The North Face Women's Apex Bionic 3 Jacket
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Women’s Apex Bionic 3 Jacket
Apparel · Outerwear / Soft Shell
Updated with a streamlined design, the versatile Women’s Apex Bionic 3 Jacket is a water-repellent, wind-resistant, stretchable soft shell built for active, cold-weather adventures.
WINDWALL™ Wind-Resistant Body
Highly wind-resistant WINDWALL™ fabric body cuts wind chill through the jacket — keeps you warm in cool, windy conditions without the bulk of a hard shell
Recycled Body Fabric
Solid body fabric made with 96% recycled polyester; heather body fabric made with 50% recycled polyester — high recycled content across both fabric variants
Four-Way Stretch Construction
4% elastane in the solid body + 10% elastane in the cuffs and bindings deliver four-way stretch for unrestricted movement during active cold-weather use
Non-PFC DWR Finish
Non-PFC durable water-repellent finish sheds light rain, snow, and wind-driven moisture without PFCs
Exposed VISLON® Center Front Zip
Exposed VISLON® center front zip — chunky plastic-toothed zip is reliable in cold weather, easy to operate with gloves on
Two Pocket Systems
Vertical reverse-coil-zip chest pocket for phone/wallet + reverse-coil-zip welt hand pockets — keep essentials secure during active use
Turn-Back Cuffs
Turn-back cuffs can be folded back for ventilation or extended for full coverage — real adjustability for different activities and temperatures
Heat-Transfer Logo
Heat-transfer logo on the left chest and back-right shoulder — durable, tonal branding that doesn’t peel or scratch
Active Cold-Weather Layer
Built for active, cold-weather adventures — works as a standalone soft shell in cool, dry conditions or as a midlayer under a hard shell in deeper cold
Standard Fit
Standard fit layers cleanly over a baselayer and works as a standalone for active wear
Use
Type
Stretch Soft Shell Jacket (Women’s)
Activity
Active · Hiking · Layering · Cold-Weather Daily Wear · Light Outdoor
Fit
Standard
Sizing & Dimensions
Sizes (Women’s US)
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
Center Back
25.25″
Body Materials
Solid Body
90D 351 g/m² WINDWALL™ — 96% recycled polyester, 4% elastane with 100% recycled polyester backer and non-PFC DWR finish
Heather Body
300D × 300D 374 g/m² WINDWALL™ — 50% recycled polyester, 50% polyester bonded soft shell with brushed back and non-PFC DWR finish
Trim & Lining Materials
Cuffs
75D × 150D 165 g/m² — 90% polyester, 10% elastane
Collar, CF Zip, Cuff & Hem Lining
75D × 150D 165 g/m² — 90% recycled polyester, 10% elastane with non-PFC DWR finish
Pocket Lining
50D 105 g/m² 100% recycled polyester
Construction
Front Closure
Exposed VISLON® center front zip
Chest Pocket
Vertical reverse-coil-zip
Hand Pockets
Reverse-coil-zip welt
Cuffs
Turn-back (foldable for ventilation)
Branding
Heat-transfer logo on left chest + back-right shoulder
Sustainability
Recycled Content
Solid body 96% recycled · Heather body 50% recycled · Bindings 90% recycled · Pocket lining 100% recycled
PFC Status
Non-PFC DWR finish (all treated fabrics)
Washing
Close all zippers (CF + chest + hand pockets) before washing. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors. Use a mild technical cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger’s Performance Wash to maintain the WINDWALL™ wind-resistant treatment and the non-PFC DWR finish on the 90D 351 g/m² (solid) and 300D × 300D 374 g/m² (heather) body fabrics. Regular household detergent leaves residue that degrades the WINDWALL™ treatment and the DWR over time. Avoid chlorine bleach, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. Do not dry clean (solvents destroy the DWR + the elastane stretch).
Drying
Tumble dry on low to reactivate the DWR finish. A short 10–15 minute low-heat cycle is usually enough — long high-heat cycles can damage the 4% elastane in the solid body, the 10% elastane in the cuffs and bindings, the WINDWALL™ wind-resistant treatment, and the heat-transfer logos. Hang dry is also fine if you tumble briefly afterward to restore water beading.
DWR Re-Proofing
When water stops beading on the WINDWALL™ body fabric (either solid or heather), re-treat with a spray-on DWR such as Nikwax TX Direct or Granger’s Performance Repel. Apply to the clean, damp jacket, paying extra attention to the shoulders (where backpack straps wear the DWR fastest), the upper back, and the cuff area. A short low-heat tumble helps set the finish.
WINDWALL™ Wind-Resistant Treatment Care
The WINDWALL™ wind-resistant treatment is built into the fabric structure (not applied as a coating) and lasts the life of the jacket with proper care. The non-PFC DWR finish on the face fabric is the wear-zone — if the jacket starts to absorb wind rather than block it, the DWR has likely degraded and a re-treatment with Nikwax Tech Wash + spray-on DWR usually restores performance.
Stretch Fabric Care
The 4% elastane in the solid body and 10% elastane in the cuffs and bindings deliver four-way stretch, but elastane breaks down faster than polyester if exposed to high heat, chlorine, or harsh chemicals. Avoid hot tubs, chlorinated pools, and prolonged UV exposure. If the jacket loses its snap-back stretch, the elastane is likely degraded — common after 3–5 years of heavy use.
Solid vs Heather Body Fabric
The Solid and Heather body fabrics have different weights and constructions but the same care instructions. If the jacket is solid color, the fabric is the 90D 351 g/m² WINDWALL™. If the jacket is heather color (heathered appearance from mixed yarns), the fabric is the 300D × 300D 374 g/m² WINDWALL™ bonded soft shell with brushed back. Both are non-PFC DWR-treated. Don’t spot-treat differently — both fabrics have the same care requirements.
Turn-Back Cuffs
The turn-back cuffs are designed to fold back for ventilation or extend for coverage. Don’t force the cuffs — the fabric is bonded (the heather version) or woven (the solid version) and stretching beyond its range can damage the construction. If the cuffs start to fray at the turn-back fold (the highest-stress area), a quick hand-stitch with matching thread restores them.
Two-Pocket System Care
The two pocket systems (vertical chest + welt hand pockets) use reverse-coil zippers that are durable but can collect debris in the welt pocket openings. Empty pockets before washing to prevent items from damaging the reverse-coil zippers or the pocket interior. The chest pocket is the most-used for phones/wallets; clean the pocket lining periodically to remove body oils + lint.
Heat-Transfer Logo Care
The heat-transfer logos on the left chest and back-right shoulder are durable but can crack or peel with heavy wear. Don’t iron directly on the heat-transfer logos — iron inside-out or use a press cloth. If the logos start to peel at the edges, a small dab of fabric adhesive from a craft store can re-seal the edge.
Layering System
The Apex Bionic is a versatile soft shell — works as a standalone in cool, dry, windy conditions or as a midlayer under a hard shell in deeper cold. For active winter wear (skiing, hiking, climbing), pair with a baselayer and a hard shell; for casual winter wear, the Apex Bionic can be the outer layer over a fleece or hoodie.
Storage (Off-Season)
Store in a cool, dry place — hanging on a wide hanger or folded loosely. The 351 g/m² and 374 g/m² body fabrics are mid-to-heavyweight; long-term compression can flatten the loft and reduce thermal performance. Don’t leave in a hot car — heat degrades the WINDWALL™ treatment, the non-PFC DWR, and the 4%/10% elastane stretch. Keep out of direct sunlight (UV degrades the recycled polyester over time).
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
