The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket Review | A Sustainable Alternative

A reliable insulated jacket is one of the most essential items in any adventurer’s gear list. But with so many options on the market, finding the ideal jacket can feel overwhelming. Should you choose down insulation or synthetic? What features matter most? And, of course, how do you balance quality with affordability?

I’ve been through my fair share of down jackets and synthetically insulated jackets and can honestly say that The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket stands among the best I’ve tested. With its sustainable design, affordability, and thoughtful features, it offers a lot to love. But like any product, it’s not perfect. There are a few components I would tweak and features I wish it included.

In this in-depth review, I’ll break down every aspect of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket. From its insulation and durability to its design and performance, I’ll share my honest thoughts to help you decide if this jacket is the right fit for your adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just starting your outdoor journey, this guide will provide practical insights to inform your decision.

My Honest Review Of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

Quick Info On The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

Price: $400 $300 AUD
Sizes: Men’s: S – XXL | Women’s: XS – XXL
Shell Material: 38 g/m² Pertex Quantum – 100% recycled nylon woven ripstop
Insulating Material: 16 g/m² ThermoBall 100% post-consumer recycled polyester
Weight: 582g (men’s medium)
Fit: Standard fit
Colours: Men’s: blue, olive/green, black | Women’s: grey/silver, apricot, black
Sustainability: Recycled materials
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Activity: Hiking

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is a synthetic insulated jacket boasting a sustainable construction and an adventure-focused design. It features stretchy underarm gussets for improved mobility, reinforced shoulders for added durability, a helmet-compatible hood and a relaxed fit to accommodate multiple layers. These thoughtful features, plus a few more, create a practical and sustainable option for staying comfortable and protected in the mountains.

Who Is The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket For?

The North Face Terra Peak is for the eco-conscious adventurer who needs extra durability and weather protection from their insulated jacket. It doesn’t win any awards for being lightweight or compact, but it will be a reliable and affordable layer when the going gets tough – and cold.

Warmth Of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

The main goal of an insulated jacket is undoubtedly to keep you warm. Traditionally, down jackets have been the go-to choice, renowned for their exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. However, synthetic insulation has come a long way in the last decade, making it a strong contender and offering a competitive alternative to down.

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is constructed with their Thermoball technology, which uses 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. The Thermoball’s synthetic fibres are designed to closely mimic down by clustering together to trap heat within the small air pockets.

I have found that the Terra Peak jacket offers slightly more warmth than the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, but not quite as much as Candace’s TNF Kalix Down Hooded Jacket. The only issue with this is that the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is 160 g lighter and packs down to almost half the size.

Size

I usually wear a medium jacket, and the TNF Terra Peak Hooded Jacket fits true to size. The medium provides plenty of space to layer a fleece and a base layer underneath, all without feeling too bulky or restrictive.

With that said, I have read several reviews that state the women’s version is a little on the fitted side. If you want a roomier fit for the women’s jacket, you may want to go up a size.

Fit Of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is designed to be a standard, relaxed fit. As I mentioned above, I can easily layer underneath while also fitting my XTM Takayna Rain Jacket over the top.

The collar allows for plenty of space around the neck to comfortably keep it zipped up fully while on the move – even while wearing a helmet under the hood.

The only downside to the Terra Peak’s fit is its length. It lacks a dropped hem and sits at the lower hip level. While this is generally fine, a longer hem at the back would be a welcome addition, as it helps prevent the jacket from riding up when wearing a backpack or sitting down.

The shorter length is more noticeable in the women’s version, which is 6 cm shorter than the men’s version.

Comfort

It’s honestly hard to find an insulated jacket that isn’t comfortable – they’re essentially like being wrapped in a cosy sleeping bag. However, certain features can significantly increase or decrease comfort levels.

Thanks to its relaxed fit, well-designed collar, and stretchy gusseted underarms, the Terra Peak is extremely comfortable even when you’re on the move. I’ve never felt restricted in my Terra Peak jacket, even while scrambling along narrow rocky ridgelines or belaying my climbing partners on the mountain.

Weather Resistance Of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is constructed with a Pertex Quantum shell, which offers good wind resistance and water repellency, enhanced by a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating.

I’ve spent several hours in blustering winds on mountaintops, and the Terra Peak has proven to be a very valuable layer in these circumstances. That said, it does lack a cinch cord at the hem and hood, so the cold air can creep in when it’s especially cold or windy.

When it comes to wet weather performance, the Terra Peak excels with its synthetic insulation. Unlike down, synthetic insulation performs better in damp conditions, maintaining warmth even when exposed to moisture. This makes it an excellent choice for high-precipitation environments, such as areas with low clouds or light snowfall, or when you can’t reach for your rain jacket fast enough in a surprise rainstorm.

Durability & Build Quality

The build quality of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is top-notch. From the stretchy cuffs to the constantly smooth zipper, I cannot fault the construction of the jacket. The Terra Peak has been designed for rough adventures, featuring an additional overlay on the shoulders and hood for better protection.

As for durability, I don’t tend to wear my insulated jackets while hiking to prevent their more delicate outer layer from abrasions and tears. HOWEVER, I went for a wander on our last hike and slipped on some wet grass, causing my arm and side to graze against sharp rocks and dirt. I was so surprised to look down and find absolutely no damage had been done to the Terra Peak.

