– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

TNF Honcho Jacket — Review

by Jordan White February 24, 2010
written by Jordan White February 24, 2010
TNF North Face Honcho jacket for backcountry skiing.

The honcho in his honcho. Ladies, he's not married -- yet.

The North Face Honcho Jacket is a new concept to me; it is a great layer to add to the quiver that is a ski mountaineer’s closet. Breathable hardshell material on the outside, combined with baffled 700-fill down on the inside make for excellent warmth on the downhill or those super chilly days on the climb. For downhill skiing and sledding I wore it with just a base layer underneath, in single digits temps, and it handled the cold like a champ.

This is a fully featured technical piece. The well designed hood cinches down to keep out the wind and cover the face, the handy zipper pocket on the upper left arm, zipper pocket in the inside, zipper pocket on the chest, plus the mandatory hip pockets.

Adding to the tech features, pitzips: Pitzips are one of those things that you can either do really well, or very poorly as a gear company. Some companies make them too short, so they do not allow enough air to come in. TNF designs them long enough to really get some venting for the uphill, and the obligatory seam sealed zipper was a plus as well. The Honcho comes with a cinch cord for the waist, but I’d rather forego this and have a powder skirt to really keep out the snow. Only true downside is the hood doesn’t really fit over a helmet, a deal breaker for some folks but a non-issue for others. Overall, excellent jacket!

(Please note, TNF discontinued this jacket in fall of 2009, but they’re still in the pipeline so we figured a review could be useful for bargain shoppers.)

On sale at Moosejaw

(Guest Blogger Jordan White finished skiing all 54 Colorado fourteeners in spring of 2009. He’s a committed alpinist and ski mountaineer who always keeps his eyes on the Seven Summits. Jordan blogs here.)

6 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Whitefish Mountain Resort To Restrict Uphill Travel
next post
Avalanche Near Aspen Kills One — Falls Only 200 Vertical Feet

6 comments

Lee February 24, 2010 - 2:33 pm

I’m not a fan of seam sealed zippers…they work for while but once they wear-out you stuffed, since manufacturers no longer build jackets with storm flaps. It’s virtually impossible to find good jackets (or increasingly rucksacks) without them – built in obsolescence if you ask me – so you have to replace your jacket long before it’s worn out.

gillesleskieur February 25, 2010 - 7:26 am

look at Marmot’s jackets Lou, almost allof them have storm flaps and normal zippers..

Joe February 26, 2010 - 1:29 pm

Hey Lou,

If your going to advertise Jordan to the ladies, perhaps future images should be scratch-and-sniff for full disclosure.

Joe

Jordan February 26, 2010 - 2:01 pm

You would sniff it wouldn’t your Joe?

Lou February 26, 2010 - 2:40 pm

He he, I’ll try to find a WordPress plugin for that.

gman February 27, 2010 - 8:34 pm

Hey Lou,

Very informative site. Thanks for putting this together! I’ve been teleing for 30 years and have finally decided to make the switch to AT. I’m not an aggressive or even very competent skier, so I don’t think I need gear for skiing 50 deg. couloirs and the like. But I would prefer a lighter AT set-up. Looks like I’ll get a deal on some Movement Ikis, so skis are no problem.

Here’s my questions on what gear to get: I’m choosing between Dynafit Verticals and TLT Speeds. Other than cost and weight, what’s the diff? I’ve been looking all over and can’t find any functional differences, other than the fact that some Vertical models come w/ brakes. Your recommendations?

Speaking of brakes: I’ve never had or needed ski brakes. Am I OK to go with straps? Even in resorts?

Finally, for boots, I’m looking at Scarpa F1s (my first choice just because they look light), F3s, Dynafit ZZero 3s, or Garmont Megafits. As a telemarker, I’m nervous about getting into Frankenboots that aren’t as comfy as my old Scarpa T1s. Is my fear justified?

Don’t know if I’ve posted this where anyone will notice, but any advice to an AT newbie would be a great help.

Again, thanks for all the great info on this site!

G.

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • OMR on Voluntary PIEPS Beacon Recall Issued in Europe, Plans for US
  • DK on Voluntary PIEPS Beacon Recall Issued in Europe, Plans for US
  • Frame on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Matus on Ski Touring Boots 2021-22 — Upgrades to Past Favs
  • Jack on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race

Gear Reviews

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    February 18, 2021
  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021
  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021
  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020
  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

A Tale of Two Gloves —...

February 10, 2021

An Education on the Ephemeral Glide...

February 4, 2021

High Pressure Kit Review — Ortovox...

January 25, 2021