kegsbytheriver

I've had this jacket for over two years now. I've owned a North Face Denali, and an Apex Bionic. The Khumbu, although cheaper and supposedly less efficient (and less trendy) than the other two, is by far my favorite fleece / softshell so far. No matter what anyone says to me, I'm convinced that this jacket is just as warm as the disgustingly overpriced Denali. The winter of '06 in Maine I wore the Khumbu with a sweatshirt underneath all winter - that was my winter jacket, and it served me wonderfully. Unless you're talking wind chills below zero, this jacket with appropriate layers will stand up to the cold. At around $80, I think it's overpriced (and this is their lowest priced fleece), but you're paying for The North Face logo on the front and back, after all. I'm tall, 6'3, around 200 lbs, and an XL is a perfect fit. It fits loosely, but not too loose, which I love. It feels just right on me. There aren't 300 tassels hanging off twenty different zippers - it's a no nonsense, simple, comfortable fleece. The jacket has also pilled up very little. There are a few occasional pills around the cuffs from time to time. The color (black) has barely faded very little over the past couple yearsl, which I find amazing. My only gripe with the color is that it's way too easy to see the dog hair. I'll probably pick up a different color Khumbu eventually, just to have an extra. I really hope The North Face doesn't discontinue this jacket, or modify it in any way. Also, Backcountry rocks - their sales can't be beat.