Happy Camper

By Bromance Ranked #2473 - Men's Down Jackets January 26, 2009

This is a great coat. I purchased the "New Taupe" which is is actually a dark Greenish-Olive (understatedly beautiful). As with most North Face products I always purchase a size down. I am 5'10" and wear a 42R coat. For the Hawthorn, I decided on the Medium, and it's a perfect fit with enough room to layer a thick sweater and undershirt. The sleeve length is generous as well, so no worries.

The coat is very warm, but not bulky like The North Face McMurdo which is similar in materials and construction. It is also shorter in length than the McMurdo, and falls a few inches below my hips. I think the biggest challenge is the hood. It's HUGE, but when wearing a beanie or hat, works well. There are cords to cinch it up, but if you have a normal head (mine is a little big) then you might take this into consideration. As for the rest of the jacket, it's very well made (in China) and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. It keeps the rain, sleet and snow out. Though my only nitpicking is that I wish it had a removable liner and perhaps ribbed internal cuffs, but that's just a personal preference.

Pros: Rugged, Lightweight, Warm, Blizzard-proof and Fashionable with a Lifetime Guarantee.

Cons: Does not fit true to size (go one size smaller), the hood is a little too big, but suitable for certain conditions (Siberian Winters), and there's only one small internal "media" pocket (not that you should be unzipping in freezing temperatures anyways).

On a final note, this is not an Mount Everest Expedition coat. And for a normal ski trip holiday, it may be overkill, and perhaps you'll be wishing it wasn't so warm. With that said, as an overall jacket, it's difficult to beat, especially if one is working out in the elements on a regular basis, Siberia inclusive. If you want durability and longevity, I say go for it, after all, that's what I did."

View Details: The North Face Hawthorn Down Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes