We engineer our outerwear to provide protection and comfort in cold and inclement conditions. We design to accommodate the range of motion required to climb snow and ice, ski cross-country and hike steep trails. We design to adapt to varying conditions and situations, taking into account the unpredictability of the weather and the fact that some outdoor activities alternate periods of extreme exertion with total rest, requiring a proper balance between ventilation and insulation. Some North Face outerwear is engineered to shut out rain completely and ventilate quickly, while other garments are designed to work with midlayers to protect against prolonged exposure to severe winter conditions. All North Face outerwear is made with the most technically advanced materials and built to last a lifetime.
Our outerwear garments utilize a range of fabrics created by W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. that share, in varying degrees, the ability to simultaneously keep out foul weather and permit the escape of interior moisture vapor. We use Gore-TexÒ 2-ply and 3-ply fabric in our waterproof shells for complete weather protection; water-resistant and wind-proof DryLoft shells in our down products to stop convective heat loss; and extremely breathable Activent fabric in our high aerobic sport shells resist light rain, snow and wind. Among all of the competitor fabrics on the market, these outperform competing fabrics by wide margins as demonstrated by the test results reported.
Before a garment earns certification for use in extreme wet weather, it must pass a series of laboratory inspections and tests. The final step in the certification process is a test conducted in Gore’s rain simulator. This sophisticated outerwear testing facility simulates the velocity of wind driven rain during extended periods of exposure. The type of rain droplet, the droplet radius, the droplet’s terminal velocity and kinetic energy are carefully controlled in the test facility. The candidate garment is fitted on a moving mannequin and exposed to a full hour of rain at a rate of 22 inches per hour. Garments must be flawlessly engineered and painstakingly constructed to pass this arduous test and only those garments that keep the mannequin dry earn our certification as specially engineered for Extreme Wet Weather.
Our unique ergonomic swivel hood is designed to move
with your head. It provides a snug fit for helmeted or
non-helmeted use without impeding vision. The three-point closure
system can be adjusted with a single hand since your other hand
may be occupied with an ice axe. When not in use, the hood folds
down to form a collar.
Our new multi-position underarm zips allow you to
adjust both the degree and position of ventilation thanks to two
zipper sliders and an extra long zipper path. Velcro bands keep
the zipper flaps from closing to maximize venting when needed.
Baffled construction utilizes a lightweight tricot mesh to separate the down chambers and eliminate cold spots at the seams. Other manufacturers use sewn-through seams which allow penetration of cold air.
Because it is important to be able to adjust the
tension on the hem and hood using a single hand, we invented draw
pulls that allow you to just that easily and effectively.
Our outerwear features separate pieces of fabric to
form a bend at the sleeves and knees. This allows you to move
freely without the jacket rising at the waist when you reach
above your head or without your ankle cuffs on your pant rising
as you climb or extend your leg.
We save lips and noses from the discomfort of
rubbing against a frozen sheet of shell fabric by adding a patch
of soft, wicking ThermaStat on the inside of the chinguard.
Interior water bottle pockets on our Expedition
System garments hold two, one-liter bottles close to the body
where they will not freeze. The pockets are made out of mesh so
they wont’ interfere with the garment’s breathability.
Elasticized powder cuffs with rubber grip closures at the hem and ankles shut out snow that might otherwise enter during a glissade or descent.
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