The North Face

Function - Works to wick sweat and moisture from the body and quickly dry, keeping your body warm and dry underneath your other, heavier layers. If you're working up a sweat, or get wet when its cold out, you know you lose heat faster than you would otherwise, putting yourself at an increased risk of hypothermia, or at least a severe case of goose bumps.

Fit - Cold-weather baselayers should fit snuggly against the body, like a second skin, to help the fabric pull sweat off of you. If the fabric isn't touching your skin, it's not wicking that sweat off of  you, and you're going to stay cold and wet.

•  Types of Baselayer Fabrics -
  • Wool
    • Pros - Efficient at regulating body temperature. Natural fabrics keep you warm when it's cold, and cool when it's hot. And since they're naturally anti-microbial, they stay fresh and keep your stink to a minimum when you sweat.
    • Cons - Dry slowly, and may be itchy on sensitive skin. Some people may also have an allergy to wool.
  • Synthetic Fabrics
    • Pros - Synthetic and synthetic/natural blends, such as synthetic polyester/wool blends are quick drying, warm, moisture wicking, and feature anti-odor technologies to keep you smelling great.
    • Cons - Synthetic baselayers are typically more expensive than wool or cotton.
  • Cotton
    • Pros - Affordable and accessible. Most people have a cotton long-sleeve shirt in their wardrobe that can work as a baselayer.
    • Cons - Retains moisture and incredibly slow drying. Cotton is a usable, but poor choice for keeping your body warm, dry, and comfortable under other layers when skiing, snowboarding, hiking, climbing, or getting active in the cold.

Function - Insulating jackets can be worn underneath shells to add warmth and protection in harsh wind, extreme cold, and wet conditions, but they can also be worn as an outer layer, on their own, in milder weather. The North Face fleece jackets, such as the North Face Denali, are perfect examples of fleece midlayers, which can be worn on their own or as layers. Their fleece construction traps body heat, keeping you warm in bitter conditions, while naturally breathing to keep you dry and comfortable. When you're getting really active and start to overheat, just remove your insulating layer. If you start to cool down, throw the layer back on and warm up again. Simple right?

Fit - Midlayers should fit close to the body, in order to provide the maximum amount of heat and protection possible, but should still give you enough room for a baselayer. If you're venturing out into extremely cold and bitter conditions, your heavier insulating layers (your down jackets, synthetically insulated jackets, or heavyweight fleeces such as The North Face Men's Khumbu Fleece Jacket) should provide adequate room for a lighter insulating piece, like a micro fleece, or lightweight fleece jacket such as The North Face Womens TKA 100 Microvelour Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece.

Warmth-to-Weight - The level of warmth provided, compared to the weight of the jacket. For climbers and mountaineerers, a high warmth-to-weight ratio jacket is vital. They provide the maximum warmth needed, in lightweight jackets that never restrict movement or speed. But these types of jackets, such as The North Face Windwall 1 Fleece Jacket, are also convenient for the regular Joe or Jane, looking for warmth without bulk. Others prefer the weight and durability of heavier winter jackets, such as the heavyweight fleece Khumbu Jacket. It's all about personal preference here!

Probably the most famous and popular of their outerwear fabrics, North Face fleece is an incredibly soft, lightweight, warm, and comfortable material. It is naturally water repellent, and wicks moisture, keeping you dry when you get active. Even when it does get wet, it still retains its insulating qualities! Finally, (and most eco-friendly) it can be made of recycled materials!

The only downside to fleece is that it can generate static electricity that can get pretty pesky (here's a tip though; rub a dryer sheet on your clothes and hair to minimize static). It is also flammable, if not pre-treated, and is not windproof, unless purposefully reinforced with a windproof barrier, like in The North Face Windwall 2 Fleece Jacket. If wind cuts through your fleece, it can cool your body quickly and reduce heat.

