The North Face Men's Diad Jacket

stephen scimone - 2008-12-02

Does it's Job...
I purchased this jacket for Winter backpacking and also snowboarding. It's first backpacking trip was a success. Extremely lightweight, compresses into a small grapefruit size ball, and withstood blizzard like conditions. Needless to say, I was bone dry. I layer it with smartwool base layer, lightweight down jacket, and then the Diad. Don't waste your money on $300+ hard shells. This one will get the job done. I'll be back when I bring it on the slopes...

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Colleen Thoring - 2008-10-20

light weight and good fit
I ordered this jacket as a gift for my son, it is perfect for the cool, damp days on the golf course. It is a great all around jacket. I also have one and it is a favorite of mine.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Anonymous - 2008-09-20

LIGHT
Love this jacket. Great material, nice construction; perfect for those scattered showers days. I usually wear a L in TNF products but XL was a must for me. I would be unable to layer without the XL. I'm 6'1" 200lbs.

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> Read All 34 Reviews

stephen scimone - 2008-12-02

Does it's Job...
I purchased this jacket for Winter backpacking and also snowboarding. It's first backpacking trip was a success. Extremely lightweight, compresses into a small grapefruit size ball, and withstood blizzard like conditions. Needless to say, I was bone dry. I layer it with smartwool base layer, lightweight down jacket, and then the Diad. Don't waste your money on $300+ hard shells. This one will get the job done. I'll be back when I bring it on the slopes...

Was this North Face Diad Jacket Review Helpful? - Yes - No

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Colleen Thoring - 2008-10-20

light weight and good fit
I ordered this jacket as a gift for my son, it is perfect for the cool, damp days on the golf course. It is a great all around jacket. I also have one and it is a favorite of mine.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Anonymous - 2008-09-20

LIGHT
Love this jacket. Great material, nice construction; perfect for those scattered showers days. I usually wear a L in TNF products but XL was a must for me. I would be unable to layer without the XL. I'm 6'1" 200lbs.

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Anonymous - 2008-04-08

Light with great stitching
I used this jacket on a trip through Japan including a trip up into the mountains. The average temperature was about 44 degrees F and had light to medium showers. The jacket itself was extremely lightweight and waterproof. It kept me powder dry with the rain just beading right off. However, it is just a shell, so I did have to throw on some additional layers underneath to stay warm. To wear this jacket with only a long sleeve tshirt, the temp would have to stay above 55 degrees F. The thin stitching/seams on the jacket were great and it was made very well. But, be warned, the jacket is VERY short. I'm not particularly tall, and the bottom end of the shell sits above my hips. If you have a long torso, the shell might fit awkwardly and you might want to look for a parka length instead.

Was this North Face Diad Jacket Review Helpful? - Yes - No (1 of 1 liked this review)

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Kelly Wilson - 2007-11-09

perfect packed jacket
I have looked all over for a super light and packable rainjacket that is totally waterproof. My first trip with this one--adds practically zero weight to my carry-on. I am in Copenhagen and it is seriously raining and I am DRY. Lots of nice features for a super packable jacket--little pit zips are great, zip pockets are nice. I am no mountain climber--I am a traveler. For a traveler this is a great jacket--this and a fleece or two and no bit coat to pack.

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Kelly Wilson - 2007-11-09

perfect packed jacket
I have looked all over for a super light and packable rainjacket that is totally waterproof. My first trip with this one--adds practically zero weight to my carry-on. I am in Copenhagen and it is seriously raining and I am DRY. Lots of nice features for a super packable jacket--little pit zips are great, zip pockets are nice. I am no mountain climber--I am a traveler. For a traveler this is a great jacket--this and a fleece or two and no bit coat to pack.

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Anonymous - 2007-05-08

Good jacket.
The Diad is a solid lightweight shell that will hold up to the rigors of everyday usage. I really like the colors, and I find that I don't have problems with sweating in it on humid days, which I found with other similar jackets.

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Anonymous - 2007-05-08

Good jacket.
The Diad is a solid lightweight shell that will hold up to the rigors of everyday usage. I really like the colors, and I find that I don't have problems with sweating in it on humid days, which I found with other similar jackets.

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Rachael - 2007-05-08

Heavy duty protection, light weight package!
I purchased this shell as a gift for my boyfriend who couldn't have been happier on our last rainy backpacking trip in Washington. It packs down super small and adds relatively no noticeable weight to your pack, but comes through when it counts keeping all the essential layers nice and dry. I'm glad they decided to add the hand pockets (even if others complain about the added weight which is MINIMAL) because it makes it a more functional jacket for all around use.

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Rachael - 2007-05-08

Heavy duty protection, light weight package!
I purchased this shell as a gift for my boyfriend who couldn't have been happier on our last rainy backpacking trip in Washington. It packs down super small and adds relatively no noticeable weight to your pack, but comes through when it counts keeping all the essential layers nice and dry. I'm glad they decided to add the hand pockets (even if others complain about the added weight which is MINIMAL) because it makes it a more functional jacket for all around use.

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Anonymous - 2007-05-08

Nice minimalist shell
I have been looking for a backpacking shell for quite some time and have found what I was looking for. Incredibly light weight and functional. The inclusion of core-venting with hand pockets really got my attention. They have dropped weight and included a new feature in the hand pockets.NICE...

