But here's the thing: the three-zipper system is awesome while skiing. It's a bit of work, though, in the lodge or in the liftline when you have to go digging for your pass. But forget all that -- this is a jacket for serious skiers who won't spend a lot of time in the lodge. And for us, it's perfect. Just the right heft to the lining for warmth, and I'm sure the seemingly bullet- bomb- and water-proof fabric will last at least as long as the 12 or so years I've had my last North Face jacket. And one other thing - you won't see many -- if any -- of these on other skiers. I totally recommend the Agency.

Purchased the Agency for use as a ski/snowmobile jacket. USed most recently in Park City Utah, skiing in pseudo blizzard conditions at 20 F. Jacket was warm and comfortable, at times to warm in fact, which made the use of the various venting and opening options nice. Very useable and provided ample range of motion for all of my requirements.

Kevlar up on top of the shoulders is a novelty. Why didn't they put the abrasion resistant fabric somewhere that might receive some abrasion?
Insulation is less than the fall jacket I wear around town.
The three-zipper system looks good, but is awkward at best. The zippers themselves seem cheap.
The cut of the jacket is for fat people. I'm slim and in pretty good shape with a 32" waist, 40" chest, and wide shoulders. I got a Medium. The waist can be cinched in with the weird belt, but that still leaves enough room in the torso for a substantial beer belly. Maybe they were thinking that they need to leave room for the layers you will NEED under this jacket, but even considering that, the shape is still wrong. The abdomen should not be wider then the shoulders.
I was really excited about finding a ski jacket that I liked the look of, but I think this one is going back - Definitely not worth the cost.

This jacket is constructed very well. It is extremely durable. The zippers are YKK and seem fine. I purchased a medium. I have a 42 inch chest and a 33 inch waist with wide shoulders. The jacket fit was a little tight with more than a tee shirt on under. The abdomen area was not oversized. I will be returning it for a large. The insulation is perfect and the shell is not penetrated with the forty mile per hour winds in this central new york winter. I feel that the jacket is very agile. The jacket can also be adjusted in several different ways. I have owned a couple North Face summit series shells with gore tex xcr for years and love the performance. I will be wearing this jacket over those from here on out. Dealing with Backcountry on the exchange and help from gear heads is easy and extremely helpful.

I bought this jacket from backcountry, and as always great service from these guys! I'm from California and moved to Minneapolis a few years ago. My jackets and gear I wore in the sierras are just not warm enough for the winters up here and in Colorado( it's F---ing cold inland! but nice snow) Skiing 18 degrees or below temps requires INSULATION..more than the layering you would do while skiing up in the Sierras.
This Jacket does it! I'm a huge fan of the steep tech line, staying true to it since the early nineties, I don't wear these to look cool posing in the lift line (I earn alot of my turns). I like the centralized pockets, especially when you have a pack on. I use and abuse my gear ,the kevlar shoulders do a nice job when your hucking gear. And have been really happy with even the latest steep tech gear(Apogee..ect) of the last ten years.
The agency jacket has a nice layer of insulation while not feeling bulky, I'll wear this one with pride at my next backcountry trip in the rocky's.

This jacket is very durable and flexible considering its stats. It holds up to the worst weather and keeps you warm and dry. I recommend this North Face to any who is serious about there gear.

What can I say? Its warm and stylish. Nuff said.

This jacket not only keeps you warm, but it looks awesome. Has 3 zippers for you to change your look up each day. The only negative is no pockets for your hands =[ but thats IT. great jacket.

First off gotta say I love the Edward Scissorshands meets Canadian Mountain Holidays styling. This jacket is amazingly durable, exampled by the time I was in Jackson Hole and I showed all those snobby locals my mad skills with a Rodeo Daffy Crotchgrab off of Corbets and I hit the rocks mid-crotchgrab...me: 3 broken ribs, broken nose and shattered humerus, Steep Tech: couple of scuffs and a broken buckle. My only complaint was having to ride the lift at Park City with Tom Cruise who was also in a Black Agency, what a tool....Overall, Great jacket for cruising the cobblestone in Whistler or rocking the Pipe at Alpine Valley Ohio.