I have had this jacket for about a month now and was having a hard time justifying the purchase until I got it. Liner is great, Shell is bomb-proof, and together, weather stands no chance. About the high pockets. They are high, but very functional when you are wearing a pack that has a hip belt. They are actually perfect for mountaineering. It is one of the best jackets I have ever owned.

Great jacket! I'm 5'8" and the medium fit great. This is a quality and good looking product. I'm very satisfied with the North Face brand and backcountry.com has the best prices!

This coat does very well blocking the wind. It has been a cold and snowy December here in Minneapolis and the coat has done great. I walk about a half a mile to and from my bus stop every day and it keeps me warm. I have been out shoveling snow in below zero and have been comfortable.

My only knock on it is what has been mentioned in other reviews: The pockets are too high.

It's not as warm was I would like. Obviously it's not a down jacket but from what I read(poorly read i guess), I expected a little more. It's still okay when its like 40 degrees outside and maybe even down into the mid 30s. Right now, its about 20 degrees, feeling like 10 and it's at home in favor of my down jacket.

I just received the jacket and I have to say that I'm very happy with the purchase. The only downside would be the pockets being a little high as others have said, but that doesn't bother me much. Also, I'm 5'-8" 160lbs and the medium is about as small as I would go. I like my jackets to have a nice slim fit - not too big, so the medium for me is perfect. I would say if you are any bigger than me and debating between medium and large - go with the large.
Overall awesome jacket and would recommend to everyone. Hopefully this helps someone on there decision of size.

This is an awesome jacket, I wear it around campus, and it does a good job keeping me warm! (I use a north face denali fleece jacket as my inner layer)

One big complaint though! The pockets are way too high!! and you have no where to put your hands in when it's freezing cold outside!!

I am also an avid hiker who was looking for a winter system that was warm yet light enough to pack as well. I bought this jacket along with an all weather pant for my last trip to glacier NP. Temps in the mountains dropped to about 36 degs with rain and light snow. Of the 7 of us that made the trek, I was the only one warm and dry! This jacket was cofortable with a pack on, and when i didn't need the shell the zipout fleece was perfect. Its a good quality cozy jacket. water and wind proof and with the pit zips, very breathable. I just need to figure out how to keep my wife from stealing it!!!

This Jacket it great! I could not ask for more. I have had this jacket for about a month and I am about to go to Europe so I will get back on and let you know more of what I think of it. The only problem I have found is the front pockets are too high. Overall the best jacket I have ever had!

It's not too warm, it fits tighter than it should, and the pockets are in a bad position. TNF seems to love putting pockets where they aren't useful, or skipping pockets where they would make sense, and they missed the mark here too.

Got kinda bummed cause based on the picture and the online chat helpers said the liner was going to come with a black liner. The liner comes with more of an asfault gray color to it. I was totally in love with it after I realized that. Performance is top notch, even on cold winter days this thing actually gets me so warm I have to take off the shell (when I wear 'em together). Keeps me cool enough when I am indoors, but I will unzip the vents on the shell if I have done some long walking once I'm indoors. But liner looks good as a darker gray in contrast to the pumice gray of the shell so either shade of gray you're set for a lighter or darker gray matching with your gear. Third, structure is as you would expect from the North Face, quality. I get a good amount of looks when I wear this. It could be how I wear it with my clothing or just that people know its like a $300 jacket that could be the reason. I don't know, either way, I feel good in it, feel good looking in it, and got it for a steal!

Okay, 'snuggly' isn't the right word. Separately, the jacket and liner are as warm as you'd expect. Together, it's quite toasty. When I'm wearing it out and about, I'll have the pit-zippers open or (wind-permitting) leave it unzipped 1/3 of the way or so. Like everyone says, the high pockets can be kind of awkward, but I've gotten used to them quickly. Haven't had the jacket in heavy weather yet, but from even the light snow/sleet I've seen, I'm not worried at all. I'm particularly a fan of how the cuffs are done- part elastic, good velcro, just generally comfortable without feeling exposed or tight at the wrist. If I had to pick something less than positive to say, it'd probably be that the collar is about 1/4" to 1/2" higher than I expected.

Hands down the best jacket I've ever owned, and I'm looking forward to really putting it through its paces.

Purchased this jacket just to have a high-quality winter coat that would keep me warm without too much weight plus work well in windy conditions. I have been wearing it for about a month now. Excellent quality top-to-bottom!

Two negatives in my opinion: 1) Outer pockets are way too high; not a problem if you're someone who doesn't routinely place your hands in your pockets, and 2) there really aren't any useful pockets on the interior of the liner; I think it would be useful to have a couple of well-positioned smaller pockets, say for keys, a cell phone, or a wallet.

That said, if you're looking for a stylish, fully functional winter coat that will LAST, you can't go wrong with this one!

outside pockets are not in a familiar place. too high near your mid section. Fleece inside is nice and feels warm but I returned it and went for the NORTH FACE AMPLITUDE.

