North Face Summit Series

I don't really have the clothing design vocabulary to explain it and it has been 9 months since I tried one on so I can't verbalize it exactly, but the medium is too tight across the chest going into the arms.  Large however was massive.  It felt like they tried to go for an arcteryx style cut but could quite get it right.  I am a fairly skinny guy but the jacket felt like it was designed to only fit really skinny people, not a middle range.  I also hate the new sleeves, much preferred the band type that I could tuck my lower hand into while keeping fingertips free.

I have the L3 Down jacket by TNF and it’s great! Super warm with a layer under it, comfy, good breath ability.  The one thing is I just ripped 2 stitches on the arm section turning three compartments into one.

F loyd wrote: Summit L6 Down Belay Parka → 800 fill goose down
I have a coat of theirs, its ok. I don't think it's an elite product.

I have L6, its been used up here (northern ontario) on many cold belays (-25 before windchill) and its been plenty warm. Its got all the features one looks for in a warm belay jacket, being that it is big - ie: high amount of loft it can be harder to pack down. Otherwise i love it

I had the old L6 and it was so toasty. Didn't pack down super well, but it had a higher denier than a lot of similar parkas and was near bombproof. I did Mount Quandary in the winter (0*F at the trailhead) and when I got to the summit with 30mph winds, I had to remove layers underneath with it on. 

crom wrote:

I have L6, its been used up here (northern ontario) on many cold belays (-25 before windchill) and its been plenty warm. Its got all the features one looks for in a warm belay jacket, being that it is big - ie: high amount of loft it can be harder to pack down. Otherwise i love it

thanks that's all i needed to hear!

Mike K wrote:

Any thoughts on the L6 parkas?

2 things

1. I got post limited FAST... boo
2. Uggg wrote a long reply and it got deleted so I’ll try to recreate it.

The first year (2015? The all grey stuff) we did the L6 the Immaculator was actually better (get back to that), too heavy of a fabric and overstuffed in the L6. I haven’t worn this years model but have a proto for last year. It’s a super warm but still very compressible belay parka. Double drop pockets inside + zippered inside, hem cord goes inside the outer zippered pockets, plenty of helmet room, and the knit cuffs are nice. 

If you’re looking to save some scratch the Immaculator is a real good choice. On a day where you aren’t fighting real inclimate weather it’s just as warm. Just has a few less nice to have features (like the knit “glove cuffs”) and is slightly less weather resistant since the L6 has the engineered woven baffle tech. If I was disaster packing and I grabbed one over the other I won’t be bummed with either. Actually currently sitting in my car wearing it (was just in front of my L6 when I was packing)

Conrad and Jimmy WORKED their L6’s in those gnarly OW’s down in Antarctica (watch reel rock 13). But they definitely didn’t want the first gen L6’s.

Also the Hybrid Ventrix is a great piece as well if you run hotter (which I definitely do). Power grid fleece (don’t remember if it is polartec) on the sides, and lower arms, and hood. Had I not forgotten it this weekend I would have been touring in it today. It’s not quite as warm when it’s not layered. But put any sort of shell or Hodini like layer over it and it’s just as warm as the regular for most stuff.
I can’t speak to Future Light (lite?) but I know the Zermat dealer launch finished up with a lot of stoked people. Definitely worth listening to Cripple Creek’s podcast “Totally Deep” interviewing Hilary and Jim, AND the one interviewing Sam Anthamantan (sp? Sorry Sam). 

So how much down fill in the L6?

Edit: after waiting another week, CS gets back to me with this gem.

Thank you for contacting The North Face. We do not have access to that exact weight because every jacket is a little different but I can tell you that most of the weight of the jacket(23.8 oz average) is going to be down weight.

The worst part is that even this useless response is probably not accurate, doubt it has 12oz of down fill. 

i managed to snag last year's L6 parka for $250 last night so i can post some stats on it when it comes in. sounds like everyone seems happy with the summit gear from last year if you can get it at the right price - i checked out this year's L6 and very compressible but i wasn't a fan of the fabric and the shiny-ness of it (same with their L3 down hoody).

jdejace wrote: So how much down fill in the L6?

Edit: after waiting another week, CS gets back to me with this gem.

