Finding the perfect ski suit can significantly enhance your experience on the slopes. This review delves into some of the best North Face ski suits for men, along with other top contenders in the market. We'll explore features, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Image of a skier enjoying deep powder, highlighting the importance of proper ski gear.
The North Face Dawn Turn Jacket: A Versatile Mid-Layer
The first thing you notice about the Dawn Turn jacket is the curious horizonal ribs which traverse the inner side of the coat and arms. They are filled with synthetic down, though I honestly would’ve sworn it was real down until I just read the details on North Face site. In between these ribs, is… nothing. Yep, in between each baffle strip is simply the outer shell material.
I have to admit this has become my go-to jacket this winter season thus far. I’ve given it a solid month of on-mountain use, as well as daily street wear. It works as a warm outer layer with a weather resistant surface, it’s flexible enough to wear layers underneath and still enjoy unconstricted movement.
Or wear it as a mid-layer under a fully waterproof shell, or larger puffer. Great bit of kit. Many bits of kit are alike, the brand name doesn’t matter much, they all do the same job. Every now and again there’s some clever tech development which pushes things forward - as a kit nerd, always hunting the most efficient layers to bring on the mountain, I’m quite sold on this 50:50 design.
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When you’re yomping up the mountain or ripping down it, the body’s temperature seems to stay amazingly balanced. You’ll have to try it out for yourself, but I’m sold. As an ultra-runner as well as snowboarder, I’m sensitive to maintaining as balanced a temperature as possible under exertion - saves on needing to drink water and calorie intake ultimately. (not that I’d take this jacket ultra-running as it weighs 545g, which is pretty light for ski touring, but not for a small running pack).
This winter in the alps has been a slightly warmer than normal one - so I’ve worn this jacket in -3C up to 14C. I’ve worn it in fresh powder, full snowstorms dumping big wet flakes, bluebird cold days, and warm rainy days. Under wet snowflakes snowboarding the woods, the jacket kept the wet out for a couple of hours at least. And when it did get more wet in places it was still warm.
The sleeves aren’t for everyone, but I’ve really enjoyed the optional thumb loops and snug wrist section - in deeper powder days it keeps all snow at bay. The design keeps on giving - there’s a clever overlap which rests above the wrist section on your gloves - again, ensuring no sneaky snow particles creep down into your gloves.
The hood is generous and fits over your helmet, sadly missing a quick-pull however, but if it sits under another shell layer - it will be cinched by that outer quick-pull anyways. So no biggie. The front stow pockets are fine as long as you’re not wearing a harness, then they become less useful as the belt cuts across them.
Money no object, I’d also consider the Men’s L3 505 Hooded Down Jacket, slightly more pricey, with real down, weighs an even skinnier 375g. But the synthetic down will stay warm when wet, whereas real down will lose it’s benefits. Intended use is genuinely mountaineering / hiking / ski snowboarding. A super useful jacket for your winter and summer quiver.
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Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Great features
- Warm and waterproof
- Fair price considering top performance
Cons:
- Snug fit isn't for everyone
Ratings:
- Warmth: 9.0
- Weather Resistance: 8.0
- Comfort and Fit: 10.0
- Ventilation: 8.0
- Style: 9.0
- Features: 10.0
The North Face Summit Series Verbier Gore-Tex Jacket and Bibs
The North Face’s Summit Series is built for extreme conditions. Every item in the line is designed to be the best they have to offer, and marks a grand return to their partnership with Gore-Tex. From that collection, I’ve been testing the Verbier Gore-Tex jacket and bibs.
The men’s and women’s kits are identical in performance, features, and functionality. That brings me to my next point, that this jacket was more breathable than I expected. Wearing it with a light midlayer, I didn’t get sweaty while skinning through about six inches of fresh powder, and dried almost immediately after stopping.
While this shell feels great to move in, I do tend to overheat when using it to tour in temperatures around freezing, especially where it overlaps with the bibs. The waterproofing of this jacket is essentially identical to that of the bibs, and I did not experience any leaks along the pockets or zippers. All of the exposed zippers for pockets are baffled at the top to prevent water from leaking in when the zippers are properly closed, and the hood is easy to pull over a helmet; with the hood up and the jacket zipped all the way up, I felt pretty impenetrable.
That extends to the windproofing: with the pockets and vents zipped, the hood up, and the jacket zipped all the way up, I felt very comfortable, even in high winds. However, that comfort is highly dependent on the layering system underneath; the Verbier jacket is also a shell, so it doesn’t bring any insulation to the table, it just does a great job of retaining the warmth that your layers provide.
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Touring in stormy conditions, I wore this with just a midlayer or base layer, and stayed warm and dry. My only real gripe with it as a layer is packability: It is tough to fit into a smaller touring pack. That is a small trade-off for the durability that this jacket offers.
