REI Co-op vs The North Face: which sweatpant to buy, and when
Both land in the mid tier: the REI Co-op Co-op Fleece Jogger at $65, the The North Face Heritage Patch Jogger at $70, $5 apart. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| REI Co-op | The North Face | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $65 | $70 |
| Material | Cotton-blend fleece, ~10oz, brushed interior. | Cotton/polyester fleece, ~9oz mid-weight, brushed interior. |
| Fit | Clean functional tapered fit, true to size. | Relaxed tapered fit, true to size. |
| Quality | Solid mid-tier — warm dependable fleece, tidy construction. | Solid mid-tier — warm fleece, durable patch and waistband, dependable everyday wear. |
| Best for | Warm everyday joggers, outdoor-casual wear, and co-op members. | Warm everyday wear, recognisable outdoor-brand looks, and casual athleisure. |
| Care | Wash cold and tumble low to preserve the fleece and the clean cut. | Cold wash inside-out and tumble low to protect the logo patch and the fleece. |
REI's Co-op Fleece Jogger at $65 brings a warmer ~10oz cotton-blend fleece; The North Face Heritage Patch Jogger at $70 runs ~9oz mid-weight with a relaxed cut and the recognisable TNF patch. The extra $5 buys outdoor-brand cachet and a durable patch detail, but slightly less fleece weight.
- The case for REI Co-op
- Five dollars cheaper, warmer ~10oz fleece, member dividend value, clean understated look
- The case for The North Face
- Recognisable North Face name, durable patch and waistband, relaxed comfortable cut, outdoor-brand cachet
VerdictThe pick
Buy the REI if warmth-per-dollar is the priority; the ~10oz fleece is heavier than the North Face's ~9oz and it costs $5 less, with the member dividend on top. Pay the extra $5 for the North Face if you want the name recognition, the relaxed fit, and the durable heritage patch. Skip the upcharge if the brand on the leg means nothing to you. Quality is comparable mid-tier on both, so it's warmth versus cachet.
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