The North Face Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Hoodie Review

Climbers, skiers, and hikers who aren’t easily deterred by cold weather can get a lot out of an active insulator like The North Face Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Hoodie. This jacket deftly balances two contradictory traits: breathability and warmth. After testing it extensively on shoulder season hikes in the Canadian Rockies, I came away impressed with how well the Casaval regulated temperature. 60 grams of synthetic insulation along the body offer a nice dose of warmth, but uninsulated panels along the underarms and hem efficiently dump heat. Add a stretchy and mobile fabric, an athletic cut, and a minimalist feature set, and the Casaval leaves little to be desired for mountain athletes. To be sure, it’s not the warmest layer for low-output activities in the dead of winter, and I have a few nitpicks with the design, but my complaints are minimal. Below I break down my experiences with the TNF Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Hoodie. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best synthetic jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Breathability
• Weather Protection
• Weight and Packability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Features: Hood and Pockets
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

While The North Face Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Hoodie offers a decent amount of warmth during cold-weather missions, it’s not meant to be an insulator for low-output activities like winter camping. It has a generous dose of synthetic insulation (60g) along the body of the jacket, but the polyester underarm and hem panels are meant to dump heat rather than trap it. This combination makes the Casaval a great active insulator, but it’s not as warm as heavier synthetic jackets. That said, it did a great job at keeping me warm when hiking in chilly weather. I wore it on a day hike up Wilcox Pass in Jasper National Park, where the wind whips off the Columbia Icefield, and it provided the ideal amount of warmth and wind protection. The cool air does permeate the side panels, but my torso still remained warm. The hood, which features 40 grams of insulation, fit snugly around my head, providing extra protection.
 

In my opinion, the Casaval is best suited for day missions rather than overnight trips. I prefer a warmer and heavier insulated jacket for spending time at camp. If you have the space to pack two jackets, the Casaval could serve as a layer for the trail, but I’ve found packing both to be redundant. Of course, it all depends on your desired comfort and the conditions, but it’s worth taking the time to question how the Casaval fits in your overnight kit before packing it. 
 

Breathability

Breathability is one of the Casaval’s high points. As mentioned above, the jacket is equipped with uninsulated panels along the underarms and hem that dump heat. In testing, I found the Casaval so efficient at regulating temperature that I wore it comfortably for the full duration of several hikes. Even when working hard to push the summit, I didn’t overheat. If I were to nitpick, I’d prefer that the whole back be uninsulated rather than just the lower back, which would make it even more breathable when wearing a backpack. While I haven’t had any issues overheating in testing, those who run warmer might find the back insulation too warm.
 

Weather Protection

The Casaval Hoodie is reinforced with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, which held up well to light precipitation, but it won't last in a downpour. In truly wet conditions, it’s best to toss a hardshell jacket over the top. I enjoyed the combination of the Casaval Hoodie with my Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket: The Beta provided great protection from the elements, and the breathable panels on the Casaval kept things from getting too clammy when hiking. I do prefer a synthetic insulator like the Casaval over a down jacket in wet conditions, however. Synthetic insulation continues to insulate when wet (down does not), so if you do get caught out in a rainstorm without a shell, you’ll still be warm. 
 

Weight and Packability

My women’s small Casaval Hoodie weighs 15.7 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than TNF’s claimed weight of 14.8 ounces. It’s about on par with similar jackets on the market. For reference, the Arc’teryx Proton Hoody weighs a bit less at 12.7 ounces, and Rab’s Cirrus Flex weighs 13.4 ounces. If weight is a concern, you can opt for a lighter-weight hybrid jacket like the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid, which weighs just 8.9 ounces on average, though doing so does sacrifice some warmth: The Nano-Air Light Hybrid has just 40 grams of insulation at the front of the jacket and breathable fleece along the back, sides, and underarms.
 

The Casaval doesn’t have a stuff pocket for storage, but it does stuff down easily into its own hood. I also like to pack it into my backpack unstuffed so I can use it to fill the open space between my gear. To summarize: It isn’t the lightest weight or most packable synthetic jacket on the market, but it isn’t noticeably heavy or bulky, either. 
 

Build Quality and Durability

Overall, the Casaval Hoodie is well-made and built to last. The 40 denier (D) fabric uses a combination of polyester and elastane. In my experience, apparel with elastane holds up better than non-stretchy fabrics because when caught on sharp objects like tree branches or gear, it stretches rather than tears. The breathable panels use a slightly thicker 75D blend of polyester and elastane. I’ve had no issues with the durability of this jacket so far, even after wearing it on many hikes and several bushwhacks. My only complaint is a minor one: The main zipper can be challenging to zip up at times, and I'm concerned about its longevity. It has yet to fail me, but I’ll be sure to report back if it does.
 

