Columbia vs North Face Jackets: Which is Best?

When it comes to outdoor apparel brands there are two types of people – those that don’t care about brand names when choosing what to wear, focusing instead on quality and function, and those that tend to stick to one company.

Since the outdoor clothing niche is a smaller industry compared to say the sports apparel industry, there are fewer quality companies to choose from. Outdoor enthusiasts are really going to put their clothing to the absolute max which is why so many end up being loyal to just one or two brands.

Two of the most popular outdoor clothing brands are Columbia and The North Face.

Both of these brands have vast fan bases and produce high-quality clothing that promises to keep you warm and dry. They are also widely available in stores as well as from online retailers, where you can find a waterproof jacket and other products to wear when you need some extra heat.

The Bottom Line [Up Front]: While I LOVE both brands, to me it comes down to the best prices and who is having deals. I frequently check this Columbia discount page where there is almost always a jacket or fleece on sale. Since Columbia is typically cheaper anyway but still high quality. That’s my overall recommendation.

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Columbia Jackets

I've tried a LOT of jackets over the years. Columbia is one of the brands that I KEEP coming back. What's more, they have this really cool jacket finder tool to perfectly match you with your dream jacket...

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However, there are a few differences between the jacket lines offered by Columbia and The North Face. Outdoorsmen focusing on quality construction and utility oa ver brand name should consider both company’s jackets.

Main Differences Between Columbia vs North Face Jackets

The main differences between Columbia vs North Face Jackets are:

  • Columbia has 10 different style categories, whereas North Face has 11 style categories.
  • Columbia has a more classic style, whereas North Face offers a more modern style
  • Columbia has a great construction, whereas North Face uses the best technology such as WindWall fabric and ThermoBall insulation fabric.
  • Columbia is easily found in stores, whereas North Face is more focused on online sales. 
  • Columbia is a very reasonably priced brand, whereas North Face is a more expensive and luxurious brand. 

Editor's Choice
Columbia Jackets

I've tried a LOT of jackets over the years. Columbia is one of the brands that I KEEP coming back. What's more, they have this really cool jacket finder tool to perfectly match you with your dream jacket...

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History of Columbia and Their Jackets

Columbia has perhaps one of the most interesting histories of any outdoor apparel company. Columbia Sportswear was a family business that actually began as Columbia Hat Company back in 1938.

The company is still family-owned today and despite having grown tremendously, many fans of the brand find them to still have an air of small business charm.

As far as Columbia jackets go you’ll find 10 different style categories, including –

  • Insulated & Down Winter Jacket(s)
  • 3-in-1 Interchange
  • Rain
  • Windbreakers
  • Fleece
  • Hard Shell
  • Soft Shell
  • Casual wear
  • Vests
  • Ski & Snowboard

Some of their best sellers include –

Columbia Ascender Softshell Hooded Jacket - Men's

Men’s Ascender™ Softshell Jacket | Columbia Sportswear

Layer like a Pro: This wind-and-water-resistant softshell jacket is a versatile, all-weather piece made for windy days in fall or spring.

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Men's Watertightâ„¢ II Jacket | Columbia Sportswear

Top-notch rain protection: This waterproof-breathable, fully seam-sealed jacket will keep you nice and dry, even in the heaviest of rains.

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Men’s Steens Mountain™ 2.0 Full Zip Fleece Jacket | Columbia Sportswear

The next generation of our Steens Mountainâ„¢ line, this outdoor staple features a finely tuned fit and a soft, durable fleece to keep you warm no matter what.

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Editor's Choice
Columbia Jackets

I've tried a LOT of jackets over the years. Columbia is one of the brands that I KEEP coming back. What's more, they have this really cool jacket finder tool to perfectly match you with your dream jacket...

Find Your Jacket
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Columbia Sportswear has a very easy to navigate, simplistic website. The break down of categories makes it very easy to narrow down the jackets to your exact need or activity.

Columbia has a very nice range of different waterproof jacket designs and some of their best sellers have some incredibly high ratings. The Steens Mountain Full Zip Fleece has 496 reviews and near 5-star rating.

As mentioned previously, Columbia is a more classic brand in terms of their jacket designs. You’ll find that their jackets are just a capable and well-made fabric, but are slightly more simple in design and color schemes. If you really love to wear your natural, neutral shades and a practical appeal, you’ll probably find Columbia to be a more attractive brand to choose your stuff.

Columbia is widely available at numerous places online as well as in stores. Discount department stores, like Kohls, regularly carry Columbia products and men and women’s jackets are not an exception.

This also means you’ll probably be able to get your super warm waterproof jacket for a reduced price. Columbia synthetic jackets are also sold in the majority of outdoor apparel stores, such as Cabela’s and REI (check REI’s discount deals here).

History of The North Face and Their Jackets

The North Face was developed in 1966, focusing on all aspects of outdoor apparel right off the bat. The brand got its name from the harshest face of the cold Himalayan mountains, despite it having been founded in sunny San Francisco.

