Puzzling

By Yule & Bellow Ranked #83 - Men's Fleece Jackets May 31, 2009

This jacket doesnt really have much technical performance, but for some reason i still wear it 4+ days a week in the nothwest. In my opinion is is quite fasionable, clean and simple, but a little annoying when you can start a club of Denali Wear-ers everywhere you go! Its very warm, and really comfortable because its soft fleece inside and out. I like the pockets and pit zips (not mesh lined), and its sooooo light too. The bad part is that its not windproof at all, after youve worn it for about a week the fabric stretches and just lets all air pass thru withought a fight, and that makes the warmth of the fleece usless. In your normal size it is pretty roomy and too bulky to layer under a shell, but in a size down it will work ok as a layer, but be REALLY hot so high-output activites like snowboarding would not be a good idea with this as a layer. The nylon panels are very waterproof with the DWR and can easily withstand a light shower, but the rest gets wet and nasty and doesnt dry very quickly.

The optimal use ive found for this is just indoor casual, with a sweatshirt under it most of the time...besides that its good for any cold weather environment that is not windy or rainy - which i cant really call an example to mind.

I gave it 4 stars because i really like the jacket as a casul piece, but its lacking performance.

View Details: The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 8 Yes