When most people ski or snowboard in wet conditions, they typically think of waterproof/breathable fabrics. Almost every apparel brand has its own proprietary waterproof/breathable fabric. Admittedly, when most people think of waterproof/breathable fabric, they instantly think of Gore-Tex, but The North Face FUTURELIGHT is the new kid in town. Is their new waterproof/breathable membrane better than Gore-Tex?
Last winter, when The North Face unveiled their new FUTURELIGHT fabric – their own revolutionary waterproof/breathable membrane, I had to check it out. Looking at TNF’s demonstration of FUTURELIGHT last January, they provided a visually compelling presentation that their fabric was better.
There are no bad weather-days, just bad gear days.
— Norwegian Proverb
3 Reasons to like The North Face FUTURELIGHT
- The highest breathability for a waterproof/breathable membrane
- Ultra-thin nanomembrane is soft and drapes very well
- Made of 70% recycled materials
Why is it essential to have a breathable waterproof jacket or pants? Simple, if you ever put your hand in a sandwich bag and sealed it with a rubber band, you would eventually see the moisture that escapes from your body condensing inside the bag. You can dunk your sandwich bag hand in a bucket of water and stay dry from that water, but your hand will still get wet from the condensation inside the plastic bag. It’s kind of like waking up in your tent with condensation on the inside. You are dry from the rain, but your sleeping bag is wet from rubbing against the damp walls inside the tent.
Waterproof/Breathability Trade-off
When you are out recreating, your body temperature increases as you exert more energy. If you are working hard enough, that moisture exits your body trying to cool you down to keep your body a constant temp. Typically, your base and mid-layers have excellent breathability, but your outer layer is designed to keep water out. That’s usually been the trade-off. If you want a waterproof shell, it limits how much moisture can exit the shell. That’s why companies created softshell jackets and pants. These offer excellent breathability but are only water-resistant. The other downside of traditional waterproof/breathable materials is that they are stiff and crinkly, whereas softshells have a nice feel.
The North Face FUTURELIGHT
How did The North Face accomplish the task of creating a best-in-class waterproof/breathable fabric? Simple, they completely re-thought the manufacturing process. To create the FUTURELIGHT membrane, they use 200,000 nozzles that emit a polyurethane solution to a surface below, forming the nanomembrane. This ultra-thin nanomembrane allows air and vapor to escape at a higher rate than Gore-Tex while remaining waterproof.
Since the FUTURELIGHT nanomembrane is ultra-thin, it’s incredibly light and allows the fabric to have a fantastic drape. No longer are you wearing a boxy piece of clothing! I also like the fact that their face and back layers of fabric use 70% recycled materials. The North Face says this is their most sustainably produced fabric to date.
Performance
All of this tech jargon is great, but how does the fabric perform in real life? I’ve had the opportunity to use The North Face’s Freethinker Jacket and Pants this past season. The Freethinker Jacket and Pants are part of their Steep Series and are 3-layer shells designed for skiing and snowboarding, but you can use it for any winter/cold season activity.
First off, I noticed how light and soft the jacket and pants are. They felt more like a softshell, but lighter! The cut and feel of the jacket is fantastic! The fabric has a slight stretch and doesn’t restrict movement.
One example of the breathability is placing my sunglasses inside the mesh pocket during descent. At the bottom, they were dry and moisture-free. Whereas, my glasses typically would be frozen and done for the day in a Gore-Tex jacket.
Vent Zips
The first thing I noticed on the jacket was that it was missing the traditional pit zips. Initially, I thought this would be a problem, but The North Face designed three extra-large pockets on the front of the jacket to double as vents!
During ascents, I typically open both the inner and outer thigh vents on my Gore-Tex pants to release heat. With the Freethinker pants, they only have exterior thigh zips. I thought this would be a negative, but I’ve only had to open them on the warmest of spring days.
I’ve worn the gear in a variety of conditions with ultra-low temps and wet snowstorms, and The North Face FUTURELIGHT has performed beyond my expectations. Throughout the winter, my Gore-Tex jacket and pants gathered dust in the closet. The fit, feel, and performance of The North Face’s FUTURELIGHT is far superior. In terms of durability, it’s held up exceptionally well over the course of an entire season.
Dislikes
After a season of riding chairlifts and touring, I can say that the FreeThinker jacket and pants are a little thin for resort riding. If I’m only doing laps on chairlifts, I’ll wear a heavier mid-layer. Conversely, it’s a perfect weight for touring.
The Freethinker pants are designed more for skiers than snowboarders. I prefer the cut of the Burton AK snowboard pants. However, Burton doesn’t have FUTURELIGHT, therefore, I continued to use The North Face Freethinker pants with FUTURELIGHT because the fabric is that much better than Gore-Tex.
Who is The North Face FUTURELIGHT for?
- Anyone who needs a waterproof/breathable jacket or pants
- People who want the highest breathability in a waterproof jacket
- Someone who desires fabrics made from recycled fabrics as opposed to virgin materials
Common Questions
Question: Is The North Face FUTURELIGHT fabric better than Gore-Tex
Answer: In the lab environment, it is more breathable and just as waterproof. In the natural environment, I feel that FUTURELIGHT is far superior.
Question: Is FUTURELIGHT waterproof?
Answer: Yes, The North Face created a proprietary nano-membrane that is waterproof and breathable.
Question: How do you clean FUTURELIGHT?
Answer: You can use your washing machine with warm water. You can tumble dry it in the dryer, but it’s dries quickly by hanging it on a hanger and air-drying.
Fit and Sizing
The articulation of the jacket and pants is very good. As mentioned above, the Freethinker pants are a bit more skier oriented. If you are 6’2″ with long legs, the XL pants are barely long enough. I wear a size XL jacket and some say the jacket is a bit roomy, but I like the fit. Plus, the sleeves are just the right length for my long arms.
Bottom Line
I’ve designed, tested, and worn a lot of snowboard outwear over the years and I can say that The North Face’s FUTURELIGHT nanomembrane is game-changing. The best way to check it out for yourself is to experience it at a local retailer so you can touch and feel it. If that’s not an option, it’s available for purchase at these retailers.