Another of my more careless moments happened when I accidentally dragged this jacket out of the tent at midnight to stargaze. Hours later, I found it sprawled on the damp, rocky ground—right on top of my ice axes. To top it off, I’d been stepping all over it without realising. Yet somehow, the jacket came completely unscathed again!

These two rather silly situations have given me the confidence to wear my jacket in rougher terrain and definitely speaks highly about the quality craftsmanship.

Features On The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

Hood

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is constructed with a helmet-compatible hood that is elastic-bound to enable maneuverability when wearing a helmet. However, the hood doesn’t have any adjustability, which means you can’t cinch it down to prevent it from falling off in adverse weather conditions when you’re not wearing a helmet.

That said, when I zip the jacket up fully, the high collar (that reaches above my chin) aids in keeping the hood in place. It may still fall off during strong winds, but it stays put around camp.

Pockets

You’ll find two zippered waist pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket on the Terra Peak insulated jacket. The internal drop-in chest pocket is enormous, catering for anything from your phone to a paper map that needs to be protected from the elements.

The only downside to the pockets is the placement of the waist pockets. These are positioned too low to use when wearing a backpack or harness. However, this isn’t an issue for everyday wear or while you’re relaxing at camp.

Hem Adjustment

The Terra Peak Hooded Jacket features an elastic-bound hem at the back, ensuring it stays securely in place for a comfortable fit without the need for adjustments. While it lacks a cinch cord for tightening, this omission may not be a deal-breaker for everyone.

Personally, I rarely use cinch cords, even when they’re available, so this doesn’t impact my experience or opinion of the jacket.

Gusseted Underarms

A unique feature that you won’t find on many insulated jackets is four-way stretch underarm gussets. This addition stops the jacket sleeves – and ultimately, the hem – from pulling up when you’re on the move or engaging in activities like rock scrambling or belaying. 

I do believe that this feature enhances the comfort of the jacket, giving me freedom of movement and stopping me from having to constantly pull the hem down when I’m wearing a backpack or a harness.

Cuffs

The cuffs of the TNF Terra Peak Hooded Jacket are elastic-bound to keep them securely in place and make it easy to pull the jacket on over gloves. While I found the cuffs to be slightly loose on my wrists – likely due to my relatively slender wrists – I actually prefer the extra space and lack of restriction.

Sustainability

The Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is one of The North Face’s most eco-friendly insulated jackets. Crafted with nearly 100% recycled materials, including its synthetic insulation, it combines sustainability with exceptional performance.

In addition to its sustainable design, the Terra Peak has impressed me with its durability, promising to withstand the test of time. Longevity plays a crucial role in sustainability – after all, a jacket that lasts only a single season is not sustainable and will inevitably end up in a landfill, regardless of how it was made.

Regarding the sustainability of The North Face as a company, they are committed to improving their practices and have some big goals they hope to achieve by this year. You can learn more about their initiatives on their sustainability page.

Value Of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is priced at $400 AUD, placing it firmly in the mid-range category. It’s more affordable than the Arcteryx Atom Hooded Jacket, which offers less warmth, and comparable in cost to the Rab Cirrus Alpine Jacket, which features similar specs. 

Considering the exceptional warmth and durability the Terra Peak delivers, I’d confidently say it’s worth every dollar – and I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase it again.

My Experience With The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

Why I Chose The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket caught my eye due to its robust design and sustainable build. I was in the market for an insulated jacket to take on my alpine pursuits, which needed to have good weather resistance, a durable build and sufficient warmth for potential freezing conditions.

I decided on a synthetic insulation for increased performance in damp conditions – which is a common occurrence in the alpine.

How It Performs

The TNF Terra Peak Hooded Jacket has truly exceeded my expectations. While it’s bulkier and slightly heavier than a comparable down jacket, its exceptional durability and unrestricted comfort make it well worth the trade-off.

As mentioned earlier, I’ve accidentally slipped and dragged this jacket across sharp rocks without leaving a single mark – a true testament to its rugged construction. It gives me peace of mind while navigating rough terrain, knowing it can withstand the elements without being easily damaged. Plus, I have yet to reach its limit in cold temperatures. But stay tuned for further testing as winter approaches!

Where Do I Wear My TNF Terra Peak Hooded Jacket?

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket is my go-to for alpine expeditions and winter hiking trips in Australia and New Zealand. Its rugged design allows me to confidently wear it while navigating tough summits and the synthetic insulation allows for better performance in damp conditions.

I have taken the Terra Peak jacket with me on all my backcountry trips in New Zealand this year, including a blustery weekend on Brodrick Pass and a rather damp night at the head of Canyon Creek.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for an eco friendly, durable and reliable insulated jacket, I couldn’t recommend the Terra Peak Hooded Jacket enough. It has passed all my testing with flying colours, only falling short on some features like cinch cords for the hem and hood.

Other than the cinch cords mentioned, the only other thing I’d like to see on the Terra Peak jacket is higher positioned waist pockets so that I can use them while wearing a backpack or harness.

I hope that my honest review of The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket has helped you decide whether this is the right choice for you. If you have any further questions – or would like to offer your two cents – please feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to us via Instagram.

Happy Hiking 🙂