The North Face Antora Rain Jacket — Kids’ Review

The North Face Antora is the jacket Cypress, 4, keeps asking for by name — which is the most honest endorsement any piece of kids’ gear can get. We tested it on a rainy .8-mile loop around a Cincinnati river park, with puddles to stomp through and wet leaves to investigate, and it kept him completely dry for the full two hours. The DryVent 2L shell is windproof and waterproof, and the hood’s interior elasticated tunnel is genuinely clever — it just fits and stays put without any adjustment. The one real frustration: no zipper pull, which is a miss at $100 for a kids’ jacket.

3.8/5.0

Best kids' rain jacket for heavy use and trail days

The North Face Antora Rain Jacket

Heavy-duty DryVent construction and a hood that stays put. The jacket kids keep reaching for

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Sizes: XS–XXL (fits approx. ages 4–16) | Waterproof: Yes — DryVent 2L, seam sealed, non-PFC DWR | Windproof: Yes | Weight: Not listed for kids’ size | Fabric: Recycled nylon body, recycled polyester lining, ripstop overlay on hood/yoke/sleeves

Is the North Face Antora waterproof?

Yes, and windproof. The DryVent 2L shell is seam-sealed with a non-PFC DWR finish — proper waterproofing, not just water resistance. The fully recycled fabric is built for town-to-trail coverage. We tested it in genuine rainy conditions in Cincinnati and Cypress stayed completely dry for the full two hours.

Where we tested the North Face Antora

Cincinnati is just a rainy town. Early spring means puddles that have been there long enough to feel permanent. We took a .8-mile loop around a river park — a proper walk, not a quick lap — with puddles to stomp through and wet leaves to investigate. Cypress wore the Antora in the camo colorway for the full two hours.

The camo colorway does exactly what camo is supposed to do — disappears into the landscape, which a 4-year-old who loves to hide considers a superpower. This has become one of the most-reached-for jackets since testing. He asks for it. That’s the real review.

North Face Antora features — what actually stood out

The DryVent 2L shell feels more substantial than most kids’ options — you notice it in hand. The jacket is windproof as well as waterproof, which matters in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest where wind is often the real problem.

The hood design is clever. Instead of elastic on the sides that you cinch and adjust, there’s an interior elasticated tunnel — TNF calls it a rain-guard tunnel — that sits against the head and keeps the hood snug without any adjustment. It just fits and stays put in wind and rain.

The jacket uses a VISLON® center front zip with a storm flap, hook-and-loop closure, and a confirmed chin guard — the chin guard protects from cold metal when zipped. Two zippered pockets with rain flaps over them and a soft interior — secure enough for small valuables. A half-eaten lollipop is safe in here. We mean that from experience.

The body fabric and lining are made from recycled materials — a meaningful environmental note at this price point.

What doesn’t work on the North Face Antora

The zipper tab is small. Cypress could eventually zip it himself, but it took a few tries and when he got frustrated we stepped in. A proper zipper pull would make a real difference at $100 for a kids’ jacket. It’s the most frustrating omission in an otherwise well-designed jacket.

How to care for the North Face Antora

Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Tumble dry low to reactivate the non-PFC DWR coating. No fabric softeners. The recycled polyester lining responds well to low heat drying.

Does the North Face Antora pack down?

Not packable into its own pocket, but compresses well for a bag. The windproof/waterproof DryVent construction adds some weight compared to lighter shells, but it’s still manageable.

North Face Antora sizing guide

We ordered size 4 for Cypress at age 4 — fit well as-is, good proportions, not oversized. That means not much room to grow. Size up to XS if you’re buying to last more than one season.

Who is the North Face Antora best for?

Kids who can zip themselves, or families where someone else is always doing the zipping. Trail days, heavy rain, active outdoor use. The windproof and waterproof construction is genuinely excellent and Cypress keeps reaching for it.

Pro tip: The camo colorway makes a 4-year-old effectively invisible in a forest. Plan accordingly.

How the North Face Antora compares to other kids’ rain jackets