The North Face Apex Bionic Soft Shell Jacket – Men’s

I got this jacket as a birthday gift from my parents last month. This also happened to be my first North Face product so I didn’t know what to expect from it other than the fact that it’s so darn popular with kids and adults alike. I tried it in the store before they bought it and I started sweating. It’s that warm. LOL. I like that it’s not bulky at all and can handle temperatures as low as 42 deg and can feel comfortable all the way up to the low 60s. Around the low 30s, I used a sweatshirt for added warmth. But It feels comfortable without any extra layer when you are doing something active outdoors in the cold. I recently tried using this as an extra layer to my new NF Apex Paradigm jacket when we hit temps below freezing. Because it’s so light, it really didn’t add too much bulk to the Paradigm jacket. For active outdoor activities in the cold weather with effective wind protection, I would really recommend this jacket. I hope it last a few years because I love the way it looks and feels. I actually bought the black/grey color combo which looks so much better than the plain black.

I picked up this jacket for use in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area (Lake Tahoe included). I use this jacket for everything. It is often cloudy/drizzly/cold in SF and this jacket deals with it all. I have not tried in heavy rain, but in drizzly conditions, the DWR treatment definitely makes small drops bead right off. It also has a nice fleece-like liner inside and keeps me really warm down to 40 degrees or so. In Tahoe, I have used this with a shirt or base layer, mid later fleece, and then this jacket. I don’ get clod too easily but in temps 20’s – 30’s I felt great (with some gloves and a beanie of course). I have not tried it skiing yet because I snowboard and to be honest it wouldn’t be quite large enough (I like baggier snowboard clothing). But I have seen people who wear softshells skiing all the time. I also use this when I go to work and want a jacket that dresses up nice. With slacks, nice shoes, and a button up it looks great. I am 6′ and about 190 lbs (34 in arms) and the large fits perfect. The pockets are well designed as well. The soft shell is the new “do-everything” jacket; wind/water resistent but also maleable and comfy for wearing anywhere. I highly recommend this jacket.

This was a Christmas gift for my husband after he kept hinting about a North Face jacket this past year. He loves black, wanted a jacket where our two dog’s hair wouldn’t always be all over it and that would be warm in all weather while not being bulky.

This is a great lightweight jacket. I am 5’11” and about 180lbs and I went with the medium size. The jacket has a great fit and stays close to the body. It is relatively warm and I feel comfortable in it at about 32F+ and if it is really cold you can put a heavier jacket over the top of it. The pockets are good sized and I can keep a pair of gloves and a hat in the bottom ones and a notebook in the napoleon pocket. I haven’t been in any downpours yet put it seems to repel light precipitation very well.

So far this seems to be the perfect light- to mid-weight jacket that will serve 90% my needs in Texas from fall to spring. I’ll update this review later after I’ve worn it more but I wanted to chime in on sizing, since I know that’s a nagging question. Here goes:

I’m 6’1 and 190 lbs. I have a number of North Face jackets and just as it is for those ones, the Apex Bionic in Large fits me perfectly. I really like the color of it. Looks great with khakis, jeans, or even dress slacks. The soft-shell material is warm enough to wear on days in the 40’s and provides very good wind protection. As someone who lives and works in downtown Chicago, wind protection is very important!

Great jacket! Love it! Was surprised when I received it to find out it wasn’t the same color as portrayed but overall wonderful! Be careful! Look at the color description listed instead of the picture! I ordered high rise grey and i thought it contained a white layer but it didn’t! The picture showed it grey and white though.. Overall wonderful jacket! Love if as much or even better then the one i would have gotten! Another purchase very soon!