The 10 Best Men's North Face Jackets

Most men who want one North Face raincoat for daily life will do well with the Antora Waterproof. Taped seams and a two-layer fabric kept a long-term reviewer dry through every storm, and the water-beading finish is made without PFAS chemicals, the maker says. There are no underarm vents and the lining is mesh, so it turns clammy on a brisk uphill walk. The cuffs are loose enough to let rain run in when you raise an arm.

Wind is the main thing the Apex Bionic 3 stops. It's a stretchy softshell with a windproof layer inside and a brushed backing that feels soft over a T-shirt, made for cool, breezy days when a puffer would be too much. Water beads off in a light shower, but steady rain soaks through, and there's no hood or insulation. The fit can feel snug, so size up if you plan to wear a sweater under it.

The Thermoball Insulated is a light, quilted puffer filled with synthetic clusters that mimic down but keep their warmth when damp. It stuffs into its own hand pocket for travel, and the shell turns back a cold breeze. A winter review of an earlier version found it lived up to the maker's warmth claims well below freezing. It isn't a deep-winter coat, it can run large, and some buyers think it asks too much money for the heat it gives.

Built for real winter, the McMurdo Parka wraps 600-fill down in a waterproof, seam-taped shell, so wet snow and sleet don't flatten the insulation. It reaches mid-thigh, the deep hood carries a faux-fur ruff you can take off, and a two-way zipper lets you sit without the front bunching up. It's heavy and bulky on a crowded train, and it's a big outlay for anyone who lives where winters are mild.

Shoppers who want down warmth at a middling price can look at the Aconcagua 3. Its fill is half recycled down and half polyester, which keeps the cost down, and the polyester half holds some heat if the jacket gets damp. Thin synthetic sheets in the sleeves cut bulk at the arms. There's no hood, it runs roomy, and small feathers tend to work out through the shell. The price shifts with the color.

For cold commutes and errands, the Junction Insulated is a plain, quilted coat with synthetic fill, a fleece-lined collar and zip hand pockets. It looks more like a work jacket than a ski puffer, and its fill keeps warming when it gets wet. The maker says it is designed to be taken back and recycled when it wears out. It runs a bit big, the sleeves can be long, and the shell only sheds light rain.

Three ways to dress from one purchase is the idea behind the Antora Triclimate: a waterproof hooded shell, a zip-out fleece, or both joined for cold rain. The fleece works on its own on dry fall days, and the shell covers spring showers. That range costs more than a single coat, and the pair is heavier and stiffer than either piece alone. Buyers are split on the fit, so check the size chart first.

Hikers who sweat on the climb should consider the Alta Vista, a thin rain shell with zippered vents under the arms to let heat escape. It folds into its own chest pocket, the hood adjusts snugly, and the seller lists its water-beading finish as PFAS free. The lighter fabric gives less warmth and less toughness against brush and pack straps, and we found no independent review of this model.

A simple full-zip fleece, the Glacier Fleece works as a light jacket on dry, chilly days or as a warm middle layer under a rain shell. It's soft, breathes well and goes straight in the wash. Zip hand pockets keep keys from falling out, and stretchy trim closes up the cuffs and hem. Wind blows straight through it and it soaks up rain, so it can't stand in for an outer coat in bad weather.

Drivers who want serious warmth without a long hem can turn to the McMurdo Bomber, a hip-length coat with 600-fill down inside a waterproof, seam-taped shell. Ribbed cuffs and waistband hold in heat, the hood's faux-fur ruff comes off, and flap chest pockets fit a phone and gloves. Because it stops at the hip, the seat and thighs take the wind, and the price is high for a short coat.