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Thread: FutureLight - The North Face
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01-02-2020, 07:05 PM #76Registered User
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01-03-2020, 02:20 PM #77Registered User
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01-03-2020, 04:51 PM #78
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01-03-2020, 08:08 PM #79Registered User
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Yep, after another wet storm on Whistler today I can confirm that you will get damp if you wear FutureLight in these conditions, at least for the A-CAD bib.
The weight isn't a big issue for me and I had planned to tour in them on storm days (prefer softshell pants for 90% of touring days).
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01-04-2020, 12:55 PM #80Registered User
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01-04-2020, 01:08 PM #81Registered User
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It's also soaking through on the thighs after a couple of hours riding wet chairlifts. I don't think this would be as big of an issue while touring, since the face fabric is very smooth and sheds snow well unless you're getting snowed on for an extended period of time while in a sitting position. The surface fabric wets out and stops beading water before the membrane fails.
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01-26-2020, 12:08 AM #82
Trying to choose between the OR Interstellar and the Summit L5 LT for a lightweight touring shell, some stuff I read today suggests Ascentshell / Neoshell / Futurelight all have about the same WPB performance. The Interstellar is $150 cheaper and is probably easier-going when it comes to warranty claims, should it ever be necessary.
A guy by the name of "Stephen Seeber" commented on a Wildsnow article and claims to have done some testing.
I have done testing of Neoshell, AscentShell and Futurelight. All are electrospun PU membranes. There are two test numbers that matter for each: Hydrostatic head measures water resistance. MVTR measures vapor transmission.
Here is what each does, respectively for HH and MVTR: Neoshell - 16170, 2940; AscentShell - 16170, 3060; FutureLight - 16416, 2780. All of these fabrics are very similar in performance. Now, consider Gore Pro and Gore Pro Shell. Gore Pro - 30000+, 2869, Gore Pro Shell - 30000+, 1800.
<snip> Gore Pro Shell is pretty crappy. Gore Pro is a big improvement. Where Gore shines is in its water resistance. If you sit in a puddle with the the microspun garments, you may get a wet ass. If you do the same with Gore Pro, you won’t. I enjoyed Neoshell for many years. However, I had a lot of problems with leakage in my pants from sliding on snow. Now my pants are Gore Pro.Last edited by 1000-oaks; 01-26-2020 at 12:31 AM.
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01-26-2020, 06:31 AM #83Registered User
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01-26-2020, 07:40 AM #84Banned
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If those numbers are accurate, I don't see why anyone would buy anything other than Gore Pro, besides price.
It's basically just as breathable as FutureLight/AscentShell/NeoShell, but it's actually waterproof too. Of course, there are multiple ways to measure "breathability" and I'm not sure if this test is the best at approximating "real world" conditions.Last edited by glademaster; 01-26-2020 at 08:04 AM.
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01-26-2020, 08:14 AM #85Registered User
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01-26-2020, 08:38 AM #86Banned
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That's a fair point. I own a Skyward jacket and I agree that the fabric has a nicer feel than Gore-Tex Pro.
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01-26-2020, 11:10 AM #87
"Air permeability" is also a factor for this class of materials, and it appears Futurelight does this a little better than Neoshell and AscentShell, though all three are MUCH better than Gore Pro in terms of CFM. Of the three electrospun materials, looks like it comes down to evaluating the features of the garment vs cost more than the WPB performance.
More from Stephen:
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/...e-futurelight/
https://www.dropbox.com/s/emgxodiuxo...uturelight.pdf
My takeaway is the electrospun stuff is good for touring pants and jackets, and might be okay for an inbounds jacket depending on the climate in your area. Probably not a good idea for inbounds pants unless it's a sunny, dry day.
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01-26-2020, 11:15 AM #88Banned
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Yeah, I know some people are into that. I want my shells to be windproof. If I need to move some air through them, I'll open my vents and unzip my fly. To each their own. It's nice to there are a wide variety of weather-resistant/breathable fabrics on the market these days.
I would be interested to see how Dermizax compares in these tests.
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01-26-2020, 02:46 PM #89Registered User
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02-25-2020, 11:45 AM #90
My experience with the fabric. I have the SUMMIT L5 LT FUTURELIGHT™ JACKET and the Purist FUTURELIGHT Bibs.
The pants have been amazing, super breathable, light, comfie and have been tested in numerous storm days in +2cm/hour dumps at 0 to -5C. Riding chairs and touring. During lift days I'll wear a pretty sturdy pair of shorts over my underwear otherwise my ass will get wet. The pants do get moist on the outside, but generally repell the water/snow well. I re-waterproofed them after about 40 days with both nikwax cleaner and treatment. I ski a lot of trees because we get a lot of storms and they are holding up well to the occasional brush with trees/branches. I'm overall very happy with them. Big pockets, good zippers nice suspender system.
The jacket on the otherhand has been a bit of a problem thus far. Couldn't be happier with the breathability, wind stop, and waterproofness but the little fella just ain't sturdy enough for skiing in the woods. About the 20th day with the jacket, buddy riding the chair with me says "hey your jacket's ripped", sure enough a 3" by 4" L shaped rip on my Lt shoulder. Didn't even feel any impact from a branch or tree. It was definately a grazing event. So I figured, hey it was a one off and I've worn duct tape patches more often than not in my past life so what the hell. Into the lodge and I dry her off and duct tape it. A little sad because the duct tape is now covering up my summit series logo and now no one can tell how cool I am, but I get over quickly because it's a powder day.
