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The North Face Denali Review

This classic fleece features plenty of pockets, warmth, and style with a boxy cut
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the north face denali fleece jacket men review
Credit: The North Face
Price:  $180 List
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Manufacturer:   The North Face
By James Lucas ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 9, 2023
54
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 12
  • Warmth - 25% 9.0
  • Comfort - 25% 5.0
  • Breathability - 20% 3.0
  • Layering Ability - 15% 3.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.5

Our Verdict

The North Face Denali 2 classic color blocking and heavy weight make it a favorite for many. While the Polartec fleece supplies plenty of warmth for fall day hikes and early spring morning walks, it is less of a performance piece with poor breathability and layering. It's possible to wear this skiing and during heavy physical activities but it's better as a single jacket. It does fight the conditions better than many of the other jackets in this review because of reinforced areas in the chest and sleeves. Ultimately, this jacket excels as a stand-alone piece for casual wear in colder climates when a bulky hardshell jacket is a bit too much.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Stylish
Durable
Weather-resistant
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Boxy
Low performance
Editor's Note: This review was updated on May 9, 2023, after our Spring testing cycle to ensure accuracy and better represent our testing metrics.

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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Moving from a cold walk around town to a casual hike, this fleece provides plenty of warmthA stylish and comfortable fleece that is lightweight yet warmThis super stretchy hoody is a good option for both day hikes and longer adventuresThis lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beatFor a decent all-purpose fleece at an exceptionally low price point, look no further than this full-zip model
Rating Categories The North Face Denali Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Arc'teryx Kyanite L... Outdoor Research Vi... Amazon Essentials F...
Warmth (25%)
9.0
6.5
7.0
6.0
7.5
Comfort (25%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
7.5
5.5
Breathability (20%)
3.0
8.5
7.0
8.5
5.0
Layering Ability (15%)
3.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
5.5
8.5
10.0
8.5
6.0
Specs The North Face Denali Patagonia R1 Air Fu... Arc'teryx Kyanite L... Outdoor Research Vi... Amazon Essentials F...
Type Heavyweight Lightweight Lightweight Lightweight Midweight
Measured Weight 17.1 oz 12.8 oz 10.9 oz 13.2 oz 16.5 oz
Main Material Body: 100% polyester
Accents: 70D nylon
Body: 100% polyester Body: Torrent 84% polyester, 16% elastane Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex Body: 100% polyester
# of Pockets 4 3 2 3 5
Unique Features Hem cinchcord, DWR Slim-fit hood, quick drying Hood, four way stretch Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding Zippered chest pocket
Hood Option? No Yes Yes Yes No

Our Analysis and Test Results

Constructed with Polartec 300 Series fleece with "Repreve" fibers (fleece derived from recycled soda bottles) and made with 85% recycled materials, the Denali offers significant warmth in a jacket with two handwarmer pockets, two chest pockets, and great weather resistance. The two-ply nylon reinforced chest, shoulders, and elbows fight abrasion and the weather. The jacket also has a zip cord hem and elastic-bound cuffs, which further trap the heat. The great features of this fleece and the warmth make it a solid piece to consider for casual wear.

Performance Comparison


the north face denali fleece jacket men review - this stylish jacket has a nice around-town look and kept our testers...
This stylish jacket has a nice around-town look and kept our testers quite warm. It earns the highest score in our weather resistance metric.
Credit: James Lucas

Warmth


The Denali excelled in this metric and was one of the warmest fleeces in our review. A drawstring cinched hem, a high collar, and snug cuffs help trap the thick Polartec 300 series fleece's warmth, and the reinforced panels on the chest and across the back of the shoulders prevent cold air from getting in. The Denali's warmth makes it a great jacket to wear around town and as a standalone piece. It can handle colder temperatures better than most of the jackets in this review.

the north face denali fleece jacket men review - the denali comes with a lot of warmth but a boxy fit that makes...
The Denali comes with a lot of warmth but a boxy fit that makes movement difficult. The thickness of the fleece helped with keeping our testers warm.
Credit: James Lucas

Comfort


The Denali has a decent amount of comfort. The Polartec fleece feels smooth on the skin though it has a bit of a heavier feel. The cut of the jacket feels a bit boxy and loose, which is nice for layering under but less than ideal for constant wear. After a bit of use, the Denali softened and conformed to our testers' bodies more, but off the rack, the jacket felt a bit stiff.

the north face denali fleece jacket men review - the north face denali comes with four pockets that make stashing...
The North Face Denali comes with four pockets that make stashing extra keys, wallets, snacks, phones, and other sundries easy. Out of the store, the jacket felt a bit boxy and stiff. Our testers thought some of this came from the reinforced areas of the fleece.
Credit: James Lucas

Breathability


The Denali is a relatively thick fleece and not intended for heavy physical exertion. Though our testers were able to pull down the full-length zipper to better ventilate, they tended to overheat in the piece, and the best option was to take it off entirely. The Polartec 300 isn't form-fitting enough nor permeable enough to breathe very well. If you're looking for a fleece to run in, charge up steep ski hills, or climb in, then the Denali isn't the best choice.

the north face denali fleece jacket men review - the denali does well in terms of warmth but it lacks in terms of...
The Denali does well in terms of warmth but it lacks in terms of breathability. It's a better jacket for getting cozy in then for running or athletic use.
Credit: James Lucas

Layering Ability


While the Denali has zip-in-compatible integration with The North Face's Mountain Jacket and Mountain Light Jacket, it doesn't do as well with other brands. The jacket lacks thumbholes to keep the sleeves in place, and the loose, boxy feel makes the garment feel a bit cumbersome under other pieces. It does provide ample space for wearing a long sleeve underneath which added to this jacket's ability to keep our testers warm. Luckily, this fleece serves better as a standalone jacket than many of the others reviewed.

the north face denali fleece jacket men review - the denali tends to be a bit large, making it hard to fit under a...
The Denali tends to be a bit large, making it hard to fit under a shell but easier to put over a lighter layer underneath.
Credit: James Lucas

Weight


The Denali is a pretty heavy jacket at 17.1 ounces. It's bulky and much harder to pack than many of the other fleeces in our lineup. Polartec fleece has a unique DWR coating, and with the 70D nylon overlay in the chest, this jacket can withstand the elements better than any other fleece in this review — so the extra weight is a trade-off that may make sense for you. Despite the weight, our testers wished this jacket had a hood to better batten down when storms came in. Overall, the weight isn't a huge factor if you're just planning on car camping or making short hikes around town.

the north face denali fleece jacket men review - while this jacket tens towards the heavier side, the iconic look...
While this jacket tens towards the heavier side, the iconic look makes it appealling.
Credit: James Lucas

Should You Buy The North Face Denali?


Reasonably priced, this jacket's warmth, weather resistance, and durability make it a solid choice for around-town and casual camping wear. The Denali also has a great style and ample color choices. While it's not the best performance piece on the market, it does well to provide warmth and fight small storms, making it a reasonable choice for low-key adventure use.

What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?


The North Face Denali delivers an iconic look while keeping you warm and the wind off your back. It's by far the most weather-resistant fleece in this review. Due to its lack of breathability, we don't recommend it for endurance activities, and it doesn't score well in layering ability because of its stiffness and bulk. Unless you've decided to purchase this classic fleece, higher performing products, like the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody or Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip, cost less and provide exceptional performance.

James Lucas