Are The North Face Jackets Worth The Price? Why Are They So Expensive?

Are The North Face Jackets Worth The Price? Why Are They So Expensive?

It’s time for our second brand review article, where we will take a look at why The North Face is so expensive and whether or not their products justify the price.

Our first brand review was about Canada Goose and we will be following a similar structure for this review also.

Key Points:

  • The North Face is an American brand, established in 1966. Starting by selling outdoor gear for backpackers and climbers, today they include anything you might need for outdoor sports and adventures. They also offer casual and streetwear products.
  • The popularity of The North Face stems from their insulated jackets, which are famous worldwide.
  • The North Face jackets are popular because of their special fabric technology, which includes partnerships with other companies that specialize in insulation and jacket membranes. Many of their jackets are highly breathable, waterproof, and suitable for the harshest conditions.
  • The North Face is an environmentally conscious brand that believes in giving back to nature and preserving land and water habitats.
  • This company provides an extensive product range with everything necessary for any outdoor activity. They are a well-known brand for their products’ performance and durability.
  • The North Face jackets are worth the price tag if you want an insulating layer that gets the job done without excuses. They are long-lasting and perform beautifully.

Contents:

1. The Brand

The North Face is one of the most featured brands in our reviews and selections, because their jackets offer outstanding performance and are some of the most durable ones in the market.

This is an American brand, so we are still in the North American continent this week. It was established in 1966, firstly selling outdoor gear for backpackers and climbers. Later, in the ’80s, their product range was expanded, and skiwear, along with camping equipment was launched to the public.

Read next: 10 Outdoor Brands like The North Face that You’ll Love

Nowadays you can find anything you might need for an outdoor trip or adventure, whether you are a seasoned sportsman or just enjoy camping and hiking every once in a while.

The North Face’s popularity, however, stems from their insulated jackets which are famous worldwide and a favorite among men, especially.

You might also like: 8 Best The North Face Down Jackets for Winter Reviewed

FUTURELIGHT: Made to Defy | The North Face

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The North Face Apex Bionic Softshell Jacket for Men
Image: The North Face Apex Bionic Men’s Softshell Jacket – thenorthface.com

Special Fabric Technology

Several high-end brands are renowned for their own fabric technologies, but few provide as many options as The North Face does.

Their partnerships with other companies that specialize in insulation and jacket membranes have revolutionized their jackets.

Along with Primaloft®, The North Face developed ThermoBall™, a round synthetic insulation that mimics down’s ability to trap heat, without the downside of losing its abilities when wet (further reading: ThermoBall vs Real Down: Differences and Comparison).

Related: The North Face Thermoball Jacket Review

The North Face New Thermoball Technology

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GORE-TEX® membranes are the reason behind The North Face‘s weatherproof jackets, which, unlike other waterproof jackets in the market, are highly breathable (further reading: How Gore-Tex® Works – An In-Depth Review).

They also use Polartec® fabrics, as well as WINDSTOPPER® soft shells, which are fantastic insulating fabrics and suitable for the harshest conditions.

But The North Face has also developed its very own, unique fabrics, such as DryVent, that is also waterproof, windproof and breathable. This technology comes in three options, depending on the requirements of certain jackets (further reading: DryVent vs Gore-Tex – A Comparison).

DryVent™ | The North Face

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TNF™ Apex is another fabric technology exclusively used in some of their best-selling softshell jackets, which prevents overheating due to the highly breathable shell and keeps the jacket dry by utilizing the water resistance of DWR treatment.

Related: The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket Review

Environmental Conscience

The North Face is one of those brands that believe that a connection with nature is a key factor in not only providing the best quality gear for outdoor adventures but also as a means to give back to nature and ensure that no harm comes to it.

As such, their numerous campaigns and donations to different organizations, have helped preserve land and water habitats all over the world. Bear mentioning The Conservation Alliance, Leave no Trace, and The Access Fund, as well as their 2016 petition to save the Alaskan Arctic Refuge.

This has played an important role in how the public and customers, especially, view The North Face.

It has helped the brand create a great image in the public eye, which only adds to its already well-established product reputation for quality and performance.

