Reviews by User: Spurgeon3 (19)

The Nemesis jacket is well made product by MHW. The jacket fits to the form of your body but also stretches to give plenty of room for layering (A heavy sweater and t-shirt was easily managed. I am convinced another layer could work but the arms would be tight). The jacket kept me more then warm in 40 to 50 degree weather while strong Alaska winds and misty rain assaulted most everyone but me. I have confidence it could manage the low teens with proper layering. The shoulders and arms have the NanoSphere to protect you against the rain (the Sphere does not cover the entire arm, fleece makes up the under part of the arm). The body of the jacket is fleece. The Nemesis would not protect you in heavy rain. In the sleeves are cuffs for around the wrist (no way to tighten them but this is not needed). I chose the brown color, and the picture on the site did it justice. The Nemesis is very comfortable and the stitch work does nothing to ruin that comfort. 3 pockets on the outside and 2 on the inside. There is a drawstring cord located at the bottom/inside part of the jacket for a snugger fit. Lightweight and very sharp looking.Pricey but an excellent product!

First, let me give a round of applause for this site's tech help. You guys rock! I called wanting to know about several jackets as I negotiated what could handle the sometimes volatile weather of Alaska. The techs got my sizing, picked a guy in the tech department that matched me, and went through all the jackets. This made the choice a simple one, and they did a bang up job in picking a great one for me. The Alliance is not fitted but relaxed (however it has almost a fitted look about it, but plenty of room for movement). I can easily layer my TNF windstopper fleece under this jacket. I also have room for a fleece top and under shirt. Toasty is not the word! The sub zero weather will be much easier to manage now. Rain, snow, and cold...this jacket can take it. The pit zips and other vent spots dump heat when needed (the zips don't rub against you wrong like some do). The over sized pockets are awesome for backpacking. They feel great in the inside as well. The thin liner in the jacket is soft and comfortable. A draw string easily battens down the hatches of this jacket so none of the cold stuff finds it way up your back. The collar is nice and soft for the neck. It guards the neck well. The adjustable cuffs make arm length a no issue. The hood is both zip and button. The zipper of the jacket is fluent and does not get hung up. Great looking jacket that is fit for Alaska!

The PL 400 gloves tickle my fancy. I've tried other fleece gloves but they are the first pair that I have owned that give you a sense as if you are almost wearing nothing on your hands. I can actually grip things with my fingers and get work done. They are light and snug, but extremely comfortable. The silicone does a great job giving your hand the ability to grip things. They are not as warm as you would think they are but for me they are warm enough. 20's to 40's these gloves are in their element. In the low teens you will feel the cold and you will feel "some" wind, but you will still able to feel warmth. When it gets really cold I slide my hardshell gloves over these and I am good to go.

Something about downs always terrified me! Perhaps it was the waking nightmare that Ghost Busters may have chased me down, and zapped me for looking like a walking, breathing marshmallow. I've always liked the idea of snug fitting jackets that give you freedom to move. Not to mention....just being totally honest here.....when I see people walking around in downs I think of walking, breathing sleeping-bags. But now I stand a changed man! I eat my own words. The Sub Zero vanquished my fears! Last couple of weeks here in Alaska it has gone up and down in temp. The jacket has held its own (low teens with a wind chill factor and on up to the 30's). I have no doubt with 200 fleece under the jacket I would be more then toasty in 40 below. The jacket is very sharp looking. My wife and daughter have proclaimed it their favorite jacket for dad! I have to agree! I love the comfort. I love the fleece lined pockets. I love the warmth. I love the style. I love that its not so marshmallowly (not so poofy). I love having an inside pocket and chest pocket for personal use. I love the fact that I stayed dry while taking my daughter out to sled as the wet snow dumped on us, and I love that I had freedom in movement Only down side so far is that I too have noticed that some of the very small down feathers are sneaking out of the seems. But until the day they all explode out and I look like a goose that just ate a hand grenade, I will hang on to this jacket. On a side note: I went a size up to take care of the waist problem some were having (people stated the jacket was not long enough for them). The velcro cuffs made the extra length of the sleeves a non-factor. So to answer the question before me....ya brother....I'm down!

