The North Face Expedition Long Sleeve Zip Neck Review

The North Face Expedition Long Sleeve Zip Neck is a complicated name for a simple shirt. When we break it down, you have 'The North Face', a company named after the coldest, most difficult aspect of northern hemisphere peaks and synonymous with quality, 'Expediton', implying the thickest insulation, 'Long Sleeve', not a t-shirt, and 'Zip Neck', hundreds of tiny plastic teeth will let you adjust your warmth. So to summarize, you have a 'nice, warm, full-length shirt, with a zipper'. (Wait, that's still eight words…)

Performance Comparison

Warmth

As the name suggests, this is an 'expedition' weight base layer and is one of the warmest tested. The 85% polyester/15% elastane blend fabric is uniquely cozy—the interior is lined with soft fleece while the smooth outside displays attractive, knit polyester. These dichotomous materials combine to make a shirt that feels even warmer than the thickness would suggest. A high collar with a zipper provides additional insulation when needed. This fabric is the warmest reviewed, but it placed second overall in this category behind the Patagonia Capilene 4 Expedition Weight 1/4 Zip Hoody because that top includes a hood and thumb loops to keep more of your body covered

Breathability

Unfortunately, the soft, warm, fabric of this long underwear did not breathe well compared to the other base layers. This is probably due more to the thickness of the fabric rather than a flaw in design—The North Face and the Cap 4 were the only expedition weight layers tested; the rest were midweight. Both of these heavier tops have chest zippers for ventilation, but the length of the Cap 4 zipper is twice as long, extending below the heart, and far more effective at letting heat escape. This shirt's zipper appears to be more cosmetic than functional.

Drying Speed

In our air dry test this long underwear finished second to last, taking almost twice as long as the top performer, the Patagonia Merino 2 Lightweight Henley. Like breathability, this deficiency is probably a result of a thick, expedition weight shirt being compared with lighter, midweight, tops. Additionally, the tight fit should improve drying time under real world conditions, when the fabric is stretched, allowing more water vapor to pass through the fibers.

Layering Ability

The North Face advertises this base layer as next-to-skin fit, and it certainly excels in that capacity. However, it can also function over the top of another thin shirt. In fact, for cold conditions, this long underwear works well as an insulating layer over any of the mid weight options tested. Beware though, the soft fleece lining likes to cling to anything underneath.

Durability

The drawbacks of thick fabric in breathability and drying speed are countered by the advantages in durability. This top was the most durable long underwear tested due to abrasion resistant materials and tough stitching that has yet to fail. Our only complaint was the zipper, which looks and feels more delicate than the zipper on the Cap 4.

Comfort and Fit

The cozy fleece interior of this piece is its most unique characteristic. Our testers thought it the softest and most comfortable of any fabric tested. The stretch fit is also well executed; allowing freedom of movement without constriction or discomfort. However, like the Under Armour Base 2.0, this tight fit does present problems. The shirt rides up with arms raised, and when your arms are lowered, the stretch doesn't allow it to fall back down; leaving your belly exposed.

Best Applications

This thick base layer is ideal for cold weather and low to medium intensity activities like downhill skiing or snowshoeing. Around town, its simplistic design is more stylish than the long zippers or ninja hoods on more technical tops.

Value

The $80 street price is a little steep for a simple zip-neck shirt, but it does provide a similar value to some of the other high priced tops tested. Its thick polyester fabric is more robust than merino wool and is likely to also outlast the higher performing, but 50% more expensive, Cap 4.

Conclusion