The North Face Reversible Mercurial Named Best of Adventure

The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today announced The North Face Reversible Mercurial has been awarded the prestigious Best of Adventure award by National Geographic Adventure magazine. The Reversible Mercurial, a technologically advanced insulated jacket, features a revolutionary baffle construction and temperature regulation system that leverages aluminum coating and air circulation.

Featured in the annual Best of Adventure issue, National Geographic Adventure’s Best of Adventure Awards select the top outdoor and gear products based on innovation, practicality and consumer demand. The awards cover thousands of outdoor and gear items, including, but not limited to, footwear, tents, sleeping bags, apparel, gadgets, boats, bicycles and ice axes.

“The Reversible Mercurial takes a clever, really ingenious approach to dealing with fickle mountain weather in simplicity and elegance,” said Steve Casimiro, West Coast Editor, and official Gear Guru, of National Geographic Adventure. “It solved a real problem that outdoor athletes face.”

The Reversible Mercurial jacket utilizes an innovative baffle system to adapt to changes in weather. When the temperature is low, wearing the jacket black side out will provide the warmth and protection of a high-performance synthetic insulated jacket. Small pockets created by the internally exposed baffles catch and retain warm air. Moderate stitch lines keep wind penetration to a minimum and the black fabric absorbs solar heat.

Toward midday, when the temperature climbs, or during increased aerobic activity, the Reversible Mercurial jacket can be reversed for a cooling effect. The silver fabric is coated with aluminum and reflects 39 to 47 percent more of the sun’s rays than the black side. The revolutionary construction permits the baffles to flex open, allowing air to circulate between the panels. This cool air flows close to the body to channel away excess heat, keeping the wearer much cooler. The sum of these two cooling technologies creates a jacket that is dramatically warmer when worn black side out.

“We are honored to receive this award from the National Geographic Adventure team,” said Jim Gerson, Vice President of Softgoods for The North Face. “The Reversible Mercurial demonstrates the in-depth research and design that we pride ourselves on.”

For 40 years, The North Face has teamed up with the world’s finest mountaineers, alpinists, climbers, skiers, snowboarders and endurance adventurers, who have defined the limits of what is humanly possible. The North Face Athlete Team works closely with Research, Design & Development, creating innovative designs that push new technologies and inspire cutting-edge products.

“The Reversible Mercurial is my favorite jacket and is always in my pack,” said Daniel Woods, The North Face Climbing Team athlete. “It’s lightweight, compactable, and provides two-in-one technology for whatever the weather throws at me. It has been on all of my expeditions since I received it.”

For more information and to purchase The North Face Reversible Mercurial, please visit www.thenorthface.com.

About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.