2010
03.01

The Nike Air Force is one of the best when using one color for the whole shoe, and by looking at these you can see why. These Air Forces come in a white/team red colorway, with upper made of team red leather and nubuck . Nike also adds a white midsole, team red outsole, and white Nike Swoosh. The use of only really one color makes this shoe simple and unique. These Air Force 1s are available now at select Nike retailers.

2010
02.28

The North Face Free Thinker, Foil Thermal, and Sedition II jackets are so cool looking that it almost doesn’t matter how well they perform in the cold. But they do. Ah, they do.

I will admit that when I started to do these ski technology reviews, I figured it would be hard to distinguish between the different manufacturers. A coat is a coat, right? Wrong. That’s like saying Macs and PCs are the same because both use processors and hard drives. It’s very easy to pick out a North Face jacket from other brands, and it has nothing to do with the logo.

We evaluated several jackets from the North Face: Free Thinker, Foil Thermal (women’s), Sedition II, and Wavy Triclimate (women’s). The four jackets are very different from each other, and highly distinguished from anything else we tried.

Take the North Face Free Thinker jacket, for example, which was my favorite of the bunch.

Made from Gore-Tex Pro Shell Enduro 3L, the Free Thinker jacket blocks the wind while still allowing the jacket to breathe. I found the jacket super-warm without feeling close/claustrophobic. You simply won’t get cold in this jacket.

But if all a jacket did was keep you warm, you might as well wear a blanket on the slopes. The North Face Free Thinker jacket, like a Mac, has many clever touches that made it my favorite jacket to ski in. For one thing, it had two huge front pockets which rested on top of an internal powder skirt. Big deal? Indeed. I carried a video camera in my pockets for a few of my ski days and literally couldn’t feel the weight. Try putting a few pounds in your coat and not noticing.

While the sleeves have zippers to allow you to cool down by unzipping them, I actually ran the cord through the zipper from my video camera to my helmet cam/lens.

The North Face Free Thinker jacket had the most pocket space of any of the brands and jackets we evaluated. It has rotated core vents that help you to push out heat so you don’t drown in the sweaty exultation of a great powder run. The powder skirt was also the best we tried, fitting snugly without suffocating and keeping out the two-foot Little Cloud powder at Snowbird.

I loved this jacket. Of all the North Face jackets we tried, it’s the one that I’d buy first.

In terms of coolness factor for those of you in Silicon Valley or warmer climes, however, the North Face Sedition II or Foil Thermal win hands down. The Sedition II is a soft shell while the Foil Thermal is actually a layer a woman would wear under a hard or soft shell. But it is such a cool jacket that a woman could wear it around and people might think she was Trinity from The Matrix. (That’s a good thing, right? :-)

On the North Face Foil Thermal, one of our women reviewers couldn’t get over the flexible sleeves coupled with the warm vest-like baffled-down torso. She stayed warm but didn’t feel like a marshmallow (which is often what you get with insulated jackets).

North Face Wavy Triclimate jacket

The Wavy Triclimate is something that could be worn in all seasons of the year (except summer). One reviewer didn’t like the fact that the liner doesn’t zip into the shell (as some triclimate jackets do), but the upside is that this design leaves more room for movement. She never complained about cold, though, and took it up to Brighton on one day when the thermometer dipped below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

As for the Sedition II, it’s soft on the skin like a soft shell should be but no one reported getting wet (which is my one complaint with soft shells, generally). Made from Gore-Tex? Soft Shell stretch 3L with micro-check fleece backer, this one didn’t keep the wind out as well but it was the more flexible of the two men’s jackets.

If it sounds like I’m gushing, I suppose I am. I asked The North Face to send its best, most technologically advanced jackets. I can’t speak for the rest of its extensive line but I’d buy any one of these that we tried.

Though some of the other reviewers might disagree, I’d put the North Face Free Thinker over the Arc’Teryx Sidewinder. It kept me warmer, was more versatile (Pockets, etc.), and was more comfortable. I, personally, wouldn’t buy the Arc’Teryx (though, again, at least one of the other reviewers would disagree). This North Face gear is what I’d recommend of the two for this year’s ski season.

2010
02.26

If you’re into hiking and outdoorsy things, or even if you just have a dog you need to take walking, soon it’ll be the kind of weather when you need a light jacket for walking around outside. It’s not always appropriate to wear your nice outerwear, especially if you’re out jogging or whatever, so you need something that’s warm, functional, and still looks good.

North Face seems to have the best selection of women’s jackets that fit the bill – I love this sherpa adventure jacket from them that combines a slim fit with a warm fabric. It doesn’t look bulky from the outside, and yet it feels warm from the inside. This is something you can wear out for a quick trip to the corner market, or under a raincoat in heavier weather. And because it’s North Face, you know the construction quality is going to be fantastic. Perfect for the sporty girl who still likes to look nice.

2010
02.25

The North Face Apex Jacket offers the perfect blend of warmth, water protection, and breathability. This fully welded soft shell jacket has everything you need to keep you warm in the freezing cold. Ideal for colder outdoor activities such as skiing and snowshoeing, the North Face Apex Thermal Jacket is both durable and warm.

Packed with insulation, the North Face Apex Thermal Jacket has a high loft polyester lining. This lining gives you much of the warmth of fleece and then some. The North Face Apex Jackets outer soft shell maintains breathability while still providing protection from the elements.

The water resistant Polartec Power Shield softshell fabric of the North Face Apex Thermal Jacket has enough water protection that you could hike through a snow storm if you wanted. The high breathability of the North Face Apex Thermal Jacket outer shell means you can work up a sweat without wanting to pass out.

