The North Face ST Apogee Jacket

I Love my Steep Tech� (ST) Apogee jackets. It�s just another winner again this year. Fantastic design for all my 007 gadgets again. Plus I think I�ll get a ST Down Apogee Snorkel II Jacket to match this season as I�m skiing more and more again. So a great jacket right out of the box again, but get them early as the sizes disappear early every season. If you are new to these jackets and would like to know about them I hope my experience and comments below may help those seeking to buy one. First thing is that these are professional clothing products. These are not made from limp materials, but heavy tough materials like Kevlar and Nylon. Not limited to polyester and cotton only. Next these jackets are made to be worn completely fitted �wired tight� ready for action (or zipped up ok). As soon as you put one on you will see it�s a tight fitting technical jacket. It does not function half on. Serious skiing under tough weather conditions of high winds and snow is where these jackets earn their reputation by the few diehards that are still on the mountain when everyone else isn�t. So if you wear these to school good for you!!! Next time wear a sweater if you chaffee your pinkie with the Nylon or Kevlar collars ok we just don�t care. These are the best ski jackets in the world, when used for what they were designed to do. Professional skiers swear by these products, end of story! I read the reviews by everyone and I see 3 things that people complain about: 1) The Collar The collars are stiff specially designed and intended to be worn by professional or advanced skiers and alpinists that require high wind and snow protection so yes they are stiff, so suck it up or go buy a hoodie and see how well you do. 2) The Warmth Factor All Steep Tech� (ST) Apogee jackets, layer very well and are very warm when purchased with the help of the staff that know the system. I like a shell version the (ST) Apogee jackets because I get very warm when I ski, even at minus -30 to -50 when it�s windy etc... But this is me or you can use a fleece liner or extra layers and whatever else may work for you is fine. If you are the type skier that gets cold easily then you may need to consider the Steep Tech� Down Apogee Snorkel II Jacket. This is the last jacket parka you will ever buy. This jacket is heavy and its very warm, its overkill. I will only wear this at -50, about 15 - 30 days a year for unusually high wind days that drop the temperature way down due to the chill factor. 3) The Price Factor These jackets are more costly to make to meet the technical requirements of the professional skier. No doubt they are not the average skier�s jacket. Anyone can purchase one if they have the cash and are in need of a solid technical skier - Alpine jacket. I still have 3 in almost new condition because of the quality of the Nylon used. I still get compliments when I wear this 9 year old version, from the first year Steep Tech� (ST) Apogee jackets were made available. These could easily be looked upon as an investment they are so rugged and look this good after 2 seasons of skiing 150 plus days, ok but after 9 years they look just as good and just as functional. So these are not expensive jackets if you consider the $495.00 I paid 9 years ago. I didn�t need to buy a second and a third jacket but I did and they are great jackets.

I Love my Steep Tech™ (ST) Apogee jackets. It’s just another winner again this year. Fantastic design for all my 007 gadgets again. Plus I think I’ll get a ST Down Apogee Snorkel II Jacket to match this season as I’m skiing more and more again. So a great jacket right out of the box again, but get them early as the sizes disappear early every season. If you are new to these jackets and would like to know about them I hope my experience and comments below may help those seeking to buy one.
First thing is that these are professional clothing products. These are not made from limp materials, but heavy tough materials like Kevlar and Nylon. Not limited to polyester and cotton only. Next these jackets are made to be worn completely fitted “wired tight” ready for action (or zipped up ok). As soon as you put one on you will see it’s a tight fitting technical jacket. It does not function half on.
Serious skiing under tough weather conditions of high winds and snow is where these jackets earn their reputation by the few diehards that are still on the mountain when everyone else isn’t. So if you wear these to school good for you!!! Next time wear a sweater if you chaffee your pinkie with the Nylon or Kevlar collars ok we just don’t care. These are the best ski jackets in the world, when used for what they were designed to do. Professional skiers swear by these products, end of story!
I read the reviews by everyone and I see 3 things that people complain about:
Q) The Collar
The collars are stiff specially designed and intended to be worn by professional or advanced skiers and alpinists that require high wind and snow protection so yes they are stiff, so suck it up or go buy a hoodie and see how well you do.
R) The Warmth Factor
All Steep Tech™ (ST) Apogee jackets, layer very well and are very warm when purchased with the help of the staff that know the system. I like a shell version the (ST) Apogee jackets because I get very warm when I ski, even at minus -30 to -50 when it’s windy etc... But this is me or you can use a fleece liner or extra layers and whatever else may work for you is fine.
If you are the type skier that gets cold easily then you may need to consider the Steep Tech™ Down Apogee Snorkel II Jacket. This is the last jacket parka you will ever buy. This jacket is heavy and its very warm, its overkill. I will only wear this at -50, about 15 - 30 days a year for unusually high wind days that drop the temperature way down due to the chill factor.
S) The Price Factor
These jackets are more costly to make to meet the technical requirements of the professional skier. No doubt they are not the average skier’s jacket. Anyone can purchase one if they have the cash and are in need of a solid technical skier - Alpine jacket.
I still have 3 in almost new condition because of the quality of the Nylon used. I still get compliments when I wear this 9 year old version, from the first year Steep Tech™ (ST) Apogee jackets were made available. These could easily be looked upon as an investment they are so rugged and look this good after 2 seasons of skiing 150 plus days, ok but after 9 years they look just as good and just as functional.
So these are not expensive jackets if you consider the $495.00 I paid 9 years ago. I didn’t need to buy a second and a third jacket but I did and they are great jackets.

