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The North Face Nuptse Black Friday 2026 UK: 1996 Retro and More
The North Face Nuptse for Black Friday 2026 in the UK: the 1996 Retro Nuptse jacket, the gilet, UK sizing, and how to check a listing.
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The North Face Nuptse is a short, boxy down puffer, first released in 1992 and sold today mainly as the 1996 Retro Nuptse with 700-fill down. For Black Friday 2026 in the UK, choose between the jacket and the gilet, then check the label, size and fill on any listing before you buy.
The 1996 Retro Nuptse
The Nuptse is named after the mountain beside Everest. Its stitched baffles hold the down in wide tubes, which gives the jacket its puffy, ribbed look. The 1996 Retro version uses 700-fill down, recycled in newer production, inside a 40-denier recycled ripstop nylon shell with a water-resistant finish. The hood rolls away into the collar and has no insulation, and the whole jacket can be squeezed into its own hand pocket.
For British winters, that combination is best on cold, dry days. Down loses its loft when soaked, so on wet days many people wear a waterproof over the top or choose a synthetic jacket instead. The jackets page covers those options.
The North Face Nuptse styles to compare
Check the style name on the tag, such as 1996 Retro Nuptse, and whether it is a jacket or a vest. Look for photos of the tags and the inside label.
Live listings, shown by eBay
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Jacket or gilet
| What to compare | 1996 Retro Nuptse jacket | Nuptse gilet |
|---|---|---|
| Down fill | 700-fill | 700-fill |
| Shell | 40-denier recycled ripstop | 40-denier |
| Hood | Stowable, uninsulated | Stowable |
| Weight | 785 g (women’s L) | About 544 g |
| Packs into a pocket | Yes | Check the product page |
| Wear it | As your main winter coat | Over a jumper or fleece |
The gilet keeps your core warm while leaving your arms free. It is one of the warmer down gilets on sale, so it is too thick to fit under another coat.
UK sizing and fit
The Nuptse is cropped, with the hem sitting near the waistband, and roomy across the body. Men’s and women’s versions are cut differently, and the brand also makes kids’ sizes under the same name. Labels show letter sizes, so ask the seller for the chest width and back length in centimetres. A jacket bought from a US seller may run differently from UK stock, which is another reason to compare measurements rather than the letter alone.
Colours and editions
Black is the most common colour, alongside brights such as yellow and orange and two-tone versions. The brand has also released anniversary reissues of the original design. If a listing shows a special label or extra logo that the title does not mention, ask the seller which edition it is.
More of the brand’s UK pages are on The North Face Black Friday UK.
A short checklist for Nuptse listings
- Does the inside label match the title for style, gender and size?
- Is the fill power shown on the label?
- Do any baffles look flat or empty in the photos?
- For a used jacket, how was it washed and stored?
- Does the embroidery match the maker’s own product photos?
- If it ships from abroad, who pays the import charges, and can you return it?
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nuptse waterproof?
No. The 1996 Retro Nuptse has a water-resistant shell that copes with light drizzle and snow. In steady British rain, down gets wet and loses warmth, so a waterproof over the top is the safer choice.
Is there a Nuptse gilet?
Yes. The Nuptse gilet uses the same 700-fill down and 40-denier shell as the jacket, with a stowable hood. It is warm but bulky, so it works as an outer layer rather than under a coat.
Sources
- The North Face's 1996 Nuptse Jacket: Popular, But Is It Worth It?Gear Patrol
- The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse - Women's ReviewOutdoorGearLab
- Best VestsSwitchback Travel
Part of our guide to The North Face Black Friday 2026 UK: Nuptse and Jackets.