The Verbier jacket and bib are made for bombproof protection in brutal weather. This isn’t lightweight touring apparel-this jacket and bib are built for rugged conditions and long-term durability. The Verbier kit is a bit heavier and less breathable than other touring/alpine specific options, but it is tougher and more weatherproof than those options.
So far, I’ve been very pleased with the breathability of these bibs. I run very hot and haven’t run into any problems with sweat accumulating or with overheating in these. While generating all that body heat, these bibs were extremely comfortable to move around in. My range of motion was unimpeded by the tighter fit; in fact, they give my mountaineering soft-shell pants a run for their money in how flexible they are.
Waterproofing was a big question mark for me, considering the upcoming PFAS ban and how that was going to impact Gore-Tex and DWR coatings across the board. After skiing these bibs in consistent snowfall, from light flurries to storm days, I feel confident saying that they’re completely waterproof. They’re also fully windproof, keeping me comfortable in winds up to 60 mph.
To help with temperature management, these bibs are very well ventilated. There are two inner thigh vents, and a long side-zipper running from knee up. I kept all three of these fully opened and was pleased to arrive at my destination sweat free every timer. Other useful features include a dedicated beacon pocket, a pouch inside the chest large enough to carry skins, self-equalizing straps, baffles over the pockets to keep water off the zippers, and bombproof scuff guards. Plus the entire bib is just straight up durable.
The bib’s slimmer fit helps with activities like touring and climbing because I’m not worried about catching my bibs on something and taking a spill. I would even throw on crampons without concern.
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Alternative Ski Jackets to Consider
While The North Face offers excellent options, here are a few other ski jackets worth considering:
Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft
Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft
For four years running, the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft has beaten the competition and earned its place as our favorite ski jacket. Its insulation kept us warm even on the coldest days of testing, and it's very comfortable to wear. Helly Hansen outfitted this jacket with a thoughtful array of useful features and a classy style. An excellent proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane helps keep the price relatively approachable.
- Main Fabric: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane
- Insulation: Primaloft Black 100g - 70% polypropylene, 30% polyester
- Pockets: 2 handwarmer, 2 chest, 1 internal chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 sleeve
- Weight (size large): 2.56 lbs
- Water Resistance: Helly Tech Professional
The Alpha LifaLoft doesn't protect from the elements as well as jackets we tested using a Gore-Tex membrane, like the Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket, but that's not to say it's not protective. It performed well in various temperatures and exertion levels and is absolutely winter storm-worthy at nearly half the price.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 5.0
- Weather Resistance: 10.0
- Comfort and Fit: 8.0
- Ventilation: 8.0
- Style: 9.0
- Features: 7.0
Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket
Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket
The Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket is the best shell jacket in our tests for its class-leading weather resistance, excellent ventilation, and comfortable cut, all reasons why skiers might opt for a shell jacket instead of an insulated one. Shell-only resort ski jackets have become increasingly popular, and if you ski in a warmer climate or on the most advanced slopes, you might see more uninsulated hardshells than insulated jackets.
- Main Fabric: 80D 3L ePE Gore-Tex
- Insulation: Thin flannel backer
- Pockets: 2 hand, 1 sleeve, 1 internal zip, 2 internal dump
- Weight (size large): 1.56 lbs
- Water Resistance: Gore-Tex
With the right layering system underneath, a shell jacket offers more versatility than most insulated jackets, allowing use across a wider temperature range. This jacket kept us dry and sheltered from the wind every time we took it out, including during big storms. The Sabre Jacket is a comfortable and protective ski shell with a perfect fit and great style.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 4.0
- Weather Resistance: 8.0
- Comfort and Fit: 8.0
- Ventilation: 7.0
- Style: 6.0
- Features: 5.0
REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket
REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket
The REI Co-op First Chair GTX jacket offers almost all the benefits of a high-performance ski shell at an affordable price. It keeps the weather out with sturdy shell fabric, a Gore-Tex membrane, and a helmet-compatible hood. It fits over internal layers with ease, is relatively stylish for advanced skiers, and includes a full feature set for resort skiing and riding, including armpit vents so you can let some heat out if you get too toasty on those sunny days.
