The North Face Women’s Triclimate Jacket Review

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Before Heather left for a year-long adventure in Australia, she owned several heavy winter coats but no lightweight jackets for cool mornings, windy days, and the rain.

That’s why The North Face Triclimate jacket caught her eye. This three-in-one jacket offers protection from the cold, wind, and rain. From the moment she tried it on, she knew it would be a great permanent addition to her packing list.

Heather shared her original review of her jacket version with us years ago. We’ve kept her review but have added more information about the newer The North Face Triclimate Jacket designs with different/updated features in a handy table further on in the post.

North Face Triclimate Jacket Quick Overview

This three-in-one jacket features a warm inner layer and a breathable, wind and rain-proof outer shell. These two layers can be zipped into one another and worn together or they can be worn separately depending on the weather. With this jacket, you will be prepared for any scenario. 

Wearing options:

• Outer shell only for when it is rainy but hot
• Inner layer only for when it is cold but clear
• Both layers together for when it is wet and cold

Pro: Because this jacket serves three functions in one it means you’ll be saving space in your bag by only packing one jacket instead of three! 

Con: These jackets are pricey! However, they are investment pieces which means you’ll wear them for many years to come.

Price Range: $200 – $450 depending on the style

Read on for a full review of all the features.

Heather’s North Face Triclimate Jacket Review

If you look at The North Face site or a number of sites that sell their products, you will find that several styles of Triclimate jackets exist. I am writing about my particular jacket (an older version that is no longer being made) but it is similar to those you will find online or at a store.

About the North Face Triclimate Jacket

This three-in-one jacket offers protection from the cold, wind, and rain. The outer waterproof, breathable jacket is 100% nylon and sealed with HyVent® to keep you dry. It has a zip-off hood, two outer pockets, and an inner pocket to stash valuables. It also features pit-zips (zippers at the armpits), a front zipper, and velcro to keep the zipper flap closed.

The inner jacket is tailored for a snug but not too tight fit that keeps you warm without bulk. You’ll find a traditional zipper and two front pockets.

Depending on the weather, you can wear either jacket on its own or zip and snap the two together to make one jacket that will protect you from the less-than-perfect weather.

Pick Your Protection Level: How I’ve Traveled with the Versatile Triclimate Jacket

After briefly experiencing a cold winter on a previous trip to Australia, I knew I would need to come prepared when I moved to Australia for a year. Especially because I arrived in the winter. To travel lightly for the first three to four months, I packed long pants and short-sleeved shirts and relied on my Triclimate jacket to keep me warm.

I only packed the outer layer, however, and while it generally did the trick, when I traveled further south to Melbourne and Adelaide, I could have used the warm inner layer!

When I attended a sporting event where umbrellas were not allowed, I relied on the outer layer to keep me as dry as possible through the rain.

Recently, I also packed the outer jacket for my month-long trip to visit my fiancé in London. It can always rain in London, and the weathermen predicted that it could be the coldest May in decades.

After returning from Oz, the Triclimate jacket has been my go-to jacket for the cold and rain.

My Thoughts on the Triclimate Jacket

There is so much to love about the Triclimate jacket!

Unlike most jackets I have owned, the hood of the outer jacket provides full coverage, extending over my forehead by an inch or two. No more rain-covered glasses!

One of my favorite features is the pit-zip. I wore the outer layer for light protection but often felt too warm after walking around a new city for hours. By unzipping the pit-zips, I instantly felt cooler. It’s easy to zip and unzip the pit-zips as needed. 

The inner jacket is flattering to my figure and keeps me warm without making me look big. If I could only own one individual jacket, it would be the inner one of the Triclimate.

My only complaint about the jacket?

In my experience, waterproof jackets vary in the amount of rain they can take on before soaking through. The outer layer kept me dry during a storm at the sporting event mentioned above…for a while. Eventually, I felt slightly gross as my arms became wet and the jacket stuck to my body. 

NOTE: This occurred with the HyVent® technology. With the improved DryVent™ waterproof technology, this should be less of a problem!

Here’s A Second Opinion

There are so many reviews of the North Face Triclimate jacket because this jacket has been a staple for many travelers for so long. Take a look at a review of the Carto version of the triclimate jacket to see what other people are saying.

The Different North Face TriClimate Jackets Available 

When Heather purchased her jacket, North Face didn’t offer the variety of Triclimate jackets that they do now. Both the jacket design and features have been updated. Take a look at some of their most popular TriClimate jackets to see which one will be your ideal travel companion. 

