The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Vest - Zwart

The down is noticeably warmer than my old synthetic puffers, and the stowable hood in the collar is a clever touch for unexpected rain. The 700 fill keeps the chill off without feeling bulky under a shell.

Picked this up for layering on chilly fall hikes and the recycled down is noticeably warm without any bulk. The taffeta overlays on the shoulders give it a nice bit of texture that stands out from my other vests. Definitely glad I went with the black—it goes with everything.

The stowable hood tucked into the stand collar is such a clean detail—I’ve worn this over a sweater in 40-degree weather and stayed perfectly warm without any bulk. The 700-fill down feels light but traps heat exactly where I need it.