The North Face Free Thinker Jacket - Men's - 2010 BCS

I picked this jacket up last year and it has replaced all of my other ski jackets. It really is a bomb proof shell with awesome features and the best waterproofing. I love this jacket!

Had it 1 day. The jacket, in a medium, fit great for my stalky 5'7" 185 lbs build. Looked great too. Wanted it for skiing/snowboarding/winter hiking. I generally use three layers; merino wool base, down/soft shell/wool mid layer (depending on temp) and this jacket. This jacket had a great cut for that as well as not too much bulk without the insulation layers. I never tried it with any of my packs, but I think it would have fared well. Lots of pockets, maybe too many. Plenty of venting. Great hood for use with or without a helmet. Not so great zipper flap for protecting your face. In the next year I think you'll see all of these technical jackets going with an offset front zipper.

Now for the problem. Maybe I was unlucky. The first time I wore it (snowboarding) three holes were made in the back panel. I remember going down on my back once. How tough is Gore-Tex Pro???

Had to return it, would like to have kept it.

This year, North Face did two things that discouraged me from buying this highly technical jacket: (1.) Hand pockets are in the traditional street-jacket area, low on each side of the jacket. Hard to access when you've got the waist strap done up on your backpack. For those of you who always wondered why technical jackets often have the pockets high up in the chest area, it's for that reason - so you can access your pockets while wearing a pack. The previous years' versions had the pockets up higher. (2.) The pit zips are not longer "pit" zips. There is now only about a 6" zipper under the arm, near the armpit. Previous generation had full pit zips up the torso and along the underarm.One good thing they did this year was add back in the upper left arm pocket. They had this in the 2007 version, which I own. The upper arm pocket is perfect for a cell phone or small walkie talkie. It's easy to hear whatever you've got in there. If a walkie-talkie, you can talk into it easily without removing it from the jacket, and without taking off gloves. If it's a phone, it's easy to reach quickly without undoing any straps on your backpack (which may be obstructing your other pockets and main jacket zipper).

GREAT JACKET. Worth the cost. This jacket is perfect for skiing. It is thin! I am 6'0" and about 190 and fit a Large perfectly. This jacket is perfect for big snow dumps and keeps you dry all day long. Another quality TNF product!

I have a medium, TNF Red, i'm 5'8" 145 lbs, got medium so I can wear one or two light down jackets underneath, When I do not have my under down jacket it is a bit large for me but the small was too small for under-layers. I have had this for 2 months and have snowboarded for say 15 times in it. It is the perfect jacket for the most extreme weather, nice and stretchy in arm pits. I do agree that the front pockets could of been backpack pockets and I dont like how there is pleats since it makes me look a bit round but that aside this jacket rocks and looks like it will last a long time. I live in Boulder and we have a store so it is easy to take it there if I have any problems. Love the red color and I am not usually one to buy such a bright color. My friends can find me quickly on the slopes since not many have this color and jacket. I paid $360 during TNF annual sale so can't complain there. Get rid of pleats and raise the pockets and then 5 stars but for now i'm stoked.

3 ply pro shell you gotta love it.Pockets and accessories everywhere.It's cool
but I like more of a streamlined jacket.If you are skiing on the hill, there
are a lot of cool features to use.