Warm, dry, fashionable...and frustrated!

By vio4010800 Ranked #104 - Women's Casual Jackets October 29, 2010

I bought the Stella Grace and Grace hooded jackets from Back Country. Let me just say, Back Country is great. So are the jackets. If….you are planning to take the time to zip your coats up and adjust the hood BEFORE you get in a rain storm. If you’re already there, “fuggetaboutit.” I grumble to myself when I can’t get zipped/hooded-in that these coats were designed by a group of male engineers who have never been in a rain storm in their life, and certainly not carrying anything.

The reason I am taking the time to write this review is twofold: one so that you won’t return the coat once you buy it because you can’t get the zippers up, and two, so that you won’t plan to wear it when you can’t give full and undivided attention into getting into it, before the storm hits you.

Anyhow they are both nearly the same so I will post the same review for them.

1. Look-ma-no-hands zipper. I almost returned both coats to Back Country until my boyfriend showed me I was trying too hard. It's like a puzzle. You have to not care, and not try hard, & put the curved zipper hook into the zipper holder. These have the same weaknesses of all North Face double-zipper coats: if you hold the right side, you can’t get it up. Of course, for the Stella Grace, I still try 4 times in a row before I can get the zipper up anyway, but that is why I grumble.

2. External zipper lining to catch the zipper in. (Stella Grace). This miracle of engineering means that the zipper catches on the way up. And down.

3. Hood keepers. I call these the “keepers” because they keep you from adjusting the hood easily. Both coats have the little protector mechanism that makes the hood stay tight. But finding it is another matter. I struggled in a wind-rain storm in Boston to pull the hood tight on the Stella Grace coat and it took me 3 blocks of walking to even find the hood string. It is neatly “tucked” inside the hood where only a NASA engineer would think to reach. The Grace coat is much easier. Just pull and voila. But then when you want to undo the hood string – you find there is also a protector mechanism that is again, hidden, and after another 2 blocks of walking, you can figure out how to pull it out. Then your hair goes along with it.In spite of all those complaints, these are fantastic coats.Here’s why:

1. Warm & cozy. Once you can get all zipped in, you will be warm & dry. I have worn the Grace coat in weather ranging so far from 40-60 degrees, rain, wind and sun, and been totally comfortable. I’m warm, dry and fashionable for the first time in Boston. You can also wear designer shoes and sunglasses & look great with these coats. Women ask me about them…

2. Unique. I have had these for a few weeks and I’m the only one in Boston I have seen wearing one.

3. Functional. These have everything you need. Hoods, pockets for your hands, pockets for other stuff. The Grace coat has a little string thing with a hook on it in the right pocket to attach keys. The belts are secure. The Stella Grace coat has a belt that is buttoned on, and then snaps to close. (Again, another feature you don’t want to be struggling with in a rain storm, but which makes it quite stylish in the sun…)

Just a note as to fit. I’m 5’8 with long arms and a long torso. Both coats have long enough arms. On the Stella Grace cost, the waist sits fine, but on the Grace coat, it rides up too high. I am considering lowering the belt loops.I received these in a timely manner from Back Country. And I would recommend both the coats and the vendor again.

Also a note as to temperature. I own four TNF coats now. After living in Boston for more than 10 years, I don't mess around anymore when it comes to the weather - I invest.
For 60 degrees - Stella Grace
For 40-50 degrees - Stella Grace with TNF APEX as liner or Grace coat
For 30-40 degrees - Metropolis Puffer
For 30 degrees or lower - Arctic parka

View Details: The North Face Insulated Grace Jacket - Women's

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