The bionic jacket met my expectations. It repels light rain very well without penetrating the exterior. The fleece interior maintains body heat well without overdoing itself. Highly recommend.

I couldn't be happier with this jacket. It is perfect, waterproof and incredibly comfy. I would highly recommend this jacket, perfect for a light water proof jacket.

First thing -- the Apex Bionic is advertised as using Apex Weatherblock fabric (the laminated, fully windproof material like WindStopper), but the tag says it's made out of Apex Universal (not laminated). Not sure what's up with that?
I owned an Apex Bionic from a few seasons back, and it was great. It was pretty much waterproof fabric (even after the DWR failed), and it fit really well. The new Apex Bionic has SUPER long, ridiculously large sleeves, though the cut of the pits is super tight. I have no idea why they changed the cut of this coat -- not sure who this coat would fit. If you can get an older one (the fabric is more 'rubbery' than the new ones), get it.

This is a great product! It has kept me warm and dry. If The North Face gear was a little cheaper every thing would The North Face. But good products some times cost a little more and it is worth every penny!

I bought this jacket for my hubby for Christmas, he likes it so much he wants it in other colors too. Great jacket, pretty good price and great customer service too!

This jacket is perfect for those looking for a jacket that can do it all and still look good wearing around town. It offers good wind/water/abrasion protection and warmth for a soft shell that allows it to be worn year-round. The fit is at least one size larger than you might normally wear. The sleeves are a bit long and the length of the coat is a bit short, but it has a great cut and fits me well.

This is my first North Face jacket and I love it. It’s lightweight, warm, versatile, and I get a lot of compliments on it.

Just got back from a 1 week backcountry touring vacation and the jacket performed perfectly. It does its job and the price was very reasonable.

Love The North Face Apex line. I have the vest and jacket and both are fantastic. Great for warm spring skiing, but if the temp. dips down there isn't a lot of protection on the chin/neck. Overall this is a great jacket, light and warm. I am a fan of The North Face products, so I might me a little biased, but I really love the Apex line.

I already own Apex 1 jacket and STH jacket but this one is better. It's better than Apex 1 because it's less expensive and feels much like STH jacket except the price. Great jacket for moderate exercise in cold but not for an all out cardio workout. It simply is a too much jacket for a strenuous cardio unless the temp is well below 30 degree. I wear it just hanging around the city.

1) Another reviewer said it needs a drawstring around the waist. Yes! I checked out new Bionic jackets at Dick's, and they still did not have one.
2) This jacket is very windproof, only slightly waterproof.
3) A three-season (in MN, at least) jacket, depending on activity level. I would recommend this jacket for most outdoor pursuits EXCEPT high aerobics like running, CX-skiing, etc. . . Go with a lighter jacket, or you're going to drown in sweat.
4) The fabric on the newer jackets is different than my jacket- less rigid, more like Cordura nylon and less like a softshell. I am not sure from the picture which jackets BC currently is selling.

This Apex is a textile wonder. Totally windproof, super-feather-light to hang around with at home, yard, windy and cold beach and around town. It hasn't been rained on yet, but I anticipate that it will handle it well. I had to change it from an XL to an L and since they run a little big.

Great jacket but it fit a little too perfectly. I ordered an XL and while it was very good with a tee-shirt or a very thin base-layer, anything more than that made it uncomfortable.
I also would have like a warmer fleece layer underneath the shell. Either a thicker fleece or more room so that I could wear a thicker baselayer.
Very handsome jacket, though.
If you don't need much warmth, or you use it for very specific spring, early fall activites, you'll love it.
I needed a more versatile jacket.

I've been really happy with this softshell. It's much easier to keep clean than a fleece jacket, and provides some wind/water protection. It's not as warm by itself as I was expecting; but when used as a liner, it provides plenty of warmth. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a reasonably-priced softshell.

This jacket is awesome.

Great jacket, fits like a glove. Love it!

Ample sleeve length for my long arms, but too big around waist, as indicated in other reviews. No powder skirt or waistband adjustment, so you can't seal out cold air. Not as warm as other soft shells I've worn. Nice looks, comfortable. Good deal at the price. Habanero is cool color.

Jacket is worth the investment, lightweight, breathable and warm. Only complaint, needs drawstring around waist. I believe newer versions have a drawstring.

Dig it - best softshell I have ever owned! Kept me warm on recent 40F nights up in Yosemite NP! This site offers the best deal on the internet, don't waste your time looking elsewhere - trust me, I have looked.

Great jacket & great price! It is a little snug in the armpits, so if your not used to the fit it takes some time. Overall, well worth the purchase!

I may be premature in my thinking but the apex has the look and feel of greatness. I qualify the product only because I bought it in summer and have not had the occasion to wear it in the elements. However the fit, workmanship attention to detail and comfort all are apparent when you don the jacket. I currently have and wear a patagonia and marmot soft shell, I like them both. They seem to be no match for the seriousness of this jacket. I don't want to rush summer but I think I'm well prepared for fall and most of winter. Worth the price.

I bought this jacket for my husband for Xmas. He loved it. For the price you get a very warm and stylish jacket.

If you think you might need a softshell, seriously consider this one. One, the price is definitely hard to pass on. Two, although it may not be totally waterproof, it handles most h20 situations pretty well. Three, it fits well, moves well, and most importantly to me......it breathes! This jacket kept me fairly warm for the most part with a silkweight base layer and light midlayer while skiing, (then again I'm 6'4' and at 220lb, stayin’ warm usually isn’t a problem).

My new favorite jacket, which says a lot for someone from AK with a jacket fetish. Water runs away from this thing it's so waterproof, and it makes me look less ugly.

If you are looking for a light weight, windproof, and water shedding jacket than this is it. It's perfect for climbing a hundred foot tall ice face or nordic skiing accross the uncharted terrain of alaska.... or just your every day jog around the block or walk to class. Either way its a great price for a great jacket.

The Apex Jacket is superior! Size is just right, warmth excellent, and even has great style. Great product, fast shipping, easy transaction. Thanks Back Country!

Great jacket, great price, and handling of my order was quick, with absolutely no problems.

I just got my new Apex Bionic in time to go to a rugby tournament in N.M. The morning temp was 42F, and wind was blowing across the field strong all day. I slipped the Bionic on and was toasty, and I felt no wind at all. I mean ZERO! I watched as people were in thick fleece and a blanket wrapped around them huddling together to block the wind. I just chuckled inside and stood there with no problems. I also used it during pre-game warm ups and didn't get overheated at all. It was just right. This is my new all-around jacket.

This is hands-down the best softshell jacket for the price. I found so many other softshells that were more than twice the price, but this one has all the features I needed and cost about $100.
Definitely worth buying.

Nice jacket for the price. Warm but light. This jacket is going to make a nice addition to my pack. Probably going to buy another one in case I happen to destroy this one...

I recently used The North Face Apex Bionic coat to trail run in the rain during a 45F degree night. It performed great. After a few miles of running and getting rained on I was soaked, but the coat still kept me warm. It kept out the chilly wind and afterwards dried out pretty quick. The coat also has a close athletic fit so it doesn't bunch up while running. Looks great off the trail too.

This jacket is amazing. I am hiking the Appalachian Trail and this is my outershell. It stops wind and keeps you warm and on my shorter trips it's worked great. For a thru hiker of the AT this jacket is worth the money.

Great softshell. Breathability not as good as I expected but absolutely windproof and pretty good on rain. Most importantly - very comfortable!

If you are the type that wants that all in one jacket, I would recommend the North Face Apex, I have used it as a ski jacket and as a winter jacket. Great company and great products.

I have been very pleased with my apex bionic jacket. It is very versitile and was exactly what I was looking for. Completely windproof and moderately insulated, it is perfect for temps between 70-40 degrees Farenheight. It doesn't feel like wearing a jacket but more like you are wearing a close-fitting sweatshirt, it's very flexable and form fitting. A+ service and shipping from Backcountry.com as well.

The Apex Bionic jacket is a comfortable, lightweight jacket great for windy, cool days. Water just beads off so it can handle when you get caught in the rain. The Rythm/Industry color is very good looking, too!

This is a great softshell jacket that has all the right ingredients: stylish, waterproof, very warm and functional. For the money this is the best way to go.

I was considering the denali, but chose this instead. Glad I did. I love the fabric and styling of this jacket. This is my first choice for aerobic wear in cold weather. I highly recommend this piece.

The Bionic jacket is working well for me: light, windproof, warm. My biggest issues are with the sleeves. They are too long, and I really would have preferred velcro adjustable cuffs instead of the internal fleece cuffs. Others have mentioned the lack of a hem drawstring. I would have liked one too. All in all, though it really is a nice jacket.

First, the bad.

I originally purchased a men's medium (I'm 5'8 165lb and most mediums from TNF, Marmot, Patagonia, etc. fit perfect). However the cut of the Bionic Apex is big, way too big for a mid-layer or aerobic soft shell. I was swimming in this jacket. The worse problem was that because it was so big, and lacked a drawcord hem and wrist closures, it simply had too much room for the wind to get into. Solution, I sized down to a small, and things are much better. The fit is now tighter and more athletic (like a softshell such as this should be), and less wind is getting in. I will still be able to layer at least a light sweater under this coat if needed, or use it as a mid-layer with a hardshell for adverse weather. I bought this coat for multiple purposes for year-round wear: bluebird day skiing, trail running (it is a bit too warm for high aerobic activities unless temps are below 20F with wind, but I get hot easy), hiking, and just hanging.

The good: The material is extremely durable and will fend off Northeast trees/branches and shrubs very well. The jacket is absolutely windproof, and sheds precipitation, both light rain and snow very well (it is NOT waterproof). The inner fleece is oh-so-comfy against the skin. To top things off, this jacket can also double very well for casual outings.

Suggestions: (As noted by many) - TNF, please add a drawcord waist and some type of wrist enclosure (heck, even elastic!)

Overall, pretty pleased with this piece. Functional, durable, and looks good too.

Very cool jacket. Great price. I was going to buy a sweatshirt, but for just a bit more I got a great jacket. Excellent quality and great service. Thanks!

I received this jacket in the 'black' color. The fabric and fit were great, but the 'black' seemed to show up as more of a forest green under indoor lighting. Don't ask me why, but it didn't look black once I stepped indoors!

Some good came out of it. I was able to exchange it quickly and easily for another item, thanks to the great customer service of this website!

The Apex Bionic is an excellent jacket for the price. Thin yet warm. Great service too.

I bought (2) Apex Bionic TNF jackets. They fit great (I wear a XXL) but I can't say that I've tested them in any cold/windy conditions because the temperature hasn't gotten below 70F yet. I have always trusted The North Face and I know that they stand by their products.

I don't have much to add to the other comments already under this item, but did wish to confirm their accuracy. Jacket is stylish, yet effective against wind and moisture. Very comfortable and sharp. No complaints so far, though I suspect it will get more heavy usage this fall and winter, and definitely next spring when I intend to ski in it on those warmer spring days!

I really do love this thing. I am not affiliated with The North Face or this site in any way, I'm just a regular bloke, so what I say really is the truth, believe it yo. I get this jacket 2 days after I order it. This site ships everything they sell you with crazy ninja speed, and I put it on, (its a large) and although some previous reviews say they run a size large, they don't, The North Face being the company they are, fixed the misfit and it's a natural large. The material is soft on the inside, and unbelievably repellant to wind. I live in Louisville, KY and recently we've had Gale Force winds which have had a touch of Canada riding on the back, so I get stuck in windy 40F deg weather with nothing but a long sleeve tee under my Apex...and I'm fine. When you wear this thing, you can look up to the sky and say "bring it". Great soft shell, great middle layer, comfortable, stylish to where to class then to work, gets the job done, The North Face way.

Very soft and water resistant—they’re better than I expected. Unless you're in a downpour for awhile, you should be fine. It fits a bit larger than expected and wish it had draw cords but, for the price, it’s really hard to complain.

This is a light versatile jacket. The outer shell is really smooth and resists tearing or "fuzzing". The inner coat is very nice and warm. I recommend this jacket.

Everything was perfect-highly recommended! I will use them again in future!

