This jacket is ultrafunctional, with pit zips, adjustable cuffs without that blasted elastic preventing you from opening them up fully, elastic waist drawcord, elastic face drawcord, elastic peripheral vision drawcord, two very large outer pockets, two moderately sized mesh lower inner pockets, and two chest inner mesh pockets sized for 1 liter water bottles to keep them from freezing, though I tend to use those pockets for a hat and mitten shells; perfect for them, too. What can I say, I love having those extra items of clothing on me, not in the pack so I'd have to fiddle around taking off the pack, pulling the stuff out, putting it on, then putting the pack back on. Saves time having things handy right there. The jacket has no extra lining like a lot of others do, so it stuffs down into about the size of a large softball (stuffsack included), which is great if you need to watch the volume of stuff you're carrying as well as its weight.

Customer Service

Had to send them a tent once that had its no see um netting scratched out by a cat, they took care of it. Sent them a tent pole with a ferrule that had become detached and slid into the interior of the pole, they took care of it. They take care of it.

Similar Products Used:

North Face Mountain Parka

i've used my kichatna for nigh on four years, and it has kept me dry. period. i bought the jacket before north face had such cache as it does now, and it has served me well.. the jacket is a little on the stiff side, but that patented north face look never dissapoints. but, i think my next jacket will be mountain hardwear, northface is declining as it becomes a trend. i would recomend looking into their jackets also.

Customer Service

a racoon nibbled a couple holes in the left shoulder of the jacket, so it was sent in for repairs. the repair job was superb, but i had to pay 20 bux, no bigee.

Similar Products Used:

mountain hardwear ethereal ftx ultra jacket.

I wanted to say that the kichatna has it all. The hood design is spectacular and there is ample space for storage without losing it on steep slopes. As mentioned in this jackets sample description, the D rings have saved my gloves in more than one whipe out. Although this jacket is designed with a climber in mind, from a hard skiers prespective it is near perfect. Compliments to the designers at THE NORTH FACE for providing us with this masterpiece!

Customer Service

No customer service yet, but from what I have heard form friends, I am not afraid to call if I have to.

Similar Products Used:

Several jackets in the past from columbia and sierra have had no comparison. Attention to detail is what sets THE NORTH FACE ahead in the race.

One of the best extreme weather jackets I've ever worn. Tested it in temperatures of -60 (w/ windchill in the Rockies) to monsoon rains. Great swivel hood that doesn't obstruct your view. Has tough Taslan fabric in high abrasion areas (shoulders down to elbows and lower forearms and cuffs). 2 large mesh inner pockets for 1L H2O bottles (although newer model has only 1) & 2 inner zippered storage pockets. Has D rings on sleeves to clip gloves/mitts to jacket (may sound/look goofy but ever try taking a glove off at 1800' to cinch a rope, etc). Great warranty, too. Had my 1st jacket replaced and 2nd jacket repaired at no cost (other than shipping). 3ply Gore-tex allows you to wash it at home (but be sure to use Scotchguard/Nikwash/etc to rejunvenate the DWR coating after a few washes). TNF adds new features every yr or two so if you can afford this jacket, check it out.

I use this jacket alot for kayaking in northern, Mn. Instead of a paddle jactet I find this jacket more comfortable and totally water proof. Even after going in the water I can just shake it out and still have no wind getting through at all. Then when I'm at camp I have a great rugged jacket for the rest of the time. This saves me carry two jackets on my kayak trips. The only negative so far is it doesn't breath real well. I have to be careful about sweating too much. But, if I unzip the pit zips and wear the proper clothing under it it's fine. I also enjoy the water bottle pockets inside the jacket. They also work well for camera lenses. Hood works great and has great adjustments.

This jacket means nothing but business. I bring my kichatna jacket on every climb I go on. It has been through hell and back and it is still with- standing an enormous amount of abuse. I recomend it to anyone who is serious about the mountaineering. It is extremely waterproof and fits great to the body. The hood has a comfortable design to it so it doesn't twist around your face. The pit zips are hard to open with big gloves, I usually bug my partners to open and close them for me. The large mesh waterbottle pockets on the inside have kept all of my fluids from freezing while in the cold. This is defenately the best jacket I've ever had!

Here is a statement about my Kichatna...says it all. This corrects my earliers statements.

In October of 1997, I purchased a new North Face Kichatna jacket from your North Face outlet in Lincoln, New Hampshire. After researching for several hours and trying on different models, I selected the Kichatna specifically for its "rugged utilarian design" and for the outstanding reputation of TNF products. Other people, at the time, recommended the coat. The jacket purchased at your store was not my first Kichatna--in fact it was a replacement for my other Kichatna which was stolen earlier in the summer. I had such faith in TNF products, that I actually invested in another one from your store since I felt that the product would, in the words of your website, manufactures equipment for "extreme conditions" and for "world class climbers."

