I bought it for a cruise and land tour we took to Alaska. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. It is the user's choice with which one he goes home. A great place for the Apex Bionic to shine. Signature WindWall technology and water-repellant fabric make this vest from The North Face an unbeatable option for layering with an all-cotton shirt on your morning run or your daytime lounge. Item No. Recently weve seen an increase in hybrid hardshell/softshell designs, with jackets like the Rab Kinetic 2.0leading the charge. Rab rounds out the streamlined (11.8 oz.) If youll be using the softshell as a midlayer or around town, the standard jacket may be your better option. This stretchiness is particularly helpful for demanding activities like climbing or fast paced aerobic activities such as hiking or cross-country skiing. But basically, the Apex Bionic 2 has a limited degree of air permeability (approximately 20 CFM). They excel as a daily piece because their stretchy fabrics are far more comfortable and breathe better than a rain jacket. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi is a far cry from the bulky, boxy design that epitomizes softshell jackets of old. Those looking for something a little different will especially like the drop-tail hem, which adds a nice dose of urban appeal. Given that the Apex Bionic is offered in a wide range of colorways, it almost certainly pairs well with your favorite jeans or flannel. Returned it for a XXL that fit much better; larger size showed up two days later. $149.95. Their jackets made with GORE-TEX, such as the Apex Flex, are 100% waterproof. Casual softshells have a generous fit and a basic feature set for use as an outer layer from fall through spring. The North Face ha bajado la calidad en su productos y la prueba est en este chaleco. Category: CasualWhat we like: Nice clean styling and articulated patterning for comfort.What we dont: Too bulky for performance use; not everyone will want two chest pockets. They far outperform waterproof hardshells in high-exertion activities like climbing or backcountry skiing. For an even more casual option, check out their Impakt Jacket.See the Men's Kuhl Klash See the Women's Kuhl Klash Trench. The North Face's Apex Bionic is a nice casual alternative to many of the more technical jackets here, with a clean appearance that includes just three external pockets (2 handwarmer and 1 chest) and a collar in lieu of a hood. In contrast to a rigid and sometimes confining hardshell or rain jacket, a softshell jacket flexes and moves with you. Within the casual category, the Kuhl Klash goes head to head with The North Faces Apex Bionic above, with a similarly clean yet functional aesthetic. That said, range of motion nevertheless is fantastic, and the LTs long sleeves and helmet-compatible hood are great for activities like climbing, biking, and skiing (although we did find the wrist openings to be on the small side, which can create a bit of a challenge when paired with undercuff gloves). Furthermore, these jackets have outdoor-specific features like helmet-compatible hoods, pockets that are set high to accommodate a hipbelt or harness, and a tailored fit. On the other hand, too much airflow compromises weather resistance and warmth. Technical softshell ready for long days spent on the trail. Most of the softshells here have a performance bent, but this style of jacket is also well suited for casual, everyday environments. An Apex Pneumatic is made of lighter, stretchier material. It is the heaviest jacket in our review due to the thickness of the wind-blocking fabric and the fleece backing. Ideal in fall and capable of mild winter weather, the WindWall fabric provides 100% windproof protection, so you can continue on through the hike as well as around the city. All that said, with minimalist gear growing in popularity, the softshell category is swiftly following suit. Many of the days were chilly and the vest did a great job of keeping me warm. The fully adjustable hood extends that weatherproofing around the ears, and adjustable cuff tabs help seal in the warmth. La calidad del producto y el tiempo de entrega. And in practice it delivers: throughout an all-day drizzle on a recent trek in Patagonia, the Alpine Starts shell beaded water and kept us dry while our hiking partners were all forced to don their (less breathable) rain jackets. This means that it is not 100% windproof, and thus will allow some of the cold wind to get through. It uses the TNF Apex ClimateBlock technology to improve the fabric rating and make it 0CFM. Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2021, Keeps me warm, night fit, not too heavy. Fit and Design: Standard fit jacket. Like the Apex Bionic and Marmot Gravity above, the Columbia Ascender is geared toward everyday use and not necessarily for summiting mountains. That said, we see a trend towards wind layers becoming more and more stretchy and breathablein other words, taking on the properties of a softshell. The midweight WindWall fleece fabric is highly wind-resistant and delivers reliable warmth to the core. Sold by Nationwide Prime and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. Great fit for him. It also tacks on an over-the-helmet hood (compared to the Patagoinas under-the-helmet design), a drawcord adjustment at the hem (the TechFace has a simple elastic binding), and a built-in RECCO reflector. Editor's note: The Gamma LT is no longer made in a womens version, although the new Kadin Softshell is a viable (albeit much pricier) alternative with Gore-Tex Infinium windblocking technology in a noticeably lighter (9.9 oz.) THE NORTH FACE Mens Apex Canyonwall Softshell Jacket. Imported. With a 3-layer waterproof construction, seam taping, and water-tight front zip, the Kinetic fits the definition for a hardshell, but a stretchy face fabric adds the mobility and breathability of a softshell. The fabric used in this jacket is a proprietary wind-blocking shell with a tight exterior weave to keep the icy gusts from getting inside. A large hood provides extra coverage and is adjustable to get a tight seal on the coldest of days. Please use a different way to share. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? Different materials comprise each type of jacket. Even the chart-topping Gamma LT Hoody (LT for lightweight) doesnt pass the fast-and-light test, at a substantial 1 pound 3.2 ounces. Let us know! This is not a light jacket by any metric. The North Face Jackets. Breathability was not one of the strong suits of this jacket. He likes that it isn't bulky and is lightweight. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more versatile shell for a wide range of outdoor activities. The more windproof a jacket is, the less breathable it is. Men's Apex Bionic Jacket $150.00 Choose Your Size Men's Apex Bionic Jacket $150.00 Pay in 4 interest-free payments of $37.50. 2,983. We like the versatility that comes with the non-insulated LT, but the more significant reason for the difference in ranking is price. For a warmer design, check out the thicker R2 TechFace Hoody ($199) and Jacket ($179)Read in-depth reviewSee the Men's Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody See the Women's Patagonia R1 TechFace Jacket. On the other hand, hardshells win out in harsh conditions with waterproof and windproof exteriors and lighter weights. design with an under-the-helmet hood, two harness or hipbelt-compatible handwarmer pockets, velcro cuff adjustments, and a single-end hem cinch. 8.2 oz.). Returned it for a XXL that fit much better; larger size showed up two days later. The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket vote up. We certainly wouldnt classify all windbreaker jackets as softshells. I would like to wear this vest with a button do, A: Men's North Face Apex Bionic Soft Shell Jacket | Product Review Webtogs 5.19K subscribers Subscribe 201 138K views 12 years ago Men's North Face Apex Bionic Soft Shell Jacket |. Me gusto, la talla es justo como lo esperaba o cmo yo lo quera, creo que es excelente para la mayora de climas que no sean muy extremos (fros o clidos), aunque me hubiera gustado que se hubiese fabricado con un material un poco ms grueso, se adapta muy bien con Me gusto, la talla es justo como lo esperaba o cmo yo lo quera, creo que es excelente para la mayora de climas que no sean muy extremos (fros o clidos), aunque me hubiera gustado que se hubiese fabricado con un material un poco ms grueso, se adapta muy bien con sudaderas con capucha. For active days in variable winter conditions, its a thoughtfully made and purpose-built option from a trusted mountain brand. Coleman Elite Montana vs Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent Review, Cargoloc Roof Rack: The Best There Is To Know, Kuat NV Bike Racks: Great Things You Need To Know About It, 7 Best Roof Rack Clamps in the Amazon Today: Buying Guide, The Softride Bike Rack You Need: Softride Hang 2 Bike Rack Review, Toyota Prius Roof Rack: The 8 Best Roof Racks To Choose From. I wear a medium and this Med size is a bit too long in the arms, Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021. Overall I have nothing bad to say about this jacket. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Whereas the Alpine Start is still at home amongst windbreaker jackets, the Borealis is undeniably a softshell, which makes it a more suitable option for ski touring and ice climbing. The North Face TNF Apex Soft Shell Full Zip Men's Jacket Size 2XL EUC. Wearing this jacket feels fairly stiff and cumbersome, even when worn over a very light inner layer. Because of this, we did not find the Bionic to do very well at allowing perspiration to pass through, although we can forgive that based on the intended application of this jacket. No ads. I hope they dont tinker too much with the design and keep this jacket the way it is. How can we improve GearLab? Straddling the softshell and Softshell jackets fill a much-needed void between lightweight insulating pieces and waterproof hardshells. The hood adjustments are a bit wonky and difficult to use one handed, scrunching up tightly around the face. First, it is important to remember the interplay between windproofing and breathability. 