REASONS TO BUY
Highly versatile
Warm
Loaded with ski-friendly features
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Poor ventilation in combined figuration
Not a good value
The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate Review
This versatile jacket helps you customize your layers, whether you prioritize warmth, weather resistance, or both
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
RELATED: Best Ski Jackets for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate is a good 3-in-1 jacket, providing excellent versatility and a good fit. It combines an insulated mid-layer and a waterproof, breathable hardshell jacket that can be taken apart and worn separately as an insulated sweater or a stand-alone hard shell. These jackets are fairly warm when worn together, and the shell component succeeds in keeping out the worst winter weather. The style is pretty good, and the jacket is loaded with ski-specific features that make life on the hill more convenient. If you are looking for a great mid-layer and a ski jacket system, this is a good option, though there are better values to be found. To see how it fares next to the other options we tested, see our best ski jacket review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $200.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $179.97 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $319 List $158.83 at REI | $199 List $98.83 at REI | $73 List $69.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A versatile 3-in-1 option for resort skiers and snowboarders | A favorite 3-in-1 jacket with good protection, pockets, and slouchy style | This shell nearly matches the performance of much more expensive products | This jacket doesn't excel in any attribute, but it doesn't fall short either | This inexpensive and warm jacket ticks all the boxes for a solid ski jacket |
| Rating Categories | The North Face Ther... | 686 Smarty 3-in-1 F... | REI Co-op First Cha... | REI Co-op Powderbou... | GEMYSE Men's Mounta... |
| Warmth (20%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Ventilation (20%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | The North Face Ther... | 686 Smarty 3-in-1 F... | REI Co-op First Cha... | REI Co-op Powderbou... | GEMYSE Men's Mounta... |
| Main Fabric | 75D Polyester | Nylon | Recycled polyester | Nylon | Unknown |
| Insulation | Synthetic | Synthetic 160g | None | 60g polyester sleeves, 80g polyester body | Synthetic and faux-fleece |
| Pockets | 2 handwarmer, 1 chest, 1 sleeve, 1 internal stash | 2 handwarmer, 2 chest, 1 internal mesh | 2 handwarmer, 2 chest flap, 2 chest zipper, 1 internal zipper, 1 intenal mesh, 1 sleeve | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 sleeve, 1 internal zippered chest, 1 internal mesh | 2 handwarmer, 1 chest, 1 internal zip, 1 internal stash |
| Weight (size large) | 2.55 lbs | 3,15 lbs | 1.73 lbs | 1.81 lbs | 3.63 lbs |
| Water Resistance | DryVent 2L | infiDRY | Gore-Tex | 2-layer waterproof breathable laminate | Unknown |
| Hood | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Adjustable | Removable |
| Pit-Zips | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cuff construction | Velcro | Elastic strap with velcro | Velcro | Interior wide hook-and-loop adjustments and external velcro | Stretchy wrist gaiters and external velcro |
| Powder skirt | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| RECCO | No | No | No | No | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Skiing in The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate during testing.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Warmth
This jacket provides plenty of warmth and is suitable for use on cold winter days. This performance is achieved by using synthetic insulation in the sweater component and a hanging mesh liner in the shell. Overall, these two pieces trap plenty of air between layers of fabric, creating a warm system. When worn alone, the shell jacket is warmer than the shell-only jackets on the market due to the hanging mesh liner. The synthetic puffy sweater is warm enough for chilly fall and spring days. Compared to other single-piece insulated ski jackets, the combined jacket is right up there for warmth, but it still isn't cold enough on its own for single-digit weather.
The inner synthetic layer is fairly warm, but not warm to provide your only insulation on cold days.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Weather Resistance
The Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate proved to be a fairly weather-resistant jacket in our testing. The North Face's proprietary DryVent fabric is completely waterproof, and the seams are sealed. We also like the DWR used in this product. After an extended soaking in the shower, water still beaded up on the fabric. The attached hood is large and easily fits a helmet. The adjustment cords are easy to work with gloved hands. The sleeves and hem are long enough to keep all body parts covered. There is also an attached powder skirt, but you need to separate the shell from the liner before you can use it. Another bummer is that the pockets do not have waterproof zippers, allowing water to enter if worn on stormy days with temperatures above freezing.
The Thermoball's hood provides great coverage over a ski helmet
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Comfort and Fit
The ECO Snow Triclimate has a neutral fit, meaning it is loose but not too baggy. The hem is a bit long, contributing to the jacket's style and weather resistance. The torso is also roomy, almost a little boxy when compared to the more contoured or tailored fit of some of the high-end ski jackets on the market. The inner fabric of the synthetic puffy sweater is comfortable against the skin, and a large fleece chin guard protects against abrasion from the zipper or shell fabric. We also appreciate the fleece-lined handwarmer pockets.
This jacket fits the way most insulated ski jackets do.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Ventilation
The ECO Snow Triclimate suffers from poor ventilation. The armpit vents only extend through the jacket's shell, not the insulated liner. However, if you purchased a shell jacket and a synthetic liner separately, you would end up with the same problem. Our testers noted that the synthetically-insulated mid-layer component is not that breathable. The armpit vents are long and unencumbered by mesh. This design allows for lots of airflow through the vents. The outer shell fabric is somewhat breathable but nothing special. This jacket isn't our first choice for warm-weather skiing or for highly aerobic activities like skiing moguls or hiking to find fresh powder.
The Thermoball's underarm vents are about average length, but the synthetic mid-layer doesn't breath well.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Features
The ECO Snow Triclimate has all the features you need to enjoy a day on the slopes. Two handwarmer pockets with a comfortable fleece lining and an external chest pocket give you plenty of room to stash your trail map, wallet, car keys, or lip balm. We like the inclusion of a powder skirt, but we wish it were removable because we don't use it that often. There is also a ski pass pocket on the sleeve and a goggle wipe on a lanyard from the pass pocket. The hood is highly adjustable but uninsulated. The shell features an internal mesh pocket that you can't access if the liner jacket is in place.
Style
As far as looks, the Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate is modest and agreeable. The cut is loose but not baggy, and the length is just right. Our testers and style confidants thought the jacket's design was unremarkable and would fit right in with a crowd. But if you want to turn heads and make a fashion statement, look elsewhere. The majority of skiers will look good and feel good in this jacket.
Should You Buy the ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate?
While this jacket presents good versatility thanks to the 3-in-1 modular system, we think there are better options on the market in this small niche. That said, they all perform in the same range, but the Thermoball is more expensive than the others, and we don't think it's worth the premium price. The style, comfort, and ventilation in this jacket are average, but the price is a bit steep. If you like the style of this jacket in particular, maybe it is worth the price. The North Face has a lifetime warranty, which is always nice.
The North Face ThermoBall ECO Snow Triclimate is a good jacket overall, but it comes at a steeper price than similar alternatives.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
What Other Ski Jackets Should You Consider?
With better warmth and style, and for a bit less money than the Thermoball Triclimate, you could buy the 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated, our favorite 3-in-1 jacket. An even less expensive option is the Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange, but this jacket has a lot less performance. In the bargain basement, you'll find the GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining, which is warm and protective for a fraction of the price of other ski jackets. If you're looking for something more refined, the Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket is our favorite on the market, and the Arc'teryx Rush is our top pick for backcountry skiing.
—
Jeff Dobronyi
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