REASONS TO BUY
Great next-to-skin comfort
Versatile garment
Easy on the wallet
REASONS TO AVOID
Can bunch in a few places
Somewhat tricky to size
Slightly heavier
The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie Review
A well-made fleece that's equally friendly on the wallet and the skin, with a brushed interior offering performance and comfort
Credit: Zach Lovell
RELATED: Best Fleece Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie is a budget-priced fleece that impressed us throughout our real-world testing process, whether running errands in town or climbing a mountain. Thanks to a brushed interior, the next-to-skin comfort of this fleece was outstanding, making it a layer we kept reaching for again and again. Despite its midweight class, this model also offered decent breathability for various levels of output, though it got sweaty in warmer temperatures. Depending on how this layer is sized and how it fits you, the Canyonlands can run a bit baggier, which may cause some bunching. Fortunately, we were still able to layer this garment with a variety of jacket configurations, further confirming itself as a versatile fleece jacket. Don't miss our full article on men's fleece jackets to see how the Canyonlands stacks up against the competition.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | | Best on a Tight Budget | ||
| Price | $88.95 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $71.97 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $26 List $25.72 at Amazon | $34.49 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $29 List $28.50 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A budget-friendly option that provides comfort and performance in an aesthetic package | This lightweight and breathable fleece with excellent performance at a price that's hard to beat | A breathable fleece that’s several times cheaper than the competition | This soft and comfortable fleece comes at a great price and is warm and decently cozy | For a decent all-purpose fleece at an exceptionally low price point, look no further than this full-zip model |
| Rating Categories | The North Face Cany... | Outdoor Research Vi... | Wrangler Authentics... | Columbia Steens Mou... | Amazon Essentials F... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | The North Face Cany... | Outdoor Research Vi... | Wrangler Authentics... | Columbia Steens Mou... | Amazon Essentials F... |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 14.6 oz (Size M) | 13.2 oz (Size M) | 12.5 oz (Size S) | 16.6 oz (Size M) | 16.5 oz (Size M) |
| Type | Midweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Midweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Body: 96% recycled 75D polyester, 4% elastance fleece (solid fabric); 56% recycled polyester, 40% polyester, 4% elastance fleece (heather fabric) | Body: 94% polyester, 6% spandex | Body: 100% polyester | Body: 100% polyester | Body: 100% polyester |
| Hood Option? | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Number of Pockets | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Features | 3 piece hood, smooth-face fleece with brushed back, elastic bound hood, cuffs, and hem | Thumb holes, UPF 30, 3-panel hood with binding | Quarter-length zipper, double fleece layering on back | None | Zippered chest pocket |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie is a standout budget option in our lineup, offering great value thanks to decent scores in several metrics. Among many attributes, what stood out the most for us was the comfort of this layer, with several testers singing its praises.
Performance Comparison
We put The North Face Canyonlands Hoodie through weeks of rigorous field testing, from lengthy hikes to alpine climbs.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Warmth
Since a fleece jacket's primary purpose is to offer warmth, this became 25% of the total score for the Canyonlands. We spent weeks in the field with each layer, taking detailed notes along the way to assess this metric. We also conducted a heat retention test, which involved placing a water bottle of boiling water inside the fleece and then timing how long it took for the bottle to dip below 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The Canyonlands came in towards the top of the pack in this metric.
From blustery days around town to shady rock climbs, our testers all agreed the Canyonlands was warm but not so insulating that it limited its breathability, which was the case with some of the competition. During our water bottle testing, this layer performed admirably with a time of 1 hour 20 minutes, which was above average in the lineup. At the end of the day, this option provides excellent heat retention on a budget without compromising characteristics that serve it well in other metrics.
We were happy with the results of this fleece in our subjective and objective warmth testing.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
If a garment isn't comfortable to wear, it's unlikely to be used. All fleece jackets we tested were assessed to account for this metric, which then became 25% of the total score. The Canyonlands stands out from the crowd. We tested this metric by logging over a hundred hours in every fleece and by taking detailed notes along the way. We ensured every model was worn for a variety of uses, from casual hangouts to intensive outdoor recreation. This was one of the strongest metrics for the Canyonlands, coming towards the front of the pack.
This fleece was a top performer in the comfort metric, offering a relaxed fit and a cozy next-to-skin feel, regardless of the activity. The North Face built the Canyonlands with raglan sleeves, which means the sleeves have a diagonal seam and are cut in one piece, greatly improving mobility. The more relaxed fit of this fleece did cause some minor bunching in the stomach and chest areas, though the degree of bunching will depend on your sizing preferences and upper body shape.
From the brushed interior to the raglan sleeves, the Canyonlands is among our favorites in the realm of comfort. While there was some fabric bunching, we also appreciated the relaxed fit.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
While the primary intent of a fleece is to offer warmth, they are also frequently worn for various outdoor activities, so we gave breathability 20% of the total score of the Canyonlands. We tested this metric by performing a standardized cardio circuit with each layer to form a more accurate comparison. We also examined each fleece for ventilation features, forming a 1-10 score. This option came toward the top of the charts across the board.
Thanks to a brushed polyester interior and a smooth-shell outer, body moisture was ushered away from our base layers, making the Canyonlands a decently breathable fleece. Despite its midweight designation, we were able to take this fleece on lengthy adventure days in the mountains, though it got a bit more sweaty on strenuous hikes or when we wore it in warmer climates. If you're looking for the utmost ventilation and breathability, we'd look elsewhere, but if you need a fleece that can handle long days outdoors and more urban hangouts, the Canyonlands is worth your consideration.
We spent weeks pushing the Canyonlands hoodie and were pleased with its breathability, though we wouldn't recommend it for the highest output days or in warmer temperatures.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Layering Ability
We gave this metric 15% of the total score, considering this type of layer is likely to be worn with various jacket combinations. Each option in our lineup was tested with the same underlayer and overlayer to draw comparisons and determine a bottom-line score. The Canyonlands landed in the middle of the pack.
As previously mentioned, the Canyonlands has a relaxed fit. While it was comfortable, it also became a bit more bunched when layers were fitted over it. This may be alleviated by sizing down, and some upper body shapes may reduce the excess fabric, but this is best for fitting layers under it. If you do need to put a jacket over the Canyonlands, simply wearing a looser-fitting option will likely work well.
As long as we utilized a looser-fitting over layer, the Canyonlands didn't bunch too badly.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
We tested this metric by weighing each fleece and assigning it a score based on a comparative scale across the lineup. This became 15% of the Canyonlands' total score. While it wasn't the lightest fleece in our review, it does offer decent warmth for its weight.
At 14.6 ounces, we wouldn't recommend this fleece to shoppers hunting for a minimalist layer to stash in a pack and carry for miles, but it offers excellent performance, comfort, and style if you don't mind a few extra ounces.
While this didn't top the charts in this metric, it's still lighter than several fleeces in our review.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy The North Face?
If you're shopping on a budget, the Canyonlands should be kept on your final list for consideration. The North Face did an excellent job designing and constructing a fleece jacket that offers style and performance in a durable package, making it one of the highest-value fleeces we've seen yet.
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
The Arc'Teryx Kyanite Hoody has a very similar design to the Canyonlands, with a relaxed fit and around-town aesthetic. Some may prefer the Kyanite's style, which scores slightly better in some metrics, but it is substantially more pricey. If you're looking for a slimmer fit in your next fleece, check out the Rab Ascendor Summit Hoody, which our testers loved for more technical adventures outdoors.
—Zach Lovell
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