The North Face Aconcagua Jacket

I go to school in Eastern Washington and have been desperate to find a warm jacket. I was looking for a good all around down jacket that would keep me warm in the fall and winter, without being too hard core (extremely high fill)--I found it. The 550 fill has been perfect for cold nights (in the low 30s) and even during the day when it gets about 50. In class, it is comfortable to leave on (I don't get too warm). The only way you notice it's cold outside is by the feeling of the parts of your body not protected by this beast of a jacket.

I don't have any experience yet with it in truly cold weather, but so far it's been perfect.

I wouldn't recommend it for rain, however--they nylon shell will allow the down to get drenched. Besides, there's no hood on this bad boy.

It's got a sweet look to it, too. Be prepared for countless compliments.

Highs: Perfect fill, good build, looks great, killer price

Lows: Might be too light for frigid weather, not meant for rainy days (that's what a rain jacket is for, anyway)

I have had my 600-fill aconcagua for 4 Indiana winters and have not been disappointed. It has a soft lining which feels nice if you are only wearing a base layer underneath. The baffle keeps the down in the right place even after years of use. Decent wind-stopping power. Resistant, but not water proof (Duh). I Love the waist drawstring and zips up nice and snug around the neck-- very toasty.
Most recently I used this on a 6 day climb on Kilimanjaro. It compresses well and is light for its warmth. I used it as an insulating midlayer on top of an R3 and under a shell.
While higher fill counts do provide more warmth, etc, for my money and for most uses a 600-fill coat is good enough and doesnt make you look like the michelin man. Highly recommended.

I bought this jacket to be my main winter jacket and I am extremely impressed. TNF definitely knows how to make a quality jacket. I was a little concerned about getting the jacket with the lowest down fill as I'm a "bigger is better" type. I tried on the Nuptse, but it was too bulky, and the fabric repeatedly got stuck in the zipper. No such issues with the Aconcagua. It's not bulky at all and let me tell you, this jacket will handle ANYTHING that a Texas winter can throw at me. It's light enough so that I don't get hot but keeps me toasty when I'm out in the cold. I'm 6' 1" 165 lbs, and the large fits me like a glove. I love this jacket!

I've always found North Face to have "two lines" - the "consumer" line and the"pro" line. This jacket definitely falls in the former. It's a great jacket - for the price - and for a down jacket for <$150, the price is good. It's comfortable, fits well under shells, etc. Everything a down jacket should do. Stuffing it into the inner pocket is a nice feature - but it's not easy and I rarely bother. It loses down and I agree with other reviewers that it feels like it would rip easily. It's not a jacket I would expect to handle many seasons of hard use (hence the "consumer line") but for an inexpensive insulating layer under a tougher shell, it's a great deal.

A solidly warm jacket that feels like getting hugged by a cloud. Its water resistance holds up for a while under s drizzle, but in a downpour or sustained rain, run away.

The only recurring, annoying problem that I've had with it is that the zippers frequently get stuck on the inside of the pockets and jam.

Also, when I bought the jacket, I was a little concerned about the lightness of the exterior nylon, thinking that it might rip easily, but it's seen some wear and has yet to tear.

Fantastic Jacket!! A few days after buying mine I was on Mount Rainier in Washington. We were behind a rope team who was finding a new route through a new section of the Emmons glacier which left us standing around quite a bit. At about 13000' I started to get really cold. Shaking pretty bad I pulled my Aconcagua Jacket and threw it on right over everything else. Within seconds I started warming up. Wore it right to the summit.

Amazing jacket for the price.

love it, light, warm, soft, not too puffy... fits me perfect...wearing it today! ordered from backcountry and love the way the stand by their products... why not 5 stars? the nylon exterior is not rip stop, it actually feels like it could rip pretty easily...

i think its a "fall" jacket for north face as opposed to the winter version (nuptse). perfect for texas winters... i agree with the reviewer below that anything under 30 and u will need to layer...

This jacket is pretty impressive. I must say, I am really happy with it. I almost opt'ed for the Red point but I'm glad I didn't. It looks stylish without being too puffy and works well for the 30's. It kept me toasty on very cold days and a little too toasty when its not cold enough. Although, when it gets down in the teens or you've got that wind chill factor you will need to add some layers. Do it!

This jacket is perfect for really cold days in the southeast. Teens to 30s and this jacket is right at home. I would go for the 700 fill if any colder. This jacket is better than I could have ever hoped. One inside pocket, cloth lined collar so your neck isnt against cold nylor, and just plain warm. Watch the nylon as it is pretty thin. I expect to use this as my primary for many years to come!