It says MRSP is $245. BULL!! I have the new modle with the core vents and everywhere the price is $410.00. I bought mine at a local sports place that had 50% off for 1 hour. I got mine at $205.00. I have used it skiing and found it comfortable, not too heavy, storm proof, and abrasion resistent. ( fell a couple times). The zippers at the core vents and pockets are easy to move with gloves on. I do find the main zipper hard to start since it has a double zipper to either unzip from the top or from the bottom. I wish my Pamir would zip into this jacket. Then I would be the MAN! I would not pay $410.00 for this parka, so for value I would give it a 3, but since I got it so cheap I give it a 5. On the official score card I am giving it a 3.

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An awesome all around performer for harsh conditions, but it's a bit much for less extreme conditions. There are underarm vents from elbow to the bottom of your ribs, which work nicely. It has more than enough storage, and the Napoleon pocket allows you to access even fairly large items without unzipping. There are glove attatchment D-rings on the sleeves so you can shake a glove off without worrying about it sailing into a crevasse, too.
The hood is the bomb! This thing cinches down like saran wrap on your head yet still follows your every neck-craning freakout. It's big enough for your helmet underneath, too.
What differentiates the Guide Jacket from TNF's other Mountain shells is the cozy polyester lining and the longer length. There's also a more protected rear that can really take some abuse. This lining, though, combined with the 3-ply Gore-Tex shell also makes the Guide Jacket overkill for spring raingear here in Arkansas.
But if you're heading for the "who knows", and you don't wanna turn your torso blue, this bomber piece of gear will quickly become a favorite.
Now stop reading and get outside!

Indestructible, bomb-proof design. I tried other "heavyweight" shells from Marmot and Mountain Hardware before purchasing the Mountain Guide a year and a half ago. I had heard problems with zippers, but I've had none (most complainers are Mountain Light owners - that jacket must be made to inferior standards or something). Just about any quality fleece liner zips in to make incredible insulation. My favorite (and unexpected) feature of the Guide is it's flexibility - Even though it's relatively heavy, I can wear it shell only in almost any weather condition. I have another super lightweight warm-weather shell that I almost never use any more. All TNF gear can be found at super discounts on the internet and mail order.

Customer Service

I've heard horror stories, but they "turned-around" a malfunctioning Polar Sun fleece in about 3 weeks w/o any problems.

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Marmot Alpinist, Mountain Hardware ???

I bought this jacket to replace another TNF coat that I purchased about ten years ago. I went for a XXL this time, as their XLs seem to run a tad small in the chest (I've run into others with the same complaint... Why doesn't TNF lower the arm pit a bit?). I'm not completely happy with the fit, but I am extremely pleased w/ the performance of this jacket. Holds up well in all weather conditions. Is quite warm even w/o using an additional liner - in fact, I'm not sure I would recommend the use of this jacket above 40°F or so. I bought this one on sale... and I'd buy another - on sale. Great coat, but not worth MSRP.

Customer Service

Never had an issue requiring customer service (BTW... are they EVER going to have a useful web page up and running???)

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Also have a TNF Mountain Light - VERY wimpy in comparison (but nice to pack away for warmer rainy days)

The updated version of this classic jacket goes to core-vents as opposed to pitt-zips. The core vents are easier to open and close than pitt-zips and are more comfortable. This is a fine looking coat made with extremely durable fabric. I like the Napoleon pockets. They stow phones and radios very nicely. The chest placement keeps the baggage from banging on your legs as you move around. The jacket is extremely comfortable and very light considering what it does. Similar coats from other mfgs. a lot more difficult to roll up and stow away because of bulk. The primary difference between this jacket and the "light" jacket is the inner liner. Mesh in the "light" and a very fine flannel in the "guide." It is not cheap. But with the life-time warranty, it may be the last jacket you ever buy. The warranty causes me to bump the value to four stars.

Customer Service

Friends of mine have told me that they have sent items back to the North Face for repair. They have always been pleased with the results. I hope they stay focused on customer service.

Too bad that this syle is discontinued!! I've got the '98 style,with the pit zips. I never liked the "core venting"- too,much crap to get into the vents! I like my armpits to get air,when I'm backpacking.

For central Texas use,this jacket is awesome. It may be a little warm for spring/autumn showers(in central Texas),but it is perfect for the late autumn- early spring campouts I go to!
Be warned if you live in humid,hot states: it doesn't breathe too well! (It's 'Gore Tex 1'). But it's constructed 'bombroof';it keeps you comfy,on cool days. It's really tough --granted you don't tear/cut the fabric,or get it too close to high heat!

You get what you pay for. Just remember that this is a SPECIAL fabric type! Follow all manufacturer's recommendations concerning cleaning. And with all the Nikwax & GoreTex fabric replenisher & finishes out there, your North Face shell should last years.

Customer Service

I had the sleeve loop break- the loop that you snap the fleece liner jacket onto. But this was because I tried to take the fleece jacket off,and it was still snapped onto the loop! My fault!

