Choosing the right ski jacket is about managing the conditions you might encounter on the mountain. It depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most. Some people prefer a shell for its versatility, while others will prefer a bit of insulation to keep the cold at bay. Budget-seekers may appreciate the all-in-one functionality of a 3-in-1 jacket, which features a separate insulating layer that can be zipped in or out of the shell.
A lot of hardcore skiers pretend they don’t care about outerwear aesthetics. They’ll talk about breathability ratings and features and (maybe, under their breath) admit that they like the look of a ski jacket. Yes, performance matters when it comes to your ski jacket, but it also matters if you like how a kit looks. Look good, feel good, ski well.
Here, we delve into detailed reviews of two standout North Face insulated ski jackets: the Dragline Ski Jacket and the ThermoBall Active Jacket, offering insights into their performance, features, and suitability for various skiing conditions.The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate Review – The Ultimate 3-in-1 Winter Jacket!
The North Face Dragline Ski Jacket: Lightweight and Stylish Resort Performance
The North Face started as a niche technical climbing brand, but over the past few decades has become mainstream in fashion and streetwear. In short: The North Face Dragline Ski Jacket ($450) is a lightweight and roomy resort-skiing shell that performs great and looks sharp, especially when paired with the Dragline Bibs ($410). The first thing I noticed when I got my hands on The North Face Dragline Jacket is how it feels nothing like a traditional ski shell.
It’s not stiff, it’s not noisy, and it actually feels like malleable fabric instead of plastic. I tested a Dragline jacket years ago (it’s been around since 2010), which used DryVent 3L, and it felt like pretty much any other shell jacket. I tested the Dragline for 25 days or so over 3 months of on-and-off testing. I live and ski above 10,000 feet, where snow and air are cold, and rain is mostly not a thing. For me, modest waterproof-breathability performance is plenty for resort riding.
If you live or ski somewhere more coastal, such as the Pacific Northwest, you might want to spend a bit more for a jacket with beefier waterproofing from GORE-TEX or one of their competitors. I’ve heard people suggest that the acquisition of TNF by outdoor conglomerate VF Corporation and the focus on fashion has led to a decline in technical performance. While I have a few concerns about the durability of the Dragline kit, I’m happy to see some influence from the fashion division of the company.
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As a professional ski gear reviewer who tests dozens of pieces of apparel each year and compares the specs and construction, there’s not much that differentiates the offerings from endemic ski brands besides the aesthetics. That said, the Dragline jacket isn’t avant-garde or some great departure from the norm. Oversized pockets on the front stand out. The fit is relaxed without being too baggy.
If you’ve skied recently, you’ve seen that the JNCO-style ultra-baggy pants are making a comeback with the youth. The Dragline kit is not that. Also, I wouldn’t want to go backcountry ski touring in the jacket, because the looser fit would bunch up under a pack. But I loved it on lift-served terrain. I’ve already mentioned the DryVent Mono fabric, which is really the headline here and is what gives the jacket its character.
What is that character, exactly? The North Face wouldn’t offer specific waterproof or breathability ratings for the new DryVent Mono construction. Despite using PFAS-free DWR (which is less durable than traditional DWR but more environmentally friendly), I had no issues with the face fabric wetting out. Water still beaded up on the jacket even after more than 25 days of field testing in plenty of weather.
Because TNF doesn’t list waterproof or breathability ratings for DryVent Mono, I have to assume. There’s nothing earth-shattering about the pockets. But they’re big and there are a lot of them, which I learned to love. The two spacious, cargo-style square pockets on the front could hold a box of granola bars if you wanted them to. Behind each is a more secure, zippered pocket that’s a bit slimmer. Below are two zippered hand pockets. Inside, you get dual mesh stash pockets. And the left sleeve has the requisite pass pocket along with a handy tethered goggle wipe.
In total, we’re talking nine pockets total, which is on the upper end of jacket storage. What I like most about the Dragline jacket is also probably its biggest downside. The thin, light, and flexible polyester fabric is a breath of fresh air compared to stiff shells. But it doesn’t feel bulletproof. The jacket still looks like new, but I have a few cuts and abrasions on the Dragline Bibs. And one of the elastic cuff cinches pulled completely out.
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While you save a little upfront by going with the relatively cheaper Dragline than top-of-the-line shells, it’s likely to have a shorter usable lifespan. The North Face does have a limited lifetime warranty for manufacturing, but it won’t cover wear. The departure from high-contrast colors makes this piece more palatable for less fashionable types. For folks that don’t need to withstand heavy rain and wet snow regularly, the relaxed style and comfort of the Dragline Jacket pairs nicely with the middle-of-the-road resort-riding performance of the DryVent Mono construction.
Key Features of the Dragline Ski Jacket:
- Lightweight and roomy design
- DryVent Mono fabric for water resistance
- Nine pockets for ample storage
- Relaxed fit for comfort
The North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket: Hybrid Insulation for Aerobic Activities
The December sun was about to drop over the horizon, and the air temperature was dropping even faster-but I was enjoying the skate-skiing around Bear Basin, in the quiet ponderosa pine forest outside McCall, Idaho, too much to head for the car just yet. It didn’t matter. Yet another iteration in the family of outerwear using the ThermoBall synthetic insulation that TNF developed with PrimaLoft, the ThermoBall Active Jacket is built for moderate to highly aerobic activity in temps ranging from just above to well below freezing, because it traps heat in your body’s core while dumping excess heat and moisture through the sleeves, shoulders, and sides.
This hybrid jacket weds three different types of fabric and insulation. Its torso (front and back) is filled with PrimaLoft ThermoBall synthetic insulation, which consists of small, round fiber clusters that-unlike typical continuous-filament synthetic insulation-trap heat in air pockets to mimic the warmth and compressibility of 600-fill power down feathers; but like synthetics, it also retains warmth when wet. The sleeves, top and back of the shoulders, and side panels consist of a water-repellent, ripstop nylon shell with a DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment) to shed light precipitation.
For me, as someone who heats up quite a bit in my core when moving, just below freezing probably marks the upper end of this jacket’s comfortable temperature range for high-exertion activities. For moderate exertion, it would be fine in a wider range of temps, also depending on sun and wind. If the jacket has a fault, I found that the ThermoBall insulation provides significantly more warmth than the light sleeves-a larger imbalance between core and arms than I’ve found in other hybrid-insulation jackets.
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Part of the reason is that the ThermoBall insulation extends throughout the core, whereas some similar hybrid jackets place insulation only in the front, or place less insulation in the front and back. Of course, people who get cold easily might consider that a strength rather than a fault of the ThermoBall Active Jacket. The trim fit accommodates only one or two lightweight to midweight base layers underneath. Still, the moderately bulky nature of the insulation and the jacket’s weight-there are much lighter hybrid-insulation jackets-make it less appealing for running than for snow sports or cold-weather hiking.
The two zippered hand pockets warmed my hands nicely and the left one has a port for an earbuds cord. NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel.
Key Features of the ThermoBall Active Jacket:
- ThermoBall insulation for core warmth
- Hybrid design for breathability
- Water-repellent shell with DWR treatment
- Zippered hand pockets with media port
Comparative Analysis
To provide a clearer comparison, here’s a table summarizing the key features and benefits of each jacket:
| Feature | North Face Dragline Ski Jacket | North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Use | Resort skiing | Aerobic activities in cold weather |
| Insulation | Shell (layering required) | PrimaLoft ThermoBall synthetic insulation |
| Waterproofing | DryVent Mono fabric | Water-repellent shell with DWR |
| Pockets | 9 total | 2 zippered hand pockets |
| Fit | Relaxed | Trim |
| Best For | Stylish resort skiers | High-exertion activities in cold conditions |
In summary, the North Face Dragline Ski Jacket excels in style and comfort for resort skiing, while the ThermoBall Active Jacket is tailored for aerobic activities, providing warmth and breathability in cold conditions. Your choice depends on your specific needs and priorities on the slopes or trails.