The North Face® A Journey To Sustainability

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Variety and Versatility

Being a brand that provides such an extensive product range, with everything necessary for any outdoor activity, is quite convenient to customers as they won’t have to spend extra time having to go from brand to brand for different products.

Plus, being a well-known brand for their products’ performance and durability, this also factors in, since people already trust the brand and the chance for disappointment is very slim.

Performance

Whether you live up North or just simply want a jacket that withstands mild winters, The North Face jackets are some of the best insulating options you will find.

They withstand freezing temperatures effortlessly, which is the sole reason why we turn to jackets when the need arises.

the north face logo

3. Why Are Their Jackets So Expensive?

The answer to this would be quite simple: It’s all about the quality.

When you take into consideration the performance of a jacket, there are many other brands that offer great options. But The North Face does not solely provide a seasonal jacket that you will wear for only one or two years.

Online reviewers and loyal customers all rave about the quality of these jackets and how well-made they are.

A typical The North Face jacket will not give in to the elements for a very long time and online you can easily find impressions of people who have had these jackets for over 5 years and they still look and perform as new.

Plus, they all come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty “against defects in materials and workmanship” (please read the warranty conditions), which is always an indicator.

Plus, factoring in their special fabrics, which we mentioned previously, and their use of recycled materials, you are getting a jacket that is not only well-made but also responsibly made.

Read also: The North Face Original vs Fake Jacket: How To Spot It?

4. Are These Jackets Worth The Price?

man and woman camping wearing down jackets

It all depends, of course.

If you want to look at purchases as an investment, then yes, a North Face jacket is a great investment. They are long-lasting and perform beautifully.

They are worth the price tag if you want an insulating layer that gets the job done without excuses. No overheating, no hindrance, no issues.

If you are an avid sportsman and outdoor lover then very few brands will compare to The North Face when it comes to not only jacket quality and durability but also product versatility.

Softshells, hard shells, down-insulated, synthetic-insulated, puffer jackets, and practically any other type of jacket that you might require are all available from this brand.

“You get what you pay for” would be the best answer to this question.

– – – –

You might also like:
9 American Jacket Brands for Winter and Outdoor Activities
9 Mountaineering Jacket and Clothing Brands: Our Favorites

9 Comments

  1. I recently bought a North Face goose down jacket. The fit is great and the warmth it gives is also impressive. However the outer shell is so fragile that it tore within three days without me even noticing. I returned it to North Face who claimed that it tore (really?!?) and that the limited warranty does not cover ‘normal’ wear and tear. As the article states: “You get what you pay for” and in this case it is (unfortunately) true, as it is one of the cheaper down jackets that North Face sell. If you want a tougher jacket either pay more or look to another brand.

  2. I also had a problem with a beanie from TNF. After 2 months of use, the top part of it where it connects to the pom-pom ripped apart. I was very surprised at the bad quality, cheaper beanies had lasted me multiple winters until I lose them! Luckily, they honoured the warranty and I got what I paid for, otherwise, it would have been a very expensive beanie.

  3. I own numerous jackets from the north face. Just to give an example, the resolve rain jacket I own for about 5 years is still performing great, it’s washed countless times and still keeps me dry in de heaviest rains. The mcmurdo parka I own for about 4 years now is still like new. I use it every winter with great joy. If you ask me, worth every penny. In the Netherlands it’s about twice as expensive as in the United States. But still it’s worth the money big time. One of the best brand if you ask me.

  4. I have owned a North Face goose down hooded jacket for about 2 years. It is warm and waterproof. The zip however, is appalling and not up to the job. I took the jacket back within the warranty period but the staff were not very interested. I loved the jacket but the zip has become extremely frustrating and finally given up. The jacket is now useless.

    • A zipper is easily replaceable. Don’t get me wrong, for the price of TNF, I understand the idea of having to replace a part on anything is awful but at least knowing that it can be done makes knowing that your jacket is not “useless” now should ease your mind at least a little

  5. No, North Face winter coats are not worth the money.
    My jacket zipper failed in the second season. My previous “no name” winter jacket lasted for years before my wife convinced me to by a name brand.
    Robert

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