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NorthFace Jackets?

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puma1552

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Original poster
Nov 20, 2008
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How do you guys like 'em? I'm in need of a winter coat. I usually buy short, professional-ish wool coats from the likes of Banana Republic, etc. but this year I'm just coming up empty on any I like anywhere. That said, while I've always liked the BR coats, they really never are/were full-on winter coats, more like cold weather jackets, but not really suited for up to -40* windchills here in Minneapolis.

So, I'm kind of thinking I want to try a NorthFace jacket this time.

I've found three that I like:

Men's Headwall TriClimate Jacket:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog...ate-jacket_2.html?from=subCat&variationId=FN4

Men's Realization Jacket:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog...ion-jacket_2.html?from=subCat&variationId=FN4

Men's Illiad Jacket:

http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog...lliad-jacket.html?from=subCat&variationId=M29

I like the first one quite a bit, but I also like the bottom two. My concern with the bottom two is that they appear to be more of a skiing/snowboarding jacket rather than a regular winter coat, whereas the first one seems more like a normal winter coat that could also be used for boarding (I don't ski/board at all). So I'm leaning towards the first one, but I'm wondering if a regular snowboarding jacket can handle -40* windchills?

Those of you with NF jackets, how do you like them? Warm, good quality?
 
Loved mine... I also had a Columbia jacket that I liked as well. Style wise that is up to you, but they are study jackets that will keep you warm.
 
been using a north face for years now.

while the jackets are investments, they last for years.

The best ones I found are the goretex, where your able to zip in a sleeve to the outer shell. Keeps me EXTREMELY warm.
 
What I know about The North Face is that practical performance far exceeding what the average US cold climate populous would ever need can be had for much less green. I live in Ohio, and I have had the same M-65 Field Jacket for going on 8 years now and it keeps me warm, dry, its got a removable layer of insulation and crazy awesome pocket space all for about 100 dollars.

If you dont like the look of military coats, Columbia makes good bang for the buck current style coats similar to TNF coats.
 
The Triclimates are one of the best products that NF puts out. They're quite versatile and are suitable for mild to really cold weather. The Broadband Triclimate is one of favs however I can't really buy anymore jackets since I already have like 5-6 NorthFace jackets already :eek:

For the most part, any of their snowboarding/skiing jackets will be somewhat warm but they're more focused on waterproofing than warmth. Most powder chasers will layer up so all they really need is a jacket that's waterproof for the most part. However, I've used similar styled jackets while snowboarding in -15 below weather without any issues. I'm certain the NF jackets could handle that cold weather as well.

If there's one in your area, I'd recommend you hit up one of their stores and try the jackets on and see if the fit is right for you. I think the NorthFace jackets tend to run a little snug so I usually get one size bigger than normal however YMMV on that.

You want straight up bonafide protection from the cold? Then look into the parkas like the Vostok parka. I have the McMurdo parka from years ago and it's SUPER warm in the winter time.
 
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Brilliant outerwear. Look up the Denali fleece as it is often on sale.
 
Often a ski jacket will cut the wind very effectively, but not necessarily have the insulation required to be very warm if you're not very active. Skiing is hard work, and too warm of a jacket will have you sweating like a pig by the end of a run. My North Face ski jacket is warm, but skiing at night in the northeast when it can be 5 or 10 below before the wind chill can require several additional layers.

If you're basically going to be using it walking around and stuff, you might consider something more substantial that will keep you warmer at a lower activity level with fewer layers underneath:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/593/0/Relevance/1?feat=593-GN1&gnrefine=1*WARMTH_RATING*Warmest
 
NorthFace and Helly Hansen are my 2 favorite brands for Winter coats..

Like someone else said a NorthFace is a good coat to purchase because it will last for years.
 
Cool, keep the reviews coming...so what do you think about that triclimate one I linked?
 
North Face makes great products. I have owned outerwear from fleeces all the way up to snowboarding jacket.

My daily cold weather jacket is an North Face Apex.

I also own plenty of clothing, two backpacks, gloves, and hats from North Face. I have been pleased with every product they have ever sold me.
 
Buy a jacket because you like it not because a bunch of weirdos on a forum said one was cool. Be a man, take a stand and make a decision. :) Your wife will thank me later, trust me.
 
jessica. said:
Buy a jacket because you like it not because a bunch of weirdos on a forum said one was cool. Be a man, take a stand and make a decision. :) Your wife will thank me later, trust me.
Click to expand...

Nobody has said anything about them being "cool". We are all giving the OP our opinion on the quality of the product. It's the same as reading reviews of any product online.
 
I'm personally a fan of Columbia stuff. I think it's generally a bit cheaper than north face, but definitely just as good. They used to make really nice backpacks too. I have one that I used for 7 years and retired in favor of a north face one with a laptop pocket. It still works great, but it's just on the dirty side and I figured it was time for a new one. That said, I do have a good experience with north face too.
 
Don't overlook Marmot. I like North Face, but for full-on winter stuff I've always gone with Marmot.

Alpinist jacket
700 fill down insulating layer, like a down sweater

Hard to beat.

Expensive, but beautifully designed and made, and lasts a long time.

Plus it keeps you from being just another one of the North Face crowd.
 
I can forget North Face. Just went to one of the stores (where they of course didn't have the one I wanted) and tried on an S for size and it was about 5 inches above my knees, it looked like I was wearing a total dress.:(
 
puma1552 said:
I can forget North Face. Just went to one of the stores (where they of course didn't have the one I wanted) and tried on an S for size and it was about 5 inches above my knees, it looked like I was wearing a total dress.:(
Click to expand...

Usually it's good if your winter coat is longer, although that does sound a bit excessive.
 
Yeah there's no way it matches their size chart. I expected it to be a little big as coats always are, but holy hell. What a downer. It's getting cold fast and I'm SOL at the moment. All I have right now is a light fall jacket I got at BR. I tossed my 5 year old BR wool jacket because it was getting nasty and I just decided the only way I'd get off my ass and get a new jacket is if I tossed that one out so I was forced to buy one.
 
no jacket here , but the NorthFace VE 25 tent i can recommend i tested one last year in the alps at 6000 feet in january and its nice and warm inside even at minus 30 degree celsius


while gore tex is good at times i prefer down jackets when it gets cold
 
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I have owned a number of TNF jackets (shells, down, and fleece) and have been 100% satisfied with them all. While there may be some initial sticker shock if you've never looked at higher-end winter gear, the price you pay for a well made jacket that has a lifetime warranty is really not that much.
Assuming that you'd get a number of years of service out of it, the jacket becomes a small (and worthy) investment as a previous poster stated.

a few examples of TNF's quality
Mountain Light Jacket- 15 years old: paid around $270 for it. Gore Tex performance has faded at this point, but still excels as windbreaker and kick-around jacket. still looks great

Pamir Jacket- 12 years old: roughly $125. Windproof to this day

Apex Bionic- 5+ years old: about 100 bucks and I've beat the crap out of it. Still looks great even after all the abuse



That Canada Goose parka looks like it could take on anything this planet has to offer:D
a great choice if the OP is not going the route of snowsport gear
 
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