The North Face Auxiliary Down Jacket - Women's - 2009 BCS

My girlfriend gets cold really easily because of a vascular problem she has, so I decided to get her this jacket. We have no regrets at all, as we skiied for a week without any dramas. Yes, it's true that there is only one Napoleon pocket and the color is charcoal, but it makes up by being super warm and being really aesthetic (it accentuates the wrist and hips). Highly recommended!

For $600 I received the said "auxiliary jacket" with only 1 Napoleon pocket. It doesn't anything like whats pictured. Buyer beware!

This is an excellent resort jacket that withstands the cold and wind tremendously. I love the form and fit of this (excellent flattering female cut), as well as the functionality. It is very warm and has a fabulous protective, soft high zip collar that guards really well against wind/snow. The vibrant blue color really pops, and it has the added benefit of RECCO- The RECCO system consists of two parts: a reflector integrated into clothing, boots, helmets, and body protection worn by skiers and riders; and a detector used by organized rescue teams. Great components- zippers, pockets, cuffs, cut, and neck design are well placed and styled, along with a nice powder skirt liner and insulater. Though warm, it moves well and is an agile jacket for the more agressive on piste skier and adventurer...it is too heavy for serious hiking or touring.
I am 5'8 with athletic build & typically a medium, and wear a medium in this jacket.

I bought this jacket mostly based on online pictures available since I wasn't able to get my hands on it to try it on. It basically looked NOTHING like the pictures advertised by The North Face. As mentioned in the other review, 2 of the front pockets were not even on the jacket. The color, which looks vibrant online is really a flat blue with no pop at all. The pictures posted by Kim Havell are more accurate.

One thing about this jacket that ladies might not like at all is that it fits quite short. It almost gives no bum coverage. It is bulky and not very fitted. For such an insanely expensive jacket it was a huge disappointment.

If you like this jacket online, I would recommend the ladies TNF chicrock jacket in bomber blue. I bought that one and it is AWESOME and just what I was looking for.

FYI, the "black" jacket is more of a charcoal grey colour. Nice colour (in fact prefer it to black) but just a heads up! And as others have mentioned, it has only one front pocket. The arms, along with the sides and hood, are not lined with down but a fuzzy fleece, so not as warm as I was expecting. For the price (even on sale) imo it's not worth it. There are better options.

After looking forward to my jacket arriving I was extremely disappointed to see that it looked like a North Face copy. It was quite different to the one shown ie had only one zip to front and not displaying the correct North Face logos etc. I had to pay for return postage which I felt was unfair when it wasn't the item I had selected from the backcountry website.So altogether not a great experience however its a shame as I would rate the website ease of use as great.

Great jacket - very warm, good pockets and hood that fits ocer helmut. Fitted ski jacket that kept me warm at 10 below. Very happy.