User Review: The North Face Amplitude Triclimate Jacket

The North Face Amplitude Triclimate Jacket
Above: The current Amplitude Triclimate Jacket, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed January 5, 2009 by Starwind

Rating:
Price Paid: $180

I really didn't want to be "that guy" with a North Face jacket like a huge majority of college kids, but hey, at least I'm not rocking the black softshell like the rest of the world. Do you get a free bowl of soup if you buy it or what? Hey, I'm just kidding. It looks good on you though!

More seriously, the deal was too good to pass up. The jacket has kept me warm without extra layers down to 30 degrees. When it dips below freezing it's best to toss on another fleece layer but then you are golden. It's stylish, and definitely a civilian jacket just as much as a backpacking jacket, but I use it for both.

In 4 season backpacking it was nice to zip out the liner when we were on the move and then put it back in as soon as we hit camp. It has pockets in all the right places and of course the pit zips are critical.

I'm not entirely sure the hood will accommodate a ski/climbing helmet, which is a drawback. Also, a powder skirt would have been sweet, but maybe I'm being optimistic.

Know that for just staying warm around town and looking nice, this jacket is awesome. For winter backpacking (a bit heavy for summer) this jacket is good/decent, and for action sports you might want to look elsewhere depending on your needs.

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