If North Face jackets are out, what's in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an LL Bean loyalist, can anyone compare North Face to LL Bean for me? In terms of warmth and durability? Not in terms of style.

I actually think L Bean is, in many cases, superior oin quality to TNF, but is doesn't carry the same cache to the masses.

[Anonymous]

I'll hijack this thread. I bought a Bugaboo Jacket directly from Columbia and it arrived this week. I opened it up to hang it on the coat rack, and the hanging loop broke before it even touched a hook. After complaining about paying for return shipping for a faulty product, they're sending me a pre-paid UPS label for the return. They don't do exchanges, so I'll get the cash back and I'll have two options -- get another Bugaboo or find another jacket. My budget is sub-$200 -- I know that's not a big budget for a nice jacket, but I still think I shouldn't have to be worrying about bits and pieces falling off at random. Should I chalk this defect up to a fluke, or are their other 3-in-1 coats in this price range I should consider. My previous jacket was an L.L. Bean -- after ~5 years the zippers no longer work and there are tears in the sleeve near the connection points -- so I'd be inclined to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

NF is not out as far as quality. Also worth the money is Canada Goose and Dale of Norway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an LL Bean loyalist, can anyone compare North Face to LL Bean for me? In terms of warmth and durability? Not in terms of style.

I actually think L Bean is, in many cases, superior oin quality to TNF, but is doesn't carry the same cache to the masses.

I had an llbean winter coat for years. Bought a north face coat and it keeps me warmer than the llbean coat. But I'd have no problem buying the llbean costs again as long as I find the right one in terms of warmth.

[Anonymous]

Woolrich or Wellensteyn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canada Goose. Warmest coats on the planet.

Wearing Canada Goose in DC is absurd. They are too warm for temperatures above 20F, not to mention bulky

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll hijack this thread. I bought a Bugaboo Jacket directly from Columbia and it arrived this week. I opened it up to hang it on the coat rack, and the hanging loop broke before it even touched a hook. After complaining about paying for return shipping for a faulty product, they're sending me a pre-paid UPS label for the return. They don't do exchanges, so I'll get the cash back and I'll have two options -- get another Bugaboo or find another jacket. My budget is sub-$200 -- I know that's not a big budget for a nice jacket, but I still think I shouldn't have to be worrying about bits and pieces falling off at random. Should I chalk this defect up to a fluke, or are their other 3-in-1 coats in this price range I should consider. My previous jacket was an L.L. Bean -- after ~5 years the zippers no longer work and there are tears in the sleeve near the connection points -- so I'd be inclined to avoid them.

I think your experience was a fluke. I have both a Columbia Bugaboo and a North Face coat. Both are great, but the Bugaboo is warmer and perfect for skiing. I haven't had any quality problems with it -- it's 2 years old now.

Where did you order it from? If it was an "outlet" type place, it might have been a second.