The North Face Denali vs Denali 2: Is Newer Better?

 The Denali line is iconic for The North Face. The first Denali made its debut in 1988 and has been a classic hit with the North Face customers ever since. In fact, these Denali jackets and their Apex Bionic are the reasons for the brand’s popularity. But it is also popular because of the fact that the fit is very attractive for both men and women. 

The Denali line is made with high-quality fleece and abrasion-resistant material. The abrasion-resistant material is the smooth fabric that you will find over the chest and shoulders. The shape of the Denali is not too boxy or roomy and has a slightly tapered fit.

While you may already be aware of how great the Denali is, it also has a newer version; the Denali 2. Many people wonder what the difference is with the new version. That is why we have created this North Face Denali vs Denali 2 comparison.

What is New With the Denali 2?

North Face Denali vs Denali 2

Preview
North Face Denali
The North Face Men's Denali Jacket, R TNF Black, MD
North Face Denali 2
The North Face Denali 2 Jacket - Men's Recycled TNF Black Medium
Title
The North Face Men's Denali Jacket, R TNF Black, MD
The North Face Denali 2 Jacket - Men's Recycled TNF Black Medium
Price
Price not available
Price not available
Materials
[Shell A] Polartec® 300 Series Fleece With DWR; [Shell B] Laundered 2-Ply Nylon
Fleece With Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) Finish
Fit
Standard fit
Relaxed fit
Reinforcements
Abrasion-reinforced shoulders and elbows
Reinforced shoulders, chest and forearms for abrasion resistance
Cuffs
Elastic-bound cuffs
Stretch fabric on cuffs
Pockets
4 Covered, secure-zip chest and hand pockets
4 Covered, secure-zip chest and hand pockets
More Information
North Face Denali
Preview
The North Face Men's Denali Jacket, R TNF Black, MD
Title
The North Face Men's Denali Jacket, R TNF Black, MD
Price
Price not available
Materials
[Shell A] Polartec® 300 Series Fleece With DWR; [Shell B] Laundered 2-Ply Nylon
Fit
Standard fit
Reinforcements
Abrasion-reinforced shoulders and elbows
Cuffs
Elastic-bound cuffs
Pockets
4 Covered, secure-zip chest and hand pockets
More Information
North Face Denali 2
Preview
The North Face Denali 2 Jacket - Men's Recycled TNF Black Medium
Title
The North Face Denali 2 Jacket - Men's Recycled TNF Black Medium
Price
Price not available
Materials
Fleece With Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) Finish
Fit
Relaxed fit
Reinforcements
Reinforced shoulders, chest and forearms for abrasion resistance
Cuffs
Stretch fabric on cuffs
Pockets
4 Covered, secure-zip chest and hand pockets
More Information

In order to keep the Denali true to its heritage, the Denali 2 version looks very similar to the original Denali. But there are few differences that set it apart. These new features are not very obvious, so we have listed them here.

  • Higher collar:

    While the original Denali does have a collar, the Denali 2 has one that is significantly higher. This is perhaps to keep the neck warmer and cooler climates. It also gives it a slightly high-fashion look. While most customers love the Denali 2, its higher collar is not always preferable for some. The higher collar can sometimes be intrusive for people who are sensitive to materials around the neck.

  • Stretch cuff fabric:

    The original Denali had a very thin cuff. But the Denali 2 has a much wider cuff made of stretch fabric. This will help keep the sleeves from riding up the arm. While some had issues with cold air in the sleeves on the original Denali, the Denali 2’s cuff shields the forearm from any drafts. Again, these cuffs give it a more fashionable look.

  • Made with recycled fleece:

    The Denali 2 is now made with at least 50% fleece. This is great for those who are concerned about the environment.

  • More size options:

    The Denali 2 has sizes ranging from x-small to xxx-large. This makes it fit more people than the original Denali. The original Denali has sizes from small to xx-large. While this will not be an issue for most people, there are those who will require the Denali 2 to fit them.

  • More color options:

    With the Denali 2, there are now more color combinations to choose from. Whether you are a man or a woman, you are likely to find a color and design that is perfect for your tastes.

  • Bottom hem toggle:

    The Denali 2 features and new hem toggle around the waist. There is nothing worse than a sloppy-looking fleece jacket. With the Denali 2, you can be as fitted as you want to be.

Price comparison

Would you like to know the differences in price between the original Denali and the Denali 2? You can get some of the cheapest prices on Amazon. In order to view best prices, please follow the links below.

The Verdict

We like the new Denali 2 due to its higher fashion features. Has a more modern style than the original Denali. This is to be expected, as the original Denali came out in 1988. Even for its time, it had a modern look. But the Denali 2 has enhanced comfort features (as mentioned above) and is also made of at least 50% recycled fleece. As more people are becoming conscious of the environment, The North Face has adapted to include more environmentally friendly products.

What’s New With Denali

The Denali 2 is not the only new Denali version. The North Face has created two other Denali jacket lines.

The Men’s Denali Revolution

The Denali revolution is made especially for men and features the same pocket layout as the Denali 2. The main difference is the fact that it has ceramic printing around the shoulder and the chest instead of the abrasion resistant material. It has sort of a futuristic look with a digital print. Like that Denali 2, it has a cinch cord at the hem.

Women's Denali One Piece

The Denali One Piece is made for women. Instead of just being a fleece jacket, it also has fleece pant legs attached to it. The best one piece is great for camping and hiking. It helps prevent any air drafts from coming through the bottom hem. We would not recommend this for daily use in the city, as it is really meant for outdoor recreation.

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