Customer Reviews The North Face ThermoBall™ Full Zip Jacket

I had been looking at this jacked for a while, contemplating buying it. I've been needing a simple, lightweight down jacket to have for all conditions - just something to throw on anytime that would keep me warm in winter, but also not get too warm when I wear it indoors or while being active. An outdoor store by me was having a sale, so I bought this jacket for a discounted price. However, when I wore it to dinner that night, I realized I still paid too much.... It was kind of windy out, but not snowy; maybe like 40 degreesF. I was freezing. It felt like I had no jacket on at all. I'm hoping that I was just cold that night, and this jacket doesn't actually suck as much as I think it does, because I can't return it. Overall, I think this jacket was hyped up wayyyyy too much, considering that it didn't even keep me warm on a mild winter night.

I ordered a thermoball recently and was so excited. When I got it it was HUGE! I was so disappointed. I got a large because I am still growing and I have a large northface fleece and went by that. I got it and my dad could fit into it. I was so disappointed because this was a jacket i have always wanted.

After looking at the Northface video on their website about this new thermoball technology, I was excited to try this jacket. A slim-fitting, warm jacket? Great! But alas, the first weekend I had it, my husband and I went to Monterey Bay, CA where there were cold winds and a temperature of roughly 55 degrees. I thought I'd be warm because the thermoball is advertised as being comparable to down feather jackets, and people in the promo video are in cold climates like the snowy mountains. Well... I WAS FREEZING! It didn't block the wind. It didn't keep me warm. I get cold pretty easily, but the jacket made me feel like I just had a shell on instead of a high performance jacket. Also, some of the thread started to fray in both of my sleeves after just a few uses. It made the jacket feel really cheap. For $240 (after taxes) I was really disappointed with the insufficient performance of the thermoball. I ended up taking it back and getting a down feather jacket that actually kept me warm. It does fit well (very slimming) and is really cute, but if you're expecting it to keep you warm, this isn't the jacket for you. It's more of a cool summer night jacket.

NF site recommended I get a small. I should have gone with my gut and gotten the XS as it is too loose and long in the sleeves. I'm 5'1" and 113 lbs. I got the black and pink and it is just too shiny and cheesy looking. Plus, it feels like there is zero filling in quite a few spots and I froze waiting for my daughter's bus today in 34 degree weather. Returning and wishing it came in some of the same colors as the mens and was a lot warmer.

This jacket was everything I hoped for...until I wore it. Lightweight, packable, warm, and it looks good both on the trail and on the street. Here's the problem: all of the baffling started coming unstitched the very first time I wore the jacket. All over the jacket --- shoulders, sleeves, front and back, threads are popping and unravelling. This is causing the stuffing to migrate and leave cold spots all over the jacket, significantly affecting the performance. I I should note I have not subjected the jacket to extreme wear...though I would have expected to be able to. Walking to work is all it took! The elastic-fabric on the cuffs is also getting pilled and destroyed...from just putting my hands in the zipped pockets! The finished, knotted thread ends where the cuffs were attached to the jacket are also dangling from each sleeve. This is not simply "normal wear and tear". This is clearly a quality issue. It really is a shame. This jacket had so much promise but sadly fails the quality test. Very, very disappointed. Considering the price point and the North Face's reputation for quality products, I expect better.

Though the style and warmth of this jacket were exceptional the overall color just wasn't as pictured on website. Unfortunately the jacket was returned. Was really excited to finally see a pure blue option for woman instead of the regulation light colors and pinks always offered. I just don't know why as a woman I cannot find earthy,or bright color varieties. Truly let down.

I bought this coat in early December and loved how warm, light-weight and comfortable it was! I received tons of compliments on it and told everyone how awesome it was. Plus, it was perfect for rainy Seattle winters! I was IN LOVE! Unfortunately, before long, one of the rivets in the pocket came loose. Then the threads in the sleeves started to come loose. And finally the material on the hem of the sleeve started to pill, and actually ripped at the seam. I had to do a bit of a gut check and realize that this was a $220 coat that I have had for less than three months and that it was falling apart. I returned it to REI today, and now I see that it's not being manufactured anymore. Hopefully Northface is working on building a more durable version and it will be back next season. Save your money until then!

Had high hopes for this jacket. Have a loyal North Face customer for years. The proportions of this jacket are all wrong. Seems like a man's cut. Dies fit right. Can't stay warm because when I get a size that fits my hips and bust the arms are way too long and the body is way too loose. The size that fits my arms and legs is too tight on my hips and bust. I am in good shape but this jacket is just wrong. It was a wonderful Christmas gift from my husband but I am going to have to return it.

