TO LOVE A REDPOINT
We all have our favorite things here at Gord's... most of who work here agreed on one of them. The object of our collective affection is The North Face's Redpoint. Most of us own one, most of us would like to on another one in another color than the one we have... Some of us have a color that TNF (The North Face) no longer makes and we wear it like a collector's item. One regular customer happily refers to it as the "Hot Point" because of the warmth it affords the wearer.

Some of us wear them as a casual jacket, some of us wear it as an insulating piece, some of us wear it under parkas to ensure warmth at any cost... But all love it. Sure, there's the equally sweet Patagonia "Down Sweater" that many of us love just as much but today we asked the staff at Gord's the following question: "What is so great about The North Face's REDPOINT jacket?"

We asked our staff "What's so great about the Red Point?" Here are the answers we've collected so far:

From Bryan: "The redpoint is such a great jacket because of its versatility. Use it on its own in the spring and fall, or even those cooler summer nights. Use it under a shell all winter. Factor-in that it is light, durable, fast drying and packable, you end up with a perfect jacket."

From Max: "It is the best hands down fleece replacement its ridiculously warm and the tech for the insulation is amazing"

From Alan: "The fact that it's warm when it gets wet in the boat in the spring and fall is awesome! It dries super fast. It's super light so carrying it around in your bag at school bag doesn't drag you down! I slides in and out of other jackets WAY better than fleeces do!"

From Aaron: "What is great about the Redpoint jacket is that it is very practical and a superior liner on many different fronts. The primaloft insulation is very warm, very light and very compressible. It zips into standard North Face jackets, and looks not half-bad worn on its own."

From Andrew: "TNF Redpoint jacket is so great because first off, it offers superior warmth, due to its primaloft insulation, with little weight and bulk. Since the redpoint is light weight and thin, it is ideal for laying into shells. It is also great for layering in shells because when combined with a North Face shell they can zip in to each other (if that feature is available on the shell). The primaloft insulation uses your bodies heath by trapping it and warming almost instantly. Primaloft also is fast drying if wet and once wet it still has the ability to stay warm."

From Tripat: "It's compact - it keeps you really warm without a lot of bulk. It also keeps you warm when it's wet."

From Jason: "It’s a very light, and yet very warm jacket.  It is thin enough to wear under a heavier shell, and has a water resistant outer layer of its own.  Because it’s so thin, you can easily take it with you anywhere you go without it taking up a lot of bag space.  It’s the standard fall/spring jacket, and the standard winter layering piece."

From JF: "If I had to own one thing other than a winter parka, this would be it. It doesn't restrict movement like fleece, it breathes, it's packable so I can shove it anywhere including in the map pocket in my truck, in my camelback, in my already overstuffed gear bag... I never go on a trip without it and mine is a 2005 one-year-only bright orange."

From Coppens: "An amazing layering piece. Very thin for the warmth it provides and works well underneath a jacket. Its also stylish enough to wear as a standalone under the right temperatures. Doesn't look like a big thick puffy coat, as well the primaloft insulation is a nice touch."

From Daniel: "The TNF Redpoint Jacket is SO great for many reasons.  It is the great starting point for any outdoor activity: it comes in a variety of stylish colours for the fashion-conscious; uses PrimaLoft to be warm (yet still thin and light); and is engineered with many thoughtful features such as elastic cuffs, a zippered external chest pocket, and a high collar to keep your neck warm and out of the wind. "

From RT: "Because its a great layering piece to put under a shell on really cold days, or to just wear on its on on those days where a sweater just isn't quite warm enough, its water repellent, light and warm because it's filled with primaloft."

From Todd: "Redpoint jackets are great because they are designed to keep you warm. The insulation in them is Primaloft, which is water resistant, maintains its shape after you wear it or wash it for a while. Its breathable, soft and very light. Primaloft is 15% warmer than any other synthetic on the market, also when it gets wet it will be 25% warmer than if a down jacket gets wet, so even if your primaloft jacket gets wet it will still keep you warm. The redpoint can also zip into TNF shells. "

From Caroline: "What's not great about it? It's lightweight. It's warm when it is dry. It's warm even when it is wet. It can be layered. It can be worn on it's own. Oh the possibilities of the Redpoint!"

From Matty: "The North Face Redpoint jacket brings versatility to a new level. With its primaloft insulation, and lightweight characteristics this is the perfect jacket for spring and fall, as well as an insulating layer in the winter. This jacket offers the best of function and value."

From Rusty: "the redpoint jacket is so great because it is a jacket that everyone can use. it is warm, primaloft insulation; is water resistant, DWR finish; and is a great layering piece on cold days and provides warmth on the cool days."

From James: "The TNF Redpoint Jacket is great because it's lightweight, warm and works well under a shell or on its own. The Primaloft insulation is soft like down but keeps it's loft even when damp. "

From Ryan VanDusen: "The redpoint is a must own piece. Light enough for spring/fall/early winter, the redpoint is versatile in almost any condition. Worn by itself or underneath a shell, the redpoint will not "bunch" or restrict any movement while worn under a shell or outer piece which makes it the perfect insulator. Stuck somewhere and need a pillow? The redpoint can be stuffed entirely into one of its side pockets! Pull the jacket back out of the pocket and it will regain its shape and loft in no time flat. The redpoint also comes in great colors (including the ho-hum black)!"

From Adam: "The great thing about the redpoint is it's versatility. it makes a wicked fall/spring jacket that is warm and cozy It has a water resistant coating but if it does get wet from being in the rain or something where your getting sprayed with water it will still be warm. then come winter you can use it as the best insulating piece we have. its nice and breathable plus because of the primaloft its warm without all the bulk of other heavy insulating pieces. all in all it's a must-have. "

From TJ: "It's an awesome layering jacket that is warm and breathable. It's lightweight and can all be stuffed into one pocket to make a nice small pillow for the long car rides"

From Rowan: "If you do not own a North face Redpoint jacket you should get one. The greatest thing about the Redpoint is the warmth using Primaloft 1, a lightweight synthetic down that is a very water resistant synthetic down. The men's Redpoint jacket has a bag built into the pocket so the whole jackets folds into about 1 liter, also it makes a great pillow and is great for lightweight packing. The Redpoint is great for wearing under a shell or just as a jacket in the shoulder seasons."

From JL: "It's a great coat because it comes in a variety of of colors to suit most walks of life. They come in a nice lightweight, incredibly warm, tidy little package. Zip a North Face Gore-Tex or Hyvent shell over your Redpoint and you've got a system that can handle anything!"

Check back soon as we add more.