The following review has been written by our lead Climbaxe guide Russ, he is not affiliated with The North Face in anyway and has not received any merchandise, payment or benefits from TNF.
When I started trekking and climbing around 20years ago the go to brand most climbers went with was #thenorthface I remember my first jacket was a Nuptse and I lived in it until it literally fell off my back. The more I got involved in mountaineering I started to get more serious about my kit and especially my hard shell's. I learnt pretty quick that your hard shell is probably the most important piece of clothing you can have. With the Uk generally getting blasted with westerlies we inhabit a very wet Island, so a good waterproof is a must not only to keep you dry but also help reduce the effects of wind-chill.
Hard shell's come into there own during winter season and there ability to shed snow and snow melt, keep you dry from spindrift and generally maintain your core temperature as part of your layering system is priceless. My first, lets say professional hard shell was part of #thenorthface summit series, it really was a fantastic jacket and I continued using them for many years...Until one particular year I noticed my new jacket just simply wasn't doing what I was used to. The consistency had gone, the quality and build felt poor and I just didn't like where the brand was moving, I felt like #thenorthface was losing there mojo. So I moved onto another famous brand made by a then small operation in Canada. I continued using the brand until guess what? a buy out from a large corporate company and the personal feel went, customer service diminished, the jackets didn't have the same build quality and I was back to square one. What I did notice was that #thenorthface was doing a very large promotional push on there #summitseries brand, and there new futurelight fabric. It had been almost 10 years since id worn anything #thenorthface and I'd been heavily invested in #GoreTex and #GoretexPro but I decided to head to my local #thenorthface store and see what all the hype was about.
SUMMIT TORRE EGGER FUTURELIGHT™ JACKET: First Impressions?
I walked into the store and there right in the centre was a display, all glitz and professional mountain spec, the jacket displayed in a way that seemed to make it appear like it was floating. I walked over and instantly I thought this is special!! Seriously I know it may sound like I'm gushing over this, its only a jacket!! but really it just oozes quality, unashamedly so. The fabric is robust yet super supple, it feels absolutely bomber and as it should due to it being a 3 layer laminate but its so supple. I asked to try one on and it just felt like I was a Knight off Game of Thrones and no white walkers where going to bother me, never mind a snow storm on the Cairngorm plateau. Every thing on it is seriously thought out. I asked if I could put a pack on in the store as I wanted to see how the jacket was on me and how it performed. Every single pocket was accessible, even the chest pocket with the chest strap fastened on the pack. what more there is even elasticated mini net pockets inside to secure small items, as well as a good old fashioned glove pocket inside the jacket for those winter stashes. There are various cinch cords as in most jackets on the market, but the #summittorreegger jacket has a fantastic mechanism that is very easy to operate, even with thick gloves on (I know because I asked to wear a pair in the store!!) I particularly liked the way the cords used to adjust the closure of the hood around the face are inside the jacket and the release buttons are within the collar, easily loosen with a pinch of the finger and thumb. This may seem a little underwhelming, but I guarantee in strong winds on a ridge your going to appreciate not getting whipped in the eyes by elastic cords. The hood is extremely generous and fits very well in fact very very well over a helmet, the ability to fine tune the fitting so your head doesn't turn inside your hood when wearing a helmet while still maintaining protection from the collar is very welcome also.
The Futurelight fabric as I said before is very supple for a 3 layer fabric, this makes the jacket very quiet, it hardly rustles when you move, maybe not so important when your standing in a store, but on a two and a half hour Scottish walk in you'll be glad of it.
I know this sounds like I wont have anything bad to say about this hard shell and to be honest there is very little about it that I don't like, but even 20 years ago when I first started to wear #thenorthfacesummitseries clothing the sizing was always off for me. I never really fitted into a small size, it fitted me but the arms always seemed a little too short and it just raised up a little too much when I lifted my arms and the medium always seemed to be just that ever so slightly too large. maybe its me...or maybe #thenorthface sizing is just a little bit odd!! (like the last on Italian mountaineering boots) either way I go for the medium as the slightly longer length helps keep my backside dry a lot longer. So what do the #thenorthface say about the #summittorreegger jacket.?