The North Face provides a benefit rating for all their triclimate jackets. The three benefits they measure are warmth (warm, warmer, warmest), wind resistance (low wind resistance, wind resistant, windproof), and water resistance (water repellent, water resistant, waterproof).

In all of the triclimate jackets listed in this table, the shell secures onto the warm inner layer with clips and zips. They all feature a breathable, seam-sealed DryVent™ shell (which allows water vapor to pass through from the inside to the outside), a durable water-repellent finish, and secure zip pockets. There are plus sizes available for most of these triclimate jacket options.

Jacket	Benefit Rating	Extra Features	Best Suited for	Price	Photo
Antora	Warm Waterproof Wind resistant	Elasticated cuffs Draft flap to cover the center front zip	All-weather, all-purpose jacket made for any type of outdoor activity.	$260
Monarch	Warmest Waterproof Windproof	100% recycled fabric Armpit zips Hem cinch cord	Perfect for both a casual look in town or active days in the wilderness.	$260
Clementine	Warmer Waterproof	Heatseeker™ eco insulation Under arm vents Stand collar  Secure zip wrist pocket with a goggle wipe Adjustable cuffs	Pair the inner and outer jackets for maximum coverage on the slopes or wear them separately in milder conditions.	$300
Carto	Warmer Waterproof Wind resistant	Heatseeker™ eco synthetic insulation Adjustable cuffs	It has the features and performance to keep you comfy in almost any condition.	$300
ThermoBall Eco Parka	Warm  Wind resistant Waterproof	ThermoBall™ eco insulation for warmth even when wet Longer length Adjustable cuffs	An essential winter staple, suitable for navigating the city and outdoor exploration.	$340
Garner	Warmer Waterproof	Removable, fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood Secure zip wrist pocket with a goggle wipe Underarm vents Powder skirt Adjustable hem Heatseeker™ eco insulation Elasticated cuffs Ticket-attachment loop on front hem	Made for those unpredictable days on the mountain.	$350
ThermoBall Eco Snow	Warmer Waterproof	Underarm venting  Ticket-attachment loop on front hem Snap-down powder skirt ThermoBall™ eco insulation in body Heatseeker™ eco insulation in sleeves Adjustable cuffs Attached helmet-compatible hood	All-purpose snow sports jacket.	$400
Mountain Light GTX	Warm Waterproof	Durable, waterproof GORE-TEX fabric Pit-zip venting Adjustable cuffs 550-fill down insulated inner layer	Perfect for cold, wet, or unpredictable trail conditions any time of year.	$450

North Face Triclimate Jacket FAQs

How warm is the North Face Triclimate jacket?

This varies by style. All of the triclimate jackets have an inner layer for warmth. Versions with ThermoBall™ and Heatseeker™ insulation will be best for cold and snowy destinations. 

According to the North Face website, Heatseeker™ eco insulation is a continuous synthetic filament that traps heat within small spaces between the fibers. As an alternative to down, it delivers a high warmth-to-weight ratio even when wet. 

Thermoball™ insulation is made of small round synthetic fiber clusters that mimic down clusters and trap heat within small air pockets to retain warmth. This ultralight, highly compressible synthetic insulation retains loft and traps heat even when wet.

For warmer destinations, simply wear the outer shell layer without the inner thermal layer.

Why is North Face so expensive?

North Face jackets are expensive because of their durability and quality. You are not simply buying a jacket for a season or a trip. You are investing in an item that will stay in your closet for many years and travel with you around the world.

North Face invests heavily in research and development to create cutting-edge technology and develop innovative products that are designed to perform in extreme conditions.

If you are thinking about buying yourself a triclimate jacket, but are not sure about spending such a large amount of money, our blog post: Determining Cost vs. Use When Buying Gear may help you decide if this purchase is worth it or not.

Is The North Face 3 in 1 jacket waterproof?

All the triclimate jackets feature a DryVent™ shell to protect you in wet and windy weather. 

This multi-layered fabric is constructed with a semipermeable polyurethane coating which blocks water from getting in while allowing vapor to escape, reducing interior moisture buildup. The outer face of the fabric is also treated with a durable water-repellent finish that helps form droplets and repel water from the surface.

All DryVent™ gear features a fully seam-sealed construction, which prevents moisture from entering through the stitching and provides an additional layer of waterproof coverage. 

In regards to a waterproof rating, DryVent™ is classified as highly waterproof.

Is the North Face Triclimate jacket good for winter?

Definitely! This is especially true for the versions with the warmer and warmest benefit ratings. The ThermoBall™ and Heatseeker™ insulation trap and retain heat to keep you warm even in the coldest of conditions. 

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Do you own a North Face triclimate jacket? What do you think of it?