Really nice and warm jacket. And it looks very cool also. A little bit pricy tho.

Since it hasn't got cold enough to wear it i can't say how the jacket actually performs under condition but the fit is great and love the quality. I also love Backcountry.com, great site and great prices.

I guess I cannot complain too much really, as I live in the United Kingdom and as this is the first time I have ordered US clothing over the Internet.

Delivery was very, very slow, and import taxes were huge (more than the goods) and the zip on the jacket is the opposite way round to UK clothing, so this feels weird each time I wear the jacket.

Overall I would not use this method of purchasing goods again.

The actual garment seems fine though, quality good.

Great jacket! Mesh lining inside makes this jacket extremely comfortable. This jacket is so windproof it's ridiculous! Buy it! Shipping is super-fast as well.

As one who lives in SF and gets cold easily, I was looking for something warm and stream line. The water resistence and svelt look were great bonus. I couldn't be happier.

If you have it, you'll wear it, if not it’s your own fault. Nice and light softshell for hiking or just hanging around. But it would be nice if it would have a hem cinch cord! It feels very soft on your skin and is also a light-weather protection.

I ordered the Apex Bionic thinking it was a different North Face jacket that I had seen in a store last year. And when it arrived I was not certain I would keep it.
HOWEVER
I took it with me on a trip to San Fran last week and wore it everyday. Now that I am back on the east coast, I cannot wait for the weather to cool so it does not have to sit in the closet any longer. This jacket looks great; it is lightweight and very comfortable to wear. I'm curious to see how well it handles colder weather/snow (might need something heavier), but for those chillier spring/fall days and nights this cannot be beat.

This is one versatile jacket. It is fairly warm when wearing short sleeves with temps in the 40s. Using a long-sleeve base layer is warm enough when the temps are around 30F, multiple layers or a fleece if temps are lower. I stayed warm with two layers and temps in the teens and winds at 40+. This jacket will hold back some light percip but don't push it. The fleece lining is comfortable but clings when taking it off. Like other softshells, the fit is good and flexible but has that wetsuit feel. The collar can be flipped up to help keep wind off your neck but a hood would be nice.

I love the jacket, will be great for the cold winter months in Wisconsin!!! Very warm and fits to your body shape perfectly! Great jacket for snowboarding also.

It is very comfortable and is worth every penny.

I like the jacket. Thanks guys. !!!!

I love this jacket. The look and feel are unique. I would suggest getting it a size bigger than you might expect. I usually wear a L or XL, but I had to get the XXL in order for it to fit me right. It's a very warm jacket, and has worked great, thus far, at fighting off moisture.

The Bionic Jacket turned out to fit perfectly without having to try it on before. It is also comfortable and keeps me warm in cool climates. It keeps the rain off without having to wear rain shell jacket.

I ordered the Apex Bionic Jacket and it’s a great looking jacket. The sleeves and the jacket are very roomy. I ordered a medium and am usually on the cusp of most mediums, but this had ample room without being too big. The drape of the fabric is nice as well.

This jacket performs as advertised. It blocks wind and keeps you warm. It’s great for the college student walking to class or going to a football game.

The Apex Bionic is sleek enough to wear to work in the morning or out at night on the weekend. It is also warm enough for your all purpose fall/winter jacket. Best in cool-cold temperatures. Love this jacket, it's the only one I need, unless I get another one in a different color.

I ordered The North Faces's Apex Bionic because it was windproof, waterproof, and good looking. It was going to be primarily used as a day to day jacket in Iceland, where the 50mph winds and constant rain and snow demand a higher quality jacket. After wearing it a few weeks, it is definitely a favorite of mine, with a few notable complaints. There is no draw on the bottom, which lets breezes in easily. The sleeves are long for the sizing. Finally, the pockets are very thin where you put your hands. The pockets open up into chest compartments that are used to vent the jacket, but the end result is that your hands are warm on one side, cold on the other. Those complaints are minor, however, as I wear the jacket constantly. Definitely worth the money!

The jacket is awesome. I get tons of compliments every time I wear it. It arrived quickly, was exactly what I wanted, and it was cheaper than anywhere in Canada. Even with the delivery charge and US/Canada currency conversion. I highly recommend this jacket, and ordering here.