3.2 oz.What we like: Arcteryx fit, quality, and all-around performance.What we dont: Trim fit means you cant layer much underneath. THE NORTH FACE Men's Apex Bionic Jacket. The North Face Apex Canyonwall Eco Jacket $74.97 MSRP: $99.00 (138) The North Face - Apex Bionic 2 Jacket. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The fit of a softshell will most often correlate with its category, with casual jackets having a more generous, relaxed cut than tailored performance pieces. Does the size run true, or should i go up one size? The material they use is on the newest version is a cheap imitation of what used to be. The wind blocking feature of the jacket actually works or me. Finally, if youre using a helmet, make sure the softshell has a helmet-compatible hood. That said, the relaxed fit works well for layering and the jacket does deliver in terms of wind and water protection. Thie sleeves hit him just below the wrist bone. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. THE NORTH FACE Men's Apex Canyonwall Eco Vest 951 ratings | 10 answered questions Price: $79.95 - $89.00 Free Returns on some sizes and colors Customers say this fits true to size. How well a softshell breathes does vary and is usually associated with a few common features. I think it is very thin but my husband loves it. In other words, despite the added tech, all-around protection is only moderately better compared to shells like the Gamma LT and Dawn Patrol above. About | Affiliate Disclosure | Contact | Blog | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket Men's BLK XL Softshell Black, THE NORTH FACE Mens Apex Bionic 2 Jacket, TNF Black/TNF Black, X-Small, 100% windproof fabric. A S, July 28, . Please try again. In this article, we walk you through all of the criteria the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Excellent weather protection, great mobility, Softshell fit and feel, oversized storm hood, designed for freedom of motion, Expensive, relatively heavy, odor retention, This is a softshell ready for the worst weather you can throw at it, This budget-friendly softshell is one of our favorites for summertime rock climbing, This is one of the lightest softshells out there, perfect for cool windy days at the crag, An ultra-lightweight alternative to your normal softshell, this jacket is warmer and more comfortable than many without sacrificing breathability, GORE-TEX Infinium: 92% recycled nylon, 8% elastane, plain weave, 170g/sqm, Lightweight Matrix single weave with 2-way stretch and DWR, Schoeller stretch-woven: 93% nylon, 7% Elastane, Schoeller Eco-Repel Bio DWR, Yes, climbing helmet compatible, adjustable, stowable. Standard fitTwo internal drop-in storage pockets; Heather back of body, underside of sleeves and side panels: 100% polyester with brushed fleece backer, Highly wind resistant; wind permeability rated at less than 10 CFM / Back, side-panel and underarm fabric rated at 100+ CFM for zonal breathabilityHeathered fabric available in TNF Dark Grey Heather colorway; Solid and heather lining: 100% Polyester with brushed-face finish, Soft micro-grid backerCenter back length: 26.75 Inches, Exposed, VISLON center front zipFront body and pocket exterior: WindWall100% Polyester with brushed fleece backer and durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, Reverse-coil hand pocket zipsSolid back of body, underside of sleeves and side panels: 100% Polyester with brushed fleece backer, Previous page of related Sponsored Products, Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2019, I ordered a large urban navy and got a grey Columbia Xl with a detached north face tag. A: Boxy fit for someone with 40" chest and 30" waist, Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2022. Details. Weather protection is one of the metrics we feel that Apex Bionic shines. I wear a size 42 jacket & all of my vests are size L. I would say that you might need size. Category: CasualWeight:1 lb. GearLab is reader-supported. In contrast, the original Apex Bionic is rated as 100% windproof. The North Face logo on left chest and back-right shoulder. However, as weve come to expect with do-all jackets, the Rab makes compromises in both departmentswith a streamlined build it's overall less protectivethan most hardshells, and the thin fabric doesn't offer the same level of windproofing orinsulation as most of the softshell competition. Its always a balance, but most softshells offer very good breathability for an outer layer, with standouts including the Arcteryx Gamma LT, Outdoor Research Ferrosi, and Black Diamond Alpine Start. 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