North Face Apex Bionic
vs
North Face Apex Chromium
If you love the outdoors or simply want a nice jacket to wear on your daily commute, The North Face is a great brand to go with. Not only do they have quality materials and designs, they also come at a cheaper price point than Patagonia products. The North Face is at the forefront of outdoor gear and wearing their jackets is a trendy way of looking good. Due to the fact that The North Face has so many different jackets, can be difficult to choose the right one for you.
In particular, there are two jackets seem to have many of the same features. In this The North Face Apex Bionic vs Chromium comparison, we will let you in on the differences between these jackets. We know that it can be confusing because they look so similar and are made for the same purpose. But before we get into the details on what makes them unique from each other, we will cover what makes both of them stand out from other jackets.
North Face Apex Bionic vs Chromium
What the Bionic and Chromium Have In Common
We want to make a list of all of the design features that these jackets have so that you understand what you will be getting. In the next section below, will be covering their differences.
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Softshell:
The softshell of these jackets are made to keep you warm in the cool air. They also provide protection against the windchill and the rain. -
Fleece inner lining:
The inner lining of these jackets are made of a comfortable fleece material. If you like to be licensed on inside of your jacket, the Bionic and the Chromium are sure to do that. -
Breathability:
Apart from nice and dry, these jackets are very breathable. This means that you can learn in these jackets without getting any sweat build-up on the inside. -
Stretchy:
One of the best features that these jackets have is that they are stretchy. Regular jackets normally cause people to have to wiggle around in order to adjust themselves because their jackets are not stretchy. But with a stretchy jacket, you definitely get a much more comfortable feel. -
Hem cinch cord:
The hem on both these jackets have a cinch cord at the hem. This is in order to prevent any wind updrafts that can make you feel super uncomfortable when in cold weather. -
Zipper hand pockets:
The hand pockets on these jackets have a zipper so that you can secure your items. -
Relaxed fit:
These jackets have a relaxed fit around the shoulder and arm pit area. Everyone knows what like to wear a jacket that has no room for the arms to move. Rest assured that you will be able to run freely with these jackets. -
Center front zipper:
You can probably tell by the pictures above, but these jackets have a front zipper that goes all the way from the neck to the hem. -
Lifetime guarantee:
The North Face products are backed with a full warranty against defects and the materials and the design.
Comparing The Apex Bionic And Apex Chromium
There are basically three main differences between the Bionic and the Chromium. Below, we will cover all three.
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Napoleon pocket:
The Apex Bionic has a Napoleon pocket on the left-hand side. A Napoleon pocket is one that has a vertical zipper along one of the breasts. It is called a Napoleon pocket because of how Napoleon (from France) used to place his hand into a pocket in that area. We are not suggesting that you will be doing the same thing. But this extra pocket allows you to place items into it. The Apex Chromium does not have this pocket. -
Material thickness:
The Bionic’s material is thicker than the Chromium’s material. While the bionic is made of 13.9 oz/yd² material, the Chromium is made of 12.24 oz/yd² material. This makes the Bionic a bit warmer to wear in cool weather. However, it also makes it a bit heavier. -
Velcro cuffs:
The Apex Chromium has Velcro closures for the cuffs, while the Bionic does not. Velcro closures can help with eliminating wind drafts going up the arm.
Comparing The Prices
Prices for the Bionic and the Chromium vary depending on the seller. While we cannot list prices here because they will tend to change, we have listed the links below we can view the cheapest prices for these jackets.
The Verdict
Which of these jackets is best for you probably depends on how cold you expect the weather to be. If you’re looking for something on the warmer side, the Bionic's material is thicker and you will probably be warmer. But if you’re going to be doing a lot of physical activity in these jackets, you may want to go with the Chromium. The material will breathe better. In addition, the Chromium has Velcro cuffs while the Bionic does not.
All in all, there is not much difference between these jackets other than the material thickness and a couple of design elements. Which of these jackets you prefer? Please leave us your thoughts in a comment below.
