The North Face Apex 2 Jacket

Perfect for a variety of sports on milder days, the Apex 2 utilises The North Face's signature soft shell material, Apex. This soft shell jacket offers stretch, high breathabilit, warmth and due to a Duckback DWR coating, water resistance to allow you to perform as you want to. the seamless shoulder panels improve the water resistance and durability, especially when wearing a backpack.

North Face Apex 1

Site	Price	Postage	Total
	£127.50	£4.50	£132
	£139.99	FREE	£139.99

   User Reviews

General comments: I've had the Apex nearly a year and it still looks new despite frequent (ab)use! It gets worn everywhere - on the hill, to the pub, to the shops - in fact now I think about it, I practically live in it. On the mountain, the material is so windproof sometimes I can't believe it. Absolutely nothing gets through. I hardly ever wear an outer shell jacket over the Apex unless it's really wet and/or cold. The weight (or lack of) is also an advantage in the summer - it's great to stick in your pack to wear at the summit when you start to feel the wind chill. Although it's warm, you don't sweat much in it. For example, my old Berghaus fleece is great in terms of warmth but as soon as you start ascending you start sweating like crazy which results in discomfort. At first I was sceptical about the price but if I get another year out of it I will be more than happy.

General comments: Have owned this jacket for about two months and can only testify to its impressive abilities in the colder months. Its versatility is impressive: for the majority of recent trips into the hills I have set off wearing this as my outer layer (usually over a base and midlayer) with the large vent pockets open for the ascent. The remarkable thing is its ability to remain warm once activity is reduced: close teh vents and even when taking a food break no additional layer is needed. Needless to say, it is also more than adequate in descent. Only if the weather is truly harsh is a hard shell layer required. It is very shower proof and will also withstand the frosty build-up from freezing mist in driving winds.

Pros: The inevitable stops for the removal / addition of layers become redundant (within reason).

Cons: The velcro straps on the wrist seem completely pointless, as even at full extension only about 2cm of velcro is attached. If the full velcro length was used to tighten the wrist band, even an anorexic mouse would struggle to fit its wrist through the sleeve.

General comments: At first I was hesitant to purchase this North Face soft shell. It seemed a lot of money for just another mid / outer layer, of which I have loads. I was finally convinced when I saw one in a sale for £110 and that was it. I wore it around town a few times, and was generally pleased with it, but out of the hills it was amazing. February saw some bitterly cold days, with wind chill below -20 degrees Celsius on the summits of the Lake district fells, and there I was in a thermal top, and the Apex 2 jacket. Admittedly I didn’t stop long, but the thermal properties, and windproofness were beyond expectation. I also noticed that it definitely reduced sweat, especially when moving quickly over hard terrain. Since February, the North Face Apex 2 has become my new outer shell, and I use it in most conditions. It is suitable in light showers, but heavy rain will cause problems. The left hand chest pocket is ideal for placing a map, and the other pockets are quite big, should you wish to use them. The Velcro cuffs are good, as the prevent the sleeves moving or riding up.

Pros: All of the above

Cons: A few problems though. I have noticed quite a few plucks in the material, this has probably occurred through scrambling. Maybe it should be more durable? Also the weight is a factor, at 650g, the Apex is not the lightest of jackets, however for its performance it is maybe worth carrying in the day sack

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