Good multipurpose shell for mountain biking, skiing, etc., and generally keeping out the elements. I like the ventilation zippers, but even when it is open, the velco closures seem to keep it closed to defeat the purpose. You should not need anything beyond a polartec 200 weighted (light) fleece as anything beyond this is an overkill. The free lift ticket offer was cool.

Similar Products Used:

Columbia, Marmot, Patagonia

Bought the old style jacket a year ago, when the new style was just coming out. I paid $200 from Campmor. So far I have not had any problems after one backpacking trip and a whole season of snowboarding plus 3 quarters at the University of Washington. I love the hood because it rotates with my head so I don't lose any vision (very important for a snowboarder). I haven't had any durability problems yet, knock on wood. Some people dislike the fact that the hood is not detachable, but I dislike detachable hoods, because they let the wind in.

Similar Products Used:

None

I've looked at gore-tex jackets for years. At first I had my sights set on the Marmot or Patgonia lightweight jacket but, the price kept them out of my range for years. I figured I'd just save up for a good one in a few months. Then I came across The North Face mountain light jacket at the local sierra trading post on sale for 150 and I couldn't pass it up. In my opinon it's got many of the same features as the other more expensive jackets. It's got full length pit zips, a mesh lining, a fully adjustable hood (to make the volume of the hood smaller, pull on the elastic cord on the back of the hood) and pockets gallore. Most importantly the jacket is easilly ventable. Keep the top few inches and the pit zips open for the climb to the top and, cinch it all down when you get going down the backside.

Customer Service

I've only had it for a year so, I can't vouch for the durability.

Similar Products Used:

I have a fleece vest from TNF and it's held up really well (hey, it's just a fleece vest).

I purchased this jacket due to it being on an increditable sale (160.00). I had questioned tnf in the past, but after haveing this jacket for only4 months, And 2 of those were some pretty good Ice Climbing days, i would recomend this jacket to anybody, pack small is light and extremely waterproof. I do not think I will buy any other jacket.

Overall a great product, Little pricy, but still a good buy. The inner lining is covered with a mesh material that dosent look like it will really protect the Gortex fibers the best that they could. The hood has too much room in it. But for the most part ive been inpressed, the only times ive been able to use it in the rain was at two football games where it poured, and it kept me nice and dry!

I've found this jacket to be highly reliable and totally functional. It works nicely in cold weather, although the zippers are a bit difficult to manage with gloves or mittens of any thickness. The under-arm vents work great for quick temperature adjustments, and the swivel hood is useful, but really only works properly if you have some head covering on inside of it (If I don't wear a thick hat, I find that there is WAY TOO MUCH ROOM inside the hood). Also, I've had good luck with a variety of liners in conjunction with the Mountain Light jacket, making it quite versatile.

Customer Service

I was 2 days out from a trip where I expected to see a great deal of rain, and I washed my jacket. Somehow, the inner nylon lining of the hood was ripped and frayed in the drying process (velcro fastening patch was the most likely culprit). A quick call to the North Face store in Chicago informed me that the normal procedure is to send the jacket in, then have it returned either repaired or replaced, but after I explained my situation to the manager of the store, she decided that if I would bring the jacket in, she would replace it with the newer year's model. I was quite content with this service, so I wrote a "thank you" letter to both the manager of the Chicago store and the corporate office. In return, I received a 25 dollar gift certificate. Even better! I should write more thank you notes than I do...

I've found the Mountain Light Jacket to be a quite competant jacket in any weather. I primarily use it in any conditions outside of full winter, as I have my Moonstone Advantage jacket for that which is a bit heavier duty...but the Mountain Light jacket can easily hold up to the rigors of Mt. Washington. And if it can hold up there, it can hold up damn near anywhere else on this planet.....
Handwarmer pockets....those aren't really needed when you're hiking in say, -30 degree temps with windchills exceeding -90 degrees and better....if you want handwarmer pockets, buy a jacket from Columbia or something non-technical. Gloves are a good idea, too.

Customer Service

No experience with customer service

Similar Products Used:

Moonstone Advantage, and one from EMS that I can't remember the name of

I already posted a review, but I wanted to add a little bit. After reading a few other reviews I just wanted to clarify one thing. The name of the jacket is Mountain LIGHT!! That means it is supposed to be just that!! LIGHT!! There a a few reviews suggesting that it is cheap and not as durable as other jackets, but that is exactly what TNF was striving for. Don't you think that they could have made it BULLETPROOF if they wanted to?? Of course they could! Typically when you're climbing a mountain you want something as light as possible, otherwise we would have never evolved from wool to fleece. Even the handwarmer pockets...it's a little inconvenient around town, but how often do you put your hands in your pockets when you're climbing a mountain??? Again, the intended design of the jacket. Bottom line...if you're unhappy with it, you got it for the wrong thing.

Customer Service

No problems but TNF and Gore Associates should honor the lifetime warranty.

Similar Products Used:

Got a Columbia Titanium for my wife...for use around town. She loves it.

overall a good jacket, though I think there are better for the retail price of approx. $350. An excellent value if you can find on sale under $300. I've had mine for 3.5 years now and seams are still waterproof, as evidenced by a trip up mt. madison this past weekend in the snow. the comments about the DWR coating wearing off quickly are true, though it can be rejuvenated relatively easily and does not affect the waterproofing.

Customer Service

haven't had to deal with them yet.

Similar Products Used:

sierra designs 60/40 jacket

I have the classic and it is great, except for a normal person, there are no lower hand pockets- what the h*ll! Otherwise it is a very useful jacket which with the zip ins- very versatile.
More velcro would be better than the snaps which are hard to snap with cold fingers. The fit is a toss up, it is slim, but I find that they cant decide whether or not TNF is trying to fit the fashionable or the functional. At discount, still it is by far the best Goretex shell available. I doubt, though, that most consumers will ever challenge the limits of this jacket to be able to completely compare it to another similar jacket. Lifetime warranty is a always a plus.

Similar Products Used:

some proprietary laminate jackets