The North Face’s Latest Hikers Prove Heritage Materials and Modern Performance Go Hand-in-Hand

Technical fabrics are a dime a dozen these days. And it seems like new developments are being made every day.

What that should tell you is just how impressive it is that some of the more iconic, natural fabrics out there have stood the test of time, like wool.

Of course, if that knowledge alone isn’t enough, maybe The North Face’s Casentino Wool Pack might do the trick.

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Tuscan textile

Casentino wool dates back to 1537. Developed initially for agricultural workers in the Casentino region, it’s a nearly 500-year staple of Italy’s Tuscan region.

Much of the textile’s staying power is derived from its performance. Not only is it naturally cozy and warm, but it is also durable, sturdy and weather-resistant.

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It’s also unique, boasting a rough, tightly curled texture that sets it apart, even from other types of wool. It is all of these factors and more that have allowed it not just to survive centuries, but to remain among Tuscany’s finest fabric exports.

In this particular collection, the Casetino wool is featured on three of the four different offerings — a Denali jacket, hiking shoes and a five-panel hat (the last element is a graphic tee) — creating a physical bridge between the past and present, connecting the heritage material to modern gear designs and their far more novel features.

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Cozy collection

As mentioned, the collection includes a quartet of gear, some of which might seem familiar to TNF fans. One of them, the Denali graphic tee, doesn’t have any wool element to it, however.

The highlight of the collection is probably the Verto Alpine GTX Casentino hiking shoes. Like their standard siblings, these sneakers feature a chunky, all-terrain Vibram outsole and Gore-Tex waterproof upper. The wool element is twofold: the tongue and the full interior lining, the latter of which adds warmth and comfort even on the most challenging trails on the coldest of days.

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The runner-up is probably the 1995 Denali Casentino jacket. A throwback edition of another classic offering from TNF’s catalog, this version sees its fleece swapped for Casentino wool. However, it is otherwise unchanged.

The last piece is arguably my favorite for all its simple beauty: the Classic Casentino Hat. This is a traditional five-panel cap, a common piece of camping apparel; however, its entire exterior is wrapped in Casentino wool.

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Pricing and availability

The North Face Casentino Wool Pack launches today, January 8, 2026, on The North Face’s site and at select stores. Prices range from $65 to $560, depending on the item.

The North Face

The North Face Casentino Wool Pack

• Starts at $65

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