Australian Hiker

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The North Face Women's ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket Review

The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket would easily be my favourite and most used outdoor jacket. I wear it ALL the time. You only have to check out the photos of me on the Australian Hiker website, on Facebook and on Instagram – I really am wearing this jacket ALL the time! That goes to prove the versatility and comfort of this jacket – there’s probably no more to say….  Of course, that would be the shortest gear review ever if I stopped there.

This jacket forms a key part of my layering system.  Depending on the weather, I will have one to three layers underneath and if its really cold, my Marmot PreCip Nano Jacket as an outer shell.  It doesn’t get more complex than that! I will be comfortable, warm or toasty depending on the temperature and at no time feel ‘bulky’.

I do feel the cold and this is as close as I will ever get to going ultralight. For me, a lightweight thermal jacket needs to:

• Do what I want it to do with limited compromise
• Be reasonably durable but also lightweight
• Be comfortable
• Look good
• Represent good value for money.

The North Face Women’s ThermoBall is all these things.  It is a synthetic jacket and that means it will keep you warm if it gets wet and will dry more quickly than a down jacket. It is super lightweight and stays light when wet.

At full price it is a pretty typical price for an insulating jacket at AUD $300 RRP but look out for the sales particularly if you don’t mind last season’s colours. Having said that, when I divide the number of wears so far against the full price, I would be down to about $1.25 per wear with many more ‘wears’ left!

This jacket folds away into its own pocket. And at night I stuff the jacket inside my Long Sleeve Crew Top to create a pillow – works like a treat!  I have washed this jacket several times now and I never have to worry about whether it will withstand the harshness of the washing machine or the clothes drier!

I love, love this jacket – it provides warm without weight. It is tough and doesn’t snag or ‘pill’.  All there is left to say is – buy one!

North Face Thermoball Womens Jacket front view Gardenia White colour

Women’s ThermoBall Jacket Black colour

We Like

• Super lightweight, insulated jacket will keep you warm in three seasons
• The ThermoBall™ synthetic insulation retains loft and warmth, even when wet
• Close to the body, active fit means no bulk
• Its made of stretch fabric which provides greater mobility
• Secure-zip hand pockets so you won’t lose important things
• A range of comfort features including internal elastic cuffs, hem cinch-cord to keep you toasty when you need
• Stowable in pocket for easy packing
• Its water-resistant so there’s not need to rush getting the rain jacket out

We Don't Like

• Hmmmm – I really am stumped! I could say cost but if you wear it often or buy it on sale, that won’t be a problem

Buy One

You can purchase The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket online from The North Face Australia, Wildfire Sports, or from Wild Earth

If you have worn The North Face Women’s ThermoBall or if you have questions, we’d like to here from you. Post your comment or question below

Best Uses

• Great choice for your layering system
• A good three season jacket
• For the ultra-lighters

Wearing the Thermoball Jacket during a cold winters day. This is the ideal jacket when you get an extreme range of temperatures, just change the layering underneath

Investment

$300.00 AUD RRP  Keep an eye out for the sales

Other Versions

• Available in a range of colours
• The North Face produces a range of jackets in varying weights with the ThermoBall being one of the lightest
• Also available in vest, hooded and parka versions

Northface are obviously doing something right because when we travelled through Bhutan in 2012 there were a lot of rip off versions around

Disclaimer

This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker

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