When it comes to staying warm in frigid temperatures, Canada Goose and The North Face are two of the most popular outerwear brands. Both companies make high-quality jackets designed to withstand extreme cold and harsh weather conditions. But which brand makes the better winter coat? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll examine the key differences between Canada Goose and The North Face when it comes to warmth, weather resistance, style, fit, price and more. Read on to see which of these cold-weather giants comes out on top.
Warmth
Warmth is the most important factor for any winter jacket. So how do Canada Goose and The North Face stack up in terms of insulation?
Canada Goose Warmth
Canada Goose jackets are filled with premium goose down, which provides exceptional warmth even in sub-zero temperatures thanks to the natural insulating properties of down feathers. The fill power (a measure of loft and quality) ranges from 600 to 800, with higher numbers indicating more insulation. Many styles also feature coyote fur trim around the hood to stop heat loss from escaping through gaps. Canada Goose’s Thermal Experience Index rates their parkas on a scale from 1 (lightest) to 5 (warmest) so you can choose the right amount of insulation you need. Most parkas range from a 3 to 5 on this scale.
The North Face Warmth
The North Face uses a combination of goose and duck down along with proprietary synthetic insulations like ThermoBall. ThermoBall mimics the structure of down clusters using small, round clusters of fibers. This captures heat and reduces cold spots. The fill power of The North Face down insulation ranges from 550 to 800. Their Heatseeker insulation also helps retain warmth in key areas like the hood and collar. While some ultra-warm parka styles from The North Face provide similar warmth to Canada Goose, most of their jackets fall in the lightweight to mid-weight warmth categories.
Winner: Canada Goose
With its focus solely on premium goose down paired with high fill powers and strategic fur elements, Canada Goose provides exceptional shielding from the cold. The North Face offers versatile insulation across a range of warmth levels, but Canada Goose is the winner when maximum warmth is the top priority.
Weather Resistance
Beyond insulation, outer shells also play a critical role in blocking wind, rain, and snow. Let’s see how the external fabrics on Canada Goose and The North Face jackets hold up.
Canada Goose Weather Resistance
Canada Goose uses proprietary fabrics engineered for rugged durability and extreme conditions. Their Arctic Tech and Dura-Force shell fabrics have a polyester or nylon exterior that’s tightly woven and treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. This causes moisture to bead up and roll off the surface. Critically taped seams add further weatherproofing. The longer thigh-length cut of Canada Goose parkas also helps seal out gusts of wind.
The North Face Weather Resistance
The North Face employs a range of proprietary waterproof breathable fabrics like DryVent, HyVent and Futurelight. These use a polyurethane (PU) coating and/or ePTFE membrane to block liquid water while allowing sweat vapor to escape. Features like fully taped seams, internal wind skirts, and fixed hoods boost storm protection. While some styles are expedition-grade, most are designed for less extreme weather like city winter use or seasonal snowfall.
Winner: Canada Goose
With its relentless focus on highly technical shells tested in Arctic conditions, Canada Goose is the winner for weather protection. The North Face offers greater style variety with good weather resistance tailored to your needs, but Canada Goose is unmatched when facing the harshest elements.
Style
Along with performance, style is important when choosing any jacket. Canada Goose and The North Face have their own aestheticapproaches.
Canada Goose Style
Canada Goose has a distinctive look led by their signature round red, white, and blue logo patch. Most designs are long thigh or hip-length parkas in solid, dark colors like black, graphite, navy or military green. Detailing like fur hood trim, leather trim, and Canada Goose disk buttons on the sleeves add unique style touches. Overall the look leans rugged and sleek rather than bright or flashy.
The North Face Style
The North Face has a wider range of colors and silhouette options beyond just parkas. Shorter jackets, 3-in-1 designs, hooded or collarless options, cinched waists, and bold color blocking make many North Face styles versatile urban pieces. The brand collaborates with outdoor-inspired fashion labels like Junya Watanabe and MM6 Maison Margiela for unique limited edition collections.
Winner: The North Face
For shoppers wanting more versatility and on-trend winter looks, The North Face is the winner for style variety. Canada Goose has its signature look dialed in, but The North Face offers greater choices.
Fit
Finding a properly fitted jacket is crucial for comfort, mobility and keeping the elements out. So which brand offers the better fit experience?
Canada Goose Fit
Canada Goose parkas have an roomy, oversized fit designed to fit over layers or a suit jacket. But they include interior shoulder straps and ribbed cuffs to cinch in that volume and seal out cold air. Recent collections have added more tailored lines for a modern feel. Their sizing offers a good range from XXS to XXL. Petite and tall sizes are now available online as well.
