Backpacker Magazine – September 2009

Gear Review: The North Face Crimptastic Down Jacket

This close fitting jacket is great for winter cragging, or fast trips from spring trough fall.

by: Shannon Davis

Tags:
• Gear
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• Jackets
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Most Athletic Design
With 800-fill down and fleecy Polartec Power Stretch in all the right places, this close-fitting jacket is ideal for winter cragging or as insulation on fast-and-light trips from spring through fall. The Power Stretch panels along the inner arm, armpit, and ribs have two benefits: The fabric is highly breathable, so you can march through a long approach without overheating; and the give prevents the jacket from riding up when you reach for a handhold.

"The 20-denier ripstop nylon shell was awesome at shedding light rain and snow, and water on the stretch panels evaporates almost instantly," said our tester. One gripe: Rain and snow snuck in around the neck; we wished for either a hood or higher collar. $229; 12 oz. unisex S-XXL; thenorthface.com.

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