FUTURELIGHT Explained

In brief: FUTURELIGHT is The North Face's advanced waterproof-breathable membrane, made by nanospinning fibres into an ultra-fine web full of tiny holes. The process builds air permeability directly into the membrane, so it breathes more freely than a conventional film while staying waterproof. It was unveiled in January 2019 and reached apparel later that year.

What FUTURELIGHT is

FUTURELIGHT is The North Face's flagship waterproof-breathable membrane, sitting above DryVent as the brand's premium technology. It was revealed at the CES show on 8 January 2019 and rolled out into apparel from around 30 September 2019. The headline claim is air permeability: unlike a solid film that moves vapour mainly by diffusion, FUTURELIGHT is engineered with tiny holes that let air pass through, so the membrane breathes more like a fabric than a barrier.

Nanospinning, explained simply

FUTURELIGHT is made by a process called nanospinning. Extremely fine fibres are spun and laid down in overlapping layers to build a thin web, and the gaps between those nanofibres create a structure full of microscopic holes. By controlling how the fibres are spun and stacked, The North Face can tune the balance between waterproofing, breathability and weight. The result is a soft, light membrane with built-in air permeability, which is the key difference from older laminates that rely on a non-porous hydrophilic layer to pass moisture.

The North Face has also emphasised the membrane's environmental story, building it with recycled materials and offering versions described as free of intentionally added PFAS chemistry, in line with the wider industry move away from fluorinated finishes.

The numbers worth knowing

The North Face has quoted a very high breathability for FUTURELIGHT, with a moisture vapour transmission figure around 75,000, and the air permeability of the membrane is often discussed in the region of one and a half cubic feet per minute of airflow. The brand has been less forthcoming with a single official hydrostatic-head waterproof rating, leaning instead on the air-permeable breathing story. In practice FUTURELIGHT is treated as a fully waterproof shell membrane; if you need an exact waterproof figure, check the specific garment.

Air permeable versus waterproof

It sounds contradictory that a membrane can have holes and still be waterproof, but the holes are small enough, and the structure tortuous enough, that liquid water under normal rain pressure cannot force through, while air and vapour can. The benefit is comfort during hard effort: because some actual airflow is possible, a FUTURELIGHT shell can feel less stuffy than a traditional waterproof when you are working hard. The trade-off, common to air-permeable shells, is that they are less wind-sealing than a completely solid membrane, which is a fair exchange for the gain in breathability.

Caring for FUTURELIGHT

Like every waterproof-breathable shell, FUTURELIGHT depends on the outer DWR finish to keep the face fabric shedding water. Wash the jacket when dirty, re-proof when beading fades, and reactivate with gentle heat. A clean, well-proofed FUTURELIGHT membrane delivers its air-permeable breathability; a clogged, wetted-out one cannot.

FUTURELIGHT at OD's Designer Clothing

FUTURELIGHT suits active wearers who prioritise breathability and a soft, supple feel over outright storm-sealing. If you are choosing between FUTURELIGHT and a classic solid membrane, the team can explain the comfort-versus-wind trade-off so you pick the right shell for how hard you work in it.