Outerwear generally has two functions - to keep you warm and to keep you dry. Except for wearing around town I prefer to keep these two functions separate - I have layers for warmth and layers for protection. In general, for active pursuits, it’s best to get layers for the specific purpose and mix and match as needed. Zip-in liners limit you to a few options.
As has been pointed out in this thread since it began 5 years ago, pretty much all manufacturers make garments for different markets. Yes, there’s a lot of TNF clothing made for show but they also make plenty of hard-working outerwear that is used by the pros. You just have to know what you’re buying and look in specialty stores that carry the right models.
Having said that, if you want real bombproof outerwear you should look at companies like Arc’teryx, Mammut, Marmot, Mountain Hardware; but be prepared to drop some big money. Same advice as 5 years ago, the names sometimes change but the story is the same.
And, BTW, the REI policy change is the right one. Too many people were abusing the unlimited returns policy for stuff that wore out after regular use or abuse.
While a zombie, I’m glad this thread popped up. It seems like there’s a cycle that manufacturers of all kinds go through: Expensive but very high quality to somewhat cheaper but still quality for the desired purpose to maybe a bit cheaper still but more a fashion statement (if still functional) to simply coasting on the reputation from the first two or three steps. The problem I always have is figuring out where exactly in that cycle any given manufacturer is.
I bought a simple North Face unlined fleece maybe 20 years ago. A few days after I bought it I pulled one of the pocket zipper tabs off. Other than that, it’s been great and I’m still wearing it. The pockets are big enough for a small tablet or book or various pieces of whatever that my girls hand me. It also has pit vents when I need to air out :).
I’ve had a gore-tex shell from ll bean for almost as long, no complaints.
My REI parka has been…ok. The pocket liners tore, so that’s kind of a pain, and my other complaint is that the inner pocket is so shallow as to be practically unusable. I’m not ready to replace it yet though.
One of my favorite coats from way back was a foul weather jacket by Nautica. It was very comfortable, versatile, and kept me dry during the nastiest weather. I couldn’t find a replacement when it came time though. The material along the some of the stitching started tearing. A few years after I bought the jacket the brand became huge and I couldn’t find anything suitable that didn’t cost hundreds of dollars.
Glad it went well for you. NF had a bit of a supplier problem in he early/mid 90s (counterfeit zippers) that resulted in their having to replace zippers (including the one on my fleece jacket that I am still using after all these years). The counterfeits worked well enough on their own, but they were a hair different from the legit zippers, such that zip-in fleece jackets would zip in to outer shells, but then the zipper would pop open during use.