The North Face Venture Jacket Review For a good lookin', lightweight, fully waterproof, decently-breathable hardshell for under [$], this is a hard deal to beat. I use mine anytime I'm expecting wet conditions, from casual wear around town to weeklong backpacking trips in the Rockies. I think it's ideal for 3-season wear. But I don't think it's beefy enough or long enough for skiing.
The cut/fit is pretty universal - I'm a lanky 6'5", 215 lbs, and the XL fits me very well. It's got enough room for a heavy fleece layer underneath & the sleeves are actually long enough! The detailing is spot-on; the front & pit zippers work flawlessly, and the hood snugs down nicely & stays with your head when you turn from side to side. The DWR coating still beads water well after multiple weeklong trips & daily wear. Covered by TNF's lifetime warranty, this jacket performs very closely to jackets costing twice as much.
I'm pretty picky about my gear, and I've been pleasantly surprised by this shell.The only thing I would change is the velcroed front storm flap - get rid of it & add a waterproof zipper to shed weight & make the jacket more streamlined.