The North Face Fit
The North Face provides a more customized, active fit. Shaped lines, elastic ribbed cuffs and adjusting cords let you tweak the silhouette. There is also extensive size diversity from XXS to XXXL, including tall, petite and plus sizes. People with wider or narrower frames can find an optimal fit.
Winner: The North Face
With more tailored, dialed-in sizing in an extensive range, The North Face offers a more adaptive fit for different body types. Canada Goose focuses on roominess but has been expanding its fit range. Overall The North Face gets the edge for fit flexibility.
Price
Along with performance, price is a major factor when comparing winter jackets. Canada Goose and The North Face occupy different pricing tiers.
Canada Goose Price
Canada Goose jackets are a premium product with prices ranging from $495 USD for a lightweight Hybridge Lite vest up to $1750 USD for an Expedition winter parka. Most of their core parkas fall between $850-$1150 USD. This pricing positions them as a high-end investment piece. While expensive, fans feel the quality and construction justify the price long-term.
The North Face Price
The North Face covers a wider spectrum from budget-friendly to performance premium. Light down jackets start around $150-$250 USD while heavy duty parkas can reach up to $399 USD. But most of their designs fall in the $220 to $350 USD range, making them an accessible option for more shoppers.
Winner: The North Face
For budget-conscious shoppers, The North Face is definitely the winner when it comes to price. Canada Goose commands a premium for their products that may not work for all shoppers. But the high resale value of Canada Goose jackets helps offset the initial investment.
Durability
To maximize value, winter jackets need to stand up to years of wear. Let’s compare the lasting quality of Canada Goose and The North Face.
Canada Goose Durability
All Canada Goose parkas are rated for heavy use in challenging environments like Arctic expeditions. The fabrics, insulation, and construction are made to last seasons of wear without losing warmth or weatherproofness. Each parka gets put through rigorous field-testing before release. Canada Goose also offers a lifetime warranty against defects and craftsmanship.
The North Face Durability
The North Face designs their jackets to provide seasons of performance in demanding mountain and backcountry conditions. Materials used are durable but tailored to the specific model’s intended end use. Some high-end styles match Canada Goose for rugged build quality while more casual styles aren’t quite as heavy duty. The North Face provides a limited lifetime warranty on workmanship and materials as well.
Winner: Canada Goose
Both brands make outdoor gear designed to last but Canada Goose takes durability to the extreme with their overbuilt Expedition parkas. All Canada Goose jackets are engineered for maximum longevity from city streets to Arctic extremes. So Canada Goose gets the win for hardcore durability.
Sustainability
With growing environmental awareness, sustainability has become a priority for outerwear brands. Here’s how Canada Goose and The North Face are reducing their impact.
Canada Goose Sustainability
In recent years, Canada Goose has taken major steps to offset their use of animal products. Their goal is to achieve 90% traceability of animal-based materials by 2021 and 100% by 2025 through standards like the Responsible Down Standard. Canada Goose also introduced reclaimed fur and down cycling programs to repurpose materials. Their made in Canada production minimizes shipping miles as well.
The North Face Sustainability
The North Face has comprehensive environmental and animal welfare standards for their materials supply chain. By 2025, 100% of their products will use recycled or renewable materials as part of their Climate Beneficial Design program. The brand is also increasing use of recycled polyester and down while eliminating PFCs by 2023. Greater use of wind and solar energy in manufacturing helps further reduce The North Face’s footprint.
Winner: The North Face
While Canada Goose has elevated their sustainability practices recently, The North Face is the winner in this area for their longer-term commitment to environmentally conscious design and manufacturing processes across their extensive product line.
Conclusion
So which is better – Canada Goose or The North Face? Both are leaders in technical outerwear with obsessive attention to quality, function and performance. But they excel in different areas.
If you want the absolute warmest protection against brutal cold, Canada Goose is unbeatable. Their premium goose down, signature style, and rugged builds make them ideal for life in cold climates or expeditions to extreme environments.
For more casual winter use or shoppers who prioritize style and budget, The North Face can’t be beat. Their extensive selection with good cold weather performance provides options for different needs. Environmentally-minded buyers may also favor The North Face’s sustainability focus.
Ultimately the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. While both are outstanding cold weather jacket brands, Canada Goose leads for maximum warmth while The North Face is stronger in style and value. Carefully consider how and where you’ll use your jacket to decide which brand is right for you.