Backpacker Magazine – Gear Guide 2012

Gear Guide 2012: The North Face Think About It Jacket

This full-zip jacket combines protection and warmth to create a great go-to jacket for staying warm.

by: Kelly Bastone and Jonathan Dorn

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• Apparel
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The North Face Think About It Jacket With a wind-blocking nylon hood and sleeves married to an insulated PrimaLoft ONE torso, this full-zip blends the protection of a windshirt with the warmth of a vest. The result is a low-bulk, long-cut hybrid that’s perfectly suited to everything from brisk summer alpine days to cold-weather workouts.

It became a go-to jacket for one editor, who reached for it for three-season use in the Rockies, where he stayed warm moving in sub-20°F windchills and while sitting around camp with temps in the 50s. Bummer: While the brushed-fabric underarms enhance wicking, the lined sleeves reduce breathability without adding obvious function. (Women’s version is the Kaleidoscope.) $149; 11 oz. (w’s S); thenorthface.com

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