The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

Ok I just got this jacket about 3 days ago and tested it today. This is how I tested it...1. I went to the shower on it (no shirt under) and did 2 seconds under the shower my back turned so that the water goes on my shoulders and back. I did this all around - 2 secs on my chest, 2 secs on my tummy, 2 secs on left then right arm, finally 2 secs under the arm left and right. Result: a little streak of water went to my chest from the neck (I was trying to avoid that but wasn't successful). It was still dry inside though I felt the seams on the sides and zipper to have the most moisture. I also put a paper receipt on the chest pocket and moist is the most it became under the conditions I tried it on above.2. It went out of my apartment where I am in a rectangular tube to have a wind tunnel effect (at the corridors both ends are without walls so open air passes through). I just had enough time to wear my marmot fleece pants, running shoes, and a baseball cap and the jacket outside dripping wet (still no shirt under it). It is 2 degrees Celcius and feels like -4 degrees according to weather[@]. I wore the cap to feel how windy it was on the tunnel. I wore my cap snug and it did not blow off my head however it would flap up and down. If you had an umbrella open on the floor it will definitely be blown outside the tunnel.Result: I felt cold as wind went trough my fleece pants so after 1 min I went back to wear my nike wind pants over of the fleece pants. Ok now I'm ready to just feel the jacket - still driping wet at this point. I did feel cold with the wind blowing especially on the seams (side and front zipper). However, the other parts were cold but bearable. So I decided to lift my arms up so wind will blow all around me especially targeting the core of my torso (arm pits). Surprisingly it felt the same as when I kept my arms pressed to my body. This usually feels instant cold effect under this temp and wind conditions. So I implied it is wind proof and kept the temp inside the jacket securely (I pulled the waist draw string and tightened the cuffs). I stood outside for not more than 8 mins - I was getting cold.3. Now I decided to put the jacket in the dryer (low heat as it recommended) and test it when its dry and then wend out again sill no shirt under the jacket and same marmot fleece, nike wind pants, running shoes, and base ball cap.Result: It was not as windy this time cause my cap wasn't flapping as much it only flapped one time and the rest were mere small vibrations. However, the jacket still felt cold but a lot better especially on the seams. I did not feel any warmer than when it was wet probably a little more warmer but not like wearing a wet shirt vs a dry shirt. I stood there for about 8 mins again until my ears hurt. So I think it is a good jacket for the wind even though it was wet outside and a bit moist inside. That I strongly agree on.Now other aspects style and comfort... First I would like to say that I am pretty conscious about how things look. I wouldn't buy anything if it doesn't look pleasing to me. Even though what I am buying is for utility it must look good in my eyes. So the first thing I did was replace the zipper cords. I bought the one they sell there at REI too - its cord is thinner and its handle/head has more grip. The plastic/rubber handle/head is a streamlined, curved in a minimalist way, nice and functional design. It’s all black (my jacket is black) so it looks better than the stock cord as well. I would have gone for bright orange but it only comes on black – still it looks better. So now it looks and functions better than before. Other than the zipper cords I like how it looks…Comfort - this is the one that I would grade the jacket the least. My first gripe on this jacket is the spot where about seams intersect it’s the spot where you would normally get the golfer's elbow. If I don't tighten the cuff I feel it even more. When I drive and rest my left elbow on the door’s arm rest – it’s very annoying and it scratches the skin. Same with the right elbow when driving – resting it on the center console arm rest. Secondly, I drive a coupe where the seats are bucket seats so it hugs your body. The jacket is stiff and the collar rubs against my neck and chin due to the sports seats compressing the fabric that it bother's me. It bothers me enough that it is no longer comfortable. I am forced to roll the collar down rather than it standing up cause I can't stand it anymore. Not like a traditional fleece jacket that is so relaxing and comfy to wear. The best comparison is having your shirt with tall british collar ironed using heavy starch vs using a fabric softener and not ironed at all. It looks nice and crisp with heavy starch but not comfy after a whole day in the office especially with the suite on. However, if I am not driving I it is comfy.I used it last night during training as a warm up jacket. And wow! the stretch material is phenomenal. It is great, especially when we were doing the stretches - it was not constricting me at all. However, it is the seams on the golfer's elbow area that they should work on. The work around to this problem is tightening the cuff so that it is on your wrist it then creates a "baggy" effect on the arms (as mentioned before it fabric is stiff) so you get a nice tubular form around the elbow. This baggy effect relieves the annoyance by adding space between them and off centers the apex of the seams intersection.Fit - it is not athletic in fit so you can definitely layer inside if you want but if you put your wallet, keys, cell phone, cash, and a small solitaire light on its pockets I think the most I can wear under it without feeling too constricted are - a undershirt, a polo-T, and a light cotton or wool sweater.Weight - I think my old fleece is lighter but I donated it to charity a while back so I can't really tell except for the way it feels.Overall if I did not get this at a discount (with REI's 20% promo and using my dividends) I would have been less happy. For its price its just ok for me. All reviews I read was so great but when I bought and wore it for a few days in my opinion it was just ok or .0001% better than ok. Its nice and cheap - I think for the price its a deal. I think its for weather above 5 deg Celsius and below 20 deg celsius. --- QED ---