The TKA 100 is a nice shirt overall. The fleece part is exceptionally nice. However, where the fleece meets the stretch fabric the stitch work robs the shirt of comfort. The sleeves are long and very loose around the wrist. The shirt is not fitted but relaxed. You may have to size up if you want extra space but expect the sleeves to be long (no concern if you have long arms). The Alaska wind sliced right through this shirt without a problem (even w/ a undershirt worn under it). I returned the shirt for the stated reasons.

My personal experience with this shirt was disappointing at best. The shirt is not that comfortable. The stitch work around the shoulders rubs the skin in a irritating manner. The sizes run small and the fit is tight with little give. I don't mind tight shirts as long as the material is a pleasant feel to the skin, which is not the case with this shirt. Arm lengths are a bit long.

I purchased this shirt for my wife because it looked sharp, and MHW makes quality items. However, this shirt was a great disappointment. The shirt is made of thin material, and the quality is just not there. I returned it because I believe this item does not have what it takes to go the distance. On a side note....the shirt's colors were dull, almost dirty looking in appearance.

O ya...awesome sweater! This shirt is warm, soft, and breathable. If you like a loose (relaxed) fit...don't size up! I made the mistake of sizing up to get a relaxed fit, because I hate tight sweaters. It was a mistake. But I loved the sweater so much and it was still wearable even in a larger size...so I kept it! I bought the brown one, and the pics on the site did not do it justice. In person its much darker and richer looking. The material can be worked with, which is to say you can easily bunch it up around the waste or wrist. Wore this in 40 degree weather with no jacket or undershirt...it did its job with flying colors! Nice bonus is that Patagonia uses recycled material.

I truly wanted to like this jacket but I was disappointed. It's a tight fit, which means almost no room for layering. The material gives it a rubber feeling. The tape work over the stitching looks unpredictable (one review on another link stated that it in fact did start to peal off). The jacket is light, and can be a good mid layer. In the right cool weather conditions this jacket could keep you warm, but in extreme conditions I would struggle to have confidence in this jacket. The liner is some what comfortable but understated. A thicker liner would have made a big difference. Over all it is a fair jacket.

Great price! Great product! Stitch work is excellent. The Alaska winds cannot penetrate this material. The inside part of the jacket is soft, which makes it a very comfortable fit. Sleeves are a bit long but the cuffs are snug enough that this does not matter. Neck is easily covered. The jacket has some room but still has a fitted look. There is space for layering but heavy layered material may give it a more snug fit. The brown color is a tad bit darker then the picture, which makes it a great looking jacket. The zipper is smooth in action. Over all....a product of integrity!

Personally, I just wasn't impressed with this item. The ivory color looked like what a white shirt looks like when its on its last leg after too many washings (dirty in appearance). The sweater is not very warm and the strange stitch work takes away from the comfort (also makes the shoulders look odd). The cost of the shirt compared to the way it is made is a gross pricing error on North Face's part.

The El Cap is a great layering top to have in the closet or on you! This shirt is extremely soft on the skin, and its very lightweight so it will pack easily. The Cap is relaxed fit so don't expect it to be fitted. The material can be worked with as in bunching around the waste or the wrist. You also have free movement without restrictions. Even if you buy it in oversize you will still be happy as I was. The shirt is breathable. It is not a wind stopper top. However, it should be noted that it retains your body heat very nicely when layered. It has unique way of retaining heat but dumping heat so your never too cold or too hot. Another nice bonus is that Patagonia uses recycled material. Worth busting the piggy bank for!

