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

I'm going to Japan next winter to do a winter season in full powder. will this be suitable with its water resistance or should i go for a fully waterproof jacket? anyone been in the pow pow with this coat?

Love all the features of this jacket! I ordered both a small and medium size - not sure what would work best. The small fit well, but the armpit zips hugged too much for freedom of movement. I am using this jacket for skiing - and I want plenty of room for movement and extra layers (although I doubt I will need many layers under this jacket - it is VERY warm! Will definitely be using the pit vents!) If this jacket was just for a winter coat - I probably would have stuck with the small - more tailored fit, and less puffy looking.

I bought this for the coming winter (moving to NYC in June), so I haven't tested the insulation factor yet, but I love this coat. Perfect mix of function & style, and the features just keep coming. And now I can't wait for winter to come!

Down Jacket is awesome. But what complimented this great purchase was the outstanding customer service we received. By far the best on line shopping experience we've had.

THANK YOU !

This jacket is awesome. I got it for a trip out west....it kept me warm through 2 storms, and once you unzip the vents was cool enough to ski in 40 degree weather. Well worth the price, and the color is sick. I don't think it shows it in the picture, but the lining is pretty rad, too.

After a lot of on-line and in-store research to find the best possible jacket for a mid-Feb ski-trip to Aspen, CO, I finally decided to get this one. I couldn't be happier with this purchase!!!I ordered the blue one and it's a really bright and pretty color. I was a little unsure which size to order, as I'm tall (5'10") but not really all that big (135 lbs) and usually wear size 4-6 or M. I figured that I will have to have some layers and decided to go with the size up. Good decision, as size L fit me just right. I was able to wear couple of silk tops and a turtleneck or even a woolen sweater and not feel too tight, especially with the underarm zippers open.The arm length and the body length (mid-hip) are perfect for me.The jacket has plenty of pockets for everything.I also like that the size/depth of the hood is adjustable, the faux fur trim looks actually cute (better in reality than on the photo), and both the hood and the fur trim can be zipped on and off easily.The most important point, of course, is that I stayed warm and comfortable on the slopes in 21oF weather, and even when snowshoeing (i.e. SLOWLY walking on/in knee-deep snow) in super-high altitude in a forest with no sun and piercing wind. Not sure exactly what the temperature there was but it was much, much colder than down on the slopes.). And this jacket is so versatile that I have also been able to wear it in L.A. when walking my dogs at night, when the temperature is in the 50's and raining, and still feel just as comfy as I did in snow storms. All in all - great buy and well worth the cost.

As soon as I received this jacket I feel in love with it because it is so warm and has it pockets for everything you need during the freezing cold. If your glasses get snow on them unzip your arm pocket and wipe them with the micro-fiber pad. Need your music, go right inside the main zipper and put your ipod or whatever mp3 player you have and have it safe from the snow or other elements. And you will never get lost because the red is most defiantly the brightest Ive see on a jacket.

When the jacket arrived it was packed so tight , I thought there is noway this the jacket I ordered. But i unwrapped, and it puffed back up, and I put it in under the tree for my wife. She loved it and everyday day is amazed how warm and comfortable it is. with everyone wearing North Face these days, she doesn't see anyone with this jacket on. Thank you, backcountry.com

When I first tried this jacket on I did notice that the jacket hugged the armpits a bit however it is not uncomfortable and after a while I actually loved the feeling. It also makes the jacket look hot when left open. I do wish it fell a bit more closed when left open especially when your wearing a ski undershirt underneath.

On the ski hills it functioned extremely well I thought it might be restrictive but it was not at all. It is cozy, streamline with the look of a bomber but with no bulk. The hood is great its stiff and tight and doesnt make the jacket look cheap. During the day I felt no wind or cold what so ever and as the evening approached the jacket maintained its warmth. It is Waterproof.

Compared to my old Columbian Jacket I would not go back. I have also forgotten about the $$$.

I can't give a report on how this jacket holds up to the weather elements or cold just yet since the season has not yet begun, but I bought this jacket for my wife who has been blessed in the chest area of her beautiful 5'8" physique. She usually wears a medium in most tops or jackets she wears, but I purchased a large in this jacket considering it's bought for warmth for those cold skiing nights and she'll be wearing something underneath it, unless of course I'm lucky that particular night. This jacket fits her beautifully and seems to be warm as toast. I'm sure the pit vents will come in very handy (no pun) when she gets overheated on one of her more agressive descents down the mountain. We had better hope that there will still be some snow left on that mountain once she concludes her first run, because as hot and cute as she looks in this jacket, I don't know how the snow won't melt.