Features: Hood and Pockets

The Casaval Hoodie features a minimalist and utilitarian design, including two pockets, a hem cinch, and a hood. The hood is helmet-compatible and has a single cinch in the back that can be tightened with one hand. With 40 grams of insulation and a close fit, it does a great job at retaining warmth without overheating. I especially like that the rim of the hood is elasticized, which keeps it snug in blustery conditions.
 

Storage is also kept simple. There are two zippered hand pockets at the front, and the left-hand pocket has an internal mesh pouch that can be used to store valuables. I do think the jacket could benefit from some additional storage, such as internal dump pockets that could be used for gloves. It also doesn’t pack into either of the hand pockets, which isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but might be a bummer for some.
 

Fit and Sizing

The Casaval Hoodie in my normal jacket size (a women’s small) fits me perfectly. TNF calls the fit “standard,” but I’d argue it’s more athletic or slim-fitting. Still, the trim cut is far from restrictive. The fabric is stretchy and agile, and it has held up well on all of my outdoor missions so far. It also slides easily under a hardshell jacket and can accommodate a thicker baselayer underneath. I have no complaints here; the fit is exceptional.
 

Sustainability

Most outdoor gear manufacturers have been putting effort into sustainability lately, utilizing recycled materials, chemical-free water repellents, and ethically sourced materials. The North Face takes a few of these measures with the Casaval Hoodie: the jacket is reinforced with a PFAS-free DWR coating, the insulation is made with 80% recycled polyester, and the breathable panels are made from 89% recycled polyester. The body of the jacket doesn’t seem to use any recycled materials, however. We’d like to see The North Face pursue Fair Trade Certification, which would ensure the use of sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices. However, the current efforts are a good step in the right direction. 
 

Other Versions of the Casaval Hybrid Hoodie

I tested the women’s Summit Series Casaval Hybrid Hoodie, but The North Face also offers the jacket in a men’s-specific fit, which is priced the same. There are non-hooded jacket versions available for both men and women that cost a bit less than the hoodie, as well as a Casaval LT vest for men, which uses 25 grams of synthetic insulation. Looking more broadly, The North Face’s Summit Series is a vast collection of gear made for backcountry travel, including baselayers, ski shells, insulators, running vests, and running shoes.
 

What We Like

• 60-gram synthetic insulation along the body of the jacket provides enough warmth for recreating in cold conditions.
• Breathable, uninsulated panels along the underarms and hem dump heat and prevent overheating when moving quickly in cold weather.
• DWR finish holds up against light precipitation, and face fabric cuts a breeze.
• Lightweight and easy to pack despite not having a dedicated stuff pocket.
• Has so far proven durable after consistent use on technical hikes.
• Minimalist featureset—including a trim hood and hand pockets—has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
• Athletic fit is flattering, mobile, accommodates a baselayer underneath, and slides easily under a hardshell.

What We Don't

• Not warm enough for low-output or wearing around camp.
• To maximize breathability when wearing a backpack, the breathable panels should extend up the back.
• The front zipper is a bit finicky, but it hasn’t failed yet.
• Internal dump pockets would be a welcome inclusion.
• Expensive.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Casaval Hybrid Hoodie is one of our favorite active insulators, but there are many options available on the market to choose from. We often turn to Arc’teryx for their premium athletic apparel, and their Proton Hoody and Atom Jacket are compelling alternatives to the Casaval. Of the two, the Proton is better suited for active use. With 60 grams of synthetic insulation, it’s similarly warm as the Casaval, and the thin, air-permeable face fabric effectively dissipates heat. That said, the Proton Hoody is far more expensive than the Casaval, and while we generally prefer Arc’teryx’s build quality and fit over TNF’s, the Casaval provides a similar performance at a lower price. Arc’teryx’s Atom Jacket is closer to the Casaval in price, but it’s not as great a choice for active use. Despite having 60 grams of synthetic insulation in the body and breathable underarm panels, the face fabric doesn’t dump heat as effectively as the Casaval, making it a better choice for more casual endeavors.
 

Rab’s Cirrus Flex is another one to have on your radar. Unlike most synthetic jackets that use sheets of synthetic fill, the Cirrux Flex features large baffles, giving it a down jacket-like appearance with all the wet-weather benefits of synthetic insulation. It’s 130 grams of insulation is much warmer than the Casaval’s, but the uninsulated side panels dump heat really well. In our opinion, the Cirrus Flex is a better choice for 4-season active use than the Casaval, such as skiing and winter hiking. On the other end of the spectrum, Patagonia’s Nano-Air Light Hybrid uses a lighter dose of insulation (40g) and breathable fleece panels along the back and underarms. If you run warm or are red-lining on the skin track or summits in the winter, the Nano-Air Light Hybrid is a more breathable option, but it’s much more susceptible to wind and moisture. In our opinion, the Casaval Hoodie has a hard-to-beat blend of versatility, backcountry performance, and build quality, earning it a spot among our favorite synthetic jackets.
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