The North Face ST Apogee Jacket - Men's - 2006 BCS

couldn't stand it for my application (winter camp - 20's & 30's F). too hot to wear on the hike in. that's fine - anything this heavy would be hot. couldn't stand hanging around the camp site in it. the zipper isn't in the center (to allow for the harness tie-in). But I didn't want it zipped the whole time. By the end of the weekend I was soooo tired of having the heavy side pulling to my knee and the light side coming under my armpit. It also gets and stays wet.

BTW, I've used it for years. Finally got a new one. I'm really looking forward to never using this jacket again. I'm not normally so down on stuff, but I ended up hating this jacket.

I bought this jacket to replace a very similar TNF Scot Schmidt Steep Tech jacket that I've owned for probably 16+ years. These jackets are incredibly durable. I am 6'1" and 200 lbs. and an XL gives me plenty of room for a fleece underlayer. The only issue I see with this jacket is the collar (it is 5" tall and covers my mouth unless I pull the jacket down). My old jacket's collar is only about 3" high. I may see if my tailor can shorten the collar in the front but that would require shortening 3 zippers...I'm not sure how easy that would be. FYI: The belt does come off. I just thought of something, maybe if I used the belt I could keep the collar down off my mouth I will have to investigate this (although I don't like the look of the belt).

I purchased the Apogee ST 4 seasons ago. I also purchased The North Face Patrol Pant at that time. The Apogee is made with TNF's HyVent, and the Patrol Pants are made with Gore Tex XCR (3 layer, i believe). I mostly ski in bounds in Mammoth and Colorado and generally ski pretty hard, mostly in the bowls and bumps. I wear the pants every day and the Apogee during storms. Bottom line, Gore Tex holds up in any condition, from 40 degrees to 20 below with excellent breathability and wind and water proofing. The Apogee is warm but has terrible breathability. Perspiration moisture cannot escape and you get damp and cold on the chair. Even when using the pit zips, which are good size. The lining in the jacket makes this issue worse, as it absorbs a lot of the moisture, adding to the dampness. When you try to layer a little less under the jacket, you become very vulnerable to wind, which is pretty constant in Mammoth. Bottom line - it's a good looking jacket, the collar is an awesome design, but the jacket is bulky and it has terrible technical performance. I should have listened to the Backcountry.com rep and considered the Arc'teryx Sidewinder, which will probably be my next shell.

This is a cool jacket that is good for skiing or a chilly day. However, it will not cover you for a Northeast winter. It is not as insulated as I expected but it looks pretty cool. In terms of fit, it runs true to size so whatever size you use in a shirt is the size you should use to purchase this item.

For what is it, its a good jacket. It's warm you wont freeze it in, i wear short sleeve tee's year round so thats something i want. My problem is the collar, its way for high and unless you zip it up it will look stupid. The off center zips make it even worse. I know it was suppoed to be like that and its fine if you like it but i dont. Buy it if your not in school because unless you have a locker you'll be with this all day. After every class you have to zip it up because like it said it looks stupid of you dont. Then take it off again. This is a pain in the ass. I actually like the buckle because its a wide jacket. The only problem is the collar. The steep tech agency and dolo are similar style wise so look into those. If your not in school then i guess this wouldnt be a bad choice because you wont have to worry about taking it off and putting it back on 10 times a day. Its hot and would be hotter if they made this same thing without the collar

I love this jacket. It is definitely the best, most featureful ski jacket I have owned so far. It has more pockets than anyone could ask for. It is warm and very well vented, and the style is unique in comparison to the vast majority of mountain lights and mountain guides. This is definitely a worthwhile jacket. I love the overall look and fit of the jacket as well. Definitely top notch.

The jacket is still new and is very warm. Best Customer service and most reliable company

I have owned several The North Face jackets before this one. This one is somewhat unique in The North Face group and it took a little getting used to.

First of all, I have to say this jacket has a ton of pockets which is very helpful to me. The zipper takes a little time to get used to since it does not zip down the center of the jacket. The neck also took a little time to get used to. It is much higher than other jackets I have used. Once I got used to the neck though I loved it. I tested it during a very cold week in Colorado and the jacket is warm and great. On warmer days, there are 4 vents that can be opened to provide soon cool air.

All in all, I love this jacket.

This is from a 16 year old's point of view. The jacket is great looks very nice, has many handy pockets and etc. I am 5,11, 150 in weight. The size large fits me pretty well. The problem i am having is the pockets are so tiny, they also have no insulation if i can get half of my hands to fit inside. The jacket isnt as warm as it can be but since its a thin jacket how can you complain? It is warm for its thickness. The collar is well protective of your neck also, I wish the hood was removable but it does hideaway nicely.

