This is a solid insulated jacket with some stiff competition. The REI Revelcloud Jacket - Men's performs very similarly at $10 less. That said, the Redpoint is more often found on sale. The Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket - Men's is a little less expensive, lighter, and a little easier to layer, but does not come with zippered pockets. There is nothing fancy and yet it is the style I reach for most often because it is so light, compact, and works in a wide range of temperatures. It's the type of jacket that is at the core of any outdoor person's outerwear quiver. It is well priced.
Because of its great price and versatility, it's hard to go wrong. We have many other insulated jackets in the Gear Lab but I usually reach for this one (or one like it) because it is light, simple and durable, which means I'm not worried about it getting dirty or losing its loft. It's a great workhorse jacket for backpacking, climbing, or general outdoor use. If you want a more full featured jacket for skiing and snowboarding that has more pockets but is heavier, check out the Patagonia Rubicon Rider Jacket - Men's
If you need a thick and warm jacket, you would be happier with the Arcteryx Atom SV - Men's or the Mountain Hardwear Compressor. If you are looking for an insulated jacket that breathes well, go with the Mountain Hardwear Zonal - Men's.
Check out our complete Men's Insulated Jacket Review to see how this jacket compared to others.
Hands-on Gear Review |
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Street Price:
Varies from $100 - $149 | Compare prices at 4 resellers
Pros: Great value, simple, light, compressible. Cons: No big inside pockets, no cozy material in pockets. Best Uses: Good all-around warm jacket for general outdoor use, backpacking and climbing.
Overview
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OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
The North Face Redpoint Jacket is very warm for how light it is because there are no heavy extra features. It's simple and light just the way I like most gear. Maybe my favorite thing about this jacket is how it works in a wide range of temperatures. If it's not too cold, you can wear it on top of a t-shirt. If it's really cold, you can put it on top of a few layers. It is about as versatile as insulated jacket can get. There are three outside pockets and one inside pocket that is extra deep and doubles as a stuff sack for the jacket. This jacket is very durable, not in the abrasion resistance way, but in the way you can get it dirty and wash it regularly without worrying about it losing its loft. It compresses to a very small size, which is great for climbing, skiing, backpacking or any application where you want warmth that won't take up too much space. Dislikes Part of why we like the North Face jacket so much is because it has just the essentials. However, it would be nice if there was one extra feature: a large mesh pocket inside to store gloves, water bottle, and misc. stuff. There is a little bit of cozy material at front for your mouth when completely zipped up but not a lot of it. There is no cozy lining in the front pockets. That is part of what makes the jacket light, but it also means the jacket is not quite as luxurious when just hanging out. This jacket currently only comes in one color: black. The other colors have been discontinued (but you may be able to find them discounted online). Overall, we much prefer the version of this with a hood: North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket - Men's. Also, the hooded version comes in five colors. Best Application An all-around jacket, the type of light synthetic model all outdoor folks should have because how versatile it is. This style of jacket is a great belay jacket for climbing or a first synthetic jacket in general. Value At $149 this is a pretty great deal for a jacket that gives you so much warmth. You have to spend a lot more money to get incremental improvements in performance. — Chris McNamara Compare this product side-by-side to top competitors >
OutdoorGearLab Member ReviewsMost recent review: March 2, 2012
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 North Face Redpoint Jacket - Men's Credit: TheNorthFace.com
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