This jacket is the berries. I did my research just like you and shopped just like you trying them on when you can find one just like you. It was a lot of work but take a rest and pull the trigger on this coat, you wont regret it.

First thing's first, there is no insulation in this jacket. This product is a shell, meaning that there is absolutely no insulation in this jacket. However, as far as being windproof and waterproof, you can't do better than Gore Tex Pro shell. This jacket does not have any sort of zip in compatibility for an upper layer, but there is a zip in for certain types of snowpants. This thing will not soak through after hours of rain. Layer properly under it, and this thing is your best friend on the ski slopes, snow/sleet storms, or during a complete deluge. Be warned, this shell is cut somewhat big, because they expect many layers to go under it. The arms are cut long, but you'll appreciate it to keep snow rain and wind out. So far I've only taken this skiing, but I can definitely see myself keeping this in my pack during backpacking trips. The hood is really large in order to be wrapped around a ski helmet, but can be adjusted to fit. At this price range, look at other pro shell jackets from Arc'Teryx, Outdoor Research, LLbean, and Marmot. I chose this one because of it's ski specific features. Hope this helps!

I bought this years' Free Thinker II and it is perfect in just about every way. I got the Grey w/ Black that isn't listed on TNF's website but REI and BC.com have this color. It's more subtle because the grey zippers don't stand out as much as the other colors. It does look much better in person than in the non-stock photos above.

First off, the jacket feels solid with substance but certainly isn't bulky or heavy to any extent. It isn't too tight, but isn't bulky but does have more than enough room for a fleece hoody, thermals, and then some.

The GoreTex Pro shell is unbelievably tough and literally waterproof. My fishing waders are made of Goretex Pro as well and those breathe like no other, but are impermeable at the same time. They also withstand hours of bushwacking to the next fishing hole never with a scratch.

The pocket design is nearly perfect. The zippers are a pleasure after having coats without the exposed zippers with flaps over them. They remain tight and sealed but are simple to open and perfectly placed.

The phone pocket won't fit your iphone, but it holds a blackberry pearl like a glove.

The ipod/media pocket is perfectly designed, holds an ipod touch or iphone and has a slit to run your wires through and it's tight where. If you have skullcandy buds, the in-line volume knob stops the wire from retracting too far.

The side pockets are very roomy (they hold a gatorade no problem), and the goggle holder inside is snug but I don't use that feature.

The powderskirt is well designed and has dual buttons so you can rock one, or both depending on how many times you go waist deep in the pow that day. My only complaint is that there aren't dual chest pockets but there are plenty of other, easy to access pockets so it's not that big of a deal.

The hood doesn't come off which I prefer, and it comfortably accommodates my Smith Variant helmet. It has a nice solid brim and tightens 2 ways for a glove-like fit.

The pit zips are curved to match your torso, and are long to let in a lot of air on a long hike to your favorite BC peak.

I don't buy something with Recco being the main or even small consideration, but after 2 inbounds deaths here in 2 years (Canyons then the Bird) it certainly doesn't hurt because who wears a transceiver inbounds? I still won't.

Buy this coat if you have the $$$. There is not a better coat on the market.

I checked out all of the top end coats in person, Arcterex, Patagonia, Marmot and the design and fit of this coat blows the others away. All of the other coats either didn't feel like they had any substance, the chest pockets are way too deep so your stuff ends up in your gut

you can take a shower in this jacket and not get wet

Loved the jacket as a whole, but the huge non-removable hood killed it for me. It was always in the way and flapping around. They need to make it removable or at least put some velcro on it so you can keep it out of the way. I will be sticking with my Mt. Light Parka for now.

Great jacket no heat added by this layer but it will keep you dry in a monsoon, or a week in the backcountry. More pockets on the inside would be nice.

I am 6'4" and about 200#. The large fits great with room for base layers as needed for a shell only. Pit zips provide nice climate control, but are a little difficult to get to. Am thinking of installing some longer zipper pulls to fix this issue. No breathability issues, and I have done some pretty strenuous stuff in this get up. I use a wool base layer, and fleece mid layer(s) and haven't been wet ever. I like the Arcteryx stuff alot, but this jacket had the TPC (Total Pocket Count) I need for all my junk. Waterproof, windproof, and worth the $$.