When I compared the men's steep tech jackets to the women's, the men's seemed far more suitable for my needs/style. I searched everywhere for size small, before finally finding it here. Even though the jacket is cut for men, the belt and all the adjustment features allowed me to fit the jacket to my body.

I'm VERY HAPPY with the jacket. Not only does it look awesome, it keeps me very warm. I use it for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and just about any snowsport. The vents allow me to zip/unzip as needed throughout the day to keep warm or to cool off after strenuous activity. I really like the high collar b/c it covers my face while on the skilift and helps me breathe in warmer air. Combine that with my goggles and ski helmet, and I don't even need a balaclava.

The pockets meant for hands aren't very big, but when wearing a jacket like this in the terrain it is suited for, most generally wear such big gloves anyway, they wouldn't be able to fit them in the pockets of any jacket. The rest of the pockets are perfect for slipping in lift tickets, keys, cellphones, etc.

The case on the front is easy to detach and much higher quality than I expected. I looked through the bag and found it suitable for a first aid kit and/or tools/gear. I like the thick material on the shoulders b/c I can carry my skis without worrying about ripping the fabric. The hood zips up which is perfect for those who use a snow helmet. The double-velcro on the wrists work well not only to keep the jacket snug, but also to attach my gloves to, so I won't lose them.

Overall, if you're going to use this jacket for it's original purpose - snowsports - you won't be disappointed. Keep in mind that it works best as a shell, and wear layers (such as a fleece) underneath to maximize warmth.

By the looks, this is the exact same jacket I got for Christmas in 1995! Let me tell you, it is not a very good jacket for actual EXTREAM conditions. All of those zippers let in alot of wind. It is bombproof, but that comes at a cost of the beast weighing what seams like 10 lbs. The high neck is great if you don't have anything else with a neck, because, as onther reviewer mentioned you can't zip the darn thing up with multiple layers. By the way, who really needs the accessory pouch on the front? It has all kinds of cool pockets that you will never use and you will look like a dork while wearing it. Bottom line, if you need to find a jacket for a 90's throwback party get this jacket, otherwise, leave it in the closet like I have for 12 years.

The jacket was great. I used it for two ski seasons and was never wet or cold.

The reason for the return was that I was a passenger in an auto accident and had to be extracted from the vehicle. I was placed in a neck brace and strapped to a backboard. The EMT's cut the jacket off of me so they could insert an IV.

I was amazed when Backcountry said they would accept the jacket as a return after all that.

Jim

I just wore the Apogee Men's Small (5'6" 140 lbs) in Snow Valley, Southern Cal for a day of skiing as snow was falling all day long. The fit was very good. The collar was a bit tall (probably intentional) and took some getting used to with all the zippers. The pockets were very useful and the removable pouch was indispensable with my ski/snowboarding family putting various things like goggles and gloves on and off depending on the weather. The ventilation zips front and back were open all day. MY midweight fleece underlayer and baselayer of 100% cotton ( I know, I know, don't use cotton) were perfect for the occasion. The belt did not add much to the experience but i suppose it could be useful if a few pouches were hooked up to it to carry other gear. But why would one need more storage space? All in all a terrific purchase in my humble opinion. i wish the inner lining wasn't so clingy though. It made it a little difficult to get into the jacket. For this reason I wish the liner was nylon. In horrible weather, once the jacket was on, there were no worries. The rollaway hood was decent, although uninsulated. A balaclava made of fleece under the hood will help when speeding down the mountain. By the way, the $240 price down from $398 made this a no-brainer of a purchase.

The jacket is clearly well made and has many useful features for the technical user. The jacket does not fully zip up the center and hanging around the camp site unzipped is slightly uncomfortable as it hangs / pulls lopsided on your body. I found the hood encroached upon my field of vision.

this jacket is great. very durable, and though it is not the warmest jacket, it is water and windproof. if you go out wearing this and you're warm, you can expect to stay that way. however, if you were cold to begin with it might take some time to get warm, if that happens at all. this is a tight-fit jacket, for the most part, and if you're wearing anything else with a high collar or a hood, dont expect to be able to zip the zipper all the way to the top of the jacket

I've owned this same Jacket since 2001!!! I ski 10-15 times a season. Live in the Pacific Northwest so yo know the sometime wet conditions we have. It shows little ware and yes I do run it through the washer with a water proof solution just be for the season begins. But I will say, I've been in some pretty bad conditions (Blizzard like) and never had any problems with being to cold or getting wet. I also have the matching Bibs. I've replaced my skiis 4 times but still use the same Jacket. I still get comments about the nice look. Thought about replacing it, BUT WHY???

