north face or similar jacket

[neeleymartin]

i am looking to get a new jacket, from dh for xmas.

i currently an wearing a black fleece zip down from the black dog, that mimics the north face type. i have had it for about 6 years and it has dog/cat hair that is now woven into the fleece. just looks old and worn, time for a new one.

i am not interested in dh spending much more than $75. is there an alternative? maybe a store brand that is great, ie ems, rei, etc.

what do you guys have that you like?

must be:
full zip
available in black
machine wash/dry (i guess all fleece it)
slimmer style/fit, tapered waist

providing links would be helpful. i have been searching cl and thrifts but no luck. tia

[LD92599]

Lands End makes a North Face lookalike! It's $79.50 & was additional 30% off in sears stores tonight (and maybe another 15% off for F&F too).

It's this:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/ThermaCheck300Jacket~198957_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::IBU&CM_MERCH=IDX_00007__0000001034&origin=index


It's $54.50 online!

[elliput]

I have a LE Marinac (http://www.landsend.com/pp/MarinacJacket~186620_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000153)jacket. I love that is both windproof and water resistant. Definitely a good alternative to NF in my opinion.

[ellies mom]

Costco sometimes has one. My husband bought one that he likes and I know they sold a woman's version.

[Penny's Pappa]

I just bought a Marmot Reactor fleece jacket off eBay for like $25. Really pleased with it. REI has some great stuff too.

FYI, when it comes to good quality fleece/synthetic, it is generally recommended to allow them to air dry.

Other brands I would recommend are:

Arc'teryx
Cloudveil
Mountain Hardware
Patagonia
Mammut

Unfortunately, good quality tech clothing is expensive. Especially when you consider that most articles are designed to be worn AS A SYSTEM rather than as a stand-alone item. Personally, I wear inexpensive mid-layer fleeces under an Arc'teryx softshell and so far I've been comfy even in 30 degree and windy conditions.

[WatchingThemGrow]

i got this one (http://www.landsend.com/pp/ThermaCheck200FleeceParka~186495_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::SPB&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000141&origin=index)in cream and like it. it keeps my lower back warm b/c of the length, and has a hood, so one less thing to remember. i like the piping on the edges. I got it for $44 on sale. As all LE stuff is, I can stand a little boring for good function.