The North Face has created the Apex Flex GTX jacket, a completely hydrophobic softshell jacket. Excellent for a rainy day adventure, protecting yourself against a windy mountain top or as a cool weather all round jacket.

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Our review of this product
8/ 10
The pros are:

  • Durable: With 3 layer GORE-TEX and the soft knit face & backer this jacket is burly and sure to stand up to whatever you throw at it.
  • Fit: With “Active Fit” this jacket is spacious and allows for layering underneath.
  • Price Point: The Apex Flex is one of the most reasonably priced GORE-TEX jackets out there.
The cons are:

  • I noticed that the jacket lifted when I raised my arms so I would like to see more gusseting in the underarm section to avoid this.

apex flex gtx jacket

First Impressions and Observations

A windproof, waterproof GORE-TEX jacket that feels and moves like a softshell. Unlike most GORE-TEX jackets that can leave bare arms feeling clammy within minutes of wearing them, the Apex Flex jacket has a soft knit backer that feels great against the skin. The soft-knit backer also adds an extra layer of warmth.

This is a full weatherproof shell that comes in a durable package. It weighs in at 409 grams so not the lightest waterproof shell out there. However, it is definitely one of the most reasonably priced coming in at just under $200 and that is a bargain for a GORE-TEX jacket.

apex flex gtx jacket mountaineering

I personally used the Apex Flex jacket on a mountaineering trip into the coast mountains of British Columbia. The pit zips allow for airflow so I used these while wearing the jacket during the cooler parts of the day and never found myself overheating.

apex flex gtx jacket 2

Some other features that I liked

  • There is a stretch to the jacket making for a comfortable fit.

  • The arm length is long providing plenty of coverage over the wrists.

  • Droptail hem provides excellent coverage in the back.

apex flex gtx jacket hood

Buy It If

You are looking for a fully weatherproof jacket that you can use for day hikes or as a warmer shell jacket for those cooler days in the mountains.