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The North Face Nuptse Vest

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: The North Face Nuptse Vest down insulated vest

I have found this vest very warm and it can be used on many different situations. I live in Finland, and this winter it has been extremely cold, the temperature has dropped below -25 C. But with Pumori Fleece and Nuptse vest under my TNF Mountain jacket it was feeling fine. And the Nuptse is a good vest to be used on brakes etc. In -5 C you can ski with only a T-shirt or some base layer under your shell jacket, but when you stop it gets very cold very fast. In those situations I have found the Nuptse Vest to be very good when dressed over your shell jacket. Nuptse Vest packs in its own pocket (but to get it in its own pocket at -20 C with gloves on is inpossible), so it doesn't take much space in your pack.

When compared to Nuptse jacket (and same king of jackets from Marmot, Feathered Friends etc.) I would advice to look the vests. They are warm enough but lightweight and packs very small. There is no reason to buy Nupse jacket, it is not good enough to handle those extreme conditions where a Baltoro jacket(or any other jacket with lots of fill and a Gore DryLoft shell)is a must, but in milder conditions, a vest is the right choice.

Fabric: ripstop nylon
Fill: +700 Down

More than enough for anything short of Arctic conditions, this vest has far more utility than I hoped for.

Pros

  • Warm, very warm...

Cons

  • Could be slightly longer in the back for bending over and reaching...

This was a clearance item, an impulse buy, and a dam'd good one.

I have never bought a down vest in 50+ years of backpacking, so this is a new experience for me.

This thing was very warm when I tried it on in the store. Seriously, I have never warmed up so fast from a single piece of clothing (the small store (<1500' sq) was very cold as the AC was on full blast).

Between this and my Marmot windbreaker I should be ready for anything that the Sierras/Cascades can throw at me. I should have done this years ago. Also, there was no coughing/allergic reaction like I have with the synth fill items.

I am very pleased with this even tho summer is already here with a vengeance. It will go into my main pack whenever I head out this year.

Now I understand why people put up with the primitive bulky versions back in the '60s/'70s.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $99.95 + tax...

So many different sizes, very confusing.

Pros

  • Very nice finish, quality product
  • Very warm
  • Classy
  • Nice deep pockets
  • Top comfort

Cons

  • Can’t find any

When I ordered this vest I did some research for size. The US, the European, and Asia sizes all are different. I didn’t mind to invest in a good vest, but wanted a good fit. I take XL size T shirt which is XXL Asia.

Finally I chose the North Face chart for decision, here I was between size « L » and «  XL « Scared to be tight in L size, I chose XL. Bit anxious.

Got my vest today and quickly try for size. First impression, nice and light. The fit is good, on the loose side, but not bad, enough to wear some extras underneath. I could pick L for size, but I'm happy with the XL. I'm ready for my next trip in Tibet.

Source: bought it used

This vest is comparable to a human toaster. I've worn it on below freezing days with nothing but a T-shirt, my arms somehow even stayed warm due to my body overheating. Keep in mind that I happen to produce heat like a furnace, but this jacket would keep even the most reptilian of buyers warm. It even comes with its own stuff sack, which, when filled, is no bigger than a MSR Whisperlite stove.

Definitely worth every penny, I just wish I hadn't bought such a large one!

Fabric: nylon?
Fill: 700 fill goose down
Price Paid: about $100

This vest is worth its weight in gold! I find it extremely useful when I am in my bag after a day of hiking. When temperatures drop this vest acts like a heater. Extremely too hot to hike or climb in but it serves its purpose when the day is done!

Fill: 700 fill down
Price Paid: $130

I am very pleased with the vest. It's exceptionaly warm and windproof (or at least highly wind resistant). The one flaw is that feathers may come out of the seams and lining but it's not enough to make a difference.

Fabric: Shell: Ripstop Nylon Lining:Taffeta Nylon
Fill: 700 fill power down
Price Paid: $135 (list)

Great investment for the quality.

Fabric: 100% Nylon
Fill: Goose Down
Price Paid: $99

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Specs

Men's
Price Current Retail: $129.83
Historic Range: $50.19-$230.00
Reviewers Paid: $99.00-$135.00
Women's
Price Historic Range: $30.51-$179.00
Boys'
Price Current Retail: $138.95
Historic Range: $57.99-$138.95
Girls'
Price Historic Range: $39.58-$99.00

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