If you are looking for a new winter jacket, for general outdoor wear and some walking in the countryside (but not extreme conditions), there are a plenty of jackets to choose from. However, the prices can vary enormously, and it is not obvious what causes this variance.
In this article I will show you which features you need to look for in a good winter jacket and use The North Face Evolution Triclima as a good example of a high quality, but value-for-money winter jacket.
It keeps you dry
Modern winter jackets are a marvel of technology. They are made from light, but highly waterproof material that also lets air circulate and keeps you dry, but not sweaty. The North Face Evolution Triclima is made from polyamide, which is waterproof, airy and easy to clean. It is also very durable and lasts longer than some other waterproof, but breathable, fabrics.
The jacket also needs a good hood. A lot of modern jackets have floppy hoods which fall down in front of your eyes and obscure your vision. The North Face Evolution Triclima does have a stiffened peak to the hood,http://www.cheapnorthfacejacketssale.co.uk/north-face-hoodie-mens-north-face-hoodie-c-8_9.html, but as it is made to fold away as well, it is not perfect. Yu may need to wear the hood over a cap with a stiff peak to get good visibility.
It keeps you warm
The best design for a winter jacket uses a number of layers. The North Face Evolution Triclima has an outer waterproof jacket to keep you dry and an inner fleece jacket to keep you warm. You can wear the fleece jacket on its own (if it's not too wet) but it can be fitted to the waterproof outer layer to keep you warm on even the coldest days.
Note that North Face make their fleece jackets with the zips the opposite way round to other jackets. This means that North Face waterproof jackets can only be fitted with North Face fleeces and not those from other brands.
It must be wind-proof
To keep out the wind a good winter jacket has to be made of wind-proof material. It has to have well made and sealed seams. You need a cover for the front zip and you must be able to tighten the cuffs.
The North Face Evolution Triclima is made from a polyamide material that is windproof. The seams are specially sealed to keep out water and wind. The front zip has a special flap that can be fitted with a Velcro fastener and it also has Velcro-adjustable cuffs.
It must feel comfortable
North Face jackets are lightweight and are cut into a nice shape that makes them feel very comfortable. The collar has a brushed inner lining that feels warm and comfortable (Many waterproof jackets don't and feel cold on your neck).
It also has an adjustable waist band, so it can be adjusted to fit your figure.
It must have plenty of pockets
The North Face Evolution Triclima has a side pocket at the front (a Napoleon Pocket) for wallets, maps etc. It also has two lower pockets and an inside pocket as well, so there is plenty of room to keep every item close at hand and keep your hands warm as well. The fleece jacket has two hand pockets as well.
On the downside
The only downside with North Face jackets is that I had one where the zip frequently didn't work first time: it always took a bit of fiddling to get it to fasten.
In summary
Overall, I think it is an excellent jacket to keep you warm and dry in many conditions, yet is adaptable enough to wear in warmer weather as well. It has many useful features. It is made of durable material, yet feels light and comfortable.
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