The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 - Women's Review

Understated and highly functional, the Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 accomplishes a lot in a small space. It's a 3-in-1 jacket that couples a waterproof exterior and a well-integrated zip-in synthetic liner. If you intend to wear thick layers underneath, definitely note that most testers agree that this model runs a little slimmer than most ski jackets, so size accordingly.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

Due to the multiple pieces of this jacket, it was slightly challenging to rank it for warmth. When worn all together as a 3-in-1, it was incredibly warm, perfect for frigid days riding the chairlift. However, for those who ski very aggressively, it might be too warm. The versatility of the removable inner insulating layer is a great solution for this issue. For someone who always gets cold and would rather be too warm than chilled, this is a good jacket. It's also a great choice for someone who doesn't like to wear multiple layers underneath. The jacket's inner insulation is built in additional layers.

We tested the outer shell on its own as well. Without the interior insulated jacket, we found it much easier to regulate our body temperature. This shell has great weather resistance, shedding snow and moisture with ease. Wearing the inner insulated jacket was only necessary on super cold days. As an added bonus the insulated jacket looked great on its own and was fun to wear out on the town after skiing.

Weather Resistance

The Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate has a waterproof, breathable, seam-sealed 75-denier DryVent 2-layer shell with mechanical stretch. We took it out on a misty day of freezing rain and didn't feel a drop seep through. We wore the outer shell alone, attached it to the inner insulating layer, and stayed dry both ways.

We also found that the jacket protected us in windy conditions. The San Juan mountains in southwest Colorado are notorious for their intense winds and high elevation cold. Testing here, we found that the hood and burly shell kept the gusts well at bay. The insulated layer contributes to the overall weather resistance of the jacket, but we found that when we wore the ultralight outer shell by itself, we felt only a slight bit of wind.

Comfort and Fit

We like the mechanical stretch of the jacket's shell material but found that this model fits a touch small when both layers are worn together, particularly across the shoulders. The waist and hood were reasonably sized, but the zippers buckled across the chest at this pinch point. Our lead tester is consistently a size medium and felt that a size large would have been more comfortable in this jacket. We recommend sizing up for comfort and functionality, especially if you want to layer up underneath this model. The jacket has a flattering fit that falls below our hips. The sleeves are long enough for our liking and have slightly oversized cuffs.

The insulating layer is form-fitting and worn alone and makes for a nice casual layer to wear off the slopes. We took the ultralight outer shell on a short backcountry ski tour and toted it around Telluride's famous hike-to terrain. We found that it was very comfortable in both uphill uses. We like that the shell on this 3-in-1 is so thin. Many other jackets of this style have a pretty thick external shell. Still, the relative thinness and low weight of the Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate's shell make it even more versatile. Despite how much the jacket has going on with its 3-in-1 design, it was surprisingly comfortable worn in all iterations.

Ventilation

3-in-1 style jackets, and insulated jackets in general, are not known for exceptional ventilation and breathability. The Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate did not shine in this metric. When skiing hard in all layers together, we quickly built up excess warmth and found it difficult to dump heat. The insulating layer lacks pit vents, so the pit vents on the external shell are only minimally effective. This design is an issue with all 3-in-1 jackets we have ever tested. The lightweight DryVent outer shell breathes well when it's worn by itself.

By removing the insulating layer when the day heats up, we were able to ventilate on most days adequately, but you'll need somewhere to stash the insulating layer when you shed it. The outer shell layer has pit zips, which help a lot with ventilation. When we went for a short hike in the outer layer alone, we found that we didn't get sweaty at all.

Style

With new colors for this season, this jacket features bright contrasting zips, bringing it up to speed with many of the jackets on the market currently. It has a long, form-fitting shape that is tapered at the waist and flared over the hips. We find that it flatters multiple body types.

The jacket comes in several colors, and we love the almost neon pastel of the version we tested. There are also patterned options and several combinations with North Face's insulated ski pants that make a complete, stylish kit. That being said, these colors might be a little bit too flashy for some.

Features

This jacket has all the features we've come to know and expect from The North Face. We are impressed and satisfied with all the pockets (and pocket placement on both the outer hardshell and the inner liner). The inner pockets don't have zipper closures, but they are quite deep. There is a key lanyard in one of the front hand pockets on the outer shell.

The points of contact (zippers and snap hooks) between the insulating layer and outer shell never failed during our testing period and held things together nicely. We never found that the inner liner had started to come unzipped by the end of the day. We wish the hood were roomier; it was a bit snug over our helmet, but again, we attribute that to the overall slim fit of the jacket. We'd size up to take full advantage of all the features.

Should You Buy The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate?

This jacket surprised us with its bright, good looks, ski-appropriate features, and ability to transform from shell to insulated parka; it kept us dry when it was wet and warm when it was cold. Although we got warm when skiing hard, the user can adapt the jacket to the external temperatures effectively with minimal effort. We love skiing and skinning in the outer shell, but we added the insulating layer on super cold days when riding the chair. This jacket performs well both on the slopes and off and seems durable and well-made. Given that it's three jackets in one, the Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate presents a strong value.

What Other Ski Jackets Should You Consider?

Even though The North Face Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 is of exceptional value as a convertible jacket, it still underperforms in some key areas. As far as insulated jackets go, the Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0 offers improved mobility for skiers who hike and ski aggressively. On the subject of uphill travel, the Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate suffers in terms of ventilation. A shell jacket like the Outdoor Research Carbide is a more valuable purchase for those who want better ventilation with ease.