Adam

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 bought this bag about 8 months ago. I was undecided whether to get the ruckus or the offsite. Having found the ruckus at 40% off, I became decided rather quickly. As previously stated, great quality and construction, mine still looks brand new after continuous use. I am, however, disappointed in the laptop sleeve, which does very little to actually protect your computer. I am still happy with the quality of the bag, however after seeing this bag and now having physically compared it to the offsite, the offsite is the better computer bag. The ruckus, however, is more suited to travel by bike.

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.

The previous rating of three stars for this product was uncalled for. The older version of this compass is very accurate, to within about 2 seconds. Great durability. Good investment if you are able to keep track of things well, otherwise the $82 investment can really make you angry if it falls into the lake... personal story. Bouyancy would be a great addition to this compass...