The North Face Women's Apex Elixir Jacket

After reviewing the Icebreaker Bodyfit150 Atlas top from Webtogs, and then meeting up with Gareth and his wife on a Peak District walk at the start of February and seeing Gareth wearing a softshell, Gareth asked me if I fancied reviewing a softshell jacket for him. I happily agreed with the obvious caveat that what I said would be genuinely my opinion, without bias, so here's my review.


Well, it's a review of two of these TNF Women's Apex Elixir Jackets as the first one that came was a size XL which is usually the sizing for a women's UK 16 in outdoor gear, but for me was enormous. So I also tested the returns system (easy, no quibble and now I believe has been extended to 365 days) and received instead a size L which fits much better.

The immediate thing that struck me was the feel of the fabric. I've not used a soft shell jacket before and didn't know what to expect, having fondled various Rab and Mountain Equipment soft shells in the shop; they all seem quite different to me. The feel of this was that it's relatively thin material, with no inherent warmth to it, but then when I put it on I noticed how the collar had an internal face of lovely brushed material which did feel warm. Part of the Summit Series, the jacket is geared to quite fast moving activities so I don't see that lack of warmth feeling to be an issue, but does point out matching clothing to your anticipated activity levels.

In fact activity generally, as although it's supposed to be harness and pack compatible, I found some issue with the pockets interfering with a pack hip belt. I've generally worn it with an Osprey pack I'm trying out but the hip belt lended the unfortunately usual awkwardness with anything in the pockets falling below the belt. This is not a hip belt placement issue; it's a pocket placement issue and they really should be a bit higher to my mind. I can't comment on harness compatibility as I don't have one so there you go.

In fact I feel a bit critical too that there is a lower drawcord around the bottom hem, but on a fitted jacket like this (and the fit is a good woman specific cut) I didn't really see the need for it; the natural cut of the garment does the job nicely so it just seemed like extras that weren't needed to me. Getting past that the drawcord design itself is actually well thought out but I didn't find them useful.

But hey! I loved the sleeves! Maybe it sounds strange to single out sleeves but the design is fantastic, they're a close fit but with a lot of articulation, partly because of the four way stretch of the material but partly because of the raglan sleeve placement too. They were long enough without drowning me which is an added bonus! They are finished off at the cuff with a moulded velcroed tab, which compared with the pliability of the softshell fabric itself seemed a bit overkill; a softer material could have been used.






The cut is longer at the back and I would say is more flattering as well as practical, though another reason why I wonder at the drawcord. It covered the bottom of my back and more, so I didn't have any cold gaps and it didn't ride up under my pack at all. I guess through this review I may have veered off a bit into designing in my mind what I would want in a jacket, so how did it work in real life, on the hill?

On the hill it felt pretty wind proof; it's reckoned that the TNF Apex Aerobic soft shell fabric has a wind permeability rated at 10 CFM. That means that the fabric allows wind through at 10 cubic feet per minute per square meter, a relatively high number I think but appropriate given what it's designed for where breathability is more important. A lower number would hinder breathability although would give more wind resistance and I have read in researching this post that fabrics with higher numbers prove too breathable at the cost of retaining warmth. Certainly I have felt pretty cosy wearing the Icebreaker Bodyfit200 weight top underneath (and a 150 when it's been colder and more exposed); even on lunch stops in the changeable end of winter/beginning of spring weather we've had (about 4 Centigrade), I've not felt the need to put something warmer on as I haven't felt the wind penetrate to chill me. Walking uphill with a pack on and generating some heat I never felt stifled or especially sweaty, which I was pleased about as it meant I had the baselayer - softshell combo right for me. I wasn't sure what to expect with the jacket generally at first, but because of this breathability it felt great once at the top of a hill. I could admire views without worrying about getting cold through sweat chilling my body or needing to wrap up more.

In summary it is a jacket I see myself using quite a lot in spring and autumn at least, where I expect blustery, occasionally rainy conditions. With the usual DWR it will keep off light, not prolonged showers (I want to test this more though) and seems to combat the wind pretty well while giving a great level of breathability. While it packs down quite small (more than an equivalent fleece would), I wouldn't envisage needing to put it in my pack; it would be on my back unless the weather was exceptionally warm!
Finally, as my hip continues to mend and I get fitter, I anticipate moving faster so think it will really come into it's own, and maybe will provide me with a better alternative to the base plus fleece / windshirt combination I have tended to wear in dry weather.
Material
90D 202g/m2 73% nylon, 17% polyester, 10% elastane 4-way stretch TNF Apex Aerobic soft shell with DWR
Weight
384g
Size
L (16 equivalent)
Pros
Great breathability
Great wind resistance
Great scalloped fit for women
Sleeves long enough without excess 'bag'
Subtle embroidered logos (I don't feel like a walking advert)
Great, bright colours for those who want them
Cons
Drawcord; I still don't understand the need on this jacket
Pocket placement; interferes with rucksack hip belt
Cuff tabs; too stiff but a minor detail I didn't notice too much in use
Sizing is large so if you are borderline maybe order the size smaller

At the time of writing, Webtogs sell this at £89.99 with free UK delivery