The North Face Unisex Kids Reversible Jacket XXL Fawn Grey Review: warm, chunky, and a bit confusing on water protection

I tried this The North Face Unisex Kids Reversible Jacket in XXL (Fawn Grey) for my kid over a couple of cold weeks, and I’ll be straight: it’s a proper winter jacket, not some thin fashion piece. My kid wore it for school runs, playground, and a couple of windy, near-freezing days. So this isn’t a “tried it on once in the living room” review. It got real use, mud, and a bit of rain.

The first thing that stands out is how thick and warm it feels. You pick it up and you can tell it’s not lightweight. The 600-fill insulation plus the synthetic stuff in the hood is no joke. My kid usually complains about the cold non-stop, and with this coat, that basically stopped. That lines up with some reviews saying their kids don’t say they’re cold anymore.

Where things get a bit weird is the whole water resistance story. The product text mentions a non-PFC DWR finish, which usually means light water resistance, but the specs clearly say “Not Water Resistant”. In practice, it handled a light drizzle fine, but I wouldn’t trust it in a proper downpour. So if you’re expecting a rain jacket, this isn’t it. It’s a cold-weather coat first, everything else second.

Overall, my first impression is: good winter warmth, solid brand, decent build, but with a couple of annoyances. One buyer even got a used jacket with a band-aid in the pocket, which is pretty gross. Mine arrived clean and new, but that kind of review makes you double-check everything. If you’re mainly after warmth for a skinny kid who hates being cold, it’s promising. If you want something waterproof, this is probably not the right pick.

Let’s talk money and whether this jacket is actually worth it. The price hovers around the higher end for kids’ coats (around the $150 mark in some regions, judging by the angry review mentioning the price). That’s a lot for a kid who might outgrow it in a year or two. For that money, you’re paying for brand, build quality, and strong warmth, not a long list of technical features. There’s no real waterproof membrane, no fancy ventilation, no internal pockets. It’s a warm, simple parka with the North Face logo.

Compared to cheaper supermarket or fast-fashion kids jackets, this one is clearly better in insulation and finish. It feels more solid, keeps the kid warmer in proper cold, and should last longer. If you live somewhere with real winters and your kid walks or waits outside a lot, that matters. In that context, the price starts to make more sense, especially if you plan to pass it down to a younger sibling later. The reversible feature also gives you effectively two looks in one coat, which is a small bonus.

But if you compare it to other outdoor brands at similar prices, some competitors offer waterproof-breathable shells, snow skirt, better pocket layout, and more adjustability. Here, you’re definitely missing waterproofing. So the value really depends on your needs: if you mainly want a seriously warm, throw-it-on winter coat for school and everyday life, it’s decent value. If you need something for mixed weather, rain, and more technical use, you can probably find a better-spec jacket for similar money.

Given the overall Amazon rating of 4.6/5 from 80+ reviews, most buyers seem happy. I’d put it in the “good but a bit pricey” category. If you catch it on discount, I’d say go for it. At full price, it’s worth it mainly if cold protection is your top priority and you trust the brand to last more than one season.

Design-wise, this jacket goes for simple and practical rather than sporty or flashy. The outer side has horizontal quilting all over, which gives it that classic puffy winter coat look. The Fawn Grey color is quite neutral and forgiving with dirt. It doesn’t scream “kids’ cartoon jacket”, so it works for older kids who are starting to care about looking more grown-up. My kid didn’t complain once about the look, which is honestly half the battle at this age.

The hood is a fixed, 3-piece hood, so it’s shaped to actually stay on the head and not flop around. No fur trim, no brim, just a basic hood with elastic around the edge. In wind, it stayed put pretty well, but because there’s no drawcord, you can’t tighten it much. Around the cuffs, there’s elastic binding too, which helps keep cold air from rushing up the sleeves. That part is pretty effective, especially when kids are running around and their sleeves ride up a bit.

On the reversible side, the look is more like a smooth polyester shell with fewer visible seams, so it feels a bit cleaner. But like I said earlier, when reversed you don’t get the same pocket layout, which is a bit annoying. The main zipper is an exposed VISLON zip, which feels solid and hasn’t snagged so far. The chin guard is a small detail but my kid noticed and said it was more comfortable than some jackets where the metal zipper hits the chin.

