Changes With The Weather

Keep warm -- or keep warmer

By Berne Broudy Posted 10.03.2008 at 10:55 am 5 Comments

North Face Reversible Mercurial Jacket $350 Greg Neumaier

Wear the same 23-ounce jacket whether it's slightly cool or downright frosty outside: A new North Face coat becomes more than a third warmer when it's turned inside-out. Its versatility comes primarily from the way the insulation is sewn. The quilted squares on the metallic -- or cool -- side have small pockets at their edges. When worn on the outside, the pockets stretch open and allow air to flow in and out. When reversed, the jacket pushes the pockets together and traps air inside them, providing greater warmth. As an extra temperature tamer, the aluminum-coated side reflects the sun's rays, while the black side absorbs them.

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5 Comments

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stephenmccstudent

10/05/08 at 11:15 am

How much warmer? I would want to know this before I went out and spent $500 or what ever they will be charging for it.

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chillinbeachside

10/10/08 at 9:33 am

this is so cool, i didn't think people realize how much of a difference this really makes. the inside can change a few degrees just by changing from black to white. my question is why didn't someone think of this sooner?

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nate121393

from fulton

10/11/08 at 3:45 pm

i want to buy one

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jmo hhtx

12/24/08 at 10:02 pm

I think that that is awsome. Im wondering if you switch it the other way out if it will keep you cool. I would like it even more if it is was recycled! I am a green person!

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drumrgy86

03/27/09 at 4:53 pm

Went to a North Face outlet here in Seattle and saw this jacket on the rack. I must admit it felt like a decent jacket but wasnt that much defferent from the other insulated jacks in the same form. I think the reversable idea is great but not quite sure it is worth the $380 they were asking for it. If u got the cash id say its probably worth a try but with that much insulation, even the refective material cant cool ya down that much. I also must add...If its hot and u wanna cool down, isnt it easier to just take the darn thing off?