This makes the Inferno more thermally efficient and lighter than the Col. We feel that in the prolonged cold temperatures that these bags are designed for, room for boots and water bottles is an essential feature. The appropriately named The North Face Inferno -20 is just as warm as the Marmot Col but has a tighter fit. Eddie Bauer’s offerings are mostly non-technical except for their Peak XV line which compares favourably to Marmot and the North Face. But Patagonia isn’t ramping up their efforts to better compete in numbers with The North Face. The construction and materials are robust. The Competition. Editor's Note: "Packable" indicates the jacket has a stuff pocket. The $100 price range is crowded for rain jackets, including the Marmot PreCip Eco and REI Co-op Rainier above. The fabric keeps water out, but seams and zippers are vulnerable. Patagonia, Marmot, North Face ect. My latest is a sky blue REI jacket, which I love. That said, it’s important to note that lightweight jackets like the Marmot PreCip, Patagonia Torrentshell, and The North Face Venture 2 won’t last as long as a more expensive rain jacket or hardshell. SCHEELS Expert Brittany Moulton talks through the design and features of The North Face Arctic Parka II that will keep you warm this winter. I personally go for Marmot or Patagonia (potentially even TNF) from oversea online shops (rei, campsaver, etc.) The North Face is actually of better quality, but unfortunately marked up quite high in Oz (as with most imported outdoor brands). during the annual sales event as a preference. But still wear my north face … The Base Camp Duffel from The North Face is a venerable, long-term favorite. I have columbia, north face, and REI models. Patagonia, Marmot, North Face ect. The Competition. That said, we do admit that this jacket perhaps feels slightly out of place among our selection of lightweight down jackets, as it is the heaviest and also the bulkiest one that we tested. The Marmot Guides Down Hoody was an easy choice for a Top Pick Award because it is, without a doubt, the warmest jacket that we tested for this review. I'm willing to wait until the offseason to get one, but I'm wondering when the best sales are. One key aspect that separates the companies is their annual revenue: The North Face made $2 billion in 2013, while Patagonia brought in a little over $570 million. Marmot has quality outdoor clothing & gear made for performance & style. Spider are the cool jackets marmot are almost as cool so is "hard gear," they seem to be popular north face is still cool, but not near as cool as the above I personally own about 10 jackets. The Minimalist’s premium build and good price makes it a standout in the rain jacket market.Another excellent option is the Outdoor Research Foray.The jackets share Gore-Tex Paclite constructions, clock in at similar weights (14.9 ounces for the Marmot vs. 16.3 for the Foray), and both are very well-made.