DryVent Explained

In brief: DryVent is The North Face's own waterproof, windproof and breathable technology, used across much of its outerwear. It is a polyurethane-based coating or laminate, typically a two-layer, two-and-a-half-layer or three-layer construction, with fully taped seams. DryVent is the rebranded successor to The North Face's older HyVent system.

What DryVent is

DryVent is the waterproof-breathable technology that The North Face builds into a large part of its rain and mountain wear. Rather than buying in a third-party membrane for every jacket, The North Face developed its own system so it could control performance and price across the range. A DryVent jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable, with seams taped to stop water sneaking through the stitch holes.

DryVent is the current name for what The North Face previously called HyVent. The rebrand brought the technology under a clearer, more consistent label, but the underlying idea, a polyurethane-based waterproof-breathable barrier, runs through both.

How it works

DryVent uses a polyurethane (PU) layer applied to the inside of the face fabric, either as a coating or as a laminated film, with a surface treatment that draws moisture vapour through the material. The face fabric carries a durable water repellent finish so rain beads and runs off, while the PU barrier blocks liquid water from getting in and lets body-heat vapour pass out. Every garment has its seams sealed with waterproof tape, which is essential because untaped stitching is a direct route for water.

The 2L, 2.5L and 3L versions

DryVent comes in the same family of constructions as most modern waterproofs. A two-layer (2L) build bonds the barrier to the face fabric and hangs a separate lining inside, which suits relaxed everyday jackets. A two-and-a-half-layer (2.5L) build replaces that lining with a thin printed protective layer to save weight and bulk for packable shells. A three-layer (3L) build bonds face, barrier and a durable backer into one laminate for the most robust, technical pieces. The construction, not just the DryVent name, tells you how a particular jacket will feel and perform.

How to read DryVent ratings

The North Face has used hydrostatic-head figures to describe DryVent waterproofing, with mainstream DryVent generally framed around and above the 15,000mm mark, comfortably past the roughly 1,500mm that the trade treats as the waterproof threshold. Some higher-specification versions have been quoted with larger numbers. Because the exact figure varies by product and version, the practical takeaway is that DryVent is genuinely waterproof for everyday and most outdoor use; check the specific jacket if you need a precise rating.

Caring for DryVent

DryVent relies on its outer DWR finish like any waterproof-breathable shell. When water stops beading and the face fabric starts to look dark and damp, it is time to wash and re-proof the jacket and reactivate the repellency with gentle heat. Keeping the face clean and water-shedding is what keeps a DryVent garment breathing and comfortable rather than clammy.

DryVent at OD's Designer Clothing

DryVent is The North Face's workhorse waterproofing, found across everything from casual rain jackets to mountain shells. If you are comparing a DryVent piece against a membrane like Gore-Tex, the team can explain where each makes sense for your budget and the kind of weather you actually face.