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| The North Face Zaneck Parka (2024) |
This is my second North Face Zaneck winter parka that I've owned. I've already written a previous post about the first jacket which I purchased in 2016. This has given me the opportunity to compare both jackets.
Unfortunately the upper part of the zip on my old jacket became unusable due to damaged teeth. However, it served me well over almost eight years. I waited until I found a good offer before deciding to buy a replacement. In the meantime I continued to use it as it could still be closed at the top using the press stud buttons. It wasn't possible to replace the zip so I had a 'stopper' sewn into the top to prevent the zip from hitting the damaged area and splitting.
I purchased my new one from The North Face official website for €192, reduced from €320 with free postage. It arrived after five days.
Initially I couldn't believe the jacket was in the package that had arrived because it was so small and light. However, after removing all the packaging the jacket slowly regained a similar weight to my old one once all the insulated lining 'baffles' filled with air.
My initial thoughts were that the quality was less that my old jacket. Although both zips were YKK, the old jacket had metal teeth and the new one plastic. Not necessarily a bad thing. I noticed other smaller details like some parts of the jacket had reinforced areas and the new one didn't. The jacket hanger on the new one feels weaker than the old one.
I expect the manufacturer would explain they wanted a 'lighter' jacket which performed just as well as the old one. The negative viewpoint could be that it's more about 'cost cutting'. Certainly when it comes to outdoor wear, there seems to be more emphasis on clothing being as light as possible.
As winter has now passed I will have to wait until the end of the year to see how this new one performs in very cold conditions. I'm expecting the same performance as my old jacket which was good down to -10c and even more with extra layers. If you live in a climate which is frequently closer to -20c then I would be inclined to look at their 'heavier weight' parkas like the Mcmurdo. However, I've found the Zaneck to be an excellent all-round Urban winter parka.
I've highlighted the main differenes between my Zaneck jacket from 2016 and my new 2024 version. On the whole they're almost the same. My old jacket was made in Bangladesh and the new one is made in Cambodia.
All the following photo comparisons show my old jacket on the left and the new one on the right.
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| The hanging strap feels weaker on the new jacket |
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| Both jackets had the hologram label on the inner bottom |
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| The most obvious difference is the change in shape and size of the insulated 'baffles' |
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| Both zips are YKK but the old jacket has metal teeth and new one plastic |
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| My old jacket has re-inforced patches under the press stud of the pocket (left) |
The new jacket has a soft fleece lining inside the pockets.
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| My old jacket has a re-inforced strip running along the inside edge |
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| My new jacket has a seam line across the upper shoulder area |
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| Both logs appear the same |
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| Curiously, the old jacket had a very descreet black woven 'Dryvent' logo. The new one is white. |
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| Metal zip teeth on the old jacket and plastic on new |
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| The old front pocket only used one press stud and the new one has two |
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| The fur hood trip appears identical |
As mentioned, since I bought this in the Spring, I'll have to wait until next winter to see how well it performs in very cold weather.