I live in Chicago where the winters are cold and windy. I throw on the Apex and couldn't ask for anything more. I don't even need to wear a shell. Fantastic purchase!

This North Face product is a great all around jacket! I had a similar product from Mountain Hardwear and it wasn’t as good. It keeps you warm by being completely wind proof and keeps you dry in light/moderate rain and snow. This will probably be my only coat all winter long (until it gets below zero). Two things are a little strange about the fit. The sleeves on this coat are about 2 inches too long (I’m a 35 dress shirt). It's great for wearing gloves because it keeps the cold out, but when you're not wearing gloves just your fingers stick out. The second thing is the narrow size of the arm hole at the arm pit. You cannot comfortably wear baggy clothes (sweater, sweatshirt, etc) under this jacket because it gets all bunched up. The shell material doesn’t gather pet hair like other jackets do. A big plus!

I hadn't bought any new warm weather gear in a while and I couldn't believe how warm and light this jacket was. I can put it on over a long-sleeve T-shirt and go cycling in all but the foulest weather. My only complaint is that it gets too warm. If you're looking for a jacket that can handle wind, light rain or snow and temps between 30F and 60F with nice range of motion, this is the one.

The jacket we bought is wonderful. The fit is as described and the quality couldn't be better.

Frigid winter has set into Northeast Tennessee, and I couldn't have chosen a better jacket for casual wear. Great jacket when it's raining or sleeting, just bounces it right off of you. The only quib I have is the lack of a drawstring on the waist. Riding a mountain bike in below freezing temps can create some nasty little breezes up into the jacket. The rest of the jacket fits snugly though and the lining is just spectacularly warm.

Lightweight breathable shell in several colors gives the wearer the chance to be fashionable and incredibly warm for such a small price. The pockets are good size and strong and breathable material is good from Newfoundland to Marseilles (which I did between Oct and Dec 05). Perfect for an active traveler. I would definitely buy again.

You get a lot for your money with this one. I highly recommend it. I can't feel the wind, it repels water, snow, whatever. If you're thinking about getting it or are trying to find the best price, this is by far the cheapest place. Good luck to you.

I bought the Men's Bionic Apex Jacket being active and a "generously" sized chick. It fit great through the shoulders and chest. It's lightweight and definitely tough. The first day I wore it snowboarding it snowed rather heavily in addition to the resort making snow. My jacket stayed warm, dry, and toasty through the onslaught! I think it was a great buy, and I plan on using it for camping and hiking in colder weather as well as for riding.

My husband has had a ton of compliments on his new jacket. It looks and feels so nice. It is dressy yet great for outdoors. I would recommend this product from this website any day of the week. Great products and great service.

It is very lightweight and surprisingly warm. It looks great and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a soft shell. I am a college student in Oregon and this is perfect for walking around campus and going to classes during fall/winter.

Excellent for cold winter workouts as an outer layer or insulation layer. The full-front zipper and vent-style pockets are a great benefit when things start to heat up on long runs. The water-resistant fabric is perfect for snowshoe running. This jacket is a must have for winter activities.

The great thing about this jacket is its versatility, its great for freezing cold weather, but it also breathes so you don't have to rush to pull it off whe it gets warmer later in the day.

This is a nice jacket that works by itself or under a heavier jacket. The fabric is unusual, but not uncomfortable, and it hugs the body nicely.

I absolutely love this jacket! It was worth every penny. It keeps me dry, is very lightweight, very warm, and blocks 100% of the wind.

This jacket is great. I use it to snowboard, snowshoe, mountain bike, and just for all around use. It deflects the wind and keeps me dry. It is lightweight yet warm!

Short film, promo quality. Not that impressed, but it was free.

I live in an area where wind chills significantly lower the temperatures. My Apex Bionic Jacket really keeps the wind out. The one drawback of the jacket is that you need to be warm to begin with—don't expect it to warm you up. It will keep you warm, dry, and wind-free as long as you provide the heat.

Awesome Jacket!

The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket is an awesome buy. It’s amazing how well it repels water—it really is water proof. Thanks for the deal.

