The North Face Swift Hybrid Jacket - Women's - 2009 BCS

A couple months ago I posted wondering if anyone had tried this jacket. Nobody responded they had, so I popped for one. While there are quite a few sweet cycling jackets in this price range for men, there are fewer for women, and especially women my size. But in the end, it doesn't matter, because I"m very satisfied with this item and don't need any other winter jacket.

Tester: slowpoke who likes to try going fast (in other words, a rider who sweats easily)

Test Climate: Atlanta. Normal wintertime temperatures between 25-50 F. High humidity. I don't ride in the rain so this was a dry test. This jacket is not designed to be waterproof.

Test rides: mostly short, around town, 10 miles or less.

My requirement in shopping was for a white, lime, or yellow jacket to improve my visibility to drivers at night. I find the endless parade of black winter cycling jackets frustrating - why do we need to dress like ninjas to keep warm on the bike? Cycling apparel mfrs should take note of this and consider more light-color winter apparel. I also needed to find a jacket that would keep my front warm, but my back cool. It's always frustrating to come to work sweaty in freezing weather because your jacket's too hot.

The Jacket - Description

I chose the white (women's) version of this jacket. The front, collar, back yoke (upper shoulders) and outer sides of the sleeves are a very lightweight white ripstop material. It's different from the fabric Pearl Izumi uses to make their lightest jackets. This material has a textured weave that creates a waffle pattern on the "wrong" (inside) side. I'm sure the waffle pattern is designed to improve the minor heat insulating properties of the fabric. These white parts are the areas where wind hits and this is the windproof part.

The side panels, inside arms, wrist cuffs, and back panel are a thin, light gray stretch knit material. The gray knit is fully breathable. The gray parts are where you heat up first and tend to get sweaty (pits, lower back). The jacket is unlined and uninsulated, even in the front portion.

There are side pockets with vertical zips, and a high quality front zip closure with wind placket. The zippers function without a problem, no sticking or catching, unlike older Canari and Pearl Izumi jackets I have also used.
On the lower back there is a fair-sized single pocket with a zip closure. This is same position as a jersey's 2-3 pocket area.

There are no "vents" on the jacket because the fabric combination acts as its own vent.

There is a very small amount of reflective piping and logos, but not enough to be a legitimate visibility aid.

The Jacket - How did it feel?

Just starting out, the jacket feels insufficient at temps of 40 or below. You feel the cold especially on your lower arms, as those parts get a good amount of cold air coming through.

After a couple of miles, you've started to warm up and this jacket really shines. At a medium level of exertion, the jacket does a great job of equalizing your core temperature, protecting your front from the icy wind chill, while letting your back and sides breathe. At a more strenuous pace, you may end up "flapping" your elbows to let a little more air through to your pits, or unzipping the front halfway or completely down. I normally wear a thin, long sleeve layer under this jacket.

The verdict:
I would recommend this jacket to anyone who cycles in a similar climate. It would work great on cool spring or fall mornings too. On its own, the jacket would be too lightweight for areas that are regularly colder than about 35F. In colder temps you could wear a fleece or down vest in tandem.

To the Manufacturer:
Kudos on designing an intelligently garment and also for offering it for both genders! You should consider a yellow or lime colored version of the same jacket and add more reflective accents on forearms and back for a true-blue commuter jacket. Also you should offer the white color for men.

The retailer:
Backcountry.com provided an excellent customer experience. I was able to chat online at night with a sales rep who answered questions and got my order taken care of no problem. Shipping was fast. Backcountry.com is affiliated with Chainlove, Bonktown, and a few other quick-buy discount storefronts which are well-respected on this forum.
I would definitely shop with Backcountry.com again.

While hunting for a good running jacket, I found that there are other jackets this weight out there. But the thing that makes this one so special is the extended sleeve length w/ the thumb hole. Been wearing it over my Under Armour Sub Zero mock turtleneck and was very comfortable even in 14 degrees (well, my torso was comfortable, anyway). I also appreciate having the large lumbar pocket.

I have been using it as a middle layer for running in 20 degree weather. It has a nice fit, the sleeves, pockets--everything is well designed. It would be perfect by itself in about 50 or 60 degree weather, but is light for winter running by itself in colder climates.

I have had this jacket for two months and I wear it every time I run with either a short sleeve or long sleeve base layer underneath. It is perfect for 40-55 degrees running or 50-60 degrees biking. I ran in the rain today and it kept me nice and dry. Also love the large back zip pocket. I would reccomend this jacket to anyone.

I am a runner who bought this jacket for lightweight layer to wear over a base layer. I wore it for the first time this week in light rain. It was perfect! I wear a size M in the Pumori, but ordered a L in this jacket. I am glad I did because it runs a little smaller. It was just what I needed!