North Face

martinturner

martinturner

martinturner

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Joined
27 Jun 2007
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I am after buying a North Face jacket; I am looking for a lightweight shell which I can wear over a hoodie and only requirements is that it is waterproof and if possible windproof. I basically don't want something too bulky. I am completley perplexed looking at their website, there are so many options and many seem so overkill. I have seen a couple of shells but they have a price difference of £100 and I cannot fathom why. I am going to pop into store at the end of the week and try some on but wanted to know if anyone has any knowledge of their clothing and could recommend something. Equally, if you would recommend somewhere else instead let me know.

Thanks :)
 
Without looking at the jackets in question the difference probably comes from the materials breathability/waterproofing and/or certain features like fully taped seams or just critically taped seams.

I tend to look on North Face as making nice equipment but it seems to be that you're paying a certain premium for the name, if you can afford the extra then there's no reason not to buy it but often other brands will do the same a little bit cheaper.
 
Plenty of places you can get waterproof jackets from.

The main thing is whether you are looking for a technical jacket because you will be using it outdoors and in differing conditions, or whether you are just after something from a fashion perspective that is waterproof.

You certainly do pay a premium with North Face over other brands. While they make great kit, I tend to steer away from their jackets because I find it's like the only major outdoor brand people know and buy. For example, so many people around London, including some people I used to work with, all wear the most technical and expensive of North Face jackets the second a drizzle comes down, yet they've never set foot anywhere that they might need 25k/25k Waterproof/Breathability, fully tape seemed, Gore-Tex XCR etc....

You would be stood outside the pub on a Friday evening with them all in their North Face gear, it's like one-man-upmanship on who has the most expensive yet pointless jacket.
 
The best water & windproof jacket I've ever had is a Sprayway shell. Not sure of the model name, but it's lightweight, has a detachable hood and is utterly utterly water and wind proof, which many that claim to be aren't.
 
Good timing, i'm about to go buy a North Face Apex Bionic shell, i've been after the exact same thing as you, there are also some nice ones from more specialised brands like Arc'teryx or Marmot which are worth a look and in the same price bracket.

The North Face brand does put me off a little bit as it's a bit fashiony but this particular jacket is a bit cheaper than the others for not a lot of difference.
 
Jonny69 said:
I'd go for a visit to Snow and Rock if I were you. They all come up different sizes and shapes and they have a fairly extensive range. Cotswolds holds quite a bit too.
Click to expand...

Yup go look at S&R, Ellis Brigham or Cotswolds and ask for some advice when you get there.

Personally if you want fashion and are willing to pay then look at Arc'teryx or Peak Performance...:p

Otherwise just go and have a look round, you'll be able to get a nice basic (but decent) waterproof jacket for about £100.
 
Eventually clicked onto its Wiki page where it states the authentic clothes are often faked. Probably because of the expensive materials they use. Since this is hiking / cold weather gear, you're probably better off going through official channels to get your clothes rather than saving a bit of money and going for something from e.g. eBay.
 
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