I recently purchased this triclimate system in the Deep Water Blue in XL for trekking across campus and countryside. I wanted a system light enough to pack while hiking and warm enough to wear in the -20 F wind chill while walking across campus. Now for the good news, like everything else that I have purchased from The North Face over the years, it is well made, functional, warm, and at least it's a true 3-in-1 system, not just snap in. For the not so good, even with my expedition pack on, like most everyone else has said, the pockets are about 2 inches too high, but that's liveable. Second, I'm not entirely sure if they have changed the sizing a little since I last bought a triclimate from TNF, but I am 6'3" tall, 235 lbs., my last XL triclimate, which was about 4 years old at the time the shell was stolen, fit just fine. The Condor XL's liner fits fine, but when it is zipped into the shell, the jacket becomes a little snug... kind of annoying, but again liveable. The third, hmmm... normally don't have to go to thirds on TNF merchandise, I am not very happy that the new TNF jackets have different zippers than the triclimates. I also recently purchased a Windwall II jacket, upon arrival of my condor I was expecting, just as the old triclimates and jackets used too, that the new jacket would be interchangable with the Condor. I am an avid Back Country fan, so I don't blame the mix-up here, as they were just reporting the facts as the TNF advertises them, but TNF should make a little better effort to make their products a little more uniform. Overall, even with the flaws, it's a warm coat, stands up to the wind and rain like a champ, and still has quality remeniscent of the old TNF.

I just recently purchased this triclimate in an XL size in Deep Water Blue. First impression was that this system was too 'light' of a system to handle the -10 F wind chill and 10 F temperature that was present the day it arrived, but, like most things made by The North Face, I was pleasantly surprised. I was warm, dry, and comfortable all day. Like previously stated however, the pockets, even when worn with a traditional expedition bag around 5100 cubic inches, were about 2 inches to high; it was a good idea, but for someone of my build, 6'3" and around 235 lbs, the placement of the pockets just wasn't perfect. I was a little more annoyed by this second piece than by the pocket placement. I just recently purchased a Windwall jacket in the same color, Deep Water Blue, expecting to be able, like on my old triclimate TNF jacket, to interchange it with the new system, grrr.... IT DOES NOT FIT. For some reason TNF decided to put different zippers on the new triclimate systems than on their new jackets. Thirdly, hmmm... normally I don't have to go to thirds on a TNF product, the liner on the new triclimate fits fine, but when combined with the shell, it becomes a little snug. I am wondering if they changed the sizing a little since I last purchased a triclimate. Another interesting fact is that the shell is the same size as my friends XXL Apex Bionic jacket. All things that TNF should have made available to the consumer. I am an avid Back Country fan, and I believe that they reported the facts available from TNF accurately. Still, even with all the flaws, a very warm coat that stands up to the elements with an unmatched quality that speaks of the old TNF.

As many of the other reviewers have stated, the front pockets are uncomfortably high. That said, the pockets are still warm and quite spacious. Overall construction is outstanding, and is every bit as warm as you'd expect with the liner and shell together.

Separate, I have worn just the liner out yet, but around the house it's comfortably warm. The fabric feels like it could take light snow or rain and keep me warm and dry. The outer shell is warmer than a windbreaker and is really functional weather-wise. (Surprise, surprise...)

Overall, I love it, and I'm looking forward to years of use!

I love this coat and I love the zip out soft shell just as much, both are very warm, my only complaint is that the side hand pockets are really high up it's uncomfortable to walk around with your hands in your pocket.

Just got my coat and I wanted to give an initial reaction and answer some questions I know I had when I ordered it.

this is my first TNF coat and let me say it is pretty bullet-proof. The shell is pretty substantial and the Apex liner is nice as well. The pockets are kind of high, but as someone pointed out, this is designed with backpacks in mind. the pockets are above the waist belt. The pockets are fleece lined and pretty deep. Your stuff will not fall out!

It has a hood which zips off. If would kind of be nice if it stowed in its own pocket but no biggie.

The liner is wind proof and zips in and has three snaps that keep it in place. while the jacket has the logo on the chest and back shoulder, the liner does not have the back logo. One note, the liner does not have a snow skirt nor does it have an elastic draw string at the waist. One other thing on the fit, it is pretty straight-not fitted. This is good if you need to layer. FYI, I am 6'2" and slender - I got a Large and the fit is good. Not too tight but I have heard that sizing can be a bit sporadic so keep this in mind.

To close let me say you get what you pay for. If you want a jacket that will take what you can dish out and come back for more - this will work nicely.

Well to start things off im a 17 year old hiker. ant to everyone that keeps talking about the pockets being way to high keep in mind that this jacket was intended to be used for backpacking. if you have a pack on the pockets are located in the perfect position when you have your waste belt on. and if you were wondering about the water proofing on this jacket, its outstanding! i was out in a rain storm and the jacket took it like nothing! and the jacket is really warm! the pit zips really help when your hiking and you dont want to stop and take your jacket off. overall its a great jacket! im looking forward to using it on the PCT! and i hope that this helps you out.

I bought this jacket for a trip to the UK where I knew it was going to be in the 30's. I don't ski just walk around a lot going to work and train stations. The side pockets are way to high to use for your hands. Its just a stupid location. It is about chest high and cannot be zipped up by same side hand. With long sleeve shirts my arms are still cold. I am not the type of person who gets cold easy either. I guess it would be fine if it were in the 40's.

This is one of the best winter jackets I have ever owned period. It stops the bitting wind here in Connecticut. They even had it in the blue color. They even gave me a price match to beat all the other companies selling it. Backcountry Rocks!

Great jacket just wish it had normal pockets for the outer shell.

Other than the fact that there are no lower pockets, this jacket is worth every penny.

The liner is bigger than the coat! The liner is a perfect fit for me, but the arms and body of the jacket are too short for me! (I checked to make sure that I don't have two different sizes!) The powder skirt is minimal and located too high! I have a crappy old Airwalk coat that is designed better - with el-cheapo materials so that coat is junk too. . .