REASONS TO BUY
Super warm
Lots of pockets
Timeless aesthetic
Zippered pit vents
REASONS TO AVOID
Very heavy
Not particularly breathable
Higher hem
The North Face Retro Denali Review
Warmth like this is rare in a fleece jacket, but you’ll have to accept the extra weight that comes with it
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2026
RELATED: The Best Fleece Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
If warmth is a top priority for your next fleece jacket, put The North Face Retro Denali at the top of the list. This timeless layer offers an aesthetic that's been classic for a couple of decades and is arguably one of the most recognizable fleece jackets in the outdoors industry. While the Denali kept us very warm, it's not as breathable on warmer days or on sustained uphill hikes, though it is one of the few fleece jackets we tested that offer pit zips. This heavyweight jacket runs uniquely short at the waist, but it was still able to offer decent enough coverage for most of our testing team.
Our Analysis and Test Results
This is one of the warmest fleece jackets you're likely to find on the market today. We enjoyed testing The North Face Retro Denali and appreciated its heat retention on chillier days hiking or skiing, though it's substantially heavier than much of the competition, so it's not the fleece layer we'd recommend for a long backpacking trip where weight matters.
This classic fleece jacket is very warm and impressively durable, we only wish it were lighter. Credit: Zach Lovell
Likes
The North Face Retro Denali is about as warm as it gets for this jacket class. It's a great standalone layer for staying toasty during cool spring and fall mornings when you're not worried about breathability (although this latest version includes pit zips for offloading heat, which is rare to see in a fleece).
The North Face made the Retro Denali with a very thick polyester build with a nylon shell at the chest, neck, and elbow areas. The nylon face offered great wind resistance (for a fleece) and further improved heat retention.
This is undoubtedly one warm fleece, especially with the added nylon chest and shoulder panels. Credit: Zach Lovell
This is also a particularly durable model, showing minimal wear and tear throughout the testing period. From the zippers to the polyester to the nylon, The North Face made the Retro Denali to last, though at the expense of added weight.
The North Face made this fleece jacket to be robust rather than lightweight. Credit: Zach Lovell
We also appreciated the pockets of this jacket, with two hand pockets and 2 chest pockets offering easy organization. The pit zips help with ventilation on high-output days, should you find yourself working up a sweat.
We appreciated the generous number of pockets on this heavyweight fleece. Credit: Zach Lovell
Dislikes
The North Face Retro Denali is very heavy, weighing in at 25.5 ounces in a men's medium. This is over twice the weight of our all-arounder fleece jackets tested, and is even three times heavier than the ultralight options. However, for casual wear around town, this likely won't be an issue for many folks.
As a heavyweight jacket, the Retro Denali also is lacking in breathability. The pit zips definitely offer airflow, but the thicker polyester and nylon shell traps sweat more easily. The jacket length was also oddly short, and we felt it was disproportionate to the rest of the relaxed fit.
Our biggest gripe was the weight of the Denali, which is among the heaviest fleece jackets we've yet tested. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy The North Face Retro Denali?
If you like the cropped cut and you're looking for the warmest fleece out there, we'd put the The North Face Retro Denali on your finals list. This is a comfy layer that offers some breathability for cardio-focused missions, but we'd steer you elsewhere if needing a fleece that'll shed heat as your heart rate goes up, whether backpacking or skiing.
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you'd rather go on the lighter side for your next fleece jacket, consider something like the Black Diamond CoEfficient Hoody, which also is great for breathability. If weight isn't a concern, but price is, check out the REI Co-Op Trailmade or Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip, which are affordable and great for more casual outings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare The North Face Retro Denali versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $200 List Check Evo (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | Warmth like this is rare in a fleece jacket, but you’ll have to accept the extra weight that comes with it |
| Pros | Super warm, lots of pockets, timeless aesthetic, zippered pit vents |
| Cons | Very heavy, not particularly breathable, higher hem |
| Rating Categories | The North Face Retro... |
| Warmth (30%) | |
| Comfort (25%) | |
| Breathability (20%) | |
| Layering Ability (15%) | |
| Weight (10%) | |
| Specifications | The North Face Retro... |
| Type | Heavyweight |
| Main Material | 100% recycled polyester |
| Number of Pockets | 4 |
| Features | Pit zips, adjustable drawcord hem, two-way front zip, snap-in compatibility with the GTX Mountain Jacket |
| Measured Weight | 25.5 oz (Size M) |
| Hood Option | Yes |
—Zach Lovell
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