 1966, The North Face has built a reputation for producing high-quality, high-performance gear designed to withstand the rigors of climbing, skiing, mountaineering and the elements. Their jackets in particular have a devoted following among serious outdoor enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike.

But with premium materials and construction comes premium pricing. The North Face jackets are undoubtedly an investment, often costing hundreds of dollars. So the key question is: are they worth it?

In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take a closer look at The North Face‘s jacket lineup, key features, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if they‘re right for your needs and budget.

Types of Jackets from The North Face

The North Face offers an extensive range of jackets optimized for various outdoor activities and weather conditions. Their main jacket categories include:

Casual/lifestyle jackets – Stylish everyday jackets that balance weather protection and warmth with a street-friendly aesthetic. Popular models include the Thermoball Eco, Canyonlands, and Campshire.

Rain jackets – Lightweight, packable shells made with waterproof-breathable fabric to keep you dry. Bestsellers include the Venture 2, Resolve 2, and Apex Flex.

Insulated/down jackets – Warm puffy jackets insulated with down or synthetic fill for cold conditions. Top picks include the Thermoball Eco, Aconcagua, Gotham, and Sierra.

Ski and snowboard jackets – Specialized jackets with features like powder skirts, wrist gaiters, and goggle pockets. Look for the Ceptor, Chakal, Clement, and Purist.

Climbing and mountaineering jackets – Tough technical shells built for harsh alpine environments. Stand-outs include the Summit L5, L3, and Apex Flex.

Fleece and soft shell jackets – Breathable, stretchy jackets for aerobic activities like hiking and running. Check out the Apex Bionic, Glacier Alpine, and TKA Glacier.

Materials and Technologies

The North Face is known for using premium materials and innovative technologies in its jackets. Some of the key ones to look for include:

• DryVent – The North Face‘s own waterproof-breathable fabric that comes in 2, 2.5, and 3-layer constructions. Keeps moisture out while allowing sweat to escape.

• WindWall – Wind-resistant fleece fabrics that block chilly gusts while staying breathable. Often used in soft shell jackets.

• FlashDry – Quick-drying fabrics designed to wick moisture and speed up evaporation to keep you cool and dry during activities.

• Thermoball – Synthetic down insulation made in partnership with PrimaLoft. Maintains warmth even when wet and is highly compressible.

• Heatseeker – The North Face‘s standard synthetic insulation. Cheaper than down but still effectively traps warmth.

• Responsible Down Standard (RDS) down – Ethically-sourced goose and duck down that provides premium warmth-to-weight.

Fit and Sizing

The North Face offers a variety of fits in its jackets to accommodate different body types and layering preferences. In general, their jackets tend to have a roomier, more relaxed fit compared to more technically-oriented brands like Arc‘teryx.

The North Face‘s standard jacket fits are:

• Slim fit – Trimmer, close-to-body fit with minimal room for layering. Often found in more casual, street-styled jackets.

• Standard fit – Neither too baggy nor too tight. Room for light to mid layers underneath. Works well for most activities.

• Relaxed fit – Looser cut with plenty of room for heavier layers. Ideal for resort skiing and super cold conditions.

In terms of sizing, The North Face runs pretty true-to-size. For most jackets, buyers find ordering their normal size works well. However, if you plan to layer heavily underneath, you may want to size up. The North Face provides detailed size charts for each jacket with measurements for the chest, waist, hip, and sleeve to help you dial in sizing.

Popular North Face Jacket Models

With so many great options, it‘s hard to go wrong with a North Face jacket. But here are a few of their most popular and acclaimed models:

Thermoball Eco Jacket – This versatile synthetic down jacket works great as a mid layer in winter or standalone in milder temps. Thermoball insulation rivals the warmth of 600-fill down. Recycled ripstop shell is windproof and water-resistant.

Ventrix Jacket – Stretchy, breathable insulated jacket designed for high-output activities in cold weather. Features dynamic venting that opens and closes as you move. Great for hiking, ski touring, and climbing.

Apex Flex GTX – Fully-featured, technical 3L Gore-Tex shell for ultimate weather protection in harsh mountain conditions. Helmet-compatible hood, powder skirt, and pit zips. A top choice among serious skiers and alpinists.

Nuptse Down Jacket – The North Face‘s signature boxy, retro-styled down puffer. 700-fill down offers serious warmth and the durable water-repellent shell fends off light precip. Works well for casual urban use to winter camping.

Denali 2 Fleece – A re-release of TNF‘s classic Denali fleece with a few modern updates. Polartec 300 Series fleece is thick, warm, and durable. Ideal as a cozy mid layer or standalone piece in crisp weather.

