The North Face Infiesto 1/4 Zip Review
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One of the most versatile pieces of clothing one can have for outdoor activities is a 1/4 zip fleece top. This style is one of the best sellers among many brands and there’s a good reason for this, they are functional for pretty much any activity. The North Face Infiesto 1/4 Zip is a lightweight 1/4 zip fleece which will quickly become your go to clothing for pretty much every activity that comes to mind.
Summit Series Collection
The North Face Infiesto 1/4 Zip is part of the TNF Summit Series which automatically lends itself some street cred. As some of you know, TNF has a number of different collections and the Summit Series has always been one of the gold standards when it comes to TNF apparel. In general, when a TNF piece of clothing is labeled Summit Series, it means it’s harness and pack compatible. This means that it’s typically meant for climbers and high alpine adventurers. What this means to me is that the clothing in this collection is meant to withstand rigorous use. Climbers and high alpine adventurers are notorious for being hard on their gear. While the Summit Series is designed for Climbing and high alpine use, it’s definitely not the only thing it can be used for.
Uses for The North Face Infiesto 1/4 Zip
Great fit of the TNF Infiesto 1/4 zip moves with you while running. Keeps me warm, but not too warm in cool temps
Running – Living in a Colorado mountain town, Winters last a little longer and the mornings and evenings are a little colder than most places. I’ve had dozens of cooler weather runs ranging from 5 miles up to 20 miles and Infiesto 1/4 Zip has become one of my go-to tops. It keeps you warm enough on the cooler and cloudy days, but it also breathes much better than most 1/4 zips on the market for when the temps warm up. This is primarily due to the little square patterns on the inside that allows air to easily move through this top helping to prevent you from overheating. I’ve worn the Infiesto 1/4 Zip a number of times with a running pack/vest and didn’t notice any odd wear spots.
Testing the TNF Infiesto 1/4 Zip while running and hiking the Northern California coastline
Hiking – As mentioned in the running section, the TNF Infiesto 1/4 Zip breathes incredibly well. So when you’re on an incline, you generally don’t have to worry about shedding a layer to prevent you from being a sweaty pig. The top isn’t too baggy, so if you run into any wind or rain, it’s easy to throw a shell over the Infiesto without feeling like the Michelin Man.
Skiing – The Infiesto 1/4 Zip works great as a mid-layer for skiing when it’s not super cold out. I’ve tested this top out a number of times skiing with a shell over it in temps down to 15 F and have been completely comfortable. Since it breathes well, it also works great for ski touring or spring skiing as well.
Climbing – I personally didn’t use the Infiesto 1/4 Zip for climbing, so I have to take the word from TNF that it works for climbing.
Miniature Golf – For the serious miniature golfers out there, the TNF Infiesto 1/4 will knock your knickers off. This top moves with every type of golf stroke you have. Whether you’re putting a long 20 ft putt from the tee or a 6 inch putt in for birdie, the Infiesto is sure to impress!
Other Uses – Outside of active pursuits, Infiesto 1/4 Zip is a comfortable and nice looking top for everyday use. Depending on your casual style, the Infiesto can work great for walking around town, walking the dog, or hanging out at your local brew pub.
Infiesto 1/4 Zip Fit
Testing the TNF Infiesto 1/4 Zip with a running pack
I weigh in at 168-172 lbs. depending on the day and found a size medium to fit perfectly. I am a little chesty and found that the TNF Infiesto 1/4 zip never restricted my movement, which I can tell you that not all 1/4 zips fit this way. The fit of this top is considered to be athletic, so if you fit on the heftier side, it might be a little snug and you should probably size up.
Material
Fleece fabric on inside
The material used in Infiesto 1/4 Zip is a lightweight fleece. The top doesn’t have your typical warm fuzzy lining, but it has a square like backer that is doesn’t get as warm. TNF mentions on their website it’s a good next to skin, but I have found that I prefer wearing a tech tee underneath vs. wearing it alone. This way in the event you do get too warm, you can always shed a layer.
Final Thoughts
The North Face Infiesto 1/4 Zip is sure to impress almost any type of athlete out there. This top is ideal for shoulder seasons as well as cooler mornings and evenings during the summer. For more information, please visit www.thenorthface.com or www.amazon.com/thenorthface.
