The North Face Climb Light Jacket

One of the best jackets I have ever used in terms of light weight and packability. Worked extremely well in the begining, but the zipper is very hard to start, and has started to 'blow-out' when the jacket is fully zipped. The zipper teeth just let go and the jacket comes undone while it is being worn. The fabric has also started 'wetting out' in some places, even though it was treated with Nikwax's TX-Direct wash in.

On the flip side the fabric has not given me a problem as some have stated in their own reviews. My jacket is color Mango, and I have had no problems what-so-ever with color bleeding. I also have a classic Mountain Light jacket in Mango, and have yet to see any problems with color bleeding. The ripstop on the Climb Light is very sturdy, and the jacket itself is very very light. Love the mesh pockets...jacket came with its own storage bag... very nice feature. I am sending my Climb LIght back to TNF this week for repair of the zipper. This will be the first time I have delt with customer service at their company.

Overall this is a really great jacket. However...the problems I have had would deter me from purchasing another one. If you are interested in this type of jacket, look at the newer versions of the Ama Dablam and Devil's Thumb made with the strech XCR Gore-Tex. If you have any questions at all...feel free to email me.

This jacket certainly is light for a 3L jacket, although I weighed it at 19 oz vs. their claimed 16 oz. It packs small. There is room for layering, I could fit my down sweater underneath if necessary. I don't think the chest vents work as well as the pit zips. I like the short cut, doesn't impede access to your climbing harness. The biggest complaint is the zipper, sometimes it is hard to start. Could be a big pain in the butt if your hands were cold. The fabric breaks wind well and is very waterproof. All the seems are taped. All in all a good jacket, except for the zipper.

Very good jacket for most outdoor enthusiasts. Its light weight (around 21 oz.) makes it a good choice for backpackers.

Full length (it covers all of my butt) and waist and hem drawcords make it a good choice for all seasons, with a roomy enough cut to layer underneath. Thus far, I have had no complaints, with the exception that the main zipper is a tad difficult to get started. Note: If you are a bushwacker, this is not for you. There are no reinforcement patches on the shoulders, etc.

However, I do just about everything, and this jacket is ideal for me. (I got mine at a steal....$130!!!!)

I got this jacket a few months ago, and have hiked in downpours for hours and skiied in blowing wet snow for many more hours also. The jacket keeps you dry from both rain and condensation very well, in all of the times that I used it. The cold doesn't get to you either, with the windproofness.

Problems? I don't know if it's serious, but a small patch (about 3 mm squared) on both the hood and left arm that looks like decoloration.

No pit zips, but the chest pockets work as vents.

A Gore-Tex jacket that stuffs down into a little sack, with pit zips and a pretty decent hood. And I got it for $100. I figured it would be great for backpacking trips, but it's since become my #1 piece of rainwear. If you can get one cheap, it's really worth it.