The North Face Plasma Thermal Jacket

I bought The North Face Plasma Thermal Jacket for my winter camping trip. The trip involved a 3-mile hike both in and out and 2 nights in a lean-to & tent. The jacket was obviously too warm to wear for the hike in, but while I was there it kept me nice and warm. I also use this as my winter jacket for cold (Central New York) days and it keeps me perfectly warm day to day. The only thing cold about it is on the really cold days the material on the inside is chilly against your skin, but that’s the case with any jacket without fur. As long as your skin is covered with a shirt or anything at all you’re fine. And again, this is only on the really cold days. I was not a fan of the hood at first but it really does its part in keeping you warm up or down! Even down, it really keeps your neck nice and warm. The hood tensioners work fine except for when one of mine came undone internally. I called Backcountry and they are replacing the jacket with a new one. I would presume this is a fluke, or The North Face needs to get their stuff together! Other than that, my only complaint would be that the main zipper does catch a bit but if you take your time when you zip it up it shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t let these things sway you from buying it though. This jacket does employ PrimaLoft which in my opinion is the warmest stuff around for its weight. The jacket is extremely thin for its performance capability. This was the cheapest winter jacket I could find that had PrimaLoft and was waterproofing. For somebody on a budget who is looking for a serious winter jacket, I would definitely recommend this.

Outstanding jacket and loaded with features. Two way front zipper for excellent temp regulation. When im moving in this jacket and things heat up I bring up the zipper from the bottom and the jacket stays snug around the body and vents super. This is a feature found on some high output jackets for running and cycling and it works great, sure wish more jackets had this. Pit zips are very long and cover just above elbow and go all the way to bottom of rib cage, and they have 2 way zippers as well, A+. Primaloft insulation is lightweight, breathable, very packable and quite warm. Jacket is waterproof and is fully seam taped. So not only will you stay completly dry in the snow but the rain as well. Hyvent Alpha is breathable so it does a good job of letting out your persperation so you dont get sweaty and feel like your in a sauna, and it is also very abrasion resistant. Pockets are great, their is pleanty of them and they are not popping out noticable when you carry something in them like on some jackets. Hood is very effective and does not get in the way. There is an extra stitch put in the elbows to give you unrestricted movement. This works very well and no matter how much you move your arms in this jacket it does not get tight on you. I have snowblowed my drive way in this jacket with just a tee shirt on under in 10 degree weather and i was very comfy. Like another reviewer said this jacket is very compressable. Put in a stuff sack and shrink it down to a football. This is one Northface jacket I have nothing neg to comment on. Just outstanding.

I bought this because I wanted a jacket that was waterproof and insulated but also light. It delivered on all counts. It is the most versatile piece of gear I own. While it would be a little too warm for say summer hiking in the Smokies, anywhere else I can leave the plain rainshell at home and just bring this one jacket to keep me both warm and dry. If you get too cold, you can put a fleece on under it (I have a medium, and it firs just right, with or with out a fleece) and if you get too hot, just adjust the side vents. Those go practically down the whole length of your arm and body and feature 2 zippers so you can put the opening right where you want it. I love that the hood is insulated too, although if you are wearing a hat, like my MH dome, then you can forget about hearing anything anyone says to you when the wind is blowing. Another nice thing about this jacket is that you can put it in a compression sack (not included) and is will pack down smaller than a football.

I have the previous model jacket, but thought they are similar enough to leave this review. I've used this jacket for two winters now, and live in northern Wisconsin. It's been an insanely great jacket for the cold weather here. It's like wrapping yourself in your favorite sleeping bag. I'm 6'1" and 165 lbs, and have the XL. It's a little large for me, but still insulates well. The primaloft packs down great, but not as good as down. The plus side of it, is it can get wet and still insulate. So those soggy and humid days don't eat right through you. I brought it as my main jacket on a winter camping in the Boundary Waters last winter with a low temp of -30 F without windchill, and was comfortable the entire time. Obviously layers took part in that as well.. It's not the most flattering jacket in my arsenal, but it's my warmest for the lightest.

This jacket is great! Really light and not bulky-feeling at all. The primaloft insulation (my personal favorite) is very thin for the warmth it gives. I recently wore it in CO during our cold spell when the temps got down to well below zero and it was very nice. I can wear just a t-shirt under it down to about 10 degrees F (probably lower when I'm moving around a lot and creating more of my own heat). I'd say that with just a bit a layering, like a thermal and a very light fleece it can be worn to well-below-zero temperatures. And of course the pitzips help tons when things heat up, which isn't hard to do in this jacket. The outer material feels nice and smooth, repelling pet hairs...I have 3 cats and a dog, and my BLACK plasma thermal never gets "hairy"! Unless you're intent on a 3-in-1 jacket, I would highly recommend this one!

Comfortable and warm. Recently went skiing on a cold day at Whiteface Mt. Temps were less than 10 degrees at the base and much colder at the top of the mountain. I had on a thin base layer, a fleece, and the Plasma jacket. I was never cold (besides my hands but I can't blame the jacket for that) and was actually borderline to warm when I was skiing the glades. I also wear the jacket walking my dog and wear only a t-shirt under it down to 20 degrees with no problems. Does a great job stopping the wind. I would buy the jacket again in a second.

I was at first very weird about buying this when it was $300 on here but I went to the local north face store here in germany and I tried it on and let me tell you how nice this coat is warmth wise and out in the coat. I am 5'6 and I was afraid of getting a medium and it being to small for me but it first perfect its not to puffy as you would say with the thermal material in the inside.. its very nice. highly recommend.