I wore this jacket for the 2005-06 ski season. I took it in some real tough places--backcountry at Teton Pass to downpour conditions at Killington. It always kept me dry and it breathed well. The powder skirt works okay--it has to be buttoned to your pants to work at all, otherwise it rides up on your stomach. Lots of pockets. The hood is too small to fit a helmet. My one gripe was that the Recco reflector just fell off one day in the backcountry. However, as a testament to North Face, they provided a full refund for the jacket. All in all, I would buy again.

Did not like this compared with arc'teryx jackets. Freethinker was too stiff, and too voluminous for my liking.

Okay, there is no doubt this is a pricey jacket, but it is worth every penny if you want to be warm, comfy and DRY either skiing powder at Alta or fishing in Northern Ontario in the pouring rain. I am dry as a bone after both activities. The other great thing about this jacket is all the pockets - cleverly placed and highly functional. This Jacket works in any season with proper layering, and is well thought out, The North Face obviously did some "free thinking" in designing this jacket!

Jacket is unreal. Def reccomended.

This jacket looks great on my husband. He is hard to buy for as there are not many trendy styles in his size - xxl. He has the white one and it is fashionable without making him look like the Pillsbury dough boy.

This is the best jacket you will ever have, it sheds water like rubber, and breaths like silk. I was amazed when I got it, I put my arm under a facet for about 30 seconds, and when I took it out, and it was completely dry with like 2 tiny beads of water that just shed off. the only two downsides are, white gets dirty, and its not compatible with other North Face softshells that usually zip in to other north face hardshells, its not a big deal though. Get ready to be dry, and happy.

Many technical jackets tend not to be very stylish, not anything i would ever wear off-mountain. The free thinker however (i got it in white) is nice enough to wear around and enjoy all the benefits of this highly technical jacket.