Reviews by User: MJR (21)

This jacket is fine for around town and such, but is not for any trails or efforts where weight and convenience of use is important. It is heavy, much heavier than anything I will ever take on the trail Base Camp, if not carried up there by me, sure, on the trail, not on your life. The inconvenient zipper location, angled along the side and under some snaps that take some work to get through, and would be a total pain with gloves on , is a technical problem. Again, it looks nice, it is warm, and it does all the things advertised. It's just heavy and a pain in the but to get on and off. As long as you are just looking at warmth and a little bit of winter fashion, this is your potential choice.

This jacket lives up to the challenge of tons of rain. Day one of its arrival proved that. However, the sleeves are wonderfully long, the body very short. Whomever they used to shape this must have had very long arms, very short body - sounds like a monkey. It is a less helpful fit than the Marmot I owned previously. However, I find the outer pocket and breathing "zips" on this more helpful.

I am 6'7" and bought the XXL. It fit great, even the sleeves. In my brief test, it proved very warm. However, the lack of a tight elastic hem/waist or some form of drawstring allows cold air to enter the lower portion of the jacket. I was hesitant to return it because it is incredibly lightweight and warm [with no wind], but there are other products out there which can be sealed at the waist/hip to prevent heat loss [important for my high elevation winter hikes].

A little tight for my liking. I prefer hiking clothes to be a more loose fit. However, they are functional and have served me well on three long day hikes 9+ hours through elevation. Side pockets are deep and roomy can hold a water bottle. Nice though these pants are, I own a pair of similar The North Face pants that are roomier and with more pockets and storage. Probably would go that direction in the future.

This jacket seals well along all external access points, there’s little to no loss of heat or cold air getting in. The internal pockets are perfect for hiking/packing, the mesh one will hold large items (thermal hats, balaclava, and more). The fleece-lined external pockets are convenient during those moments when the gloves must be off. The sleeves are perfect for me (at 6'7" and 37” needs in sleeves), but the body is a little short (right to the hip). Hood attachment keeps you VERY warm (almost no need for other head protection in sub-zero temps). You will look and feel much larger (it "puffs out" more than most down jackets). Problem: the main front zipper is a tough find (the jacket puffs out a lot), and it can take several attempts to get it in all the way so it will work. Overall a great jacket! Where was this when I was younger?

This, finally, has the room and fit for a variable temperature winter hike into the mountains. I was able to carry all my gear (crampons, ice ax (handy holder), down jacket, lunch, medical gear, thermos, and more) and be comfortable for the whole 10+ mile trip. The bladder sits in a separate pocket closest to your back, and the ease with which the insulated drinking tube slips through it into the sleeve is, to be honest, quite impressive (much easier than the Dakine I bought in November and which does not have enough room for the gear). The pockets and internal compartments allow for a helpful separation of gear and extras. It is quite roomy, and if you carry snowboards or skis, the system seems quite compatible. I was extremely pleased with how it worked on a hike through to 10,000+ feet and 20F degree (and less) weather (not including the fierce wind gusts that sent chills down the spine but kept the water flowing with the tube exposed - personal preference). Other than the covered little hole in top for the CD player headphone cord to pop-thru, it is weather-proof and seals perfectly (even along the zippers). The only drawback is the occasional time when the main zipper gets stuck, but this is quickly fixed and is nitpicky.

This jacket does all that is advertised. It has great seam protection, zip-in capacity, removable hood , and great weather protection. However , the sleeves are shorter than I have experienced with most The North Face clothing. It's a sometimes you win, sometimes you lose thing with The North Face, and it largely depends upon where the garment is manufactured. I can see the hook-and-loop cuff system failing or ripping in a year or so as it seems a little flimsy. Time will bear that out. It is also a little heavier than I would prefer for mountaineering, and is comparable with a Mountain Hardware jacket of similar structure. It is definitely over 3 pounds!

#1 Shoe in my collection! I purchased these at a national store [three letters], and was looking for a super-lightweight hiking shoe. I tried on every trail runner in my size - 6 pairs in all, and was about to leave with another pair when I spotted these. Tried them on, and comparatively, they felt like slippers when I put them on. I tossed the pair I was going to buy aside, and bought these. They have done 18 mile day trips up into the mountains, desert trails in severe heat, and mixed terrain hikes, and NOT ONE blister EVER! Not even a hot spot. They provide great traction, incredible weight [slipper concept], and very rarely do I feel any pressure on the bottoms of my feet on severely rocky and difficult terrain. These ARE my hiking shoes except in winter. I have used them for a year and hundreds of miles and rocks, and they are just now beginning to show some wear.