Incredible jacket. Heavy duty construction feels bomb-proof. High neck zipped up option almost completely insulates against powder snow and high wind. Multiple easy access pockets. Very secure feel with waist strap. I predominately ski dry snow regions in CO. However, I took a trip to Whistler last season, though waterproof, the jacket had a damp feel in this environment at the end of the day - More traditional Gore-Tex shell would like benefit here - this is the only 'fault' identified. When I strap on the Apogee, I feel ready to take on any terrain - go for it!

Great Jacket! Keeps you warm and is very light at the same time. The front gear pack is a bit bulky and might get in the way a bit but is still very useful for carrying all sorts of things while one skiing on the trail and off the trail. Its removal making it a much more lighter jacket than what it seems. Overall a great buy and well worth every penny. Looks really cool too!

I called and spoke with a very knowledgeable sales rep about this coat before I bought it. He spent time with me (20+ mins) talking over every little thing. If you have specific questions, this is the way to go. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Perfect fit, very warm, and very tough. I've since climbed, skied, and snowshoed a fourteener in it. This is definitely my go-to coat. Thanks, guys!

Bought this jacket for my 16 yr old son. He absolutely loves it! Says its the warmest most comfortable jacket ever. Bonus for me was that BackCountry had it almost $100. less that all other websites.

This is the second north face jacket st apogee i have gotten this year,,By far the best jacket out there, light, warm and really comfortable,,
backcounrty is a little expensive ,, i got the same jacket on ebay for $150 but at backcounrty it was $429...but it is the best jacket on the market today,. its north face it should be

i bought this jacket couple weeks ago i liek ti alot its looks very cool and pretty warm it is a very good ski jacket

I just purchased the Steep Agency jacket for climbing Mt. Hood next spring. I'm 5'10 and purchased the large. Will this have enough room for a down jacket once we are in higher elevation? I'm also wondering if it is waterproof enough for this climb?

So many bells and whistles and pockets, killer piece of gear. Probably the only ski jacket you will ever have to own. Its that tough.

Guys, the jacket's very warm and windproof and you could tow a car with it but, if you get caught in really wet snow for a couple of hours, the jacket will be soaked...along with you.

The North Face ST Apogee Jacket may have been inspired by an athlete and originally introduced as a high-end performance jacket, but it appears that the 2009 version has strayed from its roots. I was pleasantly surprised to find a TNF product offered in a size 3XL (ex-football player) but upon its arrival, I was disappointed in just about every aspect of this product. Upon further research, I discovered the same jacket (and many more from the "Steep Tech" line-up) being sold at urban, hip-hop vendors.....in jumbo sizes. This kind of connected the dots for me and offered some sort of an explanation as to why the jacket did not seem very functional or performance driven in its design or quality. Honestly it reminded me of a pseudo-technical RocaWear jacket I bought awhile back. Lots of zippers, snaps and buckles doesn't make a jacket high-end. The "detachable accessory pouch" can be removed......with a pair of needle-nose pliers. It is extremely difficult to snap back on. The sleeves were nice and long but the overall length of the jacket (torso) was too short in my opinion. Again, it seemed as if this big-man-sized jacket was actually cut to be worn (baggy) by a much smaller person. Unless you're ET, the collar of this jacket cannot be zipped all the way up. I think it's supposed to be worn folded down....which kind of defeats the purpose. I don't ski, but I do make an occasional winter trip to Russia, Ukraine or Mongolia and I can't imagine bringing this coat with me. This just a case of TNF crossing over to reach another (fashion) market and a few technical outfitters stocking a product because of historical greatness.

I havent used the jacket to ski yet but MAN its built well. I cant wait to use it.

I have had this jacket for two seasons now and it really does stand up, no rips like the prettier jackets. This jacket really has stood up to everything I have thrown at it and isn't showing any signs of wearing out. I was so impressed with this jacket I got my wife a steep tech jacket (she tends to destroy things easily, but she hasn't destroyed this one)

this is like the perfect jacket warm n stylish only drawback is no hand pockets, well there is buts its a lil small so yea the only draw back

I bought it with out even trying it on and It fit perfectly. I'm 6' 3" 190lbs and the large size fit like a glove with some room for layers.(Not that you need them) This jacket stands up to Canadian winters and all types of skiing and snowboarding trips. If you live in Canada like me, you need to travel to the nearest Fedex Kinkos across the border and get it. But believe me when I say it was worth the 3 hour drive to Syracuse NY to pick it up! Its very warm and well made, not to mention stylin too!