I bought this jacket from REI and I loved it!! Lightweight, warm, cute. I wore in -1 deg weather and it was great. After less than 1 month of regular wear (driving kids to school, shopping, etc) the threading came out on the back. I returned and was happy for 2 weeks, then it happened again in the sleeve. It seems to me there needs to be stronger thread or something. This should not happen. I don't put it under strenuous situations. Overall, great idea for a coat, but not durable at all.

This coat is very cold. A draft blows down the neck and is very chilly. I would not recommend it for any thing cooler than 0 degrees celcius. Am very dissapointed in this coat. Ther is no way that is as warm as my 600 fill down coat.

Used to love this jacket. Loved how it looks, it is warm (not for winter), light..but such bad quality. Just a couple months after purchase white stuff is coming out through the seams. I think is the filling. Not worth the money. Do not buy!!!!

Tried it outside in 45 degree temps. Froze my you know what off. Hold it up to a light and it's practically transparent. I dont understand all the good reviews. North Face disappoints.

I bought this in black and within a few weeks noticed the jacket was pilling on the OUTSIDE. What is weird is that you would think it would be black pills then but alas no they WERE WHITE?!?! It's almost as if they was the insulation sneaking out of it and then pilling. I went to return it to the store and get the more shiny version of the Thermalball as jacket as I have owned one of those for 3+ years with no issues and a vest for 2+ years. I was SHOCKED to find out that NorthFace no longer allows you to return garments that have been worn?!? Instead they send it to their warranty department--WHAT? So are they going to shave it and send it back?!?

I purchased this jacket as my starter winter coat.... BIG MISTAKE!!!!!! coat is thin and has no room to wear sweater under.. IF YOU LIVE IN THE MIDWEST THIS IS NOT THE JACKET FOR YOU!!!! Most women have multiple jackets/coats and I really don't want to pull out a heavy winter coat when the temps are between 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit...

I bought this as a "run around" jacket for the spring & fall. It's not warm enough for a winter coat in Missouri, but I didn't buy it for that purpose. I love how lightweight and packable it is. However, the material is very thin and not durable. My 30 lb. dog jumped up on me with her front legs and the fabric ripped. I repaired it by hand, but now I feel like I can't wear it around my dog, or even hiking....a small twig might catch on it & rip it! I would expect a North Face jacket to hold up to those kind of minor abuses.

So disappointed and let down by NorthFace. I have always done with NorthFace for my active gear - jackets, backpacks, etc. Never been let down until now. This coat looks awful. It is new - I have been wearing it about one month and the filling keeps coming out and sticking to the coat. It looks terrible and worn out! I thought at first it was just because it was new and the filling was moving and settling, but it hasn't stopped. It has gotten worse. I don't know what's going on, particularly as all these reviews are positive. you can see the white specs in the photos. It looks like when nylon wears out and becomes bally. A bit embarrassed to wear it now actually.

I bought this coat for my wife, she bought me the exact same one but in black and the difference between the quality of her jacket vs mine is night and day. Where the jacket is stitched is all fraying and pulled. Like they didn't fully sew the jacket correctly. Terrible. Both were ordered online maybe go in to the store to check the quality before you purchase the jacket. Not happy at all with the quality of mine.

Received the wrong color and size!! Also, not sure if this a fake item? Very skeptical it is an authentic one!!

Love the color. This is going back, however. I ordered a M. I am disappointed in how tight the cuffs on the sleeves are. They left marks on my wrists when I tried it on. I'm 5'6, and 115 pounds with long arms. That's the only reason I ordered a M. Can't imagine how small the S would have been.

It wasn't my cup of tea

It's a wind breaker not a jacket for winter

Pocket lining ripped from normal use within less than 2 years. I did not have sharp objects in the pockets and the material just seemed to be weak/brittle. NorthFace did not cover this under warranty. A jacket for active wear should hold up much better than this. I have active wear jackets that are 10+ years old that do not have any rips/tears.

No lining in pockets so your hands freeze. Bottom line this jacket is like wearing nothing at all.

Love the look and the color is very pretty. The material is very flimsy and the construction of the jacket is horrible. The seams are coming loose and it can snag very easily. I am very, very disappointed that North Face would put out a product that is made as shabby as this jacket. This jacket is definitely not worth the price or even half the price. North Face I would have expected better. A lot better.

Too small