I have a large head [7 5/8 hat], and these fit me like a glove. They fit anyone with a medium to large noggin! There is a solid seal around the eye socket, and the glasses do not fall off with a fair bit of movement and nasty weather. Vision is great, and included accessories allow for alteration of use depending upon the activity [and potentially your fashion choice]. Why didn't I buy these before? Until someone shows me something better, I will be buying Julbo [I own North Face, Oakleys and Native Eyewear (my previous favorites)].

Super light, comfortable, wicks great, and it fits. I am 6'7", and the XXL fits. That's a huge issue for me. Bought two, and have used them extensively out here in CA (hot, cool, and all sorts of weather) since the purchase. Great performance and fit, what more can I say?

I did one trip on flat ground (about 8 miles+) w/o blisters or problems. Then last weekend up I hiked uphill [approx. 4500 to 10500ft] and got heel blisters and more. The boots are part of this picture, but I have Smartwool thick backcountry socks that perform better in the same boots. These are comfortable and provide moisture movement (the sweat as well as the blood and such), but I will probably use them only on level, less challenging terrain.

It fits the Raven Pro Ice Ax and adjusts well to my needs at 6ft 7in and the longer ice ax. That was the most important factor in my selection. Have yet to truly test its mettle versus tough conditions, but in practice it has held true.

Mount Whitney, Mount San Gorgonio, desert hikes, stream crossings... You name it, not one blister or hot spot. They are worth the price, and for my money, beat the 3 pair of Smartwool Adrenaline socks now gathering dust in my sock drawer. I use size 4, and it is snug [size 14 shoe size], but cool, breathable, quick drying, and comfortable. I used to use Smartwool exclusively, but have gone this direction for improved fit and comfort. Blistering heat, up mountains or in the desert, I wear these everywhere.

This is my favorite and most effective base layer jacket. It got me easily to the top of Mount Whitney through snow, ice, and wind in early June [when I actually forgot my wind jacket]. It is miles better than all the cheaper [brand name] Polartec wear I own - by far! It prevents cold air from slipping through the zipper area, the cuffs or waist. It seals great, the vents allow for smooth transitions during long hikes or "warm moments". The lightweight makes it an easy add to the pack when in doubt of weather conditions. At 6'7" tall, the XXL fits my length and is just a tad short in sleeves. I would strongly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I wear size 14. So, there is a far bit of weight put on these, and fit and comfort are HUGE for me. When I put them on, they felt like slippers. No joke! Compared to the others, they were drastically different. Since then, they are my number one hiking shoe [with a low gaiter for mountain trips and nasty trails]. I wear them when hiking Mount San Gorgonio and other local peaks/mountains, and they serve me very well. I will buy another when these wear thin [I've been using them on almost every hike, short and long since I bought them last Spring]. I do wear an extra liner sock layer on more aggressive hikes to provide a little more protection from the pounding on distance hikes [8+ miles]. These work great for running or for hiking, and I've tried just about everything [Asolo, Montrail, Merrell and others...]. They have also withstood all the punishment I have thrown at them and come out with flying colors.

Nice to wear just around town or on the trail. Super-light, comfortable, and great on the trail. Have used the two I purchased quite often, and I am pleased with the fit (I am rather tall, so XXL fit the torso well) and function. This is a neck-and-neck tie with the Columbia Trail Grinder as far as I am concerned. These are just a little more fashionable and useful outside of hiking.

I would give it a 5 if it fit me better, I am 6'7". It is a little short in the sleeves (XXL), but the body is fine. On several hikes and runs it has been oddly warm when necessary, wicked cleanly, and been cool in our extra-warm winter (85F in SoCal). Breathes nice, and you barely notice it's on you. It takes the wear from the pack with ease and there’s no chaffing with a heavier pack. I would buy another with confidence.

The locking system (not the flip, the lower one) is a 70/30 proposition. They do not always work as advertised. When trekking in snow and through cold climates, the gloves will not get this breakdown process accomplished, you must remove gloves to collapse the poles (difficult enough to breakdown without gloves). These are heavier than my Leki poles, which I use 90% of the time. I had high hopes for these poles, and certainly the hand grip system is nice and especially helpful on ascents, but the weight and locking mechanisms make this one of the "mistake purchases". If I had to do it over, I would not have ordered these poles. The also do NOT absorb shocks like the Lekis.

Unfortunately, they are not a "fit all sizes" crampon [a very rare find]. They do NOT fit US size 13s. Adjust as you might, they will be off 1/8" or so front or back [depending upon where you would prefer your weakness and instability].

This is a well structured pack, but I own lighter ones that hold a similar amount of material (Salomon for one). I have reserved it for more questionable weather settings.