Environmental and Social Initiatives

As an outdoor brand, The North Face recognizes the importance of protecting the environment and supporting the communities where they operate. Some of their key sustainability initiatives include:

• Using recycled materials like recycled polyester and down in many of their jacket designs to reduce waste

• Committing to 100% responsibly-sourced fabrics by 2025 and eliminating single-use plastic packaging by 2025

• Partnering with organizations like The Conservation Alliance and Protect Our Winters to support conservation efforts and fight climate change

• The Explore Fund provides grants to nonprofits that connect people to the benefits of the outdoors, with a focus on underserved communities

• Athlete-tested, expedition-proven program puts TNF gear to the test in the world‘s harshest environments to continually refine designs and technologies

While there‘s still work to be done, it‘s clear The North Face is taking meaningful steps to reduce their environmental impact and give back to the outdoor community.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

The North Face consistently receives positive reviews from customers and professional gear testers alike. On outdoor gear site Trailspace, TNF ranks among the top 10 highest-rated apparel brands with 4.5/5 star average from thousands of reviews.

Reviewers frequently praise the durability, attention to detail, and reliable weather protection of The North Face jackets. Many people have used the same TNF jacket for a decade or longer! Reviewers also appreciate the range of styles – from casual to technical – and the brand‘s commitment to sustainability.

On the flip side, the main complaint about The North Face jackets is the price. There‘s no denying they are expensive, especially the technical shells and down puffys. Some people question whether the brand has started to emphasize its fashionable reputation over performance in recent years.

From my own experience testing dozens of jackets over the years as an outdoor gear reviewer, I‘ve always been impressed with The North Face. I still regularly use a Thermoball jacket I got 5 years ago as a ski mid layer and around-town winter jacket. The zippers, cuffs, and insulation are all holding up extremely well to heavy use.

The North Face Jacket Pricing

There‘s no way around it: The North Face jackets are pricey. In general, you can expect to pay between $100-$200 for a casual use insulated jacket, $150-$300 for a ski or mountaineering shell, and over $300 for an expedition-grade down parka. At full retail price, TNF jackets are definitely an investment.

However, The North Face does offer frequent sales, especially at the end of each season. It‘s not uncommon to find jackets discounted 25-40% a few times per year. Retailers like REI and Backcountry also regularly include TNF in their sales.

The North Face backs their products with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. While this doesn‘t cover normal wear-and-tear, it‘s still solid protection for your purchase. They also offer free standard shipping and free returns within 60 days in the US.

How Does The North Face Compare to Other Outdoor Apparel Brands?

The North Face is one of the "Big 3" outdoor apparel brands along with Patagonia and Columbia. In general, Patagonia is known for being a bit higher-end and more environmentally-conscious than TNF. Many of their insulated and technical jackets use proprietary materials developed in-house.

Columbia aims for a slightly more budget-friendly price point than TNF. Their jackets often have a looser, more casual fit. Columbia also owns the Mountain Hardwear brand which competes more squarely with TNF‘s technical offerings.

Some other popular outdoor apparel brands to consider alongside The North Face:

• Arc‘teryx – Pricier than TNF but loved by gear heads for top-notch craftsmanship, clean styling, and high-tech materials

• Outdoor Research – Makes excellent technical shells and insulation at a slightly lower price than TNF. Known for bomb-proof Gore-Tex jackets

• Marmot – Started as a sleeping bag brand but now produces quality down jackets on par with TNF for both casual and technical use

• REI Co-op – The popular outdoor retailer‘s in-house brand offers great value for the money. Often a solid budget alternative to TNF

The Bottom Line: Are The North Face Jackets Worth It?

So where does this leave us on the matter of value? There‘s no doubt that The North Face jackets are expensive. You can certainly find cheaper puffys and shells from budget brands.

However, in my opinion, TNF jackets are absolutely worth the price if you want a jacket that performs well, fits great, and lasts a long time. The brand‘s track record over 50+ years speaks for itself. Every TNF jacket I‘ve owned has delivered outstanding comfort, protection, and durability relative to the competition.

For the casual user who just needs a jacket for around-town use and the occasional weekend outing, the price of The North Face may be hard to justify. But if you‘re a committed outdoor adventurer who demands the best from your gear, it‘s hard to go wrong with this brand.

My advice: figure out what type of jacket you need based on your primary activities, conditions, and layering preferences. Then keep an eye out for sales on The North Face website and from major outdoor retailers. Scoring even 20-30% off makes TNF jackets an even better value.

From ultralight shells to expedition down parkas, The North Face makes a jacket for every type of outdoor pursuit. While they‘re far from cheap, their consistent quality and performance make them a worthwhile investment for anyone who gets after it outside.