Description of The North Face Apex Bionic Triclimate Softshell Jacket - Women's:
You wake up in your mountain chalet and it looks like a perfect day for a hike or a snowshoeing outing. Hmm … softshell or insulated jacket? You don't have to choose one or the other, just grab The North Face Women's Apex Bionic Triclimate Softshell Jacket. The softshell exterior on the Apex Bionic Triclimate blocks wind and has a DWR finish for light snow, while the removable 100g synthetic liner jacket adds a bit of warmth. A fleece lining on the shell feels soft when you go without the liner.
Bottom Line: Softshell, synthetic liner jacket, or both.
I bought this jacket thinking that the liner was fleece, but it's the lining of the SHELL that is fleecey. Rather than a nylon-type rain jacket that sticks to you with the moisture, the fleece (I'd say it's more of a flocking) is just warm and comfy enough to wear during the 3 days of rain we get here Cali. =P
I got this jacket for a trip to Beijing in November, where there is the possibility of some snow. With the liner, I think I would be plenty warm, but since I'm not a fan of hiking (going up the Great Wall) and having sweat stick a nylon liner to me, I'll probably get the TKA 100 Masonic fleece to wear under the shell instead. I think the shell itself was probably worth the $114. It has some water resistance, a bit of stretch, and the afore mentioned lining. The description says there are two front hip pockets and a forearm pocket, but the hip pockets aren't sewn inside a lining so they actually create two more, pretty deep, internal mesh pockets. I'm 5'3", 150 lbs so I'm a little thicker in the arms and waist, but a medium still feels good. I think a large would have been too big in the chest and too long.
I love how the layers separate and are securely fasten with buttons so it won't shift around. I like it more if the jacket was longer in the arms and just slightly fitted near the waste. The layers are really warm and are quite breathable. It'll be nice it is has a hood...so not good enough for me...