What’s missing for me is small practical extras you sometimes see on other winter coats: no adjustable hem, no Velcro at the cuffs, no reflective strips for visibility in the dark. It’s basically: hood, zipper, two pockets, done. That’s not a deal-breaker, but for the price and the brand, I expected one or two extra touches. Still, if you like clean, simple design and don’t need a ton of bells and whistles, the design does its job.

In daily use, the main thing about this jacket is comfort through warmth. My kid is usually the first to complain about being cold at the bus stop. With this coat on, plus a simple long-sleeve underneath, they were fine around 0–3°C with wind. No “I’m freezing” comments, which is rare. One Amazon review saying their daughter never says she’s cold in it matches my experience. For winter school runs or walking around town, it covers the basics really well.

The flip side is that it’s not a light jacket. It’s a heavyweight piece, and kids will notice the bulk. When my kid wore it in slightly warmer weather (around 7–9°C), they quickly said it was “too hot” after some running. The jacket doesn’t breathe much, so once they start sweating, it stays sweaty. For static activities (standing around, sitting in a stroller, walking slowly), it’s great. For high-energy play in mild cold, it becomes overkill.

Mobility is decent but not perfect. The sleeves are long enough and the shoulders aren’t too tight, but the thick insulation makes it feel a bit stiff when lifting arms above the head or throwing a ball. My kid could still climb on playground equipment, just not as freely as in a thinner softshell. The elastic cuffs help keep the sleeves in place and prevent drafts, which my kid liked. The hood is comfortable and doesn’t dig into the neck, and the chin guard on the zipper is a small but nice touch.

One thing to flag: because it’s reversible, there are no fancy soft inner panels or fleece at the collar. It’s just polyester either way. It’s not scratchy, but it’s not cozy fleece-soft around the neck either. If your kid has very sensitive skin, you might want a scarf or high-collar sweater underneath. Overall, though, my kid didn’t fight wearing it, which is the real comfort test. Warm, a bit bulky, but totally wearable for everyday winter use.

The jacket is made of 100% polyester, inside and out, with recycled polyester mentioned for the shell and lining. The insulation is a mix of 600-fill recycled down (or down-like synthetic, depending on the exact model batch) in the body and Heatseeker Eco synthetic in the hood. In the hand, it feels hefty and properly padded. This is not one of those thin “fashion puffer” jackets; you can feel the stuffing when you squeeze it. My kid immediately said, “This feels warm,” which is about as technical as their feedback gets.

The outer fabric has a non-PFC DWR coating according to the description. That’s supposed to help with light moisture, and in practice, light drizzle just beaded up and rolled off for the first 10–15 minutes. But the Amazon specs also clearly say “Water Resistance Level: Not Water Resistant,” which is honest. Once the rain got a bit heavier and lasted longer, the fabric started to darken and feel damp. The insulation didn’t instantly collapse, but it’s pretty clear this coat is for cold and maybe a bit of drizzle, not serious rain.

The lining is a smooth polyester blend feel that slides easily over sweaters and hoodies. No scratchy spots or weird seams rubbing on the neck. The stitching on my unit was straight and tidy, no loose threads hanging. Compared to cheaper kids jackets I’ve had from supermarket brands, the finish is clearly a step up. Zips feel sturdy, and the elastic at the hood and cuffs hasn’t stretched out after regular use.

One concern: because it’s all polyester and fairly heavy insulation, it can get sweaty if the kid is running like crazy in milder weather (around 8–10°C). My kid came back from a very active playground session a bit clammy underneath. So I’d say this is best for properly cold days close to freezing or below, not for shoulder season. Overall, the materials are solid for warmth and durability, but don’t expect breathable or truly waterproof performance.

On durability, after a couple of weeks of regular use, the jacket still looks pretty much new. No feathers or insulation poking out, no stitching coming loose, and the zipper works smoothly. My kid is not gentle with clothes – playground slides, sitting on concrete, throwing the coat on the floor at home – and the fabric has handled all that without obvious scuffs. The heavyweight feel and North Face branding do show in the build quality.

The elastic around the cuffs and hood has kept its shape so far, which is important because that’s usually what stretches out first on cheaper jackets. The lining hasn’t snagged or torn when pulling it on over rougher sweaters. I’ve washed it once on a gentle machine cycle as recommended, and it came out fine: no clumping of insulation, no shrinking, no weird smells. It does take a while to dry because of the thickness, so plan for that.

However, I have to mention that one Amazon review reported receiving a used jacket with a band-aid in the pocket. That’s disgusting and clearly a seller/warehouse issue, not a design problem, but it’s still something to keep in mind. My unit arrived clean, tags attached, and no signs of wear, but I checked all the pockets and seams because of that review. If you order online, I’d suggest doing a quick inspection as soon as you open the package: check pockets, look for stains, and make sure the tags are there.

Long term, I expect this coat to last at least through one kid and probably be in good enough shape to pass down to a sibling or cousin. The materials are tough enough for everyday school use and weekend play. It’s not indestructible, but compared to budget jackets I’ve had to replace every year, this feels like it will easily cover a couple of seasons if your kid doesn’t outgrow it too fast.

Performance-wise, I’d break this jacket into two parts: cold protection: very good, weather protection: limited. In dry cold, it’s honestly one of the better kids coats I’ve tried. For a week of early-morning temps between -2°C and +3°C with wind, my kid stayed warm with just a long-sleeve or light hoodie underneath. No shivering at the bus stop, no complaints walking home. The 600-fill insulation does its job. The synthetic insulation in the hood keeps the head warm even when there’s some moisture in the air.

In light drizzle, it held up for short periods. Water beaded off at first, but after 20–30 minutes of steady drizzle, the outer fabric started to soak a bit. Not fully drenched, but enough that I wouldn’t send my kid out in proper rain with this as the only layer. The product page calling it “Not Water Resistant” is fair. It’s not a raincoat, and if you treat it as one, you’ll be disappointed. For snow, though, I think it would be fine, as long as it’s not super wet snow or slush-heavy conditions.

Wind protection is solid. The combination of thick insulation, elastic cuffs, and hood means wind doesn’t cut through easily. We had a couple of really gusty days, and my kid said they felt the wind on their face but not on their body, which is what you want. The zipper stayed put and didn’t creep down, and the chin guard prevented cold metal against the skin.

Compared to cheaper brands I’ve used, this one holds warmth better and feels more solid. Compared to more technical kids jackets from outdoor brands that are fully waterproof and breathable, this one falls behind on moisture management and versatility. It’s more of a straightforward winter parka than a technical shell. For basic winter city use and school, performance is strong. For hiking in mixed weather or long rainy days, I’d pick something else.

On paper, this is a reversible kids winter jacket with a hood, meant for cold weather. Size XXL in kids is roughly for older kids / tweens, depending on the brand. The outer color here is Fawn Grey, which in real life looks like a pretty neutral grey-brown tone. Nothing flashy, no big prints, so it works for kids who don’t want loud colors. Being unisex, it doesn’t lean boy or girl. My kid is picky about “looking weird”, and this passed the test without drama.

The jacket is marketed as having 600-fill recycled insulation in the body and Heatseeker Eco synthetic insulation in the hood. Translation: the body is packed with down-like insulation, and the hood gets synthetic padding that still keeps warm even if slightly damp. You get a full-length front zip with a chin guard so the zipper doesn’t scratch the neck, plus two zippered hand pockets on one side. Reversible means you can flip it inside out and wear the other side as the outer. In practice, that’s handy if your kid trashes one side at the playground and wants a cleaner look the next day.

The fit is described as “regular” and “fits as expected”, and I’d agree. My kid is average build, slightly tall for age, and the XXL fit with a bit of room for a hoodie underneath but not so big that they looked like they were drowning in it. Sleeves reached the wrist properly, and the bottom hem hit around the hips, so it’s a standard-length parka style, not a long coat. There’s elastic binding at the hood and cuffs to keep drafts out, which actually works pretty well in wind.

On the downside, there are only two pockets and both are on one side of the reversible setup. When you flip it, you basically lose the secure zipped pockets and just get the look, not the same level of practicality. Also, no inside pocket for phone or keys, which would have been handy for older kids. In short: you get a warm, decent-looking, reversible winter coat from a known brand, but the feature list is pretty basic beyond the insulation and reversibility.