This is the best Jacket I have ever owned and probably the best priced. I got it brand new for $150.00, although it is a 1999 model. But it doesn't make a big diff. I am a helocopter jumping skier or whatever the correct terminology is for the sport. When I on the mountain I need a jacket that will hold up to the strains of intense skiing. This jacket is very durable but with extreme light weight.
PLease email me with any interesting ski adventures or unrealistic stories.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it YET

Similar Products Used:

Almost all of the columbia(crap) brands and a couple other North Face such as Kichatna (borrowed from friend, too expensive for quality)
and a few Moonstone and Mountain Hardware
All Jackets were Gore Tex (rocks!!!!!!!)
Exept for a few Columbia

This is the best Jacket I have ever owned and probably the best priced. I got it brand new for $150.00, although it is a 1999 model. But it doesn't make a big diff. I am a helocopter jumping skier or whatever the correct terminology is for the sport. When I on the mountain I need a jacket that will hold up to the strains of intense skiing. This jacket is very durable but with extreme light weight.
PLease email me with any interesting ski adventures or unrealistic stories.

Customer Service

Haven't needed it YET

Similar Products Used:

Almost all of the columbia(crap) brands and a couple other North Face such as Kichatna (borrowed from friend, too expensive for quality)
and a few Moonstone and Mountain Hardware
All Gore Tex (rocks!!!!!!!)

I have had my TNF Mountain Light for 2 years. I bought (for $345) it because I needed a waterproof jacket and one that was already tested and had a good review. After using it though, I had mixed reviews.

The hood suffered a cut. I do not know how it happened as I am very careful with my gear. I seam sealed it though and all seems well. I am not so confident about the Supplex nylon material, though. The fit of the hood is good enough-I can look from left to right without my vision being impeded. As for fit, I never felt constrained. I have tested this under my shower and in veritable storms and water did not leak except when I put the pit zips directly under the shower. Also, the DWR finish faded fast! In terms of breathability, it was good. I just feel encumbered by how to close the pit zips. There are lots of hook and loop closures and the zipper handle is difficult to tuck in. This is not a nice situation when a storm is fast approaching.
As for the lenght, it was long enough to cover my back and protects when I sit on wet surfaces.

If you will subject this jacket to light and three season use, you will be fine. However, there are jackets that are cheaper and can probably perform better for the price.

Customer Service

No experience with the customer service because they are difficult to reach. An e-mail would be very nice! I live far away.

A decent, light shell. Has a great articulated hood, breaths well, and the FABRIC has seemed durable (2yrs). That being said the DWR has worn off pretty quickly, I hate having buttons on the front closure, and I don't like the "feel" of the fabric as much as some others (my marmot alpinist light feels nicer and DWR is going strong). I got this at a good discount (I would never pay full price for this piece), and now my girlfriend uses it since I got the Marmot.

Similar Products Used:

Marmot Lightweight Alpinist
Solstice (?model)

I just got this jacket about a month ago and I love it, so far. Pros, then cons.

Pros: nice big hood keeps out rain and snow, with room to spare for a fleece hat and a balacalava. It breathes pretty darn well, with the core vents open, I can haul ass on my bike and not get all sweaty. The drawcord for the middle of the back is located in the two napolean pockets, so you don't have to take off your jacket to tighten it. The lining is really nice and soft against my skin. And the small arm pocket is good to store little things that you need to access quickly. And the "stash" napolean pocket is good to stash "things". The double storm flap on the front is about the burliest one I have seen. The fleece chin guard is awesome, too. And most of the zippers have this cool rubberized coating on them, so water has a really hard time trying to get in.

Cons: Well, I've only had this jacket for a month so I haven't had an opportunity to give it the backcounty test. But I can already see some problems I might have. First, the reinforcements need to be better, like more of them and double stitching. Skateboarding has shown me that single stitches don't cut it. There needs to be reinforcement on the hipbelt area. And the DWR isn't very durable, especially around the shoulders. They should probably just coat high wear areas with more DWR. Before I take this jacket backpacking, I'm definately going to recoat it. And it really needs some handwarmer pockets, the only place to put cold hands is in the corevents, and that is kind of awkward. And, for crying out loud, make the damn thing out of ripstop. It wouldn't add that much weight, and even if it did, I wouldn't mind carrying it for extra durability.

Also, the price: it lists for $365, which is outrageous. I think TNF is catering to the trusty crowd whose mommies and daddies pay for their gear. But, got the 99 model out of cabelas for $200, which is a screaming deal.

Customer Service

None, although I've heard that TNF replaces failed gear no questions asked, for the newest model available. I hope so, cause if this jacket bites the big one, I'll be pissed, only if TNF won't replace it.

Similar Products Used:

My brother has a Lowe Flash jacket, it's about 3 times as heavy as my Mountain Light. But, its also more durable.

I bought this jacket in 1995 and have had mixed results. Keep in mind this is an older model, but here are some assorted problems:
-fabric holding down the velcro which cinches the hood tight broke off (sewed back on myself)
-a hole developed in a front pocket (TNF warranty replaced for me)
and then in the last two years:
-another hole in pocket
-seam between back of hood and back panel came apart (2 inches wide)
-elastic cord stopper for waist tore out of the mesh lining.
these last three problems caused me to send it to warranty again and this time they just gave me a new jacket. not sure if i want it as 1. i'm afraid of what TNF has become, and 2. the new design screams style not function.

BUT: in 5 years i've never gotten wet and despite the problems listed above have been surprised at durability esp. in a bike crash sending me skidding on my jacket across asphalt (no damage high speed).
i consider my rating of 3 stars to be a bit critical in spite of the problems i've had.

the new design just doesn't seem very desirable, but the older jacket served me well. i'm looking to trade in my new warranty jacket for a marmot or mtn hardwear.

Customer Service

First time received jacket back in great time (asked them to rush delivery to me and there was no extra charge)
second time didn't hear anything from them and after getting through on phone, a very nice lady told me i was going to get a new jacket, but still didn't explain 2 months of silence.
so service, when it happens, has been great.

Similar Products Used:

old, 1981, REI gore-tex (still runs).

Poor construction. Does not stand up to any abuse. Even worse than the old style. This along with several other jackets makes North Face look bad. Maybe North Face ought to start focousing on the construction and quality of their products instead of HOW THEY LOOK. Did I mention that it was not cheap?! TNF upped the price another 15 bucks to 360 this year. If you want to spent a considerable amount of money, you may want to look into a better company who cares about their product, such as Mtn. Hardwear or Arc'teryx.

Customer Service

Yeah, actually. I have sent back SEVERAL Jkts. to TNF and have gotten no results. All they did was send me a bottle of TX Direct to apply, to make the DWR perform better. But, had already done this, not to mention I take very good care of my TNF and outdoor stuff in general. They should consider making their good customers happy again before they go out promoting the MTN light to college students. Some people actually use their jackets.

Similar Products Used:

Mountain Hardwear Ethereal FTX Ultra, TNF mountain light (the old one, what a mistake; it went back to the company real quick tho) TNF mountain guide, TNF kitchatna, Apogee (jacket not the tent), High Angle JKT