The North Face Redpoint Optimus Insulated Jacket - Men's - 2010 BCS

I just want to add that this jacket is great for travel. compresses well, and when stuffed into it's own pocket makes for a nice pillow on the airplane. I was torn on which redpoint to get - hood or no hood. The hood is nice because it fits well and extends the range of the jacket. Down side is that you can feel it under a shell if used for layering but not a huge deal. I also like the cuffs. zippers for pockets need garages. It's comfortable and gets a lot of use.

I have used this jacket for over two years now....The durability has been great...It has also been the perfect jacket because most of my trips have been in the Pacific North west where things get a little more damp than most parts of North America....

Fit is an issue for me. I'm 6'1" with broad shoulders and back and about 36" waist...not obese, but not super-trim...normally fit for an active city dweller.

The Large size fit well around the waist, and the arm length was just right. But the shoulders-chest area was just a touch too tight to make it a reasonable fit, especially if I needed to wear something other than a base layer.

The XL size was a bit on the larger side overall. Shoulders were good, but there's a bit too much material around the waist and a touch long in sleeves.

I'm a hard person to fit in general (broad shoulders, narrower waist), so this is no surprise...just a note to others like me.

Anyway, other than fit issues, this seems like it will be an awesome jacket. I just picked one up but haven't had the opportunity to use it in the field. It seems to be within the family of the Patagonia-like down sweater field of lightweight down or synthetic insulation layers. I like the fact that it has a hood, which to me makes it more versatile.

Good details...inside water bottle pocket, high-ish hand pockets, lightweight. Might not be as compression packable as others given the fact that it has a hood.

I like the pull tabs on the inside hand pockets to snug the bottom elastic...there are also conventional drawstrings in the usual places around the hem and also in the hood.

Overall, five star jacket, minus one star for fit.

This jacket is awesome. It perfectly bridges the gap between softshell and insulated puffy. I have worn this jacket in temperatures in the low teens with no shirt underneath and been warm sitting on a patio for several hours talking to my new fiance (in a metal chair). It's definitely too hot for aerobic activity, but I consider it the perfect insulation layer for when the mercury really drops. Throw a hard shell over it and you have a bombproof combo that will stand up to the harshest conditions. This jacket is just so versatile. Not only do I use this thing snow camping, skiing, on-belay and around town; but it really makes a perfect travel companion. I travel a lot for business and this jacket takes up no room, is incredibly comfortable and makes a great pillow on flights. It's like wearing a 10 degree mummy bag everywhere. So soft and comfortable. I highly recommend this jacket!

Such a great jacket with one annoying peccadillo -- the water bottle pocket inside the chest only holds a small half-liter bottle (or one of those disposable 16 ounce bottles). How many of you guys carry 1/2 liter bottles all day long? All my bottles are Hunersdorf or Nalgene, and they are all 1 liter size. For a TNF 'Summit' series jacket, this is a huge flaw.

Other than that, fabulous jacket! Toasty warm.

A medium size Patagonia Micro Puff hooded weights almost exactly 20 ounces, while the TNF Redpoint Optimus weighed in at 21.6 ounches.

Torso on the Redpoint Optimus is about 1 inch circumference smaller than the Patagonia and jacket length is about 1/2 inch shorter. The shoulder and sleeves of the Redpoint Optimus are definitely made of a more durable material -- and the weight penalty of 1 1/2 ounches is worth the extra durability.

A Rab Photon should also be looked at -- very full-featured, competitively priced, although it uses an inferior Primaloft sport which offers less warmth for thickness.

Fix the dang water bottle pocket problem TNF! It's so frikking annoying! They should make a nice loose mesh pocket rather than a tight little chimney.

It fits really nice. The inside chest pocket does snag a bit. Be advised, it does not have any vents, however it does breath well. I find it works best as a summit and belay jacket. I've taken it out on winter trips, but its best suited for late and early season.

It has withstood some pretty stiff wind, rain and snow, but I wouldn't recommend it for serious weather. It has been great for late night bar-hopping, though!

I've had this jacket for about 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. I wish I would have bought it earlier in the winter. I was hesitant about the hood because in the past I have really not been a fan of the aesthetics of a hood. I've gotten over the aesthetics of it and realize it is really nice to have. Just going out to walk the dog when it cold and windy make it nice because you zip it all the way up and you feel like you are in a sleeping bag. It's warm and light.

The only negative I see is the zipper. The teeth are very fine and there is a double zipper. Both of which sometimes make it hard to quickly zip up the jacket. You have to align the double zipper first. I think it had bigger teeth it would be easier.

Overall I really enjoy the jacket and would recommend it.

Great soft outer layer, feels good, looks good, very happy!

This is a fantastic light-midweight jacket. I have had one for 5 years and it has performed in all kinds of weather conditions.

Light, packs small, warm. Despite how thin it is, it is for light activity use only unless its really cold-like say in the teens.

Great fit-trim with none of the down Michelin Man look. Can layer under it easily. I often wear Midweight Tneck, R1 pullover, fleece vest and this without feeling like Randy in a Christmas Story. I can also add my Gore-Tex shell over it for the coldest temps.

The best hood I have ever used. Most jackets it seems you fight the hood, in this it moves with you perfectly. That hood also really helps extend the range of this jacket. When its in the 20's and I am standing around, just zip up to stop drafts and keep the noggin warm.

As a bonus for large format photographers, I can fit a Fuji Quickload holder in the pockets of this.

My only downside to this jacket is I wish the pockets had fleece in them. At least my 2005 version does not.

I've had this jacket for 3 years now, and it is still my go-to jacket when it drops below freezing. I've never liked the puffy jacket look, so this jacket keeps me almost as warm as a puffy while looking like a much more athletic jacket. It also wears great underneath a shell and compresses down to a softball. The material is fairly durable for its light weight, but it was no match for me walking around with my gerber axe, which I carelessly allowed to graze the side material, instantly ripping a couple of inch long tears into the material. Bottom line - this jacket rocks, and so does duct tape. 5'11" 160 lbs, and medium fits perfect.

Received jacket today. Jacket looks great. Only prob is the fit. Ordered a large and it fit like a medium. I'm 6'2 and 190 lbs. A large normally gives me plenty of room. For any guys thinkin of getting this jacket that are around my size I suggest the XL. When I get a large I need the XL. When I get the XL I need the large. Thats shoppin on line for ya. Anywhoo. Jacket is sweet and I look forward to the bigger size coming.