The North Face Pertex Nuptse Reversible Jacket Merges Heritage and Streetwear
The North Face reengineers its iconic Nuptse jacket with a reversible Pertex Quantum design for Autumn/Winter 2026, blending 1990s alpine heritage with modern streetwear style.
The North Face Pertex Nuptse reversible jacket is the latest iteration of the iconic puffer, now featuring a dual-identity reversible construction. Available now in men's and women's versions, the jacket is part of the brand's Autumn/Winter 2026 Ever Icons collection. It flips between a side with familiar oversized quilted baffles and a reverse with a smoother, matte finish.
Heritage and Evolution
The North Face Nuptse jacket was originally created in 1992 as a high-performance expedition piece for alpine climbers, named after a neighboring peak of Everest. Within a few years, it was adopted by New York's rap scene and transcended its alpine origins to become a streetwear staple. Legendary partnerships with Supreme, Junya Watanabe, and Gucci later cemented its status as a canvas for high-fashion crossovers. For three decades, the brand has leaned into this split identity between expedition gear and streetwear icon. The new Pertex Nuptse Reversible Jacket is the first literal manifestation of that dual identity, engineered for the modern tastemaker who demands both form and function.
Technical Construction
The jacket combines heritage design with advanced technical innovation. It uses 700-fill recycled goose down insulation, the same fill that made the 1996 Retro Nuptse a global bestseller, delivering exceptional warmth without bulk. Thermal efficiency is amplified by Pertex Quantum fabric, an ultra-lightweight, durable textile engineered to maximize insulation performance and prevent down leaks.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Outer Body Fabric | 38 g/m² Pertex Quantum (100% recycled nylon) |
| Reverse Body Fabric | 39 g/m² recycled nylon |
| Insulation | 700-fill recycled goose down |
| Finish | Fluorine-free DWR on both faces |
Design and Wearability
With dual-sided styling, the jacket offers volume or minimalism while maintaining mobility. One side showcases the heritage, oversized baffle construction from the 1990s with a glossy shell, blacked-out yoke, and prominent logo hits. The reverse side features a sleek, matte silhouette with a slimmer quilt pattern and a more subtle embroidered logo. This reversible design allows a transition between traditional street volume and refined minimalism.
The jacket has a relaxed, fully reversible fit with a center back length of 26 inches. Sizes range from XS to XXL. Key design features include a reversible VISLON center front zipper, rounded hand pockets with reverse-coil zippers on both sides, articulated sleeves, and fold-over cuffs. Shoulder seams were deleted to prevent pack straps from damaging stitch lines. It can be styled with relaxed wide-leg trousers or paired down for a minimal palette. The jacket is available now on The North Face's website.