This is the kind of shirt that you just can't get enough of! You want to wear it every day! Its like putting on warm butter, minus the sticky after thought. Stitch work is awesome, and you don't notice it. The shirt is a relaxed fit. So don't size up if you want a loose fitting shirt. You might have to size down if you want a fitted look. The arm length is perfect. The shirt is easy to work with, which means you can easily bunch it up at the hips or let it hang. Its warm and extremely soft, which equals comfort. This shirt is so comfortable my wife can't snuggle close enough! Only down side....expensive, which is why it got 4 stars instead of 5.

This shirt is nothing short of awesome! You may ask, "why the 4 stars then?" Glad you asked! Simply put.....the price. I have no doubts that if Horny Toad knocked the pricing down they would not be able to keep up with the demands for their products. The stitch work is top quality. Putting the shirt on is like putting on warm butter, minus the sticky after thought. Arm length is a tad long but the comfort of the shirt gives you, "I don't care attitude." The shirt can hang below the waste or can easily be bunched up. The material is easy to work with. The shirt is made in a relaxed fashion, so don't expect a fitted shirt. My wife can't touch this shirt enough....I'm getting more back rubs then ever, which means I'm loving life!

Fair price. Excellent product. Excellent stitch work. This jacket runs a bit big, which gives plenty of room for layering. Sleeves were long and the cuffs had no means of making them tighter. However, the cuffs were tight enough that the jacket did not swallow up my hands. This is an excellent layering jacket. Comfortable and warm in mild weather conditions. The Khumbu would not keep you warm if the weather drops to the low teens. Wind cuts through the jacket as well, but the jacket is not made to stop it. Good-looking jacket. Excellent product for what its made for but don't expect more from it.

The North Face WindWall gets the job done! I was really impressed with the sound structure of the vest. The stitch work is excellent, well made garment. The fleece is smooth and very comfortable. The length is perfect, which is to say it hangs just past the waist. If fully zipped the neck is covered by a very soft material. As written the core of your body stays warm in mild cool weather, and the wind is no longer a concern. This vest would also make a great mid layer item. Great for hiking, fishing, biking, or even out on the town. Would not use this vest for extreme weather condition unless it was for the purpose of layering.

The Khumbu jacket made by The North Face is a fantastic mid layer garment. The fleece is great on its own for cooler temps but not for all out winter weather. The wind penetrates the jacket, but its not a wind stopper fleece so the buyer should not expect performance beyond what it was created for. The cuffs are fleece with nothing to assist in a tighter fit. However, the right size jacket picked will not make this an issue. The collar is high and very soft. The jacket has plenty of room for layering underneath and is a bit over sized, especially in arm length. The jacket is made well, feels great, and is attractive. I returned this item however, because I wanted a wind stopper fleece for Alaska weather. So I bought The North Face Navarre, which turned out to be perfect for my needs. If I had the extra money to spend I would have kept this jacket. Thanks you guys for being so easy to work with!

A bit over priced for what the customer receives. The stitch work in the inside is sound but it takes away from the comfort of the glove. In Alaska teens or below zero weather this glove will not keep your hands fully warm. Wind cuts right through the material. Glove is over sized. Good product but The North Face makes better one's.

I was expecting sharp, comfortable, and well made since it was MH (one of my favorite gear wear companies). I sent this one back to be honest. The shirt is made one size small, which is irritating for the customer when expecting companies to produce standard sizes. The stitch work was odd and irritating. The shirt however was in fact soft (too soft in my opinion), which means it lacked a backbone for times when wear and tear comes into play. I just did not feel like I was getting much for the money. But then again it was so stretchy that perhaps if I had caught it on a tree branch it my have sling shot me across the river, which is a positive. The different colored logo on the shirt detracts instead of enhances. Would have been nicer if they stitched it in the same color as the Burly Wooly pullover. In the crunch of winter this one would stay in my closet. Alaska winds would have devoured this shirt and not even coughed up the threads! Hmmm I may have pulled it out to go get coffee in town during fall or early spring, but since that's a hike.....I think not. Chuckle, not to mention that would have made one expensive coffee shirt!