Check Out This Reversible Puffer From The North Face

All that hangin’ around at the crag before and after hangin’ on the wall can get nippy! Ella’s had a go at an iconic plump puffer with a twist to stave off the chill.

I’ve always dreamed of looking like a gorpcore-inspired Violet Beauregarde, and earlier this month, my dreams came true with the release of The North Face’s Reversible Pertex Nuptse.

Originally designed for the Himalayas back in 1992, the Nuptse was part of The North Face’s Expedition System built to keep mountaineers warm in extreme alpine conditions.

Fast forward 34 years and you’ll find me wearing one on a nippy day at the crag in the Blue Mountains, or possibly on my morning coffee run. How far we’ve come!

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Tell Me About the Nuptse

The Nuptse might be one of The North Face’s most recognisable streetwear pieces, but there’s actually a fair bit of function behind all that puff.

Its cropped hem was designed to accommodate a climbing harness, the oversized baffles help keep the down in place, and there aren’t any shoulder seams – so it’s comfy when wearing a backpack.

Somewhere along the way, it made the leap from Himalayan expeditions to the streets of New York and became a bit of a fashion icon.

Now The North Face has given the classic silhouette another spin with the Reversible Pertex Nuptse, which is designed to work just as well for a day out in the Blueys as it does prancing around the wind tunnel that is the Sydney CBD.

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What’s New?

Well, for starters, it’s reversible.

One side has those big, glossy Nuptse baffles we all know and love, while the other is a little more understated with a smoother, matte finish. Two jackets in one, depending on how much attention you’re hoping to attract that day.

It’s also made with Pertex Quantum, a lightweight, tightly woven fabric that does a great job of blocking wind, trapping warmth and keeping the down where it belongs. There’s a water-repellent finish too, which adds a handy layer of protection against light rain and unexpected drizzles at the crag.

Inside, you’ve got 700-fill recycled down insulation, while the outer fabrics are made from recycled nylon. There are also a few thoughtful details carried over from its mountaineering roots, including articulated sleeves and an adjustable hem.

Read more: 10 Best Puffer Jackets in Australia for Men & Women in 2026

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First Impressions

Look, I don’t think anyone needs two versions of the same puffer jacket stitched together, but I can certainly appreciate the appeal.

There’s something pretty cool about how the Nuptse has gone from the mountains to becoming a streetwear staple, all while hanging onto the technical features that made it popular in the first place.

At $650, it’s certainly not cheap, especially when there are plenty of perfectly good puffers out there for less. But with its technical construction, iconic silhouette and a little extra versatility thrown in, I can see why it’s turning heads.

And as for the prospect of becoming a walking, talking blueberry? Consider me intrigued.

Feature photo by @andrew.exploring

@andrew.exploring