Whether it's camping, hiking or backpacking, the Denali Jacket from The North Face remains one of the most popular outerwear designs in the outdoor industry. While many mountaineering and backpacking jackets tend to lean toward a specialized, activity-specific construction, the Denali Jacket is a highly functional utility piece that focuses on exceptional warmth and durability. Unlike a lot of 100% fleece jackets that tend to pill and wear beneath backpack and harness shoulder straps, these Denali Jackets feature abrasion resistant Supplex or Taslan nylon along the shoulders and lower sleeves. This increased reinforcement not only reduces wear, it also minimizes moisture penetration along areas that tend to soak up more water along a rainy trail.
The North Face created Denali Jackets in specific sizes for men, women, boys and girls. All jackets feature an exceptionally warm 300-weight Polartec fabric that insulates well but doesn't offer windproof coverage like other designs. The Denali Jackets also feature a stretchy bound hem instead of a drawstring closure. The women's and girl's Denali Jackets also taper closer along the torso, making the female-specific Denali designs a little easier to layer than the relaxed fit construction built for guys and boys. The relaxed fit Denali cut can create some concern for skiers who want to layer a close-fitting, windproof and waterproof shell.
If you're looking for warmth for camping and day hikes, the Denali is a superb option. The versatile profile is also a popular choice for outerwear around campus and town. Depending on the climate where you live or where you want to explore, the Denali Jacket can be worn as a year-around utility piece. While it's not perfection for every outdoor enthusiast, what it does do is more than enough for most of us who enjoy making the most of life outdoors.
(17)