Article by Jeff Valliere
The North Face Summit Series Superior FUTURELIGHT Jacket ($300)
Sizes XS-XXL
6.4oz/182g
Pros: Lightweight, protective, secure hood, soft flexible materials, recycled content, fit, style
Cons: Price, hand pockets and some zippered venting would be nice
Introduction: The North Face Summit Series Superior FUTURELIGHT Jacket was designed for trail running, made from a 100% recycled, breathable-waterproof FUTURELIGHT fabric. It is exceptionally lightweight, thin, flexible and allows for maximum freedom of movement and articulation.
Features:
The adjustable hood with cinch cord is comfortable and easily allows for a range of head movement without feeling in the way. The elasticized cinch cord snugs up the hood well and keeps it put in the wind.
The jacket is made of breathable, waterproof, seam sealed FUTURELIGHT 3L material that is very soft and made with recycled polyester. We have an elasticized hem cinch to keep out the drafts, as well as a two way front zipper for venting and such.
The logos along with other accents are reflective for night visibility/safety.
There is a good sized pocket on the right hip that can stow an iPhone, keys or other small essentials and which also doubles as a stow pocket.
It is easy to pack the jacket into the stow pocket and is a little bigger than palm size. If I could ask for improvements, it would be to have two hand pockets and perhaps a chest pocket, or a rear lumbar pocket and venting zippers at the sides, but I get they are trying to save weight here, managing an impressive 182 grams in my size medium (12 grams less than my iPhone 13 mini with case).
Fit/Performance/Conclusions:
The Superior FUTURELIGHT Jacket is a standard fit and is perfect for me in my usual size medium (I am 5’9”/145 lbs). It is not too loose and flappy, even when just wearing a run tee underneath, yet leaves plenty of room for layering underneath without feeling confining.
The North Face packs a lot of performance here into a very reasonable package, as the jacket is so light and packs up so nicely for a 3L jacket with a waterproof breathable membrane. There are lighter jackets out there, but few, if any, provide such protection and functionality at this size/weight. For running, it is reasonably breathable, though some pit zips or pocket vents would be appreciated (but again, there is the weight factor here).
On windy, high summits, it acts as an amazing windbreak and is super secure and cozy with the well fitted and secure hood. I have not yet had to rely on this jacket in a deluge, but I stayed very dry in light rain and also have tested the materials in the shower and under the faucet with no water getting through.
I would highly recommend for high mountain adventures in the shoulder seasons and summer, as a lightweight packable travel rain jacket, casual use (the blue is super stylish and sharp, eliciting compliments even from my teenage daughters), or for anytime you are on an adventure and want a shell you can rely on to stay protected.
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
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