In the last three years, the coat has been maintained very well--in accordance with the instructions provided. I have not used it for 'extreme conditions,' and it has not been abused or even used a large number of times. I have used it for alpine skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and general use--minimal compared to how the literature and displays portray TNF products being used in the field by climbers and other extreme athletes. Yet, despite this minimal use in just three years and excellent care, I am noticing several defects in the material that make me very disillusioned--especially since this is a coat that retails for $400+ and is for "extreme conditions." First, seam tape is pulling off in several places on the hood and chest area while it is becoming delaminated in the waist area. Second, I am noticing that the inner lining is wearing thin in many places. The third defects I am noticing are particularly disturbing; while getting ready to clean the coat, I found that one of the velcro closures on the storm flaps was ripping right off the fabric. The cuff velcro patches were also beginning to pull off. Quite frankly, I do not want to even put the item in the washer since I feel that it will probably fall apart.

While one may classify these as "wear and tear issues," I feel that a $435 coat retailed for "extreme conditions" should be designed to last for more than three years of general use. These issues are, in my opinion, evidence of poor design and inadequate construction since these problems are coming about after minimal wear. I do not think that world class climbers, such as the late Alex Lowe, would endorse a product that performed like this unless he had faith in it. At this point, I question my faith in TNF products and because of this and I need your help.

TNF states that they will their warranty is "for a lifetime and that is how long we will stand behind it," and that it is warrantied against manufacturing defects. They state that they will repair or replace the jacket at no charge at their convenience. However, after researching how good TNF repairs are and hearing from other gear testers and consumers (outdoorgearreview.com), I do not want TNF to repair this item. Several consumers reported that repairs made to seam tape were "horrible" and that, in one case, repairs for obvious manufacturing defects were charged to the owner of the coat. After seeing the new line of Kichatnas and reading reviews about them, I can say that I do not feel that the workmanship is good. A lot of my friends are having problems with their new North Face equipment as well. At this point, I would prefer to exchange the coat towards another product that you handle, possibly the Patagonia Ice Nine, for example...

... I am sure that if you were put into the same situation, by investing hours of time researching and over $800 invested in equipment that is supposed to endure a lifetime of "extreme conditions," only to have it begin to disintegrate only after three years of minimal use and excellent maintenance, you'd feel the same way as I do.

Customer Service

We'll see what happens. Beware.

Similar Products Used:

Columbia, Black Diamond Shells. I also have looked into Patagonia Ice Nine and Mountain Hardwear Ethereal FTX. Better choices.

My feelings on the Kichatna parka made by The North Face are mixed. This parka has absolutely the worst DWR coating of any garment I have ever owned. The parka wets out in just about any wet weather. In a nutshell the DWR sucks big time. Also the neck area is to tall. I have not had a problem with delamination like some of the stories I have Heard. I do kike the Long rear tail. The dual zipper also sucks. I swear the bottom zipper was designed by the devil himself. I have NEVER got this thing to work on the first try. When the temperatures are in the -20 range the zipper can be very frustrating. When this parka gives up, or I just get fed up. I plan to go Marmot. It's unfortunate the we can't try before we buy.

Customer Service

I haven't used them yet.

Similar Products Used:

none

I bought the North Face Kichatna jacket because it was cheap - it was the discontinued model so it was discounted over 50%.

The quality seems to be there - I have been in this jacket for weeks at a time and have not noticed the fraying or delaminating of the other people reviewing this jacket. The DWR sucks - I am constantly having to retreat the jacket. Other than the DWR problem, the jacket has lasted very well for the last two years.

The design of the jacket is fairly good - although the current jacket is a different design so I cannot comment on it. There is always enough pockets to hold all the crap needed for mountaineering and the sleeve pocket has actually been usefull - for coins etc that you don't mind losing.

I probably would not buy this jacket at full price - there are too many other manufacturers that I think produce a better product in this price range - Arcteryx, Marmot and Mountain Hardware for example. However, if you find a better deal on this jacket - buy it. It is probably 90% as good as the other jackets out there.

Similar Products Used:

Sierra Designs
Marmot

Toughest jacket I have ever worn. Out perfroms any jacket I have worn in wind protection, water resistance and durability. And its made by North Face its just the best. When you hear the words North Face you just know that its a good product no matter what. I love its features like its napolean pockets security pocket and its 2 watel bottle pockets to keep your water from freezing.

Customer Service

North Face is probally the most renoun jacket company and makes the best products you don't have to worry when you wearing NORTH FACE.

Similar Products Used:

Mountain Hardwear
Early Winter
Marmot
Patagonia