Like this coat for one reason only. It is warm enough to wear on it's own most of the time, and it is casual looking enough that when I go out I do not look like I just came off the mountain. Not bad for chilling around your base camp either. Only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is I feel that a jacket that is designed for this purpose should have warm pockets which the Retro-X doesn't have. Other than that there is nothing I can complain about as this jacket does what it was designed for. Well done Patagonia

I am reviewing the old hooded version that was a pull-over. This thing is absolutely warm. It can be -25 degrees F and I can wear this coat with only a long sleeve T-shirt on underneath. But, it is great for when you start to work up a sweat because you can dump heat like crazy with it un-zipped. Only thing I am ever concerned about is the durability of the ripstop, but if you wear a shell over this the problem is solved. I love the fit of this coat as it is not nearly as "puffy" as other down coats which makes it much better for layer.

This thing has been everywhere with me. I use it in the winter time for snowboarding in Colorado and the Black Hills, SD. Its been to Montana and Spent an entire winter in the Pacific Northwest. Also, this is the shell I take with me for early spring and late fall camping trips. You cannot hurt this thing. This is the jacket that I know will keep me dry when my life depends on it.

This is my go to shell from May to early October. Super light and packs down well, it comes on every single hike with me, NO MATTER WHAT. After 2 years of a lot of use I finally had to re-treat the DWR. Other than that, this is what a light weight rain shell should be.

So, first off, everyone that is complaining about this fleece doing nothing for you in the wind needs to understand that this jacket was designed to breathe as an insulating layer. I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and before I moved here I lived in the Foot Hills of northern Colorado. I use these jackets all year round and find that if it is a static, cold night I am just fine with a T-shirt and my Denali down to about 15 degrees F. Another thing to consider is the durability of this fleece. I have gear from other brands for more technical applications that are great, but they would never hold up to the daily abuse that my Denali gets (the only thing tougher are my Arcteryx's Pro-shell and my Carhartt). All in all this is the coat that comes with me on every trip I take, and goes with me when I do not know what the weather will be like on a night out. Solid piece, just do not expect it to do everything because it has "TNF" logo on it.

Bought this jacket to try out North Faces Apex. Awesome jacket for light days on the mountain. However, if it is below 20 degrees, might want to wear something warmer. I use it around campus and days around 25 degrees on the mountain snowboarding. Actually very wind and water resistant, and the hood is great when the snow starts coming down on the slopes. Would definately recommend it for late fall or early spring but still love my denali with gore-tex shell when it gets really cold. Overall, love it for around town and warmer days on the slopes.

Great jacket for chilly days around town or on the slopes. I always wear it snowboarding with a light hoody under it and around town when its warmer than 20 degrees. It is pretty good in light rains as well, and it is completely windproof, just like they claim. There are only a few days that it is not warm warm enough by itself. Have had it for two years and is still my favorite out of my denali, apex and works amazing with my hard shell. Also have a friend who wears it on his motorcycle on spring days. Anyone looking for a light liner/ spring and fall jacket its perfect. Just needs a sweater or hoody when it gets colder out