Read About When the NeoShell Failed While Testing Mens Backcountry Outerwear. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. Navajo Nation sites have reopened this week, granting visitors access to some of the most culturally significant parks and monuments in the US again. -Three-layer construction. I was warm in New Zealand with The North Face Ventrix puffer underneath the Freethinker Pants and Freethinker Jacket, along with a thermal (but it was unseasonably warm at 6 degrees celcius). Explore a retail store or outlet near you. We like how well the hood cinched up around our heads, sealing out the elements and accommodating a large variety of headwear and head sizes. Depending on the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the jacket, these jackets can breathe better or worse than air-permeable ones. Innovation at any pace. While the FUTURELIGHT jacket and bibs are undoubtedly waterproof, the face fabric fails to bead water droplets after a few good storms. What Is Vectiv? Though trust us, everything has been thought of for this series, the jacket can practically groom the slopes for you. We put it through its paces at the tail end of the season in New Zealand. Blake Snow Sep 30, 2019 5 min read Will North Face win its bet on FutureLight? This nanospinning process deposits a polyurethane solution from over 200,000 nozzles onto a surface where its collected in a randomized matrix to create the membrane. North Face Futurelight: the next fabric to usurp Gore-Tex? Credit: The North Face Using recycled materials and sustainable chemicals TNF set out to create a new standard for waterproof outerwear. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. FUTURELIGHT is our best-in-class standard in breathable-waterproof technology. The Aspen launch was the first widespread test of FUTURELIGHT, which releases this fall with some 30-plus products including jackets, shells, pants, gloves, and tents. Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC. There are several outerwear series to suit your adventure sport of choice, whether it be running, snow sports or climbing, with different thicknesses of fabric for each activity. Men's VECTIV Exploris 2 Mid FUTURELIGHT Leather Boots - The North Face It can be pouring rain outside, and you will remain dry as the metaphorical bone. Here we did a few 1000 foot tours and rode creamy spring lines. For speed and comfort on every trail.Innovation at any pace. It would help if you added a brief 90 seconds to start of podcast to define the acronyms uses for listeners who dont have an advanced degree in industrial fabrics. At least 2, Do you think that futurlight could have the same issues as neoshell in loosing membrane performance over time? Our groundbreaking insulation and ventilation technology.Our groundbreaking insulation and ventilation technology. var ffid = 2; It was a brisk, but bright and sunny spring day where temperatures wavered from the top of the peak, to the valley. So much so theyve named the fabric in full capitals for added confidence. The North Face logo is also of the north face of Half Dome in Yosemite, California. While this might not seem like a big deal in the dry snow of the Wasatch and the Rockies, places with wetter winters and greater temperature swings might notice the water absorbed into the face fabric freezing up and adding stiffness to the cloth. The product has been in the works for a few years, with a lot of science, a lot of testing and a lot of collaboration between The North Face and its band of bad ass outdoor athletes to get to what it is now. This is more durable than Gore-Tex and is commonly used in making heavy-duty outdoor products such as rock climbing equipment. For speed and comfort on every trail. It keeps you dry and allows water vapor and moisture to escape. The material has since been tested extensively by the brand's global athlete team and is expedition proven through use in the highest peaks and harshest environments, including the Himalayas' Lhotse and Everest. The North Faces FUTURELIGHT aims to change the game, and is poised to shake up the industry standard. The hood on the Dryzzle is fantastic with a baseball cap, beanie, or a bare head. This jacket uses a 35D x 20D recycled polyester face fabric, which is thicker and more tear-resistant than average. Well, the fact that the material features a one-sided transfer capability. The jacket was equally waterproof and yes, breathable. Understanding the need for a reimagined fabric, the designers acknowledged it would require a big change, and one that needed to be inline with the TNFs sustainability efforts. Read more about us . No sweat tacos. Get free shipping when you join XPLR Pass or spend $99+. Industry Disruption? The North Face Introduces FutureLight The solution is then used to create a breathable-waterproof film that is bonded to backer and face fabrics. Thanks to the cutting-edge technology of stacking little nano-fiber, The North Face created a much more convenient carry-around fabric. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. No matter how much I sat down or fell over in the slushy spring snow conditions, my legs, butt and base layer stayed dry and I stayed increasingly thrilled. The seam-sealed Men's Summit Series Pumori FUTURELIGHT Jacket delivers breathable, waterproof protection from the elements, whether resting at basecamp or attempting to summit. The North Face's next big thing, Futurelight. Our natural and synthetic temperature-regulating insulation technology. Leave cell service and your worries behind. Gore-Tex products, The North Face Futurelight, and Polartec NeoShell are all examples of laminates. For speed and comfort on every trail. There's a lot of hype around The North Face's newest offering, FUTURELIGHT, a technical outerwear fabric that's supposed to be ultra-breathable as well as waterproof, durable, sustainable, soft and super lightweight. The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. Sam, The Dryzzle is a great all-rounder. var alS = 2021 % 1000; Both their designs make them ideal for outdoor activities. This jacket struck a nice balance of weather resistance, breathability, and weight. To set a new standard in the outerwear industry, we had to test our FUTURELIGHT technology under an entirely new standard. -Stretch fabric with warm backer and adjustable suspenders Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. Although none of the two products can match the quietness of cotton, FutureLight is considerably quieter than the Gore-Tex.