The North Face Activist Futurelight Mens Walking Trainers

Product Information

I asked Mellin to compare FUTURELIGHT with Polartec’s NeoShell or Outdoor Research’s AscentShell. He had no comment. Mellin said TNF would release more test data this fall, at which point some of the lab-generated specs can be compared for anyone interested in the membrane wars.

Ever since we first became aware of FutureLight’s shift into footwear, we’ve been intrigued to see how the technology would be implemented in the world of walking boots. To be sure, it can’t handle high exertion in warm temps. But nothing we’ve tested in this category can. At the end of the day, my base layer top — a long-sleeve FlashDry synthetic by The North Face — was wet with sweat. It took 2 years of R&D to bring FUTURELIGHT to market. The company has tested it across the world with its athletes and to the summit of Mount Everest. Water beads on the face. It was waterproof in my test, though sunny skies and wind in Colorado prevented a full “rain test” of FUTURELIGHT. Photo credit: Tomas Zuccareno

Never Take Off Your Shell Jacket?

With everything that’s going on in the world right now, our thoughts are constantly turning to the future. What will the future be like? Will the future be fun? Will there be adventures in the future? The Activist’s Mid’s main draw is FUTURELIGHT, an electrospun, air-permeable waterproof/breathable membrane. During a rainy trip in Arizona’s Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness, the tech kept our feet dry but ensured they never got too sweaty with temps in the 80s. An extra-soft collar and cushier-than-average EVA midsole sweeten the deal even more. FUTURELIGHT is a harbinger to what TNF notes is a massive move “outside the supply chain.” The company spent millions to veer away from the available options and toward proprietary materials that could better distinguish the brand. We’re yet to take these things out on a proper adventure but so far, so good. We’re looking forward to getting out there, with them on our feet, and seeing what they’re really made of. Buy the North Face Activist FutureLight here You May Also Like We wondered: Why couldn’t we wear a shell all day, never taking it off?” Mellin recalled. “Andres pushed me to think outside the current paradigm, and I then challenged our internal teams with the same theme.” Is Nanospinning Really New?

Seeing the technology implemented in footwear is a fascinating development. The Activist FutureLight claims to have an advanced level of waterproofing, while also being breathable enough to regulate temperature and keep you comfortable. But Mellin confirmed to GearJunkie that FUTURELIGHT, though born of a process similar to other competing waterproof-breathable membranes, is a new, unique format. It’s manufactured in Korea outside of Seoul. TNF worked with a factory that makes insulating elements for electronics. It created new machines to develop a new kind of membrane that would slip into the fabric workflow.Hitting up a number of hilly park areas around south east London, on some very warm days, I was genuinely impressed by how comfortable my feet felt while wearing them. Even after a number of hours strolling about, I never felt that urge I’ve felt with some other waterproof shoes to take them off and get some air between my toes. Beyond the membrane, other components make FUTURELIGHT unique, Mellin said. First is a new kind of seam tape that is smaller, thinner, and more stretchy. The North Face also developed its own yarn and weaving processes, as well as new lamination and finishing techniques.

TNF’s eco story is similarly impressive. The company notes all fabrics use recycled materials. It adds a PFC-free DWR treatment to the face to make water bead and run off. The lacing system allows you to tighten the ankle of the boot to give fairly good support. These are mid-height boots so they will not be suitable for very rough terrain and winter wear. Naturally, it feels like a big claim when brands shout about how waterproof and breathable their product is. After all, how waterproof can something be if there’s holes in it that allow air to pass through. Ever since FutureLight first appeared at the ISPO trade show in 2019, there’s been much discussion about just how effective such a technology can realistically be in the long term. In short, I put FUTURELIGHT through its paces for 2 days. It performed better than anything similar I’ve worn in this kind of scenario. Getting ready for a steep descent off Hayden, via the Northwest Couloir Developed with a FutureLight membrane, The North Face have claimed that the Activists “breathe as hard as you do” during strenuous activity and, as far we’re concerned, the product more than lived up to things on that score. Of course we weren’t exactly trekking up Kilimanjaro – highest mountain in Africa– with them on our feet, but we were charging up and down the local hills and it was, like we said, a hot day in the city.The resulting grid has holes small enough for air permeability and breathability, though sized to keep moisture (rain, sleet) from seeping through. This is the same general premise Gore-Tex has used since the 1970s. But FUTURELIGHT is (as the name says) lighter, and it’s also more breathable in the mountains or the lab, Mellin promises. Some of the common specs in the category are thin still on FUTURELIGHT. The North Face is guarded, not wanting to release some details until it brings the fabric to market this fall. FUTURELIGHT testing on a sunny day; photo by Tomas Zuccareno As we noted in an initial article on FUTURELIGHT, the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) is 75,000 g/m²/day. For context, the highly breathable eVent fabric has a top MVTR of 30,000 g/m²/day.

We had climbed Hayden and then skied the Northwest Couloir. The classic line had been little-skied this season because of avalanche danger. If it works anywhere near as well as the hype would have you believe, it’s potentially an absolute game changer in the world of hiking boots. Conclusion Needless to say, we’ve been extremely interested to see how the technology would translate into the world of hiking footwear and so, without further ado, here it is – The North Face Activist FutureLight Mid. Who Is The North Face Activist Futurelight For? The comfort of the boot extends to the cushioned sole and in-sole, the ankle cuff and the tongue. It’s rather like a slipper boot in terms of comfort levels. The width is standard fit, in my opinion.It’s a boot that is best suited to tarmac and trails, rather than mountains. I know that the brand believes it will cope with a wide range of terrain but unless you were heading into the mountains in summer on a high quality path that is not too steep, I can’t recommend the boots for high altitude wear. In Scotland, these boots would not be suitable for anything more than easy hill walking on defined trails and paths. And the entire time, I had the FUTURELIGHT shell on and zipped up. The North Face FUTURELIGHT Review To be sure, FUTURELIGHT is impressive, though not perfect. It protected my body for the whole of 2 days in the mountains — I never took the shell off through a range of temperatures, wind, sun, and varying levels of physical effort on the descents and climbs. For the past couple decades, we have worn apparel we need to adapt to,” said Scott Mellin, global GM of The North Face’s Mountain Sports division. “Now, we have apparel that adapts to us.”