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Anonymous - 2007-05-08

Nice minimalist shell
I have been looking for a backpacking shell for quite some time and have found what I was looking for. Incredibly light weight and functional. The inclusion of core-venting with hand pockets really got my attention. They have dropped weight and included a new feature in the hand pockets.NICE...

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Anonymous - 2006-09-15

Light and durable
This jacket is great for weekend hikes. You can barely tell that you have it on. Keeps you dry no matter the weather.

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Anonymous - 2006-09-15

Light and durable
This jacket is great for weekend hikes. You can barely tell that you have it on. Keeps you dry no matter the weather.

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Anonymous - 2006-09-15

Light and durable
This jacket is great for weekend hikes. You can barely tell that you have it on. Keeps you dry no matter the weather.

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Mike - 2006-08-29

Awesome jacket
Extreme light, however it is waterproof. Easy to compress and carry it in the backpack. Great.

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Mike - 2006-08-29

Awesome jacket
Extreme light, however it is waterproof. Easy to compress and carry it in the backpack. Great.

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Mike - 2006-08-29

Awesome jacket
Extreme light, however it is waterproof. Easy to compress and carry it in the backpack. Great.

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joseph - 2006-07-17

Awesome
This is one of my favorite waterproof jacket is very lightweight and you can hike alot further in the backcountry with less weight.

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joseph - 2006-07-17

Awesome
This is one of my favorite waterproof jacket is very lightweight and you can hike alot further in the backcountry with less weight.

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joseph - 2006-07-17

Awesome
This is one of my favorite waterproof jacket is very lightweight and you can hike alot further in the backcountry with less weight.

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Shannon - 2008-01-16

Very light, comfortable, packs tiny
I have only worn it a couple times, but I think it will become my new hardshell of choice. I ordered a large size so that it fits over everything in winter. I'm not sure I'm sold on the venting wrists (as opposed to elastic ones)- it's a little bit of a pain to constantly open and close the velcro to get the sleeves on and off. I really like having a very lightweight hardshell. Overall very good buy.

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Shannon - 2008-01-16

Very light, comfortable, packs tiny
I have only worn it a couple times, but I think it will become my new hardshell of choice. I ordered a large size so that it fits over everything in winter. I'm not sure I'm sold on the venting wrists (as opposed to elastic ones)- it's a little bit of a pain to constantly open and close the velcro to get the sleeves on and off. I really like having a very lightweight hardshell. Overall very good buy.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Anonymous - 2007-11-05

Great waterproof layer
I really like the fit of this jacket; it covers well, letting no parts of your upper half get wet. At the same time though it is not bulky or gets in the way, with plenty of room for movement.

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Anonymous - 2007-11-05

Great waterproof layer
I really like the fit of this jacket; it covers well, letting no parts of your upper half get wet. At the same time though it is not bulky or gets in the way, with plenty of room for movement.

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Cliff - 2007-01-20

Light and waterproof, but pocket zipper needs a flap
This is extremely light for a hardshell jacket. Breathes reasonably, on par with other laminates generally. The chest pocket took on water in a downpour through the small opening at the top of the zipper. I put a piece of ripstop tape over the top to prevent this and it works better, but looks a bit like an oversight that it is.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Cliff - 2007-01-20

Light and waterproof, but pocket zipper needs a flap
This is extremely light for a hardshell jacket. Breathes reasonably, on par with other laminates generally. The chest pocket took on water in a downpour through the small opening at the top of the zipper. I put a piece of ripstop tape over the top to prevent this and it works better, but looks a bit like an oversight that it is.

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Cliff - 2007-01-20

Light and waterproof, but pocket zipper needs a flap
This is extremely light for a hardshell jacket. Breathes reasonably, on par with other laminates generally. The chest pocket took on water in a downpour through the small opening at the top of the zipper. I put a piece of ripstop tape over the top to prevent this and it works better, but looks a bit like an oversight that it is.

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Jim Kuzava - 2006-08-26

Diad Jacket
I haven't used it much but it's lightweight and I think it will work fine when I go to the Cascades in September

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Jim Kuzava - 2006-08-26

Diad Jacket
I haven't used it much but it's lightweight and I think it will work fine when I go to the Cascades in September

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Jim Kuzava - 2006-08-26

Diad Jacket
I haven't used it much but it's lightweight and I think it will work fine when I go to the Cascades in September

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Jason - 2007-03-30

Hand pockets don't help!
TNF has a gem when they first unveiled the DIAD, but changes in 2007 have effectively converted pit zips to mini core vents and added hand pockets that increase the weight but not the functional strengths of this jacket. They should have installed full pit zips instead of hand pockets. Big mistake by TNF in my opinion.

Is this Handy? - Yes - No

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Jason - 2007-03-30

Hand pockets don't help!
TNF has a gem when they first unveiled the DIAD, but changes in 2007 have effectively converted pit zips to mini core vents and added hand pockets that increase the weight but not the functional strengths of this jacket. They should have installed full pit zips instead of hand pockets. Big mistake by TNF in my opinion.

Is this Useful? - Yes - No

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Anonymous - 2007-04-08

This would not be a Backpacker Editor's Choice Jacket!
The DIAD that first debuted in 2006 was one of the best UL rain jackets I've ever had sans breathability. However, for 2007 they added this pockets in the same line along the pit zips but it cannot be opened all the way down to be usable as full pit zips. They also added zipper flaps on the pit zip and pockets (instead of watertight zippers) making it hard to open and it just adds weight. I seriously don't know why they did that.

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