The North Face Campshire Hoodie Review

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The Campshire is a less-tech-more-lifestyle entry, competing with the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. The Campshire goes all in for warmth and comfort, and we appreciate a fleece that does one thing well instead of doing a few things okay. If you're hunting for a fleece for ski-touring or climbing, look elsewhere, but if lounging in front of the fire or long walks on the beach are in your future, pick up a Campshire Hoody.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The high pile polyester sherpa fleece feels like wearing a blanket. Though not quite as warm as some of the thickest fleeces in our selection, this pullover is softer, more supple, and easier to layer underneath a waterproof rain shell or wind layer.

The hood and collar kick the heat up a notch, resting over the chin when fully zipped. The cuffs aren't super tight, and sometimes our testers noticed a draft, but loose sleeves add to the comfort. While the thickness of this jacket makes it unsuitable for high octane pursuits, it has no problem keeping us warm on chilly evenings while hanging around with our favorite people.

Comfort

"I feel like I'm being hugged by a bunch of koalas". "It's like I'm wearing a blanket all the time!". Our testers are vocal about their love of the Campshire and were weary to give it up.

We can't attest what it actually feels like to be in the sweet embrace of a koala, but we get the sentiment. This fleece is comfortable. There is a large handwarmer pocket in the front and a kangaroo pocket with a Velcro closure. Everything you need in camp can fit into the front pouch; headlamps, gloves, beers, even an entire box of crackers disappears into the huge pocket. The elbow pads don't add to or detract from the comfort, but they look good. The quarter-length zipper is backed by a generous flap, which we hardly noticed it against a t-shirt or even bare skin. The hood is oversized, swallowing our heads in a nest of warmth. We really can't overstate the comfort of this fleece. It's like the fleece jacket equivalent of a bathrobe; if warmth and comfort are your sole priorities, the Campshire is an obvious choice, a tester favorite, and our Top Pick for Comfort.

Breathability

The high pile fleece is thick and fluffy, and it doesn't breathe well. We'd say that if you're working up a sweat while wearing this fleece, you're just doing it wrong.

As soon as our testers pulled on the Campshire, no one wanted to do very much of anything anyway. For heavy endurance activities, grab a breathable fleece and save the Campshire for marathon campfire sessions.

Layering Ability

This fleece isn't form-fitting, and the double front pockets feel bulky underneath an outer layer.

The Campshire is softer than the other comfort pieces in this review, making it a slightly better layering piece, but if you are looking for a mid-layer fleece for layering, there are much better options that will lay more comfortably under a shell.

Weather Resistance

The Campshire's high loft and thickness offer decent wind resistance, but not as much as a hard-faced fleece.

The high pile fleece will keep the rain off until you can run inside your tent but don't expect to stay dry in the Campshire for more than a few minutes in heavy precip. Due to its thickness, this fleece takes a long time to dry out, so in a downpour, you'll quickly go from a "cuddly bear" to a "big wet dog" situation. Again, a hard-faced fleece or a better layering fleece that fits well under a shell is a much better option when precip is in the forecast.

Weight

This fleece is a warm but heavy 22 ounces, and it's pretty bulky when we jammed it down into our packs, especially compared to svelt competitors made to be layered under a shell.

It doesn't belong on long, human-powered backcountry expeditions, but it's right at home when it's time to tell stories about long, human-powered backcountry expeditions at the bar or in front of the fire.

Value

This isn't a steal for a fleece with so little versatility, but the material is thick and sturdy. If you're inclined to fork over the dough for the Campshire, you're likely to enjoy it for years to come. Other fleeces breathe and layer better than the Campshire, but none are as comfortable, and they don't have a marsupial pocket big enough to hold an entire box of crackers.

Conclusion

The North Face Campshire is a style fleece and can't compete with the more technical fleeces in our review in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio or weather resistance. As far as comfort is concerned, this fleece is a champion. It's the kind of jacket that makes a great gift in the same way that a comfy flannel or a warm pair of slippers do. As fall weather rolls in, don't hesitate to treat yourself or someone you love. Pull on a Campshire Hoody and relax. The Campshire is good for chilling hard. If you're not, you will be as soon as you put one on. We found this piece is too heavy and bulky to carry around in the backcountry. Walking around town on chilly fall days, cool evening sessions at the boulders, or post-surfing breakfasts on the beach are all perfect times to don this fleece.