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The North Face Apex Elixir

£90.00

LFTO rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 3

This soft shell jacket from The North Face is a great fit in the body and sleeves, and with a light stretchy fabric, drawcord adjustable hem and Velcro adjustment on the cuffs, you couldn’t ask for more. But although it was really easy to move around in, it didn’t feel as reassuringly warm and cosy as the best in class. It’s best suited to spring, summer and autumn walking. Excellent breathability prevents any build-up of moisture, and it vents well with cuffs that pull up easily. It will also work in winter, especially if you’re moving hard and fast, or wearing a lightweight fleece underneath, but really heavy rain will put it out of commission quite quickly.

Verdict: An excellent lightweight jacket that falls somewhere between a windshirt and an insulated soft shell top. It’s a superb outer layer on cold, windy or showery days and it’s not bad as a mid-layer either.

Colours: Four including molten red/graphite grey and sunlight orange/ignition orange

Sizes: S-XXL

Fabric: Apex Aerobic with DWR

Weight: 425g

Women’s version: Yes

Contact: 01539 738882; www.thenorthface.com

Users' Overall Rating rating is 3(1 review)

  • Not the best cold weather soft shell

    PWSY16

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    User's Overall Rating rating is 3

    Show Details

    Performancerating is 3
    Build qualityrating is 4
    Value for moneyrating is 3

    I bought my Elixir jacket last year, initially to use as a mid-layer jacket for the winter. It’s a fairly close fit, and quite short at the front, but the back is scooped to keep your rear end warm with a drawcord to cinch it in. The pockets are set quite high so are good for use with a rucksack, and are big enough to take a map. There is also a useful inner mesh pocket. It has a thin brushed fleece inner, but its not the warmest jacket, it keeps the wind out well, but in cold weather really needs two thinner layers underneath it to stay warm. The collar has no cinch cord to stop the draught getting in either. The cuffs and zip pulls are well designed and work well with gloves. It’s a great jacket in light showers, beading water for a long time, so you don’t need to put your hard shell on showery days. It also breathes well, and the mesh lined pockets can be opened for even better venting. Overall, it’s a great jacket for Spring/Summer use, but not really the best for cold weather with its lack of inner warmth. The close fit means you will probably need to go a size up to get more than one layer underneath it.

    (Written by: PWSY16)

    22 February 2009 00:45

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