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hikingsoul_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hikingsoul_com-leader-3-0'); It is a fact that quality outdoor products are expensive. This new nano-fiber structure has enabled us to create our most lightweight, breathable membrane to date. Shop all The North Face FUTURELIGHT jackets, shoes, and outerwear. With FUTURELIGHT fabric, air permeability also comes into play. Which, I discovered, is kind of like the pace of activities on and off piste in Aspen. As one might expect from The North Face, both the Brigandine and the Summit L5 jackets have perfect cuts for modern skiing style. The North Face has built a reputation by vigorously marketing its products, making it highly visible as a brand. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; Dusty talks about his winter, being named the overall slope champ from '23, and more. Engineered to reduce the effects of wind chill and retain comfort. It is certainly possible, we have no evidence of that yet, but well be keeping a close eye for durability and performance issues during our testing this year! This jacket maintains a steady level of breathability regardless of activity level and nails a sweet spot between weight and durability. This is common for other nanospun fabrics, including Polartecs NeoShell, and is most likely caused by the PFC-free DWR that The North Face uses for its materials. Our most advanced breathable-waterproof outerwear technology. So you know the big guns were there to see exactly what it could do, plus there was me bringing in the whole commoner perspective. All rights reserved. And while its marketed towards the more extreme athlete types out there particularly those who are heading into the backcountry its also perfectly suitable for those who prefer their chairlift time. Even if it is a game changer, I think its probably less because of some wunderkind materials and more because they have realized what everyone else has: that a bombproof water impermeable membrane isnt the be-all, end-all ultimate shell for 99% of situations. This fibre means that the material is stretchy, breathable and super lightweight without sacrificing any performance. If youve ever tried to snowshoe through the forest, or skin up a mountain while also talking to a friend, it might be tough to hear them over the regular swishing of heavy fabric. The bibs, which feature multiple strategically placed pockets, ample venting, and a side-entry zip that make it easy to take a swift backcountry wee, were easily our favorite part of the kit. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); FutureLight vs. Gore-Tex: Both FutureLight and Gore-Tex are water-resistant fabrics that are often found in outdoor gear like rain jackets and boots. Here are 15 amazing ideas for the best things to do in Utah, including national parks, hot springs and gardens. The Dryzzle is among the best at maintaining peripheral vision. From New Year's Day to New Year's Eve, the US calendar is jam-packed with things to do in 2022. This new nano-fiber structure has enabled us to create our most lightweight, breathable membrane to date. What we don't: Middling stability and protection compared to burlier hiking boots. Get free shipping when you join XPLR Pass or spend $99+. The North Face FUTURELIGHT pants are a game changer. This one is free for everyone so you can get a taste of what were offering, but join Outside+ today to get the scoop on gear weve already had the talk with. North Face says that FutureLight is the future of outerwear. Although my preliminary trials are in no way exhaustive enough to dethrone Gore-Tex just yet only time will tell if FutureLight proves as reliable the latter works remarkably well in both wet and winter conditions. Not once. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. This nanospinning process deposits a polyurethane solution from over 200,000 nozzles onto a surface where its collected in a randomized matrix to create the membrane. The result is FUTURELIGHT, our new breathable-waterproof fabric technology. -Mechanical stretch fabric with warm backer. Most fabrics from Gore-Tex or eVent facilitate a pressure difference created by building heat inside the jacket. var slotId = 'div-gpt-ad-hikingsoul_com-medrectangle-3-0'; Launching on October 1, FutureLight uses nano spun micro threads, which promise twice as much breathability with equal waterproofing and durability. FUTURELIGHT allows air and vapour to permeate through the garment while maintaining waterproofness, improving temperature regulation and reducing overheating in changing weather conditions. That first night, we settled into a presentation by Scott Mellin, who walked us through the inception of FUTURELIGHT. FUTURELIGHT: What's Next? | The North Face - YouTube In a press release, The North Face describes Vectiv as "revolutionary soling architecture." That is, the layers of shoe stuff underneath your feet. container.appendChild(ins); One thing that also has to be mentioned is just how quiet the fabric manages to be. Although the two products are made from different materials, they are both designed to offer impressive levels of waterproof ability. To navigate this using the keyboard, please follow these instructions. Heading out the door? Related: How The North Faces FUTURELIGHT is Changing The Game. The FutureLight membrane of the Dryzzle is air permeable and similar in performance to other proprietary air-permeable materials. READ DIGITAL VERSION: 22/23 Winter Buyers Guide, Listen to our podcast with Nikwax to learn more, Win an Avalanche Safety Course with 57hours, 5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers Selections (19/20), Blister Brand Guides: Mountain Bike Lineups, Scotts background in product innovation (5:55), Futurelight vs. Polartec Neoshell (19:45), Tuning Futurelight for different designs (21:22), Athlete testing at The North Face (36:40). Thredbos queer winter wonderland, Rainbow Mountain, is back! While catching a cab to my hotel, The Limelight, I asked my driver why the Christmas lights endured into March. Its first-ever circular collection is designed to make your gear easily recyclable at the end of its journey. The 3-layer construction and tough 35D face fabric of the Dryzzle mean it is more long-lasting, but as a result, it only offers average weight and packed size.