I just wore the Apogee Men's Small (5'6" 140 lbs) in Snow Valley, Southern Cal for a day of skiing as snow was falling all day long. The fit was very good. The collar was a bit tall (probably intentional) and took some getting used to with all the zippers. The pockets were very useful and the removable pouch was indispensable with my ski/snowboarding family putting various things like goggles and gloves on and off depending on the weather. The ventilation zips front and back were open all day. MY midweight fleece underlayer and baselayer of 100% cotton ( I know, I know, don't use cotton) were perfect for the occasion. The belt did not add much to the experience but i suppose it could be useful if a few pouches were hooked up to it to carry other gear. But why would one need more storage space? All in all a terrific purchase in my humble opinion. i wish the inner lining wasn't so clingy though. It made it a little difficult to get into the jacket. For this reason I wish the liner was nylon. In horrible weather, once the jacket was on, there were no worries. The rollaway hood was decent, although uninsulated. A balaclava made of fleece under the hood will help when speeding down the mountain. By the way, the $240 price down from $398 made this a no-brainer of a purchase.

For what is it, its a good jacket. It's warm you wont freeze it in, i wear short sleeve tee's year round so thats something i want. My problem is the collar, its way for high and unless you zip it up it will look stupid. The off center zips make it even worse. I know it was suppoed to be like that and its fine if you like it but i dont. Buy it if your not in school because unless you have a locker you'll be with this all day. After every class you have to zip it up because like it said it looks stupid of you dont. Then take it off again. This is a pain in the ass. I actually like the buckle because its a wide jacket. The only problem is the collar. The steep tech agency and dolo are similar style wise so look into those. If your not in school then i guess this wouldnt be a bad choice because you wont have to worry about taking it off and putting it back on 10 times a day. Its hot and would be hotter if they made this same thing without the collar

The NF Apogee Line is really for the adrenaline burner type of persons, as its not a parka first of all. SO Its not as warm as a parka. Some of us adrenaline junkies do not want down filling or fill of anykind. Those that knock down this line need to keep this in mind.
Not every one needs a parka!

Second I love it because I don't like liners just shells and this one is reasonably rugged with lots of pockets. iPods and any other radio gadget required for the back country
can fit within limits. I've had 2 others before this starting with the first Steep Tech line
put out by North face - I think I need another one!!! I can see my old ones I still have them anyway, they look brand new execept for some minor wear. I used them about 100+ days a winter pre year. The nylon holds up as wellas any of the other lines. Few bother to look cool also.

Firstly, the order and UPS delivery to Sweden was very smooth and quick, thanks! Love this jacket, fits very good for the cold Swedish winters. Looks good to use as a casual jacket in town. And very useful in the nature and hiking. It is easy to put on even if the zipper is on the side, however, I think it more the jacket you are supposed to wear for a longer time. Small but plenty of pockets, tight and comfortable high neck. Love the zipper at the end of the arms which makes it easy to put on and off gloves. The waist belt could have been detachable though. There are 3 "holes" at the front of the jacket I did not know about, for the use of something I don't know yet but are covered by the waist belt. Lastly, it feels like a jacket with enough quality to last for a decade with adventures!

I bought a steep tech in 1995 and thought they could not make a better jacket. well they definitely proved me wrong. This jacket is not cheap, but man this thing is awesome!! tons of zippers makes this jacket adjustable to any possible need. I wear two thin layers below this coat and have yet to get cold. If you ski hard you'll have to pop the pit zips to cool down!! Even with hard use, this coat will last at least 10 years. And if you just happen to have a blowout, send it to north face and they will repair it for free! After 10 plus years of hard skiing i blew out the zipper on my steep tech, north face fixed it, sent it back and 1 just gave it to my brother. Bottom line, if you can come up with the coin, you won't be disappointed!!!

I bought this jacket to replace a very similar TNF Scot Schmidt Steep Tech jacket that I've owned for probably 16+ years. These jackets are incredibly durable. I am 6'1" and 200 lbs. and an XL gives me plenty of room for a fleece underlayer. The only issue I see with this jacket is the collar (it is 5" tall and covers my mouth unless I pull the jacket down). My old jacket's collar is only about 3" high. I may see if my tailor can shorten the collar in the front but that would require shortening 3 zippers...I'm not sure how easy that would be. FYI: The belt does come off. I just thought of something, maybe if I used the belt I could keep the collar down off my mouth I will have to investigate this (although I don't like the look of the belt).

The first thing I noticed about the Apogee is the weight--it's a heavy jacket due to the extra Kevlar and higher rated Hyvent seals. The buckles and Kangaroo pouch also add weight. This jacket is not suited for spring or early fall, as it is just too thick--those who are looking for a lightspeed jacket for quick ascents or spring skiing should go for something lighter. On a good side, the Apogee is tough with all the reinforced Kevlar shoulders, etc. A bit difficult to take on and off, and there is really no "casual" way to wear the jacket, since it does not have one continuous zipper system--you can get lost in the heat/zip outlets. Wish TNF made the middle buckle detachable to save weight/bulkiness when a harness is not needed. All in all, a solid jacket if you are skiing in the backcountry or mountaineering.

I have owned several The North Face jackets before this one. This one is somewhat unique in The North Face group and it took a little getting used to.

First of all, I have to say this jacket has a ton of pockets which is very helpful to me. The zipper takes a little time to get used to since it does not zip down the center of the jacket. The neck also took a little time to get used to. It is much higher than other jackets I have used. Once I got used to the neck though I loved it. I tested it during a very cold week in Colorado and the jacket is warm and great. On warmer days, there are 4 vents that can be opened to provide soon cool air.

All in all, I love this jacket.