THE NORTH FACE Lockoff Jacket 2010/2011

DECEMBER 21, 2011 EDIT to original MAY 2011 REVIEW:
I didn't get to wear this jacket much until recently with the continuous days of late Autumn rainfall in the North East. I didn't wear this jacket during skiing or any heavy backpacking only light day hiking and running weekend errands around the city. After only one wash with very mild "Goretex/DWR friendly" powdered detergent and a line dry I noticed the taped seams rippling and coming apart along the main zipper. Also the outer nylon shell that attaches to the gortex developed what looked like Black spots all over but on closer inspection it is the gortex lining separating from the nylon shell!!! This is from maybe 3-5 times of light wear and 1 time carefully washing the jacket. I no longer recommend this jacket and it seems that TNF has long ago discontinued it but it still sells on eBay for less. Even at $100 this jacket it not worth it!






















Below is my original review back in May during my first time out with it and you can read it if you want but at this time I NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS JACKET!
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The Lockoff Jacket has to be the least advertised jacket by TNF. It went on sale fall 2010 and by late winter 2011 it was no where to be seen at any TNF retailers, not even the outlet retailer admitted knowledge of such a jacket. So I had to order mine online which meant taking a risk on sizing issues that I always get with these premiere TNF jackets. I wore it out today on an Upstate NY wilderness climbing day trip with a local school. It was pouring rain and windy all day in 50 degree weather. So I tested this jacket in ideal conditions.



POSITIVES: Compared to previous TNF pro shells this one looks the best. It is simple, rugged and has the least complications and gimmicks. It is also the best priced pro shell you can buy today. Even though it says $499 retail on the tag all the online retailers sell these from $199 to $299. You'd have to be very unlucky or unfamiliar with Google Shopping search if you just paid over $300 for this jacket. The hood and neck protection is incredibly cavernous and offers lots of protection. I think TNF said this jacket has the biggest hood ever and they are not lying. The jacket is much lighter than the previous Modulus I owned in 2007/2008 and slightly lighter than the least favored Mammatus that I reviewed recently. The color choices of yellow, red, blue, black and gray are very traditional which is actually stepping out of the norm when in 2011 all the top mainstream pro shell jackets are painted in 1980s neon greens and oranges. I got the yellow color which seems to pick up dirt quickly on the yellow parts but the sleeves and inner collar, areas that usually pick up the most dirt quickest, are colored black which is good. The most important positive is that the jacket is very breathable and feels light when you wear it. In fact compared to the Modulus and Mammatus this jacket is the easiest to wear due to the low weight and lack of useless gimmicks, complications and pockets. Belay zipper. Velcro cuff cinch is good.




CONS: Chest pockets are thin and narrow and the vertical zips are tough to reach. Slanted chest pockets are easier to access in my experiences, especially when wearing a backpack. The main water tight style zipper is very stiff compared to the similar style zippers on the Arcteryx jackets. The cinch system is cool on paper and when you're trying it on in the store but annoying to use in the field. The cinch system is hidden inside the jacket is accessed by blindly pressing the hidden tabs to release the cinch on the hemline and also the hood. I figured out the hemline but I've been unable to release the cinch the hood all day. I also assume for gloves and mitts this feature becomes difficult. Also to cinch the hem you need to unzip the chest pockets and find the cinch cord ends (similar to the Mammatus and Modulus jackets). I prefer the cinch system to be outside and more readily accessible. Also the cinch on the hem bunches up at the front and not the sides. On my Mammut Alverstone Rain Shell the jacket cinches at the hips which makes more sense especially when climbing with a harness. Unlike previous premiere pro shells this is the first TNF jacket to not have a waist cinch/snow gaiter. I'm not sure if the serious Backcountry crowd will like that. I found the cut on the Lockoff is generous even though it is advertised to be a slim athletic cut jacket. The sleeves are longer and the torso is longer than you'd expect. Even with layering my size medium jacket still is baggy and loose on my 5'8"/150lb frame. Whereas other medium jackets from Mammut and Marmot fit perfect. That said, it could've been tailored better. Arcteryx is the best at this when it comes to making a jacket have room for layering yet still fit without being overly loose and baggy. It seems the Lockoff, by keeping the weight low, the seam lines vertical and design simple, was not tailored to fit like the way the Modulus and Mammatus jackets were. This is my biggest gripe with the Lockoff.


BOTTOM LINE: At the time of this writing you can by this jacket on most retail online stores for under $299 and getting a gore tex 3L pro shell jacket at that price is a big positive. Gripes aside I think this jacket will make 99% of the people who will want to buy it happy. Chances are you are upgrading from a Modulus or Mammatus jacket to the Lockoff. If that is your situation then you will be pleased with the upgrade.