I had this jacket for three years, and it served me very well during this time. It protected me during lots of rain- and snowfalls. The fitt was good, the arms long enough to cover you always, the hood moves with you as long as you don't look up. The venting under the armpitts was very usefull, don't go without. It could vent better though, especially when you are carying a backpack, which I carry a lot. the pockets are abundant and the frontpockets are big enough for some groceries. It could be stored as a small package when you don't need it and it is reasanably light so you won't leave home without it. It even keeps you warm in cold times.
After only two years of daily wear though, the jacket began to delaminate in the neck of the hood and it began to wear through the tunnel of the waistline. This is way to early for such an expensive piece of gear. So I send it back to TNF.

Customer Service

After I send it back, it took them (TNF) 1.5 months to reply. the reply was very good as they gave me back my money so I could buy a new jacket. As TNF didn't hold up I'm now trying a Moonstone Sauvage. Sorry TNF!

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Moonstone Sauvage

First TNF jacket I've owned and it's everything I expected plus more. Kept me dry and comfortable whether it was 40 and pouring or 0 degrees and snow coming out my ears. Primarily used for skiing. It might not look "cool" but you might be caught dead without it...

Customer Service

Did TNF get bought out?

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Pathetic, non-goretex jackets.

An excellent, high-end, bomb-proof, monster jacket. great for riding out storms, ice climbing and general mountaineering. a little too bulky/heavy for a backpacker i believe. overall outstanding quality.

Customer Service

my jacket is a few years old and it shows, though i tend to beat up my gear faster than others. the velcro tabs on the outside zipper cover need replacing, and i give it a coat of 3M scotch gaurd every year (even though the gore-tex is in good shape, the outer layer still retains water - but this is for all gore-tex clothing).

Excellent construction. Very durable fabric. Durable water repellency coating comes off with each washing so you need to re-coat. Even though it lacks pockets for your hands, it is a great mountaineering jacket.

Wahoo! First review on jackets! Anyhow, I bought the Kichatna three years ago and have beaten the heck out of it. Originally bought the jacket for mountaineering and ice climbing but been using it mostly for backpacking since my geographical location is not conducive to alpine activities. Lots of bells and whistle including pit zips, inside pocket big enough for a nalgene, sleeve pocket, reinforced elbow and shoulder fabric and roomy hood, my climbing helmet fits in nicely.

This jacket is bombproof. Still totally waterproof and looks good. I painted over the big north face logo--I live in the DC area and didn't want to get jacket jack! Oh yeah, prepare to spend a bundle.

Customer Service

Haven't experienced their customer service yet.

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Patagonia Storm
Marmot Thunderlight

Overall, a great jacket. True its a little warm, but when the mercury drops and the conditions deteriorate quickly, its a life-saver. I've only owned mine for just over 2 years now, but it has stood up to endless bushwacking and rock-scraping without complaint. True, some of the ergonomics are a little difficult (pit zips, etc.) but its well worth the compromise for its rock solid performance.

First, i must say that i USED to own a Kitchatna jacket (and bibs)... Second, let it be said that whoever claims this model to be the best jacket out there is smokin too hard. Nicely overpriced, it is one of the poorest constructions i have seen in major outdoor manufacturers. The design is ok, covers your butt, and there's ample room for a fleece or down jacket... BUT the 3-ply material is totally flimZy. I used my Kitchatna for all-around backpacking plus ice climbing and mountaineering in the rockies and south america. A few weeks of moderate use and VOILA! fraying, so-so seams and an unbelievably cheapo abrasion resistance....

They are marketing this as a MOUNTAINEERING shell, but a few minor scrapes and slides and the white GTX membrane was showing up everywhere!!!

Customer Service

At least they stand behind their stuff very well (they sent me a brand new set of bibs without any questions after the seams started goin through)

Similar Products Used:

Patagonia, MEC, Marmot

well, i'm back from Nepal and I have an update on my review. The only downfall of the jacket is that the hood is very hard to stow. I was hiking back to Lukla from my lunch break in Phakding and it sarted raining so I put my jacket on but not my hood. It started to rain harder so put my hood on and was drenched with water that had accumluated in my unstowed hood. so either stow your hood in the realy uncomfortable position or put your hood on of the bat. Also if you have a full Nagelene bottle in your mesh holder it throws your jacket fit all out of whack.

Customer Service

No problems yet.

Similar Products Used:

None

The Kichatna was my first Gore-tex jacket. I boought it at way over 1/2 off at a killer sale about 4 years ago. Some changes in design may have occured sine I bought mine.

After I had it for a while I compared it to other jackets that other climbers wore.
1. Mine didn't have an internal snow skirt. When you strap on a backpack, snow skirts are a waste of weight/time are uncomfortable.
2. It has a rip-stop exterior. Small tears are stopped from running.
3. I'm not too crazy about the hood. It's supposed to move with you when you turn your head etc.... It sorta does. It also doesn't stowe away easily. You roll it up and attache it with velcro but the way they designed it to do that is not the best. Ultimately, I never roll mine up. I just leave it hanging out/flat. It does stay out of the way however. I give the hood a c-.
4. The Kichatna is very durable. The sleeves and shoulders are reinforced. One feature that I really liked is the fact that it has TWO internal mesh pockets big enough to hold water bottles.
5. The zipper pulls are hard to work with gloves on. I replaced them with something more substantial.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Kichatna. If/when I replace this jacket, I'll shop for somthing just as durable but maybe a tad lighter. When you're loading a big pack, every once counts.

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None

One of the better TNF items. Fits really well(I'm 6-4, 200#), keeps you dry, and is reliable. I've used it climbing and backpacking with no problems. mine is about 2 1/2 years old; got it at a warehouse sale in San Leandro for about $250; it's an older version(pit zips instead of core vents). Minor probem with the hood adjostment system, but they fixed it at no charge.

Customer Service

Excellent. There are 2 TNF outlets in the area,and retail store. Maybe this is why service is so good. they generally fix things well and promptly, and I don't remember ever being charged.

Similar Products Used:

REI, Moonstone(the best),Marmot