does anyone own a northface plush fleece jacket? is it warm enough for cold snowy winter days?

[disney world dreamer]

i've always wanted one but then i'm always concerned that i'll end up freezing.
i can't just go try one on because i'd need a XXL and i've never seen them in store past an XL.
i live in the niagara falls/buffalo NY area. the past 2 winters have been frigid with a number of days not getting warmer than -1 with wind chills of -25.
i don't intend to just stand outside for a half hour in those temps but i wonder if that coat will even keep my warm enough for the walk from the house to the car and the car to whatever building i'm walking into.

any experiences would be helpful.

i'd be getting the OSO hooded jacket btw.

 

[MSLRAC]

DD11 and I both have one and I don't think that they would be warm enough for those temps. We live in the south and have mild winters for the most part but there are many days here that they aren't enough and we both opt for thicker coats.

 

[Neesy228]

My sister owns the non-hooded version and wears it on top of a hooded sweatshirt in the winter for added warmth. We live in PA and, while I don't own one myself, I don't think it would be warm enough for me. I need something that is going to block the wind.

 

[sug78]

I live in Alaska and I swear by Marmot down coats. My North Face and Patagonias are reserved for early in the winter

 

[morgan98]

I have the Osito, two actually, which is the OSO without the hood. I live in Atlanta and for me it is not warm enough for outerwear on cold days. I also spent the first 35 years of my life in Chicago, and I do not think that jacket is a winter jacket. My husband and I do not like to run the heat too high in the winter, so I wear mine indoor in the winter over a T-shirt.

All that being said, there are North Face jackets that are true winter outerwear. They are going to be the more expensive models that have additional lining.

 

[kirstenb1]

You might want to consider a NF triclimate coat. In the past there was a model, called Boundary (I think) that had the Osito as the underlayer, then a rainjacket type coat as the outer layer. Then you'd have your fleece for warmer days, but the dual layer for cold days.

 

[OhMari]

The guys jackets run XL or larger. I wear a fleece all winter going to and from my car. But it will not be warm enough for extended periods of time outside. They are good for a base jacket, or if you wear a sweatshirt underneath it.

 

[bas71873]

i've always wanted one but then i'm always concerned that i'll end up freezing.
i can't just go try one on because i'd need a XXL and i've never seen them in store past an XL.
i live in the niagara falls/buffalo NY area. the past 2 winters have been frigid with a number of days not getting warmer than -1 with wind chills of -25.
i don't intend to just stand outside for a half hour in those temps but i wonder if that coat will even keep my warm enough for the walk from the house to the car and the car to whatever building i'm walking into.

any experiences would be helpful.

i'd be getting the OSO hooded jacket btw.

I can't answer the climate question OP, but check for the NF coat you want on Zappos.com. Free shipping BOTH ways. I've bought both mine and DDs NF coats from there. Usually a little bit cheaper too because often they are discontinued colors, but we've found colors we like. And then if you don't like the fit, send it back!

 

[HeatherC]

Just wanted to mention too that Northface tends to run small in the arm length. At least in our house.

My DD's are only about 5'3 and the arm length on a medium is almost a little too short for them. My son is 6'2 and a string bean and the XL arms come to his elbows basically.

 

[jrmasm]

i've always wanted one but then i'm always concerned that i'll end up freezing.
i can't just go try one on because i'd need a XXL and i've never seen them in store past an XL.
i live in the niagara falls/buffalo NY area. the past 2 winters have been frigid with a number of days not getting warmer than -1 with wind chills of -25.
i don't intend to just stand outside for a half hour in those temps but i wonder if that coat will even keep my warm enough for the walk from the house to the car and the car to whatever building i'm walking into.

any experiences would be helpful.

i'd be getting the OSO hooded jacket btw.

No way! That jacket isn't much warmer than a sweatshirt.

 

[Colleen27]

You might want to consider a NF triclimate coat. In the past there was a model, called Boundary (I think) that had the Osito as the underlayer, then a rainjacket type coat as the outer layer. Then you'd have your fleece for warmer days, but the dual layer for cold days.

That's the type my daughter has, and not only does it hold up to daily wear in what seems like increasingly extreme Michigan winters she also found it plenty warm enough for spending whole days outdoors at winter camp. The fleece layer is warm enough a lot of the time, but the wind-proof layer is essential on very windy or very cold days. And in spring/fall, the outer layer without the fleece serves as a good windbreaker/rain jacket on blustery days. I was pretty skeptical of the price tag but with almost 2 years of hindsight I'd say it has been worth every dime.

 

[MickeySP]

No, it is good for before major winter but not for the real deal, especially like last year in the NE

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I vote for the multi-layered NF like others have suggested. I have a NF Fleece (also in NY) and it gets me through October and November but that's about it. I have to switch to a heavier coat for the colder mid-winter days but like the NF ski jacket that has two layers that you can separate. I also wear that one to downhill ski in and I don't find it too bulky - if that's a concern. Hooray for winter coming

 

[Dawnlight]

I'd say no; we're in New England and my kids wear them during the fall and spring, sometimes on very mild winter days.

 

[Vernie822]

I have a nicer fleece (I honestly don't remember the name but it's a cross between a fleece and a jacket). I like it but it definitely is NOT good for really cold winters. Warmer days in the winter, and chillier days in the fall/spring, yes, but when it's -10, nope!

 

[cabanafrau]

I agree with the previous comments, no way it's warm enough or windproof enough for winter conditions in your area. The info is probably on their website as well, but in the store they have tags on the coats and jackets that outline the temps and conditions the item is rated for.

 

[FLCyndi]

My son is in ND. Bought him an REI jacket for weather. He really likes it. They have excellent sales.

 

[Kalliope]

Yes and yes. My Northface fleece is an XXL and I bought it in store. It is plenty warm as a winter jacket going from car to store, etc and I live in a northern climate. When it it hits -35 or colder, I add my Northface vest over it. I have the Osito 2 with the Aconcagua vest.

 

[Julylady]

It probably makes a difference as to how much time you plan to spend outside. I live in cold and snowy Michigan. I get into my car from my attached garage. I then park at work in a multi story ramp that is connected to the building my office is in. I usually wear a lightweight winter jacket. However, I always carry a down coat (Lands End) with scarf, hat and gloves in the car in case I drive off the road or something. I have 4-5 winter coats that I switch out depending on the temperature, how hard the wind is blowing, if its snowing, or how much time I will actually spend outside in the elements.

 

[bcla]

Probably depends on the particular model. TNF has made so much different stuff over the years that it's kind of hard to describe without a particular model name and even vintage (some model names stick around even though the product changes).

However, for your climate it you might need something like a down jacket with a 700 fill. The Nuptse jacket is kind of their classic down jacket, although they have similar models. We've actually gotten some from their outlet store in Berkeley, although my wife ended up giving it rather than letting me keep it. They used to have these awesome "sample sales" where they would sell tons of sales samples that were returned, but the bargains don't seem to be as good any more. The Berkeley outlet is in what used to be their headquarters and sewing facility. However, the days of them manufacturing in the US (and in the Bay Area no less) is over. It's in an industrial part of town, and they claim that Creedence Clearwater Revival used to practice in a space just two addresses down the block.