The North Face Resolve Review

Hands-on Review

The North Face Resolve Jacket is a well-built entry-level rain jacket with a comfortable, full fleece-lined collar. Like the Columbia Watertight II and Helly Hansen Seven J, it features two-layer construction and a mesh lining.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

The Resolve kept out the water in our shower test and the DWR beads water just fine. The hood tightens enough around the face with a single elastic perimeter cord well enough to stop blowing rain. However, the elastic wrist cuffs are a weak spot for water; with no adjustment to tighten them, water will run down your wrist if you're working overhead in the rain.

Breathability and Ventilation

The North Face uses its proprietary Hyvent two-layer coating for this model's fabric. This is an entry-level technology and doesn't breathe as well as more advanced fabrics. The mesh lining makes this jacket feel bulkier than competitors. While it does not have pit zips, the mesh-lined hand pockets offer some ventilation when open.

Comfort & Mobility

This jacket received an average score for comfort and mobility. The fleece-lined collar feels great and the taffeta-lined hood fits snugly and moves well with or without a helmet. String pull tabs on the pocket zippers make them easy to use with or without gloves and the hood and hem cord locks operate easily.

Weight

This is one of the heaviest jacket we tested at 16.2 ounces, and a lot of this weight resides in the nice fleece collar. The similarly featured 2-layer model — the Watertight II — weighs three ounces less. Two jackets in our review weigh more, and both use a heavier polyester face fabric. The REI Crestrail Jacket is the heaviest 2.5-layer model we tested, and the burly Helly Hansen Seven J also uses a tough polyester in its 2-layer shell.

Durability

The 70D nylon ripstop face fabric is super burly compared to the other jackets' nylon face fabrics and will stand up to some rough abuse. If you're after a super durable face fabric, look to the products in this review with a polyester face fabric.

Packed Size

This is one of the models which does not stuff into one of its pockets for convenience. Or, more accurately, you could stuff it into one of its hand pockets, but there is no double tabbed zipper pull to keep it there. This jacket stows best rolled into its own hood.

Features

The hood on this rain jacket is taffeta lined and a single elastic cinch provides the adjustment. The cord lock placement is unique; it is completely hidden inside fabric sleeves. Additionally, this rain jacket has a complete fleece-lined collar, into which the hood rolls and stores. The fleece is very comfortable all the way around, especially at the chin. There are also two hang loops at the back of the collar. The Resolve does not have pit zips, but the mesh lined hand pockets can be opened for ventilation. Surprisingly, this jacket does not stuff into one of the hand pockets. The wrist cuffs are not adjustable, but do have elastic all the way around the wrist. The elastic hem cinch has cord locks on both sides.

Best Applications

This is a very comfortable jacket for around-town use and will work well for short hikes and beach strolls. It is rugged enough for gardening and projects around the yard and the 2-layer construction makes this one of the warmer jackets we tested for cool weather use.

Value

At $90, this is one of the least expensive jackets we tested. For around town and low energy activities, its comfort and ruggedness are a good deal.

Conclusion

The North Face Resolve is a very comfortable jacket for casual days around town in rainy weather. This jacket isn't designed to be light or practical for strenuous activities, but makes up for its bulk with attention to comfort and rugged design.