On a recent trip to climb Ben Ledi a group of our Supported by Tiso gang had the opportunity to test the new The North Face Apex Flex 2.0 Jacket. This fully waterproof, three layered Gore-tex jacket comes in black and red for men, and white and grey for women.

Ben Ledi rises above the highland town of Callander to a height of 879m and is one of Scotland’s 222 Corbetts. Our team of outdoor experts headed up this well-known peak early on a Monday morning at the start of May.

At the base of the mountain the weather was warm and spring like, but as we climbed higher, it took a dramatic turn for the worse. Ominous black clouds shrouded the summit and the winds on the final ridge were gusting strong enough to knock you off your feet if you weren’t careful! As much as we had hoped for a calm, sunny day, these conditions were actually perfect for testing the TNF Apex Flex 2.0 jacket.

This is not your normal Gore-Tex waterproof jacket. Gone is that crinkly, crisp packet feel of more traditional waterproofs. The North Face Apex Flex 2.0 has a Gore-Tex shell to keep you completely dry and a soft knit face fabric with a stretch backer which make the jacket incredibly supple and comfortable. It doesn’t look or feel like a waterproof jacket, making it comfortable to wear on dry days as well as wet weather days.

The North Face Apex Flex 2.0 jacket has reduced its weight by 40g from the original Apex jacket, the men’s version now weighs in at 776g and the women’s at 453g, impressively lightweight considering the strength and ruggedness of this jacket.

The Apex Flex 2.0 jacket’s Gore-Tex lining is fully breathable, but if you do get a little too warm, there are conveniently placed under-arm zips (pit-zips) for a quick cool down. Other added features include a fully adjustable hood, invisible chest and hand pockets as well as Velcro cuffs and a drop-tail hem.

The North Face Apex Flex 2.0 is a great option for a waterproof hiking jacket that also looks smart enough for wearing around town. The Apex Flex 2.0 is incredibly comfortable thanks to its soft-knit fabric, it is lightweight and thoroughly waterproof. This jacket is perfect for UK spring and autumn weather and even winter with a few layers underneath! The North Face Apex Flex jacket is a popular jacket here at Tiso and perfect for any outdoor enthusiast that still wants to look good in the hills.