There are very few brands that travelers the world over will love. One such brand is The North Face – one of the most popular brands known for their sturdy, functional, and stylish winter jackets. The secret behind the durability and use of North Face jackets are the athletes that use them.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for Best North Face Winter Jackets
The company develops winter jackets and technologies based on the feedback of athletes and world-class adventurers. There is a lot of research behind finding the best material, structure, and construction in every North Face winter jacket. It may not always be affordable, but it definitely is worth the money.
The great thing about North Face is they have several designs that fit several occasions. Finding the best North Face winter jacket for you depends on what you will mostly use it for. The best part is whatever you decide to get, you can be assured of its quality and durability, and it will definitely be more than good enough to take with you wherever you go.
Best Winter Parka For Women
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Best Insulated Jacket For Women
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Best 2-In-1 Jacket For Women
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Best Winter Parka For Men
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Best Insulated Jacket For Men
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Best 2-In-1 Winter Jacket For Men
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If you are looking to stay warm and toasty this winter, the North Face Arctic Down Parka is your new go-to jacket.
Not only does it come with a fully waterproof and breathable outer layer, but it is also filled with the highest quality 550+ fill down that will keep you warm on even the coldest days.
But it’s the level of detail that is most important in a jacket like this because the wind and cold can sneak in almost anywhere you let it.
The hood is your head’s best friend when it gets really cold or the wind picks up. And this parka’s hood is not only fully adjustable but also filled with down. Both the hood and the faux fur cuff/ruff are removable too, so you can adjust the look to your needs. (But trust me, if you are anywhere near -20 or lower, a ruff is the best thing you can have :>).
The cuffs of the sleeves also have a nice elastic material to keep the wind out (without the need for annoying velcro) and the zipper also has a chunky storm flap to stop any drafts from getting through.
It’s also nice to have the parka come all the way down the legs (almost to knee level), giving that extra layer to that often forgotten area of our body.
All in all, if you are expecting serious winter temperatures any time soon, you won’t regret such a jacket. I had such a jacket as my savior in the Yukon last year (in -40) with layers of course, but man was it worth its weight in gold.
You can see a full walk-through of the jacket in this video below.
The Thermoball from North Face is one of their most popular down jackets and for good reason.
It is a super-lightweight and warm insulated jacket that you can use as an outer jacket or layer depending on the season.
Because this jacket uses synthetic insulation that mimics the properties of down, it is just as warm but does not lose much warmth when wet (unlike regular down, which is a disaster when wet).
North Face developed their special Thermoball insulation in conjunction with the best in the industry (the ones that were tasked with coming up with it for the army in the first place) Primaloft! The result is an insulation that is equivalent to 600 fill down (ie. very very warm).
What else is great about this jacket?
It has elastic cuffs and a cinch cord on the hem, to help keep the warmth in (and wind out!).
It can be rolled up into its own pocket for easy storage in your pack.
It also has a water-resistant outer material in case you get caught in the rain (it won’t stop the rain forever, but it helps keep you dry, along with the great insulation to keep you warm).
The jacket shown above is the classic full zip, but North Face has lots of options with this jacket – hoodie, stretch, vest, parka, etc.
Note: If you are looking for something that is also really wind-proof, check out the comparison with the Patagonia Nano Puff, another classic in the industry.
Below is a video (I know it shows a man, but it’s the same jacket :>) showing all the features.
See our full review of the North Face Thermoball.
One of the biggest problems with winter jackets is that they don’t suit all temperatures and conditions.
Sometimes is freezing! Other times, just cold with a little rain.
That is when a Triclimate jacket from North Face comes in real handy.
Basically, this is a 2-in-1 jacket featuring a 2 layer waterproof and breathable rain jacket with a zippable inner fleece. How cool is that?
You can wear both separately, or when zipped in, together as an insulated waterproof winter jacket. The best of both worlds.
The outer jacket on its own is a great shell with all the features you would expect. It uses North Face’s Dry vent fully seam-sealed waterproof material with a comfy taffeta inner lining, So, it’s a pleasure to wear even without the fleece inner.
It also keeps the wind out with velcro cuffs, a cinch-cord hem, and a high collar. The pit-zips are handy if you are out exercising and it gets a little warm. And the hood has oodles of adjustment and is removable.
The fleece inner, which can zip into the outer like a glove, is North Face’s cozy and warm Osito fleece. Very fluffy, and something you can wear on its own, without the jacket.
Here is a short video showing you all the ins and outs of the jackets:
If you are heading into a very cold winter ahead, or just planning a trip to somewhere like Alaska or Iceland, then this is the jacket for you.
The McMurdo is North Face’s answer to keeping you warm even when it gets way below freezing.
It is essentially a very well insulated jacket with super waterproof and durable outer material.
All the features are designed to keep the warmth in, and the elements out.
Starting with the insulation, North Face has included their 550 fill down, which is also responsibly sourced (important when dealing with live animals to source your materials). This level of down will help keep you warm even in sub-freezing temperatures.
The outer uses their DryVent 2 layer system, which means that it is super-waterproof and breathable at the same time. So it won’t feel like you are walking in a mini sauna.
The hood area is well designed with cords for cinching it closer to your face. There is a faux fur ruff, which is a killer anti-wind feature (when I was in the Yukon last winter, the ruff made a huge difference). Both are separately removable which leaves you with options.
There are tonnes of pockets on the front of this jacket (maybe too many) which allows you to keep your hands warm and store lots of stuff (because opening your jacket in -20 is not always a great idea).
The velcro cuffs and cinch-waist cord are perfect for keeping the wind out (there is also a mid-level one to bring the jacket closer in too).
All in all, the features of this jacket will have you laughing at the cold, while everyone around you is freezing…
Nothing beats high-grade down insulation when it comes to keeping you warm. Those geese know how to survive a Canadian winter, that’s for sure!
This down jacket comes with one of the highest levels of down you can get – 800 fill. The construction of the down chambers is designed to distribute it equally around your body, so there won’t be any of those annoying cold spots.
Just like the ever-popular Thermoball I wrote about above (if you want synthetic insulation that is less bulky, that is the way to go) this jacket also has a water-resistance nylon outer.
The neck comes up higher enough to keep you warm, and the elastic cuffs and cinch cord on the hem will help seal the warmth in.
This is a great jacket for those cold dry days out, or as a layer, if you have a rain jacket shell or are heading to the north this winter.
You know the winter drill. One day it’s freezing, the next just a little cold.
That is when a Triclimate jacket from North Face comes in handy.
It’s a 2-in-1 jacket with both a 2 layer waterproof and breathable rain jacket with a zippable inner insulated jacket. Bonus!
And, this combination from North Face features one of their most popular insulated jackets, the Thermoball. So, it’s a win-win really!
When you split these two jackets apart, they are both worth buying on their own:
The Outer Jacket is a fully-featured waterproof/breathable shell from North Face. Designed to keep you dry, stop the wind getting in, and be useful when you are exercising (because it breaths).
The Inner is a slim insulated jacket that stands well on its own. It will keep you warm, and can also stand getting wet (not that it will inside the shell).
If you plan on being in a varied climate or doing sport this winter, this might just be the jacket for you!
See more in this video below:
Which winter jacket is for you?
Well, in the end, it depends on what you are going to use it for.
If it’s for mostly walking around town, city trips, or out with the dot, then a parka is your best bet. Especially if you are expecting sub-freezing temperatures.
An insulated jacket like the Thermoball is great as an in-betweener or for layering.
The 2-in-1 are perfect for people doing outdoor sports in the winter.