Everything You Need to Know About the North Face Puffer Jacket
A North Face puffer jacket is the perfect piece for your travel adventures. It stows away in its own pocket, making it easy to pack as you head out for sightseeing tours and countryside walks.
The brand’s iconic 1992 Nuptse puffer has become a staple for fashion-forward celebrities and sports enthusiasts alike. Pair it with slimmer bottoms for a modern silhouette or baggy jeans for a classic look.
Insulation
A North Face puffer jacket is an essential winter staple, whether you’re planning a hike in the mountains or just popping into the shop. They’re warm, and comfortable, and look great with jeans and a tee. They’re also super versatile and can be used in almost any situation from hiking and cycling to camping and climbing. I’ve personally put mine through the wringer — it’s been worn constantly from October — to April, up frozen alpine peaks in subzero temperatures, and even through a few heavy downpours.
Puffies are great for regulating your body temperature by trapping heat and keeping you warm as well as dry. They can be worn as a standalone coat or over a mid layer for added warmth. A light puffy is ideal for everyday wear while a heavier option is great for cold conditions like hiking, backpacking or mountaineering.
The North Face has an extensive range of insulated jackets, but one that’s been a cult classic for years is the Nuptse. It’s been seen on everyone from edgy it girls and football managers to your grandad when he goes down the allotment.
The North Face Nuptse is made from synthetic Thermoball insulation, which doesn’t lose its warmth when wet, dries quickly and feels similar to a tech fabric shirt compared to merino wool. It’s a great choice for runners who need an outer layer that will stay warm and breathable when they’re working up a sweat.
Zipper Closure
You’ll often find puffer jackets with zip closures, which make them a breeze to get on and off, especially if you’re wearing layers. The zippers also help keep you extra warm as they close off the chest and neck areas from cold, icy winds.
If your old trusty puffer jacket is looking a little tired and worn, it might be time to look for a new one. Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there to choose from. For example, The North Face recently relaunched the iconic Nuptse jacket with a new colorway and block style, along with a cropped version.
The Nuptse ’92 Reversible is made from 600-fill recycled down, with an internal hem drawcord and three-piece hood that can be stowed in the stand collar. Its weatherproofing comes courtesy of a non-PFC Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish.
While down has long been the go-to material for these insulating pieces, many of today’s top puffer jacket brands are exploring alternatives that provide just as much warmth, including synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft. These man-made materials are quick to dry, hypoallergenic and less expensive than down.
If you’re in the market for a new jacket but don’t have the bank balance of a celeb or the retirement fund of your granddad, I’ve found some great North Face dupes so you can still feel cosy this winter. Keep scrolling to check them out!
Packability
You can’t go very far in the outdoors without seeing a puffer jacket. They’re a fixture in New York, where you can count on cold weather from October through April. And they’ve also become a style staple, seen everywhere from Kanye West to cool girls like Emily Ratajkowski and Kendall Jenner.
Part of the popularity is that these jackets offer a great mix of warmth, weatherproofing, and style. And they’re very affordable. The North Face Gotham III is one of the best value jackets for cold-weather hiking. Another good option is the REI Co-op’s Stormhenge, which offers better wind-blocking and features like a draft tube at the neck and pit zips.
The North Face uses both down and synthetic insulation in its puffer jackets. Down is a natural insulator, providing incredible warmth for a low weight. The company also uses PrimaLoft, which performs nearly as well when wet as down and is more durable.
Puffer jackets are designed to be worn as the outer shell over a baselayer and an insulated mid layer. They keep harsh elements like bitter winds and precipitation out, and they allow your body to release sweat vapor to keep you comfortable. Most shells are hooded and have arm openings that can accommodate gloves. And they’re often packable, making them easy to stow when you’re not wearing them.
Style
The North Face puffer jackets are incredibly stylish and look great with jeans and joggers. They are also great for layering with fleeces and hoodies. Puffer jackets are also available in a range of colors including soft pink, which looks amazing with cargo pants and khaki trousers. The cropped style is especially flattering for those who find full-length puffer coats swamp them.
It’s no surprise that the leather jacket is so popular, as it has both function and fashion at its core. The North Face jackets are designed to be the top layer of your clothing, blocking wind, precipitation, and cold air while allowing sweat vapor to pass through, so you stay dry and comfortable. The 1992 Nuptse is a great example of this, featuring a 700-fill RDS goose down that’s packed snugly into baffles to prevent heat loss and is backed by the Responsible Down Standard to ensure no harm comes to geese in its supply chain.
The North Face has also released a reworked version of the Nuptse jacket, which features slight changes only the biggest fans will notice. The new style is also made with recycled down and is filled to the brim with warmth. You can shop the latest The North Face jackets below, but if a Nuptse is a bit out of your price range we’ve also got some great-looking The North Face dupes to help you get that iconic look without breaking the bank.