The North Face Alpine Project Jacket - REVIEW

The Alpine Project jacket is the lightest shell I’ve ever worn. At only 352 grams, it weighs less than the large sandwich I normally bring along on my adventures and so it’s become a fixture in my pack. Whether I’m going out for a day of ski touring, cragging, or climbing in the alpine, I know this waterproof and windproof jacket will deliver without weighing me down. As with any ultralight garment, there aren’t a lot of bells and whistles but I can’t say enough good things about the GORE-TEX Active Shell membrane. I’ve owned other GORE-TEX items in the past and they always seemed either stiff or clammy against the skin – but the Active Shell fabric is actually soft and comfortable. Other features I like include the deep hood that fits my skiing helmet and my climbing helmet; the draw string enclosures in the hood and hem that are easy to use, even with gloves on; the soft fabric inside the flap that rests against your chin; and the large, alpine-style pockets that don’t interfere with my harness. By far the best feature of this jacket, though, is its breathability.

Read the rest of the review here.