Mountain Light Jacket
| Page Type | Gear Review |
|---|---|
| Object Title | Mountain Light Jacket |
| Manufacturer | The North Face |
| Page By | GuitarWIzard |
| Page Type | Mar 16, 2002 / Mar 16, 2002 |
| Object ID | 185 |
| Hits | 7416 |
| Vote |
Men's Sizes: S(34-36), M(38-40), L(42-44), XL(46-48), XXL(50-52).
Sizes/colors currently available are listed in pull-down menu.
The definitive lightweight multipurpose mountaineering jacket.
Gore-Tex® membrane laminated to lightweight Supplex® taffeta is waterproof, breathable and tear resistant.
Core-venting openings with water-resistant zippers.
Two oversized Napoleon pockets with water-resistant zippers.
Internal Napoleon pocket.
Shoulders, pack-strap area, elbows and cuffs are reinforced with abrasion-resistant Supplex® taslan.
Ergonomic swivel hood with one-hand-adjustable elastic drawcords at front and back of neck provides optimum visibility and folds down to form collar.
Hot-taped seams for maximum waterproofness.
'Arms-up' articulated sleeves extend effective range of motion.
Vaporator®-lined chin guard protects from cold and zipper abrasion.
Field Sensor™ mesh lining to expedite moisture vapor transference.
Full-length, color-coded, two-way zip with dual outer overflaps and snap closure.
Inside front zipper to zip-in any optional insulated garment from The North Face.
Lower interior zip pocket for storage of small items.
D-rings on lower forearm to attach mitts or gloves.
Cuffs have Velcro® closure tabs.
Adjustable elastic drawcords at waist and one-hand adjustment at hem to seal out the elements.
Avg. wt. 1lb. 13oz. Avg. length 33 in.
Import.
The North Face Core-Vents Information
Reviews
Viewing: 1-10 of 10 |
mconnell - Apr 11, 2002 9:48 am - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
My Mountain Light is several years old and has held up excellently through quite a lot of use (and abuse). It has never leaked although the outer layer is starting to soak up water (just needs a DWR treatment).
My main complaint is in the recent changes to the jacket. By doing away with the pit zips, the jacket is much less useful as a technical jacket. The 'core vents' just don't work as well.
My main complaint is in the recent changes to the jacket. By doing away with the pit zips, the jacket is much less useful as a technical jacket. The 'core vents' just don't work as well.
miztflip - Jun 7, 2002 4:54 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
The jacket has stood up to everything I can dish out, including two ski seasons of 125 days each. It blocks the wind and keeps the rain out. I find it to be much more packable than the guide jacket and just as strong. I owned the old jacket with pit zips and find the new torso zips to be much more efficient at cooling the core. Plenty of big pockets to store maps and snacks.
I bought the light tan jacket which seems much better for glacier travel than my old dark blue jacket. Much cooler in the beating sun.
I bought the light tan jacket which seems much better for glacier travel than my old dark blue jacket. Much cooler in the beating sun.
Alan Ellis - Oct 23, 2002 4:52 am - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
I have one of the old ones with the pit zips. I have never been wet in all kinds of weather on a zillion outings. My wife has a core-vent version which we don't like as much. It vents much better with the pit zips. Great jacket!
rcorby2 - Jan 7, 2003 8:55 am - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
I have the newer, 2 layer XCR gor jacket and have been completely satisfied with it. There is plenty of room in it to move freely while not being baggy. I like the pit zips on my Columbia jacket much better than the chest zips on this jacket. There are plenty of pockets and draw chords and the hood is large enough to fit over my climbing helmet. Also, it blocks out the wind and rain extremely well!
43moon - Jul 18, 2003 6:54 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
I have the version with the pit zips, and I love it. It is easy to control the temperature by opening the zips. It does a great job of blocking the wind and rain. I love this jacket already.
dsnell - Aug 4, 2003 5:50 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review
I bought my Mountain Light back in 1993 and have used it for almost everything since then: everyday rain wear, skiing, ice climbing, mountaineering, stuffed in my pack for emergencies on hikes, travel, etc. It has held up really well, despite having been torn along the sleeve (10" tear). I patched the tear with some nylon tape and seem sealer and it hasn't leaked at all. All of the elastic is now stretched out, but I still won't give up the jacket.