Through incredible marketing, inventive designs, and sponsorship of outdoor athletes and events, The North Face skyrocketed from its rather humble beginnings.

The North Face has slightly more jacket options and 11 different style categories, including –

  • Rain Jackets
  • Fleece
  • Insulated & Down
  • Softshells
  • Vests
  • Casual wear
  • Skiing Jackets
  • Snowboard Jackets
  • 3-in-1 Jackets
  • Running & Training
  • Windwear

Some of TNF’s best sellers include –

The North Face Apex Bionic 2 Softshell Jacket - Men's

The North Face Men's Apex Bionic 2 Jacket | Amazon
$149.79

The Apex Bionic Jacket is water-resistant, windproof, breathable, stretchable and ready to rock. For windy, cold-weather activities, this soft shell will help keep you comfortable and windchill-free.

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02/14/2023 01:24 pm GMT

The North Face Denali 2 Jacket | Amazon

The North Face Denali 2 fleece jacket is constructed with recycled fleece for unmatched warmth, comfort and durability, with thoughtful features that make it perfect for the trail or the city.

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The North Face Men's McMurdo Parka III | Amazon

Designed for taking on the cold, even in the city, this parka jacket has a relaxed fit for layering and allows you to commute and walk the streets in comfort and warmth.

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The North Face website has a greater number of reviews compared to Columbia, though this is largely attributed to simply more people purchasing online from TNF. However, the large number of reviews is very reassuring. The Apex Bionic 2 jacket, for example, has over 1k reviews alone.

Another difference of TNF is that they have more parka options than Columbia and overall a wider range of styles in warm men and women’s jackets. You’ll find their jackets to be a little more eye-catching and visually appealing, which will make you want to wear it often. TNF also has a few different “technologies”, like WindWall fabric or ThermoBall insulation fabric.

The North Face is rarely found in department stores except for Macy’s and Sears, leaving customers having to either order online, find a TNF store near them, or hope that their local REI or outdoor gear store carries TNF.

Should You Purchase from Columbia or The North Face?

There really is no answer as to whether Columbia or The North Face jackets are better over the other or which one is going to keep you more warm and dry.

Individual preference has a lot to do with this stuff, and what jacket you deem to be best compared to what someone else might consider being superior. Factors such as body shape, activity, modular attachments, bonus pockets, and budget all place a role.

Though there are always variances in the cut of Columbia or TNF breathable jackets, typically Columbia waterproof jackets have a slightly more relaxed fit, even on their slimmer models. TNF jackets are a little more “sporty” or more casual to wear and tend to fit the body with an athletic fit.

Columbia jackets have very traditional or classic lines to them while TNF jackets might appeal more to a 35 and under age range looking for a more contoured fit. Women are particularly quick to note that TNF jackets fit the natural shape of the average woman in a way that is very flattering and isn’t boxy, even on their thick down models.

As far as activities and budget, these two factors go hand in hand. Both Columbia and TNF produce technical jackets that can handle cold weather extremes with ease. Both brands offer well-constructed jackets that are warm and unlikely to become damaged when cared for reasonably.

Where the brands do start to veer from one another is cost versus value.

The North Face is widely known to be a bit of a pricey brand, putting it up in the “elite” of outdoor apparel. Considering their quality compared to their price, many serious outdoor enthusiasts tend to put TNF in the luxury category as there isn’t a huge difference in the quality of their jackets compared to less expensive brands. Columbia is a very reasonably priced brand for the most part.

To put this into perspective, consider that a basic full-zip fleece jacket from Columbia will run anywhere from $35 up to $60.

Editor's Choice
Columbia Jackets

I've tried a LOT of jackets over the years. Columbia is one of the brands that I KEEP coming back. What's more, they have this really cool jacket finder tool to perfectly match you with your dream jacket...

Find Your Jacket
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

A full-zip fleece jacket from The North Face is much higher at $85 to $200.

This means even a basic fleece jacket from TNF is going to be more than twice the price of the same quality jacket from Columbia with the same warmth.

If you’re a big supporter of TNF then this price might be reasonable for you as it supports the company. However, if you’re focused on cost vs value then Columbia is almost always going to win in this category.

Chances are if you had no logo to tell you which jacket belonged to which company, you’d probably find them to be quite comparable in quality and construction.

Both brands have excellent customer service and even The North Face is well-known for asking customers to send back jackets for free repairs with no questions asked.

If money is no concern and you really like a sleek, stylish look in the jackets you wear, The North Face is a good place to start. If you would rather not spend more just for a brand’s name and really want a classic jacket design, Columbia is definitely your best bet.

The Bottom Line: While I LOVE both brands, to me it comes down to the best prices and who is having deals. I frequently check this Columbia discount page where there is almost always a jacket or fleece on sale. Since Columbia is typically cheaper anyway, that’s my overall recommendation

Further Jacket Research

There are certainly other popular jackets worth checking out, including Canada Goose, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, and more… so here’s some additional research our team has done:

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