The North Face Futurelight Testing

Here at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Richard Shepherd is Purchasing Director and has been the head buyer for mountain and outdoor clothing for over 25 years. He has personally tested several hundred products in challenging outdoor conditions (as a skier, mountain walker, scrambler and an endurance cyclist), and was very excited about the new FUTURELIGHT™ gear from The North Face.

Earlier this year, Richard headed out with The North Face training team to test the new FUTURELIGHT™ collection in Arctic Svalbard and the Swiss Alps. We quizzed him about how he got on and what he thought about this new technology.

 

So, you’re stuck in front of a computer all day?

RS> Well I do work with a fantastic team of buyers, all with the clear brief of filling our stores with only the very best, latest outdoor and snowsports gear available. I’m also lucky enough to try out the products we sell in stunning locations and in some pretty wild weather throughout the year – I pretend it’s work but it’s too enjoyable to call it that.

 

One preview of FUTURELIGHT™ claims, “Up to now we have worn apparel we need to adapt to, now, we have apparel that adapts to us,” what does that mean to you?

RS> Well it does sound like marketing speak, but seriously, what I’ve found is that you can get on with your activities and not think about what you are wearing – simply put it on and leave it on all day.

 

What did you find most impressive when you tested FUTURELIGHT™ garments?

RS> The thing I’ve found the most striking in addition to its obvious breathability is that it’s such a quiet/soft fabric to use, and being so soft, it’s supremely comfortable to wear all day.

I’ve tested the fabric in a wide variety of conditions – from cold, high altitude glaciers above Zermatt, through to mixed weather spring ski touring in Svalbard; - getting a good workout breaking trail through deep fresh snow is a genuine way to find out how breathable your clothing is! In short, it's impressive.

I’ve also used the FUTURELIGHT Flight jacket on long endurance bike rides in bleak, wet weather conditions – again, it exceeded all expectations.

The trip to Svalbard will stay in my memory for a very long time – wow, what a fantastic place – if you get the chance grab it and go. You won’t be disappointed!

 

Most outdoor manufacturers use the same core materials to make their gear but The North Face have gone it alone with new FUTURELIGHT™. Sensible move?

RS> If you want to push the boundaries on any technology then you have to set out with a clear vision. Some of it is about having the financial resources to be able to do that but it is much more about having the focus to simply create the very best product possible for the end-user. The North Face have certainly done that.

The North Face incorporates FUTURELIGHT in all three of their pinnacle clothing series; Summit for mountain use, Steep for snowsports and Flight for fast-paced activities. 

 

Along with functionality, sustainability is a corporate consideration. How does FUTURELIGHT™ measure up?

RS> Sustainability is quite rightly being taken seriously by pretty much all of our suppliers. The North Face are ahead of the pack having set new standards in responsible production using recycled fabrics in a cleaner, solar-powered environment using methods that cut chemical consumption and utilising a new super durable, non-fluorinated water repellent finish. FUTURELIGHT production definitely ticks all the sustainability boxes and delivers improved performance.

So is FUTURELIGHT™ truly a game-changer?

RS> Well we must not forget that there are lots of other great materials on the market, some with decades of reliable history, but FUTURELIGHT is set to shake the market up and I believe that moving forwards a bit of healthy competition for those established brands will only drive standards and performance even higher.