Two days later and it's another full on powder/storm day and I'm riding up the chair with the wife after skiing some trees and she says "you've got another two rips on your jacket". Sure enough another rip on the right arm and right shoulder area. Let's be clear, these weren't major impacts with branches/wood. I've had some of those and I remember the impacts. These would have been at best "brushes" with brush.
So I'm afraid the fabric ain't gonna pass the muster for me as a jacket. I loved the weight, waterproofness and breathability but it is just not durable enough for me as a daily driver jacket. Perhaps, if TNF sees fit to give me another one, I'll keep it for alpine adventure days. Otherwise I think it's back to my old 6 year old steep tech jacket.“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
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02-25-2020, 11:48 AM #91
Saw some scathing reviews for the new Futurelight tents; apparently they're fine for snowfall but rain comes through the fabric and floods the tent.
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02-25-2020, 09:47 PM #92
Update from TNF. They'll refund me the cost of the jacket but cannot find any futurelight jackets in my size in canada. The gal I talked to thought the non "LT" version would probably work for me and is tougher fabric. Guess I can check in the states for it. Otherwise, going to be looking for a different brand.
edit, guess that was only in their stores, found one at Altitude. We'll see how this one holds up.“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
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This is OUR mountain - come join us!
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10-19-2020, 11:52 AM #93Registered User
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All the futurelight jacket from the steep series are sold out since a while now. I was looking for the brigandine. Any idea when/if they will add new models?
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10-19-2020, 02:58 PM #94Registered User
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The production was apparently affected/shut down due to covid, which is why the 2021 Summit/Steep series have not been launched on their site. You can find some of the garments - like the A Cads - at certain major retailers like Evo.com, but availibility of high end FutureLight products will supposedly be severely restricted in certain markets this year - at least for the first part of the season.
I really, really like the FutureLight stuff. I had to warrenty a L5 Summit jacket due to excessive wear on certain panels (not symmetrical or due to the rubbing, so something wrong with the fabric), but I had already bought a new one before the warranty issue was resolved (full refund). The only thing I do not like about it is is the lack of handwarmer pockets, but oh well. Other than that I really like it - it is simply excellent.
I also own a Brigandine FutureLight jacket, and quite like it too. The fit is much roomier, the fabric is a lot sturdier and it has much more pockets and vents. I would def get it over the L5 for tree/resort skiing, though the L5 is great for touring.
I understand that their pants have performed a bit variably, especially in super wet weather. My guess is that they pushed the flex vs waterproofness variable a bit too far toward flexible, where torrential rain would just be a bit too demanding. Most types of snow conditions (other than spring slush) should not pose much of an issue - below freezing temperatures is much less demanding than <10=0 celsius and lots of heavy rain. I have not used their pants myself though - I have gore tex bibs for that use that I really like, so did not want to swap.
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10-20-2020, 09:10 AM #95Registered User
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Quick update after ~100 days in the Purist Bibs.
For touring, the futurelight fabric is awesome. Breathable, stretchy, more than waterproof enough for storm days, nice pockets, good venting and quality fit. I had a bunch of close calls with trees, rocks, ski lifts, tables, ski edges and outside of a few odd scuffs they held up admirably. They are easily the most comfortable pant I've worn for walking around in the mountains during the winter.
That said, I spent 60% of my season riding lifts/working in Utah. If all I was doing was riding lifts or lived in one of the wetter coastal climates I'd look for a different pair of pants. They were fine 90% of the time, but on big storm days or ultra cold days I was left desiring a burlier product. The futurelight fabric would eventually saturate through and my long underwear would get wet on the big storm days while riding chairlifts. And on the days where the temperature was 5 to -20 degrees or crazy windy I would need to wear more layers to stay warm. None of these issues are really surprising, but worth noting.
TLDR: Overall, I am happy with my purchase and would buy them again. Especially since I will be living in SWCO this winter and walking for 75%+ of my turns. If you're riding inbounds only or live in the PNW I'd look elsewhere.
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10-21-2020, 05:13 PM #96Registered User
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Thank you for your feedback. I mostly ride lifts so I am leaning toward the Brigandine. I had the Purist GTX jacket but they removed the Underarm zip vents on the futurelight model. I still have the older Brigandine GTX bib, it is not great for skinning with the weird crotch inseam but it's good enough for me. I contacted EVO and TNF. EVO told me they will receive a new model in the future but they don't know when; TNF customer service told me some BS, (that the steep and summit series were discontinued).
As a member of the pro program I expected more information on a possible release date of their pro equipment...
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12-16-2020, 08:39 AM #97
Anybody try one of these?
I like the idea of the Futurelight being less rigid, lighter than full Gore, but am concerned about the durability based on Gary From Terrace generating rips/tears in the Summit style jacket. The RETRO one claims to have more durable patches on the shoulders and elbows...
Not looking for this to be my choice for POW days, got something else for that, looking to replace a lightweight Patagucci shell that I liked the feel of, but it also failed the durability tests...Last edited by Scooter65; 12-16-2020 at 09:52 AM.
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12-18-2020, 01:22 PM #98
Nevermind...I bought something off the patagooch Worn Wear Site
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12-24-2020, 09:41 AM #99
Maggots rejoice, our dreams have come true.
Outdoor Wear And Luxury Fashion Team Up With The North Face And Gucci Collaborating In The Spirit Of Exploration
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12-24-2020, 10:07 AM #100Registered User
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