The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket vs 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
Buy the Minoqua if you want a light, packable down layer for mild cold and want to spend the least. Buy the 1996 Retro Nuptse if you need serious winter warmth, a hood, and a proven design that holds up for years. The price gap is large: $90.72 at Walmart for the Minoqua versus $264.00 at Walmart for the Nuptse as of November 4, 2026. The Nuptse has dropped as low as $159.99 in the past week, so watch its price history before paying full price.
Today the The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket costs $173.28 less at its best price.
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The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket
4.5Choose the Minoqua if you want a lightweight, packable 550-fill down jacket for cool fall days at the lowest price.
- Low price at $90.72 at Walmart
- Light and packable for travel
- 550-fill down keeps warmth when wet
- Secure-zip hand pockets and hem cinch
What separates them
| The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket | 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket | |
|---|---|---|
| Down fill | 550-fill down | 700-fill goose down |
| Hood | None | Attached three-piece hood that stows in the collar |
| Weight | Lightweight and packable | 775 g, heavier but warmer |
| Packability | Packs down small | Stows in its right hand pocket |
| Outer fabric | Nylon | Shiny ripstop with non-PFC DWR water repellent |
| Fit | Standard fit with elastic cuffs and hem cinch | Relaxed, boxy silhouette with adjustable hem |
| Sizing | Listed in M and XL | XXS to 3XL |
| Price |
Price history
- The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket: lowest $90.72 on Nov 4 at Walmart.
- 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket: lowest $159.99 on Oct 31 at Sierra; $165.99 on Nov 4.
Prices at every store
The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket
- WalmartNew
In stockSold by Greensole LLC
$90.72Free shippingObserved at 11:38 AM - eBayNew
In stockSold by somethingwithsole
$92.37Free shippingObserved at 11:38 AM - PoshmarkNew
In stock
$95.00+ $6.49 shippingObserved at 11:38 AM
Also available at
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
- REINew
In stock
$380.00Observed at 6:27 AM - WalmartNew
Availability unknownSold by Greensole LLC
$264.00Observed at 6:28 AM - ShopSimonNew
Availability unknown
$320.00Observed at 6:27 AM - GOATNew
Availability unknown
$364.00Observed at 6:27 AM
Also available at
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- BobsSportsChalet.comCheck price at BobsSportsChalet.com
- EditorialistCheck price at Editorialist
Specs compared
| Spec | The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket | 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket |
|---|---|---|
| color | Blue | Purple |
| size | M | 3X |
| actual_color | Algae Blue | Purple |
| clothing_size | XL | — |
| Sizing options | — | XXS-3XL |
| Average weight | — | 775 g |
| Centre back length | — | 66,04 cm |
| Available sizes | — | XXS-3XL |
| Fit | — | Relaxed fit with a boxy silhouette |
| Hood | — | Attached, three-piece hood stows in the stand c… |
What reviewers say
The North Face Men's Minoqua Insulated Down Full Zip Puffer Jacket
Feedback is limited to a handful of ratings, averaging 4.5 out of 5. Owners describe it as a warm, light layer for the money.
- Warm for its weight
- Packs small for travel
- Good value at the current price
- Too thin for very cold days on its own
- Wish it had a hood
1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
With about 13,000 ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5, the Nuptse is one of the most consistently well-liked puffers around. Owners praise the warmth-to-weight ratio and the retro look; the main complaints are the boxy fit and the shiny finish.
- Very warm for how light it feels
- Iconic 1996 style that holds up
Questions and answers
- Which is warmer, the Minoqua or the 1996 Retro Nuptse?
- The Nuptse. Its 700-fill down and heavier build handle winter cold better than the Minoqua's 550-fill down.
- Is the Nuptse worth the extra money?
- If you need a hood and true winter warmth, yes. At $264.00 at Walmart it costs about $173 more than the Minoqua at $90.72, but it has far more ratings and a stronger build.
- Which one packs smaller?
- Both pack down, but the Nuptse stows into its own right hand pocket, which makes it easier to carry. The Minoqua is lighter overall.
- Does the Minoqua have a hood?
- No. The Minoqua has no hood. The Nuptse has a three-piece hood that stows in the stand collar.
- Which has more size options?
- The Nuptse, which comes in XXS to 3XL. The Minoqua listing shows only M and XL.
- Should I wait for the Nuptse to drop in price?
- It hit $159.99 on October 31, 2026, well below the current $264.00 at Walmart. Check its price history before buying.
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