This jacket is horrible. Doesn't keep you warm. All those pockets and no where to put my freezing hands in. This jacket is garbage. I should've just bought a better looking, warmer, and cheaper SPYDER.

The craftsmenship of the jacket was very nice like many of North Faces products, but when zipped up all the way this jacket came all the way up my face. The collar was way too high. When unzipped the collar was in the way too much as well.

I love my Steep Tech. I bought a white one in Feb 08. I never got a chance to wear it. I called Backcountry and asked if I could exchange it for a black one and they said no problem. How great is that? Backcountry is the best. This was worth my girl getting pissed at me for spending so much on this coat. Looking forward to wearing it on the slopes. P.S(Everyone, this is a technical shell jacket that you would wear a liner underneath. That is its purpose. If you need a stand alone jacket for warmth get a snorkel!)

I exchanged my red- steeptech for a white one and this site asked no questions .. I received my new steeptech in 2 days .. I've had my steeptech for .. 2yrs now and it is by far the best jacket I ever had ..

This jacket is great, looking! Visually it looks amazing and the design is very eye catching; really fashionable. Lots of pockets for the random accessories you'll need during trip and pretty water/wind resistant. I walked for 2hrs straight during a torrential downpour and the jacket stood up well and dried quickly after. It keeps you warm on most winter day yet on the really very cold ones; I had to wear a second layer (TNF Fleece) to feel comfortably warm, which I think is a problem, due to the cost of the jacket! On looks it’s a must-have but on actual warmth and comfort I stick with my TNF McMurdo Parka.

Guys, the jacket's very warm and windproof and you could tow a car with it but, if you get caught in really wet snow for a couple of hours, the jacket will be soaked...along with you.

The jacket is great. Beware...the sizes run larger than they are. I ordered and Xlg and he could have used a Lg. Overall very good.

This is the my second apogee jacket, the best jacket around.

I have one of my own and i think it's one of the best and warmest jackets ever made in the world. I ordered mine from this web site and it cost me about
$360.00 for everything included the shipping and handle the price is the first name of the jacket steep but I had to get one because I hate to be cold and all my friends have one so could be left out,and where I live at you better dress warm or else, so go get one the day read this, u wont regret this deal.

I searched for an all over the edge look and capacity in a jacket for a while and this bad boy completes the quest...Excellent access, weather prot., and especially appearance...it will turn every head while yours is the least concerned about anything but the provided comfort...North Face meets 007, with a splash of life insurance..
almost as great as BackcountryStore.com for helping me find it...thankyou

This Steep Tech is a great ski jacket. Functions well and looks great. However, this jacket doesn't get a 5 out 5 because it's of a slightly lesser quality than the 1996/1997 Steep Tech. BUT STILL HOLDS UP.

Actually got hot in 10 deg. weather with this dude. It is the real deal and pure quality. If you want to be warm and safe no matter where you are, here is the piece. I take back all my rants about the techie junk. Tis is real tech that is the real deal!

This jacket is certainly the best skiing/snowboarding jacket. As for everyday use, I would not suggest you wear this at 10 degree outside. McMurdo Parka seem to be better choice when it comes to coldest of the winter. Nevertheless, excellent design, life time warranty can't go wrong.

When I heard that the Apogee was coming back, I had to get it. I have the original and it is the best jacket I have ever worn for snowboarding. The new jacket does not have the same feel of the original. It feels like TNF didn't take the time to make it as great as the original. Overall, I am satisfied and I would recommend anyone to buy this jacket not just for snowboarding, but for everyday use. At the price BackcountryStore.com is selling at, you can't go wrong!!!

Great jacket, warm, good looking. Really made my son look like a serious skier (he is) and now he looks it.

This is absoloutely the best jacket that I have ever owned. It's tough enough to handle the New York City winter and any other kind of weather that comes your way. Its style is also unbeatable. The accessory pouch is so useful you'll wonder why other companies didn't incorporate it into they're designs yet. This is obviously the best jacket for any winter or rainy season.

Was not sure about the off-center zip up for the front of the jacket, but after 2 days, absolutely love it. Would like the option of removing the waist buckle instead of just snaping it behind the back. Overall, very happy with the purchase, worth the price, will last for a decade easy.

Used the jacket the first week of December in Utah. I found the jacket to be very comfortable, warm while skiing and pockets placed in convenient places. TNF always stand behind their products and have excellent customer service. This is my 14th North Face jacket and I still have all of them. Solid jacket for all outdoor activities. My money was well spent!

