Trail RunningThe North FaceTrail Running Jacket

The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight trail running jacket review: featherlight, breathable protection

Phenomenal performance for a phenomenal price, with a very long name.

✓  Top PickTNF Summit Superior FutureLight Weight230 gMembraneFutureLightPrice£270 The good✓  Exceptional breathability
✓  Very lightweight at 230 g
✓  Tiny pack size (grapefruit)
✓  Doesn’t look overly technical
✓  Fully taped seams
✓  Adjustable duckbill hood
✓  Soft inner — no sticking to skin
✓  YKK storm zipper — never snagged
The not-so-good✗  One of the most expensive trail running jackets on the market
✗  Delicate — not suited to use under heavy packs
✗  Hand strap is too long
Check price at The North Face →

At a glance

Buy the Summit Superior FutureLight at The North Face →

Overview

The North Face is one of the most renowned brands in the outdoor space, though for us it has become a largely overlooked player in UK mountain kit — predominantly down to ubiquitous marketing. Are they a high-street fashion brand? Is their kit suitable for mountain use? Naturally their ambassador-driven campaigns would tell you it is, yet the slew of ‘Never Stop Exploring’ hoodies you see in the pub on a Friday night tends to argue the opposite. We have long wondered whether the brand has become more of a fashion label than a genuine manufacturer of quality mountain kit. Well, sorry for ever doubting you, The North Face. The Summit Superior FutureLight puts a stop to those thoughts in one wear — it is such a phenomenally well-designed and considered garment for high-output activities and mountain use.

Weighing in at 230 g, the Summit Superior FutureLight is a lightweight waterproof and breathable jacket for running trails or training hard outdoors. It packs down into its own stuff pocket (which comes with a handy strap for easy carrying while running), has a fully adjustable hood complete with a duckbill peak to keep the rain out of your face, and features fully taped seams for maximum waterproofness.

The Summit Superior is manufactured using The North Face’s proprietary FutureLight technology. Promising enhanced breathability and industry-leading waterproofness (despite no hydrostatic head ratings being released for the material), the membrane is created using a nanospun polyurethane fibre structure which allows air to permeate through the garment while maintaining waterproofness, improving temperature regulation and reducing overheating in changing weather conditions. And while that marketing speak does not necessarily help us understand what FutureLight can truly do, we can speak directly to the impressive breathability of the jacket and the lovely feel of the membrane in use.

One downside is the price. When bought directly from The North Face, the Summit Superior FutureLight costs £270. That puts it at the top end for trail running jackets. And while we wish this jacket could cost a fraction of the price, we ultimately need to appreciate the incredible quality of this product. It is the most comfortable trail running jacket we have ever tested, and considering the weight, breathability and waterproofness it delivers, we can see why this tiny raincoat costs more than many winter down jackets.

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How we tested

We have had the Summit Superior FutureLight in the office for quite a while now. Before writing this review, we used it on numerous runs and hikes, including some longer trail runs through several UK national parks, a handful of rainy 5ks, and two reasonably long jaunts in the Swiss Alps. We wore it on windy outings in near-25-degree heat, and we had it on during early morning escapades where the temperature in the wind was hitting a chilly 6 degrees. We put it up against driving wind, pouring rain and beating sun. All this is merely to illustrate that we put this jacket through some rather miserable weather — and it kept us nothing but dry and comfortable every time.

Every time we used the jacket, we found it comfortable, well-considered and very much fit for purpose. We especially rate the FutureLight membrane, which allows for increased breathability versus similar jackets while still keeping the rain out in stormy weather. Soft and malleable, the material feels much more like a fleece-like softshell rather than a crinkly hardshell, and it does not make a sound when you move in it.

Features and performance

Fit and feel

Due to the soft inner, the jacket does not stick to your skin anywhere, which is often a gripe of ours when wearing waterproof layers. We have been used to donning long-sleeve running or hiking tops in expectation of inevitable British rain, as without them, sleeves especially can become sticky and uncomfortable — even when using highly-rated GORE-TEX hardshells. Thankfully, that is not the case at all with the Summit Superior, and we enjoyed getting out in just a t-shirt, safe in the knowledge that we would remain comfortable should the heavens open.

Weighing 230 g, the jacket is very lightweight and packs down to about the size of a large grapefruit. This makes it ideal for just tossing in your pack when you head outside — you do not even notice it in your trail running vest. The inner pocket works as a stuff pouch for easily packing it away, and it even comes with a clever hand strap so you can carry it when running without a pack. In our experience, however, the hand strap is quite long and did not sit very snugly around our hands. It still adds an additional layer of stability when carrying on a run, but we would love to see a shorter strap here.

“It is the most comfortable trail running jacket we have ever tested. Soft, quiet and genuinely breathable — even running hills in warmer weather.”

On the trail

To that end, we are looking forward to testing out more FutureLight kit, as we think The North Face have nailed it so far. The breathability is the headline act — the jacket remains highly breathable even when running hills in warmer weather, and it does a great job at mitigating perspiration build-up inside. We think the Summit Superior FutureLight is the most breathable lightweight running jacket we have ever tested.

In terms of waterproofness, it is very much on par with — if not better than — equivalent lightweight waterproof jackets. And in the wind, it performs just as well: it cuts out any and all gusts, and due to the tight fit of the garment, it does not flap about. With the hood cinched down tight, you can also cut out all wind getting into your ears.

Durability

When it comes to durability, this jacket is definitely something you are going to want to be careful with. It weighs about the same as a billiard ball, after all, so it is bound to be a little temperamental. The lightweight materials could be easily damaged if you trip on the trails or get the jacket caught on overhanging branches. We would not suggest wearing this under a heavy pack — on a thru-hike or multi-day backpacking trip, for example — for fear of wearing down the membrane under the straps.

That aside, the tighter fit minimises flapping (and any chance of snagging), and the YKK storm zipper on the front is solid and easy to use — it never snagged once throughout the whole time we tested this coat.

Buy the Summit Superior FutureLight at The North Face →

Our verdictThe most comfortable trail running jacket we’ve ever tested — and we love it.The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight is a fantastic trail running jacket. It looks beautiful, works wonderfully, and delivers everything you want from a lightweight waterproof coat. It can be used on all of your trail running or hiking adventures (as long as you are not carrying a super heavy pack), while looking good enough to wear on your rainy morning commute. We love it and are glad to have tested it as comprehensively as we did. We are also looking forward to continuing to use it on all of our wet and windy runs around the UK — it is one of the best jackets out there right now.Buy the Summit Superior FutureLight →

FAQs

How waterproof is The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight?Very. Constructed from The North Face’s proprietary FutureLight membrane, no hydrostatic head ratings have been released, but we found it on par with — if not better than — equivalent lightweight waterproof jackets.

How breathable is The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight?Exceptionally breathable. The FutureLight membrane’s nanospun polyurethane structure allows air to permeate through while maintaining waterproofness. We found it to be the most breathable lightweight running jacket we have ever tested — even during hill efforts in warmer weather, perspiration build-up is minimal.

How does The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight perform in the wind?Excellently. It cuts out all gusts, and the tight fit means it does not flap about. With the hood cinched down tight, wind is blocked from getting into your ears too.

Is The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight worth the money?At £270 it is one of the most expensive trail running jackets out there. But when you compare its price versus performance — market-leading breathability, reliable waterproofing, 230 g, packs to a grapefruit — you get a market-leading product for your money. For runners tackling serious terrain in all conditions, it is one of the best waterproof shells we have tested.