I found the jacket to be increadbly warm and comfortable. I feel that the jacket has served it purpose well. My only complaints are 1)non-insulated hood (bring a warm hat) 2)I would have liked to have a compression bag (thought i was going to rip the sack). But over all I think who ever purchases this jacket will be more then satisfied. Just bring a warm hat.

This is a warm down sweater. I think that as long as you don't think of it as a down parka, it will meet your expectations. It is very lightweight, and perfect for carrying when the temperature might drop. Perfect for wearing at rest stops when you might get cold. Just be sure to carry a warm hat as the hood is not insulated.

I used to just use a kind of a layer system, when climbing. I couldn't afford all the modern gear.
I treated myself to this jacket last year before going on a winter climb of Mount Whitney. I was impressed. When the sun went down and it got cold, I just slipped this over my fleece jacket and I was toast, well almost!
I also use it while commuting on my motorcycle.
I just wear a shirt underneath and I am still warm at below freezing temperatures, on the freeway.

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I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THIS JACKET AS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MONTHS TO REALLY MAKE USE OF IT THROUGH THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF UTAHS WINTER. EXCELLENT FEATHER RETENTION AND LOFT. THE JACKET PROVIDES GREAT WARMTH ALONE, AND WHEN A SHELL IS WORN OVER IT IT IS AN OVEN! I HAVE ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS, ONE WAS PRICE, I PAID $185.00 WHICH I FEEL WAS A LITTLE STEEP. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE COLOR. I BOUGHT THE JACKET IN TAN WITH BLACK ACCENTS AND THE TAN REALLY SHOWS WHEN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT DIRTY. OVERALL I AM STILL VERY PLEASED WITH THE JACKET.

Customer Service

NONE

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I used the Nuptse on numerous training climbs in Colorado and ultimately it was my warmth on a trip to the top of Alpamayo. Warmth was not a factor- it kept me sizzlin! Motion and sizing were good for me as a tall lanky type. It was comfortable in my layering system and with a pack on, although very sweaty on the back with the pack on (as would be expected). My two concerns were that the outer fabric often was damaged (minimally) by anticipated movement (the price you pay for lightweight I guess), and it was extremely difficult to stuff into itself. I would have preferred some type of compression sack or velcro instead of always worrying if I was going to rip the pocket. But overall, it served me well, it remains in good shape and I can't wait to put it back on! This is the only TNF product I own, but that may change.

I've tried North Face's Summit parka and the Nuptse and I like the Nuptse better. If you really needed the moisture protection the Gore DryLoft on the Summit Parka may be better, but it is stiff and noisy. The Nuptse keeps me nice and warm when fleece just can't cut it. I wish it had a insulated hood though. If your headed some place really cold, get a Nuptse. Great value and quality. Amazing loft for the weight and soft as can be.

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Nuptse vest Several thick fleece jackets

Great warm jacket.

Pros:
+ This jacket just makes you feel good when you wear it - comfortable, warm... I look forward to going to cold places so that I can break out the Nuptse!
+ Zips in to Mountain Light and other TNF shells
+ Stuffs away nice and small (see Con below)

Cons:
- It is difficult to stuff completely into its stowaway pocket - it will fit, but it takes time.
- I understand why this is, but I wish they'd found a way to add pit-zips to this jacket. It seems silly, but if you pop this jacket on under a GoreTex shell, there are times when you go on a quick wander and you overheat a bit - you don't want to stop, take off the shell, take off the jacket, replace the shell etc etc - by the time you do all that you'll probably be cold again!
- As mentioned below, you'd be mad to pay full price - it's expensive at retail - I got mine half price.

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Various fleece jackets

I bought this on sale at a Nature store, which I thought an odd place to be selling this jacket. It was marked down from $180 to $125. Good deal.

The previous reviewer mentions the difference between the pre-1997 Nuptse models and the newer ones. I haven't seen the newer ones, but am put off by the fact that TNF products have become so fashionable.

So mine is one of the pre-1997 models. I've been happy with it so far. It has kept me warm, packs very well. The coldest I've used it in was on top of Mt Baker (WA state)...summer time, but early am and quite windy...I was toasty. I haven't used it a ton. In the 5 years I've owned it, I've used it maybe 25 times.

It has been durable enough. The shell material seems pretty lightweight, but I haven't had any rips or tears. No problems with the zipper like the previous poster. I think I've used the little nylon hood under the collar maybe twice. Most down products have problems with down leaking...even with "downproof" fabrics. Most of my leaking down has been through the seams. I read somewhere that over the life of a down product, all the down that leaks isn't enough to affect it's performance...there is a LOT of down inside a jacket or sleeping bag. Recently I did have to seal up a hole in the back. It was caused by a feather (even the best down has some feathers) that had poked through the fabric. As I pulled on the feather, it was making a bigger hole. So I cut it off with toenail clippers and used an itsy dab of seam sealer to seal the hole. That's the only repair I've had to do on it.

Customer Service

never used it

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I have the 1996 Nuptse, which was made before North Face started to design their products as street clothes instead of expedition quality equipment. Many reviewers have talked about the Nuptse not having a hood. My jacket does have a hood, but it is just nylon. While the jacket did a good job of keeping me warm, the quality left something to be wanted. The goose down has a tendency to poke through the fabric in the jacket. I wear it with my mountain light jacket, which it zips into. I have ripped the jacket twice and have had the zipper break several times. Each time I am forced to return it to North Face to get it repaired, for I don't want them to replace it with their new junk. If you can get your hands on any north face equipment from before 1997 or so, buy it. Even though I have had problems with the jacket, it is still probably the warmest jacket I have ever owned. The overall rating I am posting is quite low becuase the ratings on this site are for the new jacket, not the old one. Therefore, I am forced to write that the new one leaves something to be desired, and I'm not just talking about the hood.

Customer Service

North Face customer service generally repairs or replaces their products when there is a MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. The overall quality of the products now are so low they are good for little more than walking to your car. When my jacket breaks, as it often does, it take a month to get it back when I send it to them. In the middle of December, I don't really want to have to send my jacket back. If you can avoid it, don't buy North Face

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The North Face Mountain Light- A good jacket with a good watertightness to it. However, the jacket can feel moist in torrents of rain. After a while, water will stop beading on it, and the jacket starts to lose value. However, I got a good 3 yrs of use out of the jacket before I ripped it twice and broke the zipper 3 times.

The North Face Hydrenaline Anorak- I found it on sale for around $75 and am extremely pleased with it for running, golf, or tennis. It is extremely light and does a good job of keeping you warm. I have worn it at football games in weather down to 20 degrees and have still been kept fairly warm by it. If you can find it for cheap, buy it, you'll like it.

this is truly a remarkable jacket. aside from the amount of warmth the down captures the sheer packability (1lb 5 oz of weight) of the nuptse makes it a sincere need on any late summer, fall , and early spring packing trips.

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