My only complaint is about the nylon liner. When you sweat, this liner gets a little damp and can make you feel clammy. Later versions of the jacket went for the mesh liner, which I have on my newer shell, and which works much better.
The only downside is that every yuppie in the world wears the jacket nowadays, so you can often be confused with a poser.
My only complaint is about the nylon liner. When you sweat, this liner gets a little damp and can make you feel clammy. Later versions of the jacket went for the mesh liner, which I have on my newer shell, and which works much better.
The only downside is that every yuppie in the world wears the jacket nowadays, so you can often be confused with a poser.
ScottyS - Jan 28, 2004 9:18 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
I have a pre-XCR jacket with pit-zips, and really love it. For the price (new on Ebay) I couldn't touch it with anything else. This shell is the one do-all piece of gear for me, even if it is a little on the heavy side. The breathability is excellent, and the warmth is great.
The hood is somewhat annoying, as it doesn't turn when you turn your head. This makes it difficult to climb in. I also don't like the thin material on the outside --- too easy to rip.
I've had it along for 100+ mph winds on exposed hikes, heavy downpours on the trail, and even an unplanned bivy at 14,000', so I guess I can't complain too much.
Overall, its nice, but not worth the retail price.
The hood is somewhat annoying, as it doesn't turn when you turn your head. This makes it difficult to climb in. I also don't like the thin material on the outside --- too easy to rip.
I've had it along for 100+ mph winds on exposed hikes, heavy downpours on the trail, and even an unplanned bivy at 14,000', so I guess I can't complain too much.
Overall, its nice, but not worth the retail price.
dspal - Nov 13, 2004 6:35 pm - Voted 4/5
Untitled Review
Purchased my Mountain Light in a pro-deal when I worked at REI back in 1997. This was pre-XCR and two designs ago at this point I believe. Despite its age it continues to be a wonderful piece of equipment.
I use it for hiking, downhill skiing, East Coast mountaineering, and around town "keep me dry" wear. It has never once failed to keep me warm and comfortable. Its best characteristics are its ability to shed the heaviest of winds and the simplicity of zipping in a fleece or down liner. On the downside I have only minor gripes--I wish the tabs on the zippers were more than just thin strips of nylon loosely tied on as they come undone or get lost in the wash and it does take some adjusting to get the venting correct for your activity.
I heard when I purchased the jacket that it wasnt durable due to the lack of ripstop nylon and seeming thinness of the shell. I however have fallen many times on icy Northeastern slopes and gone crashing through trees and and bushes on hikes over the course of the last 7 years and it has not a single tear or defect. All in all I could not ask for more jacket for the price I paid.
I use it for hiking, downhill skiing, East Coast mountaineering, and around town "keep me dry" wear. It has never once failed to keep me warm and comfortable. Its best characteristics are its ability to shed the heaviest of winds and the simplicity of zipping in a fleece or down liner. On the downside I have only minor gripes--I wish the tabs on the zippers were more than just thin strips of nylon loosely tied on as they come undone or get lost in the wash and it does take some adjusting to get the venting correct for your activity.
I heard when I purchased the jacket that it wasnt durable due to the lack of ripstop nylon and seeming thinness of the shell. I however have fallen many times on icy Northeastern slopes and gone crashing through trees and and bushes on hikes over the course of the last 7 years and it has not a single tear or defect. All in all I could not ask for more jacket for the price I paid.
Christoph De Windt - Jan 21, 2007 5:15 pm - Voted 5/5
5/5
In combination with a pamir winstopper jacket is it for me the best jacket I ever had.
Viewing: 1-10 of 10 |
GuitarWIzard - Mar 16, 2002 12:35 pm - Voted 5/5
Untitled Review