It is thawing by now, but we have not yet arrived at good weather. Quite the opposite: the rain currently drumming against my window looks distinctly unpleasant. Real outdoor enthusiasts, however, are not put off by low temperatures and rain. Anyone who is active outside in winter needs clothing that keeps them warm enough. We have put the Men's Evolution TriClimate jacket from The North Face through a first outdoor check.
Features of the Evolution TriClimate
The Men's Evolution TriClimate jacket from The North Face consists of a hardshell jacket and a removable fleece jacket. Combining the two makes it possible to use the Evolution TriClimate in many different situations. When it gets too warm you can simply leave the fleece out, or wear it on its own. It is also possible to zip in softshells made for the purpose instead of the fleece.
The HyVent material used for the hardshell provides remarkable wind and water resistance. The fabric is characterised by its polyurethane coating and repels water. In heavy rain the drops bead off very well.
Both the hardshell and the softshell have two pockets, one on each side. The pockets close with a zip. You should not expect a lot of volume, but for stowing gloves or a scarf they are big enough.
The hardshell has a hood that can be hidden in the collar. It is worth taking the hood out rather than leaving it in the collar, because the jacket is more comfortable to wear that way. The hood also has a reinforcement that keeps it from collapsing, so that it can give proper protection from the rain.
The waterproof and breathable jacket is not only suitable for very cold temperatures, it can also be used as a kind of transitional jacket between the seasons. The jacket can be worn in three different ways:
- Jacket with the fleece liner for winter
- Jacket without the liner for autumn
- Fleece liner on its own for warmer weather
So the TriClimate offers – as the name suggests – practically three jackets in one. The outer jacket is made of “HyVent”. That makes the jacket particularly durable in rain and wind and protects the body from the cold.
If you are out in the rain, you can pull out the hood hidden in the collar and are then well protected. A reinforcement sewn into the edge of the hood keeps it from collapsing and gives ideal protection from the rain.
Technical data of the TriClimate jacket
- Material: 70D x 160D nylon HyVent 2L (100% nylon); fleece jacket: Fleece Triclimate (100% polyester)
- Weight: 1247 g (M)
- Pockets: Napoleon pocket, inner pocket, 2 zipped hand pockets / fleece jacket: 2 hand pockets
- Details: adjustable cuffs, drawcord at the hem, fully adjustable hood (stowable in the collar)
Comfort
The jacket is very comfortable to wear, especially with the fleece liner zipped in. Almost as soon as you put it on you notice yourself getting warmer. I tried this out by standing in the woods in a T-shirt at around 5 °C and then pulling the jacket on.
The fleece liner on its own is very comfortable too and protects well against the cold as long as temperatures are not quite so extreme. The liner can be removed and put back with the zip without any trouble. Overall the jacket feels well thought out and well made.
The only drawback of the jacket for me is that the fabric it is made of is very, very loud. When you move, the sleeves rub against the side of the jacket, for example, and make an irritating noise. That is probably no different with many jackets made of a similar fabric, though, and should therefore not be overrated.
Pictures
Verdict
This jacket from The North Face is suitable not only for winter but also for warmer weather. Thanks to the different ways of wearing it you are well equipped even if the weather turns. I have caught myself – particularly in the current winter weather – taking the fleece out of the jacket and going out in the fleece alone while leaving the jacket in the car.
So if you are looking for a warm, flexible jacket that can be worn beyond winter, the TriClimate will serve you well.
Pros
- Removable fleece jacket
- Water-repellent hardshell
Cons
- Weight
- Noisy fabric