The worst part is that even this useless response is probably not accurate, doubt it has 12oz of down fill.

Since knowing the down-fill weight is one of the easiest ways to judge how warm a belay jacket will be, it blows my mind why gear companies don't proudly list this like they love to do with the fill power numbers.  If they fill a jacket with 800-fill down, why not be proud to list the fill weight, too? There's no reason not to.  We shouldn't have to call & request basic information like this.  The North Face really, really needs to rethink their customer service protocols.  As we've talked about prior - Straight terrible.  Probably the worst of the major players.

To date, the companies that routinely list down-fill wights are:

1. Arc'teryx
2. Rab
3. Feathered Friends
4. Montane
5. Western Mountaineering
6. Nunatak
7. Goosefeet Gear
8. Mountain Equipment

I like the fact when I call any of the above-listed companies, I'm actually talking to someone in North America who actually climbs/skis in the gear I'm referring to and has first-hand knowledge of its production and purpose.  

AlpineIce wrote:

Since knowing the down-fill weight is one of the easiest ways to judge how warm a belay jacket will be, it blows my mind why gear companies don't proudly list this like they love to do with the fill power numbers.  If they fill a jacket with 800-fill down, why not be proud to list the fill weight, too? There's no reason not to.  We shouldn't have to call & request basic information like this.  The North Face really, really needs to rethink their customer service protocols.  As we've talked about prior - Straight terrible.  Probably the worst of the major players.

To date, the companies that routinely list down-fill wights are:

1. Arc'teryx
2. Rab
3. Feathered Friends
4. Montane
5. Western Mountaineering
6. Nunatak
7. Goosefeet Gear
8. Mountain Equipment

I like the fact when I call any of the above-listed companies, I'm actually talking to someone in North America who actually climbs/skis in the gear I'm referring to and has first-hand knowledge of its production and purpose.  

Sierra designs for sleeping bags

Edit: and for their down jackets

Montbell lists fill weight on every item.  Probably one of the first to do such. 

Mike K wrote: i managed to snag last year's L6 parka for $250 last night so i can post some stats on it when it comes in. sounds like everyone seems happy with the summit gear from last year if you can get it at the right price - i checked out this year's L6 and very compressible but i wasn't a fan of the fabric and the shiny-ness of it (same with their L3 down hoody).

I had a chance to compare last years Summit Series L6 Belay Parka to this years, and last year's is definitely heavier, but the outer fabric seems more durable and overall feels more warmer.

Ariana Grande loves her oversized men's green Summit Series L6   

I have a Cobra 60 pack that works well. Some people don’t like the fit, but I love it. I’m 5’7” 135lbs and the S/M fits great. I’ll often forget I have it on during longer trips. 

Josh Tannenbaum wrote: I have a Cobra 60 pack that works well. Some people don’t like the fit, but I love it. I’m 5’7” 135lbs and the S/M fits great. I’ll often forget I have it on during longer trips. 

I just couldn't stand the buckles on it.  They would always slip and wouldn't ever stay sinched down.  But other than that it was nice!

Matt S. wrote:

I just couldn't stand the buckles on it.  They would always slip and wouldn't ever stay sinched down.  But other than that it was nice!

One of my major complaints with the Cobra as well.  How long has TNF been making packs & they still dropped the ball on something so simple as keeping pack buckles tight? Not that I'm trying to bag on TNF.  I haven't bought any of their apparel in a very long time, so I shouldn't cast too much judgement on their newer releases as I've haven't worn it.  It sounds like they may be on to something with their Ventrix line.  They really should have things dialed in, pack wise, by now.

AlpineIce wrote:

One of my major complaints with the Cobra as well.  How long has TNF been making packs & they still dropped the ball on something so simple as keeping pack buckles tight? Not that I'm trying to bag on TNF.  I haven't bought any of their apparel in a very long time, so I shouldn't cast too much judgement on their newer releases as I've haven't worn it.  It sounds like they may be on to something with their Ventrix line.  They really should have things dialed in, pack wise, by now.

I really haven't noticed an issue with my buckles loosening up on me. I think the buckles could be thicker for sure. I feel like they might be a little thin and prone to breakage.