Really like the jacket. Quality construction. Fits good, feels good.

The jacket is great. I like it a lot.

Great jacket - have worn it spring skiing (Squaw - varied from rain through sunshine) as well as kicking around New York - it seems to shrug off rain showers very well. Fit for me is not perfect but what jacket is when you are barrel chested with short arms

I’ve only had the jacket for a month or so but definitely love it. It replaced a lightweight fleece jacket I had for 18 years...so I had to give a lot of thought into what I was going to buy.
The Apex fits great and is definitely great in the elements. It is windproof and water resistant (to a degree). I like the one hand drawstrings around the waist and the collar and wrists are lined with a very supple and soft fleece. It’s a good jacket, you will be happy with it.

If you are considering this jacket, it is a must have. I must say, I am wearing this jacket every chance I get. I ordered this jacket with the intention of having a good jacket for backpacking and it has become my everyday jacket. Very comfortable! I ordered a medium and am happy with the results. I am 5' 10" and have a 34in waist but have somewhat of a barrel chest and the medium fits me wonderfully. The arms are the perfect length. Not too short. I can reach above my head and none of my wrist is exposed. My jacket did come with a drawcord around the waist.

Couldn't have made a better purchase. Plus, this is a great company. The jacket is incredibly versatile, good in almost any weather. I actually curse the days that are too warm for the jacket, because it's so handy with its zippered pockets- the napoleon pocket on the chest is great for train tickets, note pads, etc. I probably wear this jacket 28 days out of every month, and it looks great on top of it all. You guys also has great customer service. Would (and have) recommend you to anyone.

APEX really is truly that. This jacket maintains great water resistance and is virtually 100% windproof. The Bionic is somewhat thinner than the late model APEX jackets, but since it's more wind/water resistant, it still keeps you just as warm. The hook and loop closure cuff is a little annoying because it will catch on to a lot of things (like wool/yarn gloves for example). Otherwise it looks awesome, fits and feels perfectly. It's about 20degF and windy and I can still go outside with just this jacket and a T-shirt.

This is a very functional and good looking jacket. Surprisingly warm considering it's not bulky at all. Nearly windproof.Very water resistant(not waterproof,nor do they claim it to be). Really glad I got it.

Sweet jacket, sweet price. Don't wait. I waited to get my The North Face down vest and it took me over a year to find another one that I wanted. I saw this jacket and didnt want it to get away.
Drawcord at hem so it must be the new model. Only thing I would change is adding pit zips cause I get hot easily.
Nice fleece beard guard. Once again great jacket.

The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket is simply awesome! It's warmth retention characteristics are parallel with none. I did not realize that it was waterproof/ resistant until I was mountain biking in the Swiss Alps and the moisture was forming on it and the water simply collected into droplets and just rolled off! It is quite stylish, and it's benefits far outweigh the nominal price of the article.

From the first moment I put this jacket on, I knew that I had made the right choice. It's everything you could want in a fleece mixed in with a light weight shell: windproof, functional, stretchy. It's all there. My only complaint is that I wish it were a little bit more water resistant. But hey, you can't have everything. Kudo's to backcountry.com for their top of the line service. From the music they play on hold, to the nice, helpful people they have. All in all, a great experience!

I've only had this jacket for a short period of time, but have been able to put it through some variable conditions. This jacket seems to be extremely water-resistant. I wore it in heavy rain without a problem of leakage or soaking through at all. It also dried extremely quick. The water-resistance does come at a trade-off to breathability. I don't notice a problem with it breathing around the core...but in the arms if you don't have anything underneath, it seems to become a little clammy. I remember before buying this jacket another person noticing this about the jacket too. The jacket doesn't have a lot of insulative warmth to it, which wasn't what I was looking for. It is what I would consider a 'true-softshell'. Which to me says, that the jacket will offer reasonable warmth as a layer, but excels when it comes to being worn in 'milder' conditions as a shell jacket. The price for it is also hard to beat for a jacket that I feel performs like a much more expensive jacket.

Its sweet!!

Jacket was exactly what I wanted and expected. Purchase and shipping was fantastic and just as promised. Thanks you.