Lightweight Fleece
(100 weight)

Uses:

• As a baselayer
• As a lightweight midlayer in mild or cool conditions
• As an outer layer when running, biking, hiking, or getting active in the cold

Examples:

• Mens TKA 100 Classic Trinity Alps
• Womens TKA 100 Masonic Hoodie

Midweight Fleece
(200 weight)

Uses:

• As a midlayer between a shell and base in most cold conditions
• As an outer layer in cool weather
• On its own in mild weather

Examples:

• Womens Pumori Fleece Jacket
• Mens Pumori Fleece Jacket

Heavyweight Fleece
(300 weight)

Uses:

• As an outer jacket in cold and dry weather
• As a midlayer on extremely cold days

Examples:

• Girls Denali Hoodie Jacket
• Mens SDS 1/4 Zip Fleece

The North Face's exclusive TKA (Thermal Kinetic Advancement) fleece series is a high-performance, wear-resistant, and warm fleece made in three weights.

Down is a layer of fine feathers beneath the outer feather of water birds. It's used in outwear as a natural type of insulation against heat loss in cold weather. The North Face uses only the highest quality goose down in its insulation, and this gives its jackets amazing loftiness, moisture resistance, and packability.

Down insulation also has a high warmth-to-weight ratio, which means that an ounce of down fill is warmer that one ounce of synthetic insulation. Unfortunately, once down gets wet, it can be worthless as an insulator. It is slow drying, and can't hold on to warmth when wet. Down is also non-hypoallergenic, meaning people can be allergic to the material. People love down for its look, feel, warmth, and compressibility, but it requires a lot of maintenance to stay clean and functional.

Goose down jackets are measured by "fill power." This refers to the measure of cubic inches taken up by an ounce of down; the higher the fill power, the better the insulation. Higher fill power jackets also are typically lighter than those with lower fill powers, and more easily compressible and packable. The North Face down jackets range from fill power 600 to 900:

• Always read and follow the directions for care on your garment's tags before taking any action or washing!
• Always zip up any zippers on your jacket during tumble wash or drying (zippers can catch sleeves or damage other garments)
• Dry clean down, or take the down garment to a dry cleaning service that knows how to care for down
• If this is not possible, wash the garment with a down-cleaning product
• Do NOT use typical washing detergent, as this could permanently damage the down fill
• Once it is washed, place the down jacket into the drying machine and set to low, or no heat. Place in a couple of tennis balls (yes, tennis balls), and make sure they are new and clean. The tennis balls will help fluff up the down

In addition to using down insulation, The North Face also utilizes synthetic insulating materials, such as PrimaLoft, to provide incredible warmth. Man made insulations are created to mimic the feeling and heat of down without some of its disadvantages. Most synthetics are quick-drying, and can keep you warm even while the insulation is wet. PrimaLoft is hypoallergenic, easy to maintain, and less expensive than down.

Function - Outer shells, as the name implies, should be worn as the top layer of your system. Shells are designed to protect you from harsh elements like bitter winds, driving rain, and thick snow with waterproof outers. The North Face even offers shells that are windproof, keeping precipitation and chill out, while allowing your body to release sweat vapor, keeping you cool and dry.

Fit - Shells should have a loose fit, and be large enough to accommodate a baselayer and an insulating midlayer.

• Types of Shells -
  • Waterproof/Breathable
    • These types of jackets can also often be windproof or wind-resistant, and work to keep out wind and rain, while allowing sweat vapor to move through the fabric and away from your body. While keeping you warm, these jackets also prevent you from feeling too balmy, moist, or uncomfortable while wearing your full bundle of layers. Typical Outer Shell technologies include:
      • GORE-TEX^® Guaranteed to Keep You Dry
      • HyVent Technology
      • WindWall
      • Windstopper
  • Windproof
    • Blocks wind, prevents heat loss, and keeps you warm. Windproof jackets are measured in CFM.
  • Hardshells VS. Softshells
    • Hardshell jackets are typically lightweight, highly water resistant, and windproof. They're ideal for situations when staying dry is vital and space is limited, such as hiking and climbing. Unfortunately, hardshells can also be stiff and restrict movement, as well as crinkly and noisy.
    • Softshell jackets, like The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket, are typically very breathable and weather resistant, as well as mobile and quiet, perfect for a wide range of motion. Ideal for cold-weather activities. Unfortunately, since softshells are woven, they cannot be 100% waterproof, although they are often treated to resist water.