The North Face Jackets: How Do They Fit?

Last updated: 15/3/23

Seasons come and go, but the need for a fresh new jacket never leaves us! With an abundance of brands and products in the market, it can be tough to choose a jacket that you can put your faith in. Luckily for all of us, The North Face provides some of the finest outerwear pieces available on the market with a range of styles and products to match.

If you've never owned a TNF jacket before, it can be difficult to find exactly what size you need based on a size chart alone. So, we thought we'd do a deep dive on just how The North Face jackets fit. From base layers to shell layers, North Face jackets can fit in a variety of ways. So, from the recommended fit to the under layers you might require underneath, we have you covered with all the tricks, tips, and advice to keep you looking and feeling your most fly this autumn and winter!

Puffer jackets are one of the winter staples that we can all put our faith in! The North Face's puffer jackets often come with warm and comfy down filling, meaning they're ideal for keeping you cozy and comfortable no matter the weather. Alongside this, their innovative build means you're guaranteed both robust construction and years of wear.

Generally speaking, The North Face's clothing usually runs true to size. However, as most of us know, this can vary depending on body type, build, and height, so it's always best to know your measurements beforehand. Most puffer jackets are designed to sit around the hips and comfortably against your body to trap heat inside, so just bear this in mind when trying on a puffer. To get the most out of the heat of a down jacket, it needs to be a perfect fit. Too baggy, and you'll let too much cold air in, whilst if it's too small, you won't be able to add additional layers.

The most popular TNF puffer is the Nuptse jacket. This piece comes with what The North Face calls a "relaxed fit," meaning it's breathable yet still sits tight enough to the body to maintain heat. If you live in a very cold climate and are looking to layer your TNF puffer jacket with a hoodie or sweatshirt, we would recommend sizing up from your regular size so you have enough room. However, if you're just planning on wearing a T-Shirt or long-sleeve tee underneath, your regular size should be adequate.

The biggest thing to keep in mind with the Nuptse jacket is its length. Nuptse's tend to fit short around the waist, so if that's a concern, it may be worth getting a size up from your usual size or considering picking up the Lhotse jacket.

The second favourite, the Lhotse, is a great all-around jacket. This piece comes with a longer length compared to its younger counterpart and sports a stylish appearance, as well as a down-filled inner. Unlike the Nuptse, this jacket has a larger fit and can accommodate additional layers underneath without needing to size up. We would 100% recommend taking your true size with this one to ensure you get the most out of the jacket. If you prefer a fitted look, you could size down.

If you live almost anywhere in Europe, chances are a waterproof jacket is a must-have essential in your wardrobe! Due to its rich outerwear history, The North Face create some of the finest waterproof jackets on the market with the technology and comfort to match. Usually formed from nylon shells with a mesh inner, waterproof jackets provide a lightweight solution to any turbulent weather and are a must. It's usually best to have your waterproof jacket with a relaxed fit, as this will allow you to sport a range of base layers and mid-layers underneath for additional protection from the cold.

The most popular style of The North Face waterproof jackets is likely the Mountain Q. This lightweight piece utilises a DryVent shell to ensure the wearer is safe from the elements with heavy water and wind resistance. In addition, this jacket also sports two hand pockets with zips to ensure small goods and valuables are kept safe while you're out and about.

In terms of sizing, The North Face waterproof jackets fit relatively true to size but also leave enough room for thinner layers underneath such as sweatshirts. Unless you're looking to layer with larger hoodies or even fleeces, we would likely recommend picking your usual size. Don't worry too much about sleeve length with this jacket, as the elasticated trims featured will ensure things stay fitted to the wrist area to keep the wind out and trap heat in.

Fleeces are perhaps one of the most underrated items in our wardrobes when it comes to autumn and winter styling! Not only can fleeces be worn as their own comfortable and stylish upper piece, but they also layer well underneath lightweight jackets to provide added warmth and insulation. The North Face creates some of the finest fleeces on the market, all of which are built with robust and durable construction for maximum wearability.

The most popular TNF fleece is likely the Denali. Named after the Alaskan mountain, this piece arrives with a fleecy sherpa-like exterior ideal for keeping the cold at bay in any condition. In addition, elbow patches and bindings on the cuff and hems provide rugged and hardwearing detailing throughout. Finally, chest and side pockets with zips are featured to keep small goods and valuables safe.

In terms of fitting, The North Face fleeces usually fit best when they're relaxed on the wearer. Fleece is usually a mid-layer, so it should allow enough room for insulating layers underneath, while also allowing a waterproof shell to be worn on top. If you were to get a size too small for you, it would restrict mobility massively due to the materials. For most TNF fleeces, we would recommend taking your regular size so you can easily layer with a T-Shirt or long sleeve underneath.

Generally speaking, The North Face jackets will fit true to size across the range, but there are a few pieces such as the Nuptse jackets that come up slightly small due to being tailored towards a fashion audience. For the most part, you can gauge the sizing of a piece based on how it is supposed to be worn.

Base layers , such as t-shirts and thermals, will generally be true to size for an outdoor wear brand.

Mid-layers will be slightly roomy but not enough to justify sizing up. They are built to allow room underneath while also allowing for an outer layer. For example, fleeces such as the Denali should again be taken true to size.

Outer-layers , or shell-layers, are then made to be slightly big to accommodate any base or mid-layer you may wish to wear. This includes jackets such as the Lhotse, which are designed to be a baggy fit. In this case, we would recommend taking your regular size in these pieces to allow the ability to wear thicker layers underneath.

Be sure to check out some of our other articles below and keep locked into The Sole Supplier for more size guides and styling advice.