2010
02.24

The North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket is an exclusive fleece made by North Face. This sucker will cut though wind like a knife; leaving you nice and cozy on cool windy days around camp or on the slopes. With features like wind resistant fleece, abrasion resistant overlays, and multiple pockets; the North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket makes for a useful piece of clothing.

Made from an exclusive fleece, the North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket has a wind permeability rated at 0 CFM. Basic fleece jackets work well to keep you warm, but more often than not wind easily makes its way through the fabric. Thus your basic fleece does little to warm you on windy days or in active sports like biking, skiing, and snowboarding. So, if you have an active sports lifestyle, you may want to check out the North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket.

Another reason the North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket works well for those with an active lifestyle is jackets ability to multi layer. While the North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket works well as a standalone jacket, it works equally well as a base layer. On dry, windy days wear the jacket by its self. On wetter or snowy days you can add a water resistant shell and stay warm and dry.

The North Face Pamir WindStopper Jacket also has ample abrasion resistant fabric where its need most. There is plenty on the shoulders, chest, and back area where items like packs and harness can rub. There is also plenty of protection along the arms and wrist area.

2010
02.23

North Face Fleece – Perfect as a jacket or a mid-layer.

It’s no secret that fleece is a must have on any trip and north face fleece is no exception. With a north face fleece in your pack you can rest assured you’ll be nice and warm at the day’s end.

The north face fleece has always been a staple for many outdoor enthusiasts. This is because your typical north face fleece is much more than your basic fleece jacket. In these jackets, hoodies, and vest; you will find added comforts and technology that backpackers have come to know and love.

Many of the north face fleece jackets, if not all of them, are perfect for use as a mid layer or just as a jacket to wear around camp. Some of the nice features of the north face fleece jackets are the reinforced shoulders and elbows, full frontal zipper, and hem cinch cords.

From microball fleece to windstoper fleece, there is sure to be a north face fleece made out of it. Take some time to browse the website to learn more about the different types of north face fleece.

2010
02.22

There have always been a lot of outdoor clothing companies, now more than ever. But for as long as I can remember, North Face has always been an industry leader. To me, the North Face jacket is an industry standard to which other companies should strive for. All North Face jackets are durable, finely crafted, and built by professionals.

Whether it’s an outer waterproof shell, insulation, or something for the snow; the North Face Jackets will keep you warm, dry, and happy. Just about all the North Face Jackets can be categorized into five groups. These groups include Waterproof Shells, Snowsports, Fleece, Insulated, and Mountain Life.

2010
02.21

The film is actually quite close to films by Mani Rathnam who also takes a politically hot topic and connects it with a personal drama (good example: “Kannathil Muthamittal”). With Rathnam, the focus always seems to shift more to the political side of this dual idea, whereas in “Mr. and Mrs. Iyer”, the focus is more on the personal aspect. There are incredible scenes that you won’t easily forget:The “couple” in a diner telling their fictional story of their honeymoon, the fooling around in the woods in the morning, the killing of a man right in front of their window, the last night they spend together when she takes his hand to comfort herself.

These are all very subtle but convincing scenes that don’t primarily assault the woman’s Brahman principles but tries to expand them. Again: It’s a fairy tale and in this fairy tale world which is ridden by real-life violence, a woman and a man come closer – emotionally. Not with sex or a common way of love. It’s a very heartfelt sort of love you don’t usually see in movies. It felt extremely sincere to me – and the just cracked my heart. Over the course of the movie, the characters learn to trust from each other and understand that they do need each other. The evolution of their relationship makes this movie a must-see. Aparna Sen’s gentleness is very evident throughout the movie.

2010
02.20

The train reaches the next junction and he ask her for tea and eh goes to get it. They drink it. She sleeps on his shoulder. The train reaches the station and her husband is waiting fir her. She introduces raja to him and husband thanks him taking care of his wife. He looks at her and goes. A close up shot of she looking at him walking… he stops and comes back to her and opens her camera and give the film roll to her and tell her ” its for you, good bye Meenakshi..” she replies ” good bye Mr. Iyar” eh walks and it fade to the credit titles

As a total evaluation the movie was emotionally realistic. The director was successful in telling the story by proper usage of shots, dialogue and expression. She tried to maintain the continuity in tone and character property through out the movie. But she have figured the Muslims in abusive language but it is been balanced by the characterization of Hindu extremist who are equal and opposite.

2010
02.19

They were taken back to the bungalow by the police officer. On the way the riot is shown getting strong when a farm house is burned. In the evening when he was sitting in the balcony of the house and typing she comes and give him a blanket and sit near him. They talk each other about the costumes and beliefs. After a couple of romantic times the watchman comes and tells them to lock themselves inside because the extremist are again coming. They get inside but a man is killed and Meenakshi see this and she get vomited. He calms her. The color tone and light of the above scenes were extremely good. He take her to bed and eh look after her for the full night.

The next day they board the trucks and is taken to the railway station. And next scene is inside the train both of them talking. She ask him about the name of the place which they have told that they have gone for their honey moon. He tells the place and she ask him whether eh have gone their alone. Then she asks him where he is going after this. He tell the name of a forest in orissa. She asks the same question again “alone”. He tells “yes unless u come with me” . Now she move away from the subject by telling she want some water for santhanam. Now eh goes and help her and call her Meenakshi. She tell the meaning on the name and he call her “the fish eye lens” all the conversations keep the romantic mood along with the music. She is in a state of love wit him but when turning back to her own life she can’t go for it. When he goes to kiss her a man comes in-between and passes by which disturbs.

The next morning he sips water from his bottle touching his lips. She sees it and buys the bottle from him and drinks some water which is exactly opposite to the scene in the bus. This show the intimacy grown between them.