Reviews by User: Jeffry Kahn (5)

I'm not thrilled with these ski pants, but for the $140 they cost I'm certainly not disappointed. The fit is very good...just baggy enough to look cool, but not overly snowboarder/Tanner Hall gangster-baggy. The DWR finish didn't last that long and I found myself re-treating the pants about twice per year. If I didn't they would absorb some water and become damp, but not saturate through. The insulation kept me warm into the 30's with just shorts on underneath. My biggest complaint is that the scuff guard on the ankles doesn't even come up to the top of my ski boot---I cut the pants all up with my ski edges, and had to retire the pants after ~40 ski days. But, for a cheap pant, they're pretty good. Also, I am 5'8", 30" waist, 31" inseam and the medium fit pretty good.

I wore this jacket for the 2005-06 ski season. I took it in some real tough places--backcountry at Teton Pass to downpour conditions at Killington. It always kept me dry and it breathed well. The powder skirt works okay--it has to be buttoned to your pants to work at all, otherwise it rides up on your stomach. Lots of pockets. The hood is too small to fit a helmet. My one gripe was that the Recco reflector just fell off one day in the backcountry. However, as a testament to North Face, they provided a full refund for the jacket. All in all, I would buy again.

First off, I'm 5'7", 145lb, 30" waist, and the small fits nicely. I usually wear medium jackets, but I wanted a down layering piece that fit a more tightly. It's trim, but there's still plenty of space to move. This jacket feels very lightweight, but it is insanely warm. I can sit in 35 degree weather not moving and I'll get hot. I can't imagine using this skiing unless it was sub-zero, but for non-aerobic activities when it's cold, this thing is great to have. It also packs down fairly small---maybe to the size of a larger-diameter Nalgene bottle.

First off, the helmet is really nice. My Oakley A Frames have nearly a gapless fit, and it's comfy and warm. The visor is okay---it makes it hard to put the goggles on your forehead, but it's still possible. When you take the visor off, there's 3 pretty ugly holes left in the front of the helmet. Also, the brown canvas is the dumbest thing ever. It's a giant cotton sponge on your head that absorbs water. Just get a brown helmet if you want the color. I returned this helmet because of the canvas, but I like the way the visor looks, so I'll probably get another MX in a different color.

It's really not that warm. Yes, it weighs 3/4 lb, and it packs down super small, but it's not much warmer than a heavyweight Capilene layer underneath a shell. That also packs down small, costs 1/4 the price, and weighs less. However, it doesn't block wind, so if you want this as your outerwear (for around town in the 40s, etc) it would be pretty nice. Also, the feathers are constantly poking through, and making little holes all over the jacket. It's okay--not great, but it doesn't totally suck either. I'll just stick with some fleece or heavy long underwear as a layer.