If you find this model coat at a 'NorthFace' outlet store,buy it!! All N.F jackets bought at their outlet stores are warrantied by the OUTLET stores,not The NorthFace retail limited warranty. So save your receipts. There are no 'Seconds' sold at The NorthFace outlet stores;the company only sells discountiued items/colours,and over production stock.

Later!

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Mountain Hardwear- Love their jackets;hate their customer service (They lose your stuff,if it's sent in for warranty repair!)
Marmot - No probs whatsoever!

Too bad that this syle is discontinued!! I've got the '98 style,with the pit zips. I never liked the "core venting"- too,much crap to get into the vents! I like my armpits to get air,when I'm backpacking.

For central Texas use,this jacket is awesome. It may be a little warm for spring/autumn showers(in central Texas),but it is perfect for the late autumn- early spring campouts I go to!
Be warned if you live in humid,hot states: it doesn't breathe too well! (It's 'Gore Tex 1'). But it's constructed 'bombroof';it keeps you comfy,on cool days. It's really tough --granted you don't tear/cut the fabric,or get it too close to high heat!

You get what you pay for. Just remember that this is a SPECIAL fabric type! Follow all manufacturer's recommendations concerning cleaning. And with all the Nikwax & GoreTex fabric replenisher & finishes out there, your North Face shell should last years.

Customer Service

I had the sleeve loop break- the loop that you snap the fleece liner jacket onto. But this was because I tried to take the fleece jacket off,and it was still snapped onto the loop! My fault!

If you find this model coat at a 'NorthFace' outlet store,buy it!! All N.F jackets bought at their outlet stores are warrantied by the OUTLET stores,not The NorthFace retail limited warranty. So save your receipts. There are no 'Seconds' sold at The NorthFace outlet stores;the company only sells discountiued items/colours,and over production stock.

Later!

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Mountain Hardwear- Love their jackets;hate their customer service (They lose your stuff,if it's sent in for warranty repair!)
Marmot - No probs whatsoever!

Too bad that this syle is discontinued!! I've got the '98 style,with the pit zips. I never liked the "core venting"- too,much crap to get into the vents! I like my armpits to get air,when I'm backpacking.

For central Texas use,this jacket is awesome. It may be a little warm for spring/autumn showers(in central Texas),but it is perfect for the late autumn- early spring campouts I go to!
Be warned if you live in humid,hot states: it doesn't breathe too well! (It's 'Gore Tex 1'). But it's constructed 'bombroof';it keeps you comfy,on cool days. It's really tough --granted you don't tear/cut the fabric,or get it too close to high heat!

You get what you pay for. Just remember that this is a SPECIAL fabric type! Follow all manufacturer's recommendations concerning cleaning. And with all the Nikwax & GoreTex fabric replenisher & finishes out there, your North Face shell should last years.

Customer Service

I had the sleeve loop break- the loop that you snap the fleece liner jacket onto. But this was because I tried to take the fleece jacket off,and it was still snapped onto the loop! My fault!

If you find this model coat at a 'NorthFace' outlet store,buy it!! All N.F jackets bought at their outlet stores are warrantied by the OUTLET stores,not The NorthFace retail limited warranty. So save your receipts. There are no 'Seconds' sold at The NorthFace outlet stores;the company only sells discountiued items/colours,and over production stock.

Later!

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Mountain Hardwear- Love their jackets;hate their customer service (They lose your stuff,if it's sent in for warranty repair!)
Marmot - No probs whatsoever!

I have the '98 model and wore it snowshoeing flying down an avalanche slope superman style (I don't recommend doing this), crashed extensively while snowboarding, and been in the nastiest weather. I can safely surmise that the jacket is bombproof. However, I think Gore-Tex is overrated because it doesn't breathe as well as it should, and thus the price is steep for what is out there. Plus EVERYONE and their dog (at least in the Pacific Northwest) owns a Mountain Guide or Mountain Light in the like 5 colors they come in. So don't expect to be original when hiking in the wilderness, or shopping at Nordstroms.

Customer Service

TNF had quick service for the hole I burned in my Snowshoe 3D sleeping bag

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Generic jackets

This is a great jacket for someone who encounters foul weather on a regular basis.

This jacket kept me totally dry through a week long assault into Glacier National Park where we got rain every single day (and some snow too!). Snow, branches, thorns and the like did nothing to harm this rugged jacket.

Combined with the Denali jacket, makes for a great combo in cold and windy weather. Sans Denali, fits easily into a Camelbak HAWG pack (830 in^3) for day hikes, while leaving the secondary compartment open for food and other supplies.

Also works very well in muddy conditions. I wore the jacket through a three day defensive rifle class which was marked by heavy rains. Going prone in mud wasn't a problem with the ample reinforcement around the elbows.

The external material could be a bit quieter but this jacket was not designed for tactical use.

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