- Main Fabric: Recycled polyester
- Insulation: None
- Pockets: 2 handwarmer, 2 chest flap, 2 chest zipper, 1 internal zipper, 1 intenal mesh, 1 sleeve
- Weight (size large): 1.73 lbs
- Water Resistance: Gore-Tex
The First Chair shell includes a hanging inner lining fabric that adds noticeable warmth and reduces breathability. The bit of warmth added by the inner lining may be appreciated by resort skiers, but folks looking for a backcountry jacket for skinning or hiking uphill may want to look elsewhere. However, we still think the First Chair is a great deal for resort skiers looking for a reliable shell jacket.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 4.0
- Weather Resistance: 8.0
- Comfort and Fit: 8.0
- Ventilation: 7.0
- Style: 6.0
- Features: 5.0
GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining
GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining
The GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining is a remarkably warm and weather-resistant jacket with good comfort and features at a rock-bottom price. This jacket performs well in all the critical metrics we tested, like warmth, weather resistance, and comfort. While it can't compete with the top-of-the-line models like the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft in terms of style and ventilation, it delivers enough performance that we think it's a great option for the occasional skier looking to save a buck.
- Main Fabric: Polyester
- Insulation: Synthetic and faux-fleece
- Pockets: 2 handwarmer, 1 chest, 1 internal zip, 1 internal stash
- Weight (size large): 3.63 lbs
- Water Resistance: Unknown
With synthetic insulation, five well-placed pockets, a removable hood, and a waterproof membrane, this jacket delivers most of the performance of models that cost five or six times more. If you want a good ski jacket for a few ski vacations a year but don't want to pay top dollar for your outerwear, the GEMYSE is a great choice.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 7.0
- Weather Resistance: 7.0
- Comfort and Fit: 6.0
- Ventilation: 3.0
- Style: 4.0
- Features: 7.0
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket
The Arc'teryx Rush jacket is a weather-resistant, lightweight, well-tailored, and very stylish shell. It has plenty of features for a day in the backcountry, like well-placed pockets and a helmet-compatible hood, and also includes a few favorite features of resort skiers, like a powder skirt and a pass pocket. This jacket is lightweight, bomber, and keeps users dry and comfortable in the backcountry, period.
- Main Fabric: N80d Most Rugged 3L GORE-TEX PRO
- Insulation: None
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 sleeve, 1 internal zippered stash, 1 internal mesh dump
- Weight (size large): 1.30 lbs
- Water Resistance: Gore-Tex
Frequent users and skiers who hit the slopes numerous times a week will appreciate the design and performance this model offers. If you spend most of your time in the backcountry or side-country and want a jacket that can perform well on the occasional resort day, the Arc'teryx Rush is a great pick.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 3.0
- Weather Resistance: 10.0
- Comfort and Fit: 8.0
- Ventilation: 8.0
- Style: 10.0
- Features: 7.0
686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated
686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated
The 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated is our favorite 3-in-1 jacket we've tested, thanks to its great fit, warm weather resistance, and well-designed features. These products include both a shell jacket and an insulating layer that zip together to create a single insulated ski jacket if desired.
- Main Fabric: 2-Layer infiDRY 20K Fabric
- Insulation: infiLOFT 160g
- Pockets: 2 handwarmer, 2 chest, headphone port, sleeve pass pocket, 2 internal
- Weight (size large): 3,15 lbs
- Water Resistance: infiDRY
It has a full-coverage hood, a waterproof/breathable membrane, great style, and tons of pockets. One of the main benefits of 3-in-1 jackets is that they provide versatility for a variety of weather conditions and, thus, great value.
Ratings:
- Warmth: 8.0
- Weather Resistance: 7.0
- Comfort and Fit: 7.0
- Ventilation: 5.0
- Style: 8.0
- Features: 8.0
Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0
Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0
The Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 nearly matches the performance of its excellent sibling, the Alpha Lifaloft, and does so at a lower price. In fact, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two at first. The only sacrifices are just a bit of warmth and some extravagant features. But for most skiers, this jacket is absolutely perfect.
- Main Fabric: 85% Polyamide, 15% Elastane
- Insulation: Primaloft Black 133g - 100% recycled polyester
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 2 zippered chest, 1 internal zippered chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 zippered sleeve
- Weight (size large): 2.56 lbs
- Water Resistance: Helly Tech Professional
Ratings:
- Warmth: 7.0
- Weather Resistance: 8.0
- Comfort and Fit: 10.0
- Ventilation: 8.0
- Style: 9.0
- Features: 9.0
Value Considerations
Ski jacket prices range from relatively affordable to astronomical. Most budget options provide nearly as much warmth, weather resistance, and other important performance attributes as the most expensive jackets. Still, the top-of-the-line offerings generally refined comfort, fit, tailoring, and style. The GEMYSE Men's Mountain provides an excellent value.
A true budget jacket, the GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining costs less than a day's lift ticket and provides good performance for the occasional skier. We like the Free Soldier for value, which is more expensive than the most budget-friendly options, but represents a small step up the quality scale for not much more money. 3-in-1 jackets can also offer great value since they combine a hardshell with an insulated inner liner jacket.