The North Face ThermoBall Eco
- Categories
- Fashion
PrimaLoft synthetic fill (not down) for wet conditions, recycled polyester shell. Best synthetic alternative to down.
๐ง๏ธ Best wet-weather pick
Available at TNF.com, REI, and Backcountry. Frequently 25-40% off at REI's anniversary sale (May) and Backcountry's winter sale (January).
The North Face ThermoBall Eco is the synthetic alternative. PrimaLoft synthetic fill loses ~30% warmth when wet vs. down's ~70%, recycled polyester shell, DWR finish. It's heavier than the Patagonia Down Sweater per unit of warmth, but if you live in a wet climate (Seattle, UK, Japan winter) or you ski/snowboard, the wet-weather performance matters more than the weight penalty. No down ethics issue.
Pros
- PrimaLoft synthetic works when wet
- No down ethics concerns
- Recycled polyester shell
Cons
- Heavier than down per unit of warmth
- Not as packable as Uniqlo or Patagonia
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