I'm truly and deeply in love with Gore-tex Pro. It sheds water like a yellow rubber raincoat, yet is incredibly breathable. It blocks the wind so well, it's hard to imagine how it blocks out the rain/water. I find that I have to wear less layers with this than with other shells I own because of the wind protection. I use mine for winter biking, snowboarding, and every day wear if the elements are being elemental. I mean, why pay this much for a coat and not get its benefit all the time?

Very nice looking confortable shell. highly recommeneded

This jacket has all the makings of being the perfect jacket, but the snow skirt falls short....literlly and figuratively. It does not come low enough below the belt to connect to my pants very well and with the plastic buttons, whenever I bend over to do something they pop off. A longer snow skirt with velcro would be more ideal. For the price, this should not be an issue. I'd say pass if you plan on skiing/snowboarding in powder conditions or fall a lot and get snow down your back.

Awesome jacket!!! We bought this jacket for both of my sons. They can't believe the way the water rolls off of it. Great quality all around. For all you the hard core skiers......the ski pants are great too!

Like wearing a forceshield around you. Extremely happy with it though still need to put it through its paces at high perspiration rates

I just came back from a 4 day ski trip at Mont Tremblant (Quebec) and have nothing but great things to say about this jacket.

For those of you trying to figure out sizing, I'm 6'0 tall and 172lbs, the Medium is a perfect fit with lots of room for my layers (more on this in a minute). I tried the large on and really felt like I was swimming in it, trust me the Medium is plenty big. The fit is trim yet baggy (if that makes sense). It fits proportionally correct everywhere it should and yet is baggy enough to layer.

I skied in -15 to -27 degree weather (Celcius), not sure what that is in F (maybe -10 or so). I wore a Nike dry fit T-shirt, followed by a Nike dry fit (thin) running sweater and then an Arc'Teryx Tau pullover under this shell. There was lots of room and I was perfectly comfortable. On the last day when it was only -8, I ditched the Arc'Teryx piece and still felt great.

As for the colour, it is more of a brighter red than the stock photo (which I prefer) so be prepared for that. I tried on a million jackets before picking this one including the Arc'teryx Stinger, Stingray (softshell), Scorpion (softshell) and Sidewinder SV. All of those jackets are top of the line and would do the job perfectly, for me it came down to the North Face looking the best "on me" and the others fitting me just a little bit off.

Hope this helps.

Just got back from 11,500 ft, 45 mph winds and a minus -5 wind chill factor. The jacket was awesome at stopping the wind cold in it's tracks!!

I bought this jacket with the intent of wearing it for spring skiing because I also have a tri-climate jacket by TNF that I normally wear in winter skiing conditions. I got the jacket and wore it with a couple light layers and realized that it was just about as warm as wearing no layers and both layers to the tri-climate jacket. So I started wearing it as my primary jacket because it is suited for so many different types of weather; rain, snow, warm, cold, everything. I am about 5'8" and 150lbs and I wear a size small and it fits me great with plenty of room for layers. If you have the money to spend and need a solid jacket that will last you a while, there is no other option. Great experience dealing with backcountry.com as well.

this is super water repellent and jacket, but it is a little long, I like mine thumbs up.

I bought this jacket with high hopes. Just got back from skiing Vail, Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone. I am a former pro skier and the crew I ski with are long time locals, so we're pushin' hard.
The first day out I used the Nike dry fit base layer under garment. It sucked! The combination for me was not good! The jacket retained all of my body perspiration and it was very bad the entire interior of the jacket was dripping wet! This proved to be problematic throughout my entire trip, no matter what base layer combination I used the same problem over and over. Nothing worse than being wet, in the form of condensation, on the interior and being exposed to wind chill, very bad combination. My body type is not made for this jacket. I have had great success with Phenix wear from the World Cup. I like the looks of the North Face, the fit and function but the lack of ability to draw the sweat from my body to the outer shell was very bad. I dialed my base layer in with Smart Wool, excellent for me, but even with that the jacket still got wet inside, it sucked for me. For $500 bucks plus I demand and expect alot more breathability!