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

Bought this jacket as a mid-layer. It looks great sure, but this thing doesn't breathe, even a little, so your drenched in no time if you're in anyway active which is a serious problem in the cold. Also, because there's no drawstring at the bottom, this jacket doesn't really keep you all that warm in a stiff breeze as it spills a lot of your heat. It's been an ongoing disappointment, especially since it cost so much. I've ended up going with a fleece and an ultralight by Millet with much much better results. This jacket is for going to the bar, not the trail or the slope.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

This jacket breathes as well as a cigar smoking asthmatic working in a coal mine.If you're looking for a cool work or school jacket where there is not much exertion then this may be a good jacket for you. If you're a hiker and you want a sweaty back then this might be a good jacket for you as well. It’s not technical clothing – it just looks cool.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

I used the APEX jacket for both backcountry and alpine skiing in temps from single digits to the 40's. In colder temps I used a heavy base layer (UA type) and a thin fleece, warmer temps I had just a thin base layer; worked very well! Very windproof and very good breathability. Hiked in a heavy spring shower and had some minor leak through in the shoulders after about 45 minutes.

I chose the APEX over other brands because of fit. I bought a small size. I'm 6', 175lbs. and wanted a snug fit of a couple of light layers. Other brands smalls were too tight, and mediums too baggy.

Pit zips would make this jacket perfect. Very versatile and comfy. I highly reccomend it.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

One of the best layering articles of outerwear clothing I have ever purchased; this is the only autumn, winter and spring jacket I own. The jacket repels rain, blocks wind and breaths well. As the seasons turn colder, I add a light fleece under the jacket and can easily handle the cold, unforgiving late winter weather of Illinois or with a light jumper can endure the wet, windy evenings of England. The jacket is sporty enough to qualify as business casual, but rugged enough to be thrown into a rucksack for a long weekend hike. Great piece of equipment!

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

The first time I tested this jacket was at 11,000 feet and the wind didn't go through it at all. The second time I used it I got caught in a fierce rain and hail storm and the only water that got in dripped down my neck, the inside of the Jacket was completely dry. I've used it in the rainy weather of Hawaii and not a drop has got in. The humidity must have some effect on the breathe ability though, because I get too sweaty at times. It's a great jacket, I've got complements on how it looks on me, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a water proof-wind proof shell.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

This jacket is warm and comfortable. Good for 70's to the 40's. Below 40 and you need something under it for additional warmth and above 70 and you're going to be too warm. This is a great jacket however. It is completely windproof and extremely water repellent. It looks really good to boot. If you are looking for a all around good soft shell to wear casually and at the campsite, then this piece is for you.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

I love this jacket. I'm a bigger guy (I have the 2x size) and I have a terrible time with jackets. Normally the sleeves are too short so when I raise my arms the cuff is almost at my elbows. The other problem I have with jackets is when I raise my arms, they ride up. This jacket is perfect, no matter where my arms are, the jacket stays in place on my torso and the cuffs are at my wrists. The wind and water resistant nature of the jacket are great too. Like someone else mentioned, this is a great jacket for 70-40 degree weather. Much colder and it wouldn't be enough for most people. I'm warm blooded so this jacket is perfect for me in the Northwest. I almost never need anything heavier.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

The chest is way too big if you are thin (like most outdoors people are). I could not go a size smaller as it would be too short. It is not warm... at all. It is not bad with another jacket under neath it though, but who wants to put on a fleece under a jacket for casual use. I just wanted a jacket to put on and keep warm. It would be nice if the liner was thicker so you would not have to feel the cold through the outer fabric. It looks good though.

Comments about The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket - Men's:

Great jacket for all kinds of workout stuff. Breathes really well yet still keeps you warm. About the only time you can't wear it is when it really is warm. Excellent in wind, not just waterproof but the surface is also somewhat stain resistant. If you normally wear a large get a medium as this isn't the kind of jacket you'd want to wear oversized (unless you're just a poser :-) About all it lacks is a hood or a drawstring at the neck (2006 comes with wrist and waist snuggers). Also, the pockets are the vents, so think before you stash. Great for the price.