Great. Well thought out. An exceptional jacket.

This jacket is probably the best one I have ever worn. I don't feel the wind or the snow even when it's 20 degrees outside. It's definitely worth its price. I recommend it to everyone who loves the outdoors. Northface is great.

Simply put this is _the_warmest_jacket_ you'll find without looking like a ridiculous marshmallow. I bought this last christmas from this website in black/black. Nowadays I believe it's a rare color to find because it was such a hot sell last year. Definitely one of the most sound investments to make for the winter.

This jacket is horrible. It compares nothing to the original apogee from 95-97. Don't buy this jacket if you are a hardcore skier. Hyvent is the cheapest fabric ever made. Any steep tech after 98 is pure crap.

So far, the jacket performs well. Its almost the same thing as the Extreme jackets. Pretty warm, lot of pockets. Only thing I don’t like about it is the lack of pocket for your hands like the other North Face jackets.

Overall the Apogee jacket was an incredible garment. It seemed well constructed and I'm sure that in extreme conditions it would live up to it's name. However, it is a bit stiff and the size was geared towards a thin, short torso build. I'm 6'2" 225 (all muscle of course...) and it was constricting and too short in length. the integrated pack seemed a bit funky, but was easily detached.

This is a great jacket for the extreme. It is made of a Carhartt-like material that is windproof. The side pockets could be larger to stow gloves/hands etc. The coat may be a bit over the top for casual wear due to the outer belt. The steep work jacket seems like a better option for casual wear, although I do not own one. The jacket is hard to find in anything but XLs. I got a great deal on a new XL. I'm 5’10”, 195lb and it is a bit big around the waist and in the shoulders/arms.

Firstly, the order and UPS delivery to Sweden was very smooth and quick, thanks! Love this jacket, fits very good for the cold Swedish winters. Looks good to use as a casual jacket in town. And very useful in the nature and hiking. It is easy to put on even if the zipper is on the side, however, I think it more the jacket you are supposed to wear for a longer time. Small but plenty of pockets, tight and comfortable high neck. Love the zipper at the end of the arms which makes it easy to put on and off gloves. The waist belt could have been detachable though. There are 3 "holes" at the front of the jacket I did not know about, for the use of something I don't know yet but are covered by the waist belt. Lastly, it feels like a jacket with enough quality to last for a decade with adventures!

This jacket is one of the great ones. I can vouch that no wind will ever get through. The only flaw I can find in this jacket is that there are no pockets for your hands.

As for the Steep Tech The North Face gear, I love it. It's very warm and is exactly what I wanted. Thanks.

This jacket has no flaws. One of my best jackets to wear in the winter. Wish the zipper in the middle went all the way down the jacket.

I love my jacket. Warm, wind proof, incredibly durable and rugged.
But with the availability of other layering systems which weigh much less, I would only recommend this jacket for extremely rugged adventures where durability of clothing is an issue because of ice, rocks, or brush tearing stuff up.
Make no mistake about it, I can ski all day in extremely cold and windy conditions with this jacket. And I love it. But if I am only skiing and am at all concerned about freedom of movement and weight in an environment where I do not anticipate tearing something up, I will choose my arc'teryx shell and layer underneath as needed. Much less weight and freedom of movement.
An unbelievably great jacket which I would use in fewer settings than I had anticipated. But I am very happy to have it.

I bought a steep tech in 1995 and thought they could not make a better jacket. well they definitely proved me wrong. This jacket is not cheap, but man this thing is awesome!! tons of zippers makes this jacket adjustable to any possible need. I wear two thin layers below this coat and have yet to get cold. If you ski hard you'll have to pop the pit zips to cool down!! Even with hard use, this coat will last at least 10 years. And if you just happen to have a blowout, send it to north face and they will repair it for free! After 10 plus years of hard skiing i blew out the zipper on my steep tech, north face fixed it, sent it back and 1 just gave it to my brother. Bottom line, if you can come up with the coin, you won't be disappointed!!!

Got the jacket and was blown away by the quality of it, the pockets, overall appearance, etc. UNTIL I went to put it on. I ordered an XL (another reviewer said they ran large). I'm 5'5" and 180 and I had a heck of time with this. The offset zipper does make it awkward to get on. I tried it as a pull over and it worked but it was difficult. The sleeves and neck protection were plenty large but the cut of the body seemed narrow. Maybe suited for someone of a thinner build. I sent it back. I wish it had fit because it seemed to be a great jacket.