Gear Review: North Face Nuptse Jacket

North Face Nuptse Jacket £150 6/10

It's warm, (but you have to figure into the equation that it's US down not European down, so the warmth/weight ratio isn't as good), now down jackets I'd rate as highly as hell normally, but this is a poorly designed jacket that's best suited to the high street not the mountain.  The cut is short for men and women, and it's not an 'active cut' i.e. for average Joe on the street it might be okay, but for an athletic/ skinny build it'll look like a sack of potatoes.  This means it'll look saggy but also not be as warm as say Rab's down jackets, like the Ascent.  (These are both non-box-walled jackets, so they're really meant for trail use rather than full mountain jackets, as it's the cheapest way to make a down jacket and leaves small sections less warm than others, consequently the price tag is lower).  The hood is rubbish on the Nuptse (it's an emergency hood) and I find the sleeves are too short and ride up no end.  It's light at 700g, but not well designed.  If you're looking for a down jacket to take to the mountain, take the Rab Neutrino Endurance, it's £100 more expensive but is box-walled and a LOT warmer.  If you're looking for something cheaper and non-box-walled jacket bag the Mountain Equipment Xero Jacket at £160. 

SPEC:

• Avg weight: 700g
• 66cm centerback
• 50D body 64 g/m2 mini-ripstop weave nylon/ abrasion with DWR / insulation - 700 fill goose down
• Taffeta emergency hood
• Double-layer taffeta on shoulders
• Internal zippered stow-pocket
• Two hand pockets
• Velcro adjustable cuff tabs
• Hem cinchcord