Designed in collaboration with The North Face® athletes, the Summit Torre Egger FUTURELIGHT™ Jacket defies the challenges of high alpine climbing, taking you further, higher. Engineered with the highest level of breathable-waterproof protection, it's built for pushing your limits, even in the most extreme weather conditions. The three-layer fabric is lighter under the arms, with underarm vents for breathability and comfort. Special zips help reduce bulk and increase flexibility, while the helmet-compatible hood is fully adjustable with a bonded brim that keeps the rain off your face without blocking your vision. And if you're carrying a back during your climb, seamless shoulders reduce the chances of chafing and discomfort. Even better, recycled materials make it better for the environment, protecting the landscapes we tread. Summit Series™ layers all work together for optimum performance in terms of breathability, insulation, weather resistance and moisture management.
Style:7UTDCentreback :77,47 CmFabric -
Body :70D, 153 G/M², FUTURELIGHT™ 3L—100% Recycled Nylon With Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) FinishFabric
Underarms :20D, 91 G/M², FUTURELIGHT™ 3L—100% Recycled Polyester Face Fabric And 100% Recycled Nylon Tricot With Durable Water-Repellent (DWR)
FinishSizes :S-XXL
FEATURES
Designed for alpine climbing with targeted fabrics for comfort and breathability.
Breathable-waterproof, seam-sealed FUTURELIGHT™ 3L shell
Lighter-weight fabric under arms for breathability and comfort
Articulated patterning for fit and mobility
Targeted use of YKK® AquaGuard® FLATKNIT® zips helps reduce bulk and increase flexibility
Attached, fully adjustable, helmet-compatible, partial-drop hood with a bonded brim
No shoulder seams for reduced bulk and extra comfort while you’re wearing a pack
Underarm gussets for better mobility
#5 YKK® AquaGuard® VISLON® centre front zip
Chest pocket with a YKK® AquaGuard® FLATKNIT® zip and internal gear loop
Harness-compatible hand pockets with a YKK® AquaGuard® FLATKNIT® zip
Underarm vents with a YKK® AquaGuard® FLATKNIT® zip
Bonded cuff tabs with a hook-and-loop closure
Brushed-tricot chin guard and collar lining with laser-cut perforations for breathability and comfort
Two internal mesh drop pockets
Internal hem cinch-cord with single-point adjustment
How Have You Tested ?
This jacket has been tested and I really mean tested this year, It has had a solid Scottish winter season at the start of the year and performed superb, it has kept me dry while climbing, resisted abrasion well and has managed to regulate my temperature with ease. It has been on expedition to Iceland and dealt with various weather conditions from heavy rain, dust storms and general mountain clag. Been on numerous UK adventures, #National3peaks challenge events, and also done a traverse of the #CuillinRidge and everything Gabbro rock can throw at it. I have washed it once with #nikwax #techwash and reproofed it once also and seriously the thing still looks in amazing condition.
Pros and Cons ?
Pricing is a lot higher North!! than most jackets, although if you are a holder of any recognised mountain qualifications you may qualify for #thenorthface Pro Program. I've attached the link below, fill in the details send off your application and if you qualify the deals can be a great benefit
Sizing can be a little off, more than say your usual brand, my suggestion is that you try before you buy, also try with a pack on, use the zips and cords with gloves on (winter weight) and even try with a helmet. It may sound overkill but when you may be spending north of £500 on a jacket you want it to tick all the boxes right??
This jacket is absolutely bomber yet very very comfortable.
Build quality is brilliant, laminates are well bonded, tapes are also well bonded, zip quality is amazing (I have had no pockets fill in heavy continuous downpours)
Probably one of the best hoods on a jacket.
The Final Score!!!
I have been super impressed with the #thenorthface #summittorreegger jacket, its refreshing to know that there is another fabric out there other than #gortex that is capable of doing the job. TNF and the summit series brand is summit serious!!! and I can honestly say with hand on hart that they have definitely got there MOJO back well and truly.
It has been a very very long time since I have used a winter weight full hard shell and been amazed by its performance but the #summittorreeggerjacket is well and truly up there, I'm probably going to wear this till it falls off my back!
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Stay safe, and happy trekking!!
Russ