The North Face Valkyrie Softshell Jacket - Men's

Picked this one up early November for my climb later that week @ Longs Peak, CO. Was planning on putting this jacket as my outer layer while in the tree line assuming there was no snow. Then throwing my shell over it once we got above the tree line.

Lets start with the two bad things: First, even if you get the right size on this jacket (a medium for me 6ft 155lbs) it still is a pain to put on. If you are wearing any long sleeve shirt other then say Lycra (So anything with cotton or poly in it), the arms on the jacket always catch your under layer and pull it up. Now I understand they want to have a nice fuzzy layer on the inside, but it is not necessary on the arms. Either that or line it with some poly so that you can slide your arms in somewhat easy. Second, The North Face name, now I understand some of their products have gone to crap and you're paying for the name. Some are outstanding yet still you're paying for the name. With this one the product is great, but the price is high. Pick it up on sale if you can wait.

Pros:

Cat and Dog hair can't touch this jacket. Not related to any technical stuff on the jacket but having that soft-shell fabric with fleece inside and not getting hair clumps is great. Keeps the wind rain and snow away. Decent to about 20 degrees with winds 20 mph and below. Anything over that and you start to feel it, even with a decent base layer. Once you start getting into the more harsh conditions it would be beneficial to have a good layer system either utilizing this jacket or having it off and packed away.

Overall I am pleased with this jacket. I got it on sale so the price didn't hurt as much. I can wear it around town or in the snow and back country. Great buy.

I bought this jacket thinking it would be a good jacket for the wet Portland, OR winters. The hood works great and has come in handy, and the jacket does quite well shedding water and wind. It is also an incredibly stylish jacket with a non-baggy cut. It has two downsides: Anything below 45 degrees is going to be outside of the comfort range of this jacket. It is quite thin. The Apex Bionic (which i also own) is warmer, but thicker and lacks a hood. The other drawback that another reviewer mentioned - under layers snag on the interior fabric of this jacket. It makes is so you have to unbunch material under your armpits. It is kind of a hassle because you have to have a very warm layer under this jacket in winter because it is not warm enough on its own. All in all it is a good jacket if you are going to be doing aerobic activities in Spring like temps. If you need a jacket for colder weather look elsewhere.

This jacket works well for cool weather,but if it gets really cold you will have to put layers on underneath!
I have had this jacket for about a year,what I like most about this jacket is that it is tough,it seems to hold up to persistant abuse.
It is kind of like an over built hoody![deluxe version}

Really, I'm pleased with the jacket for what I bought it for - everyday use. I've had it for about a year and a half...wear it all the time. Excellent rain protection, breathable etc. I think I agree with other reviews that it won't keep you warm in very cold temps but good to about 32F/0C, depending on what you have. My beef is the lining of the pockets. I have put keys in the pockets a few times and now there's holes in them. The pockets are thin and shouldn't be used for much (perforated/aerated). Having said that, I love the look - fits perfect, versatile, easy to clean, throw in a bag and take anywhere.

great jacket for brisk weather and cool mornings but not ideal for snow sports without the skirt. this is the perfect jacket to look great and stay warm in. i would recommend this to everybody.

I agree that the sleeve lining is good and bad. If it is only cool, say in 40's and 50's and can wear a short sleeved shirt, then the sleeves feel nice. But if you have on anything other than lyrca or similar, you have to grab your shirt cuffs to keep them down as you put your jacket on. Minor problem overall. Nice jacket for activity in cool weather, such as snow-shoeing or hiking. It is quiet when in use. I like the longer waist length compared to the non-hooded versions out there. Sheds moisture well. Haven't used it in a rainstorm, only light precipitation so far (it doesn't rain that much in southern Oregon, really!!- unlike Portland). I feel it is sublime enough to use around town so you don't standout as a poser wanna-be. I got it on sale also. Full price would be too much to pay for this item.
Beware the grey version. The photo does not show that the inner storm flap and zipper housing is red in color. It shows up grey in the photo. I had originally ordered that color and found it to be a bit obnoxiously bright. I have informed backcountry of discrepancy well over a month ago. They said they would change the picture, but it doesn't appear they have so far. I had to re-order the product in black and pay for return postage. Less than optimal. Overall, I am happy with this purchase for all-around usage. Product 5 stars, Color issue and return postage required 3 stars, Overall 4 stars.

All in all a great jacket, but don't expect it to keep you toasty in 30 degree weather. As promised, it blocks the wind. The pockets are lined, which is a bonus, but an inner pocket would have been nice. Hood also lined.

I've worn this jacket in a variety of weather conditions. It excels in weather down to about 40*, but just doesn't have the insulation to compete with freezing point air. Does fine in light rain and moderately windy conditions.

Well-fitted and stylish. I opted for the gray version with the red stripe on the zipper. It's a very unique look and sets it apart from the standard black.

All in all very satisfied with this quality North Face jacket, but be aware that it's not parka warm.

Lightweight, easy to wear, drapes well & holds shape. Good for a multiple usage outdoors on a windy day or to the local shopping mall on a rainy day. Can be used for heavier duty (snow slopes) if additional layers are included. Jacket hood is a useful item offering adequate protection from the elements.