Here is a jacket insulated with down, yet designed so you don't over heat on the move. There's a lofty design challenge. In the times I've used it, (Autumn and early Winter) it felt great to wear. The down certainly does hug your torso and neck like great down jackets should. In one test in early autumn in Mount Carleton Provincial Park in New Brunswick, I found the Crimptastic didn't have the characteristics of your belay puffy because it lost heat through the side panels. With evening settling in, or with early morning camp chores, I felt slightly chilled. This is even more evident when there's a breeze. One solution was to tightly hold my arms against my sides. Burr, but it helped!

The thing that impressed me the most about this jacket is the waterproofing. I used it sea kayaking and hiking along the East Coast Trail and while skiing and snowshoeing in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park and I have yet to feel a drop of water touch the inside. It held up to splash from big waves, rain and fog, and even a rain / wet snow mix that soaked my companions to the bone. The seam sealed shell is also quite breathable and features pit zips for extra comfort. It vents well in all weather and works very well to keep out the cold wind. All in all I was very impressed by how dry I stayed with this jacket on, both inside and out.

The cuffs of the sleeves have an elastic hem that do the job but I’d prefer the hook and loop type of closure to fit over my mittens. The main zipper has an interior flap to keep cold air out but I sometimes find the zippers get stuck, especially the one on the Napoleon pocket. I still haven’t mastered the adjustment for the drop hood (which also has an elastic hem) without taking my mittens off, and once tightened, I find the elastic hem squishes the sides of my head and slides the hood back so that I end up looking like a big peanut. I just wear a hat instead, which is my personal preference anyway, and that brings me to my biggest peeve of all -- I especially don’t like the fact that the hood is not detachable.

The Heathen holds to the credo of worshiping no Gods other than holding true to the basics of lightweight, waterproof, functional hardshell. The Goretex PRO Shell fabric won't get in the way, and you get consistent weather and heat performance, something I like to know I have with me. Even though the design of most modern shells (alpine cut) has converged to a very similar look, the The North Face has done it right with the Heathen. Read more by clicking the link below for a full review ...