The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket review
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket combines striking 90s looks with techy materials. Here's our review
![The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket Review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yaikcrfMDArCjf4ttkh4ZM-415-80.jpg)
Great for town and reasonable outdoors, the The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket is all about retro style over real world practicality... unless you're planning on a stationary outdoor adventure.
-
+
Enormously robust build
-
+
Technical materials
-
+
Durable finish
-
-
Heavy
-
-
Cumbersome controls
Why you can trust T3
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket is designed to ape a 1994-era alpine jacket, with a few period twists thrown in for good measure. The jacket is made from The North Face’s Futurelight material, which is a three-layer fabric designed to be robust, lightweight and breathable, somewhat of a flagship technology for TNF. The company claims that the face fabric here is made from 100% recycled materials to boot. So how does it compare to today's best waterproof jackets? Read on for our full North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket review.
TNF Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket review: design
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket has quite a bit to say on the design front, not all of it entirely positive. The stiffened and broad velcro sleeve cuffs feel on the industrial side of clothing design, more fireman than hiker, while the hip and hem drawcords hang loose and with unfinished ends, waiting to snag in a zip.
A dual-storm flap adds expedition-grade windproofing, as do large glove-friendly tabs on zips - this certainly looks like the kind of jacket Reinhold Messner would have worn in his heyday.
Another 'alpine-inspired detail' includes pit zips, which originally were designed to combat breathability problems in early fabrics, and are inevitably tricky to adjust (especially by head torch in dark, sub-zero temperatures). Finally, and most overstated-ly, the hood is adjusted around the head with two substantial compression-straps, ideal for squashing luggage, arguably overkill on a jacket hood.
In other news, there’s an internal chest mesh pocket, which the jacket can be packed into ‘when the weather eases’ according to TNF. The jacket does just about fit into this mesh pocket, but not easily, so don’t be thinking this is a quick and versatile, packable option. Two exterior hand pockets complete the facilities, while the heavyweight styling continues with double-layer material sections in high wear areas.
- Best torch: illuminate your way in the dark
- Best winter coats for men: keep warm with these stylish jackets
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket: performance and comfort
At a claimed 784 grams, The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket isn’t a light or even mid-weight jacket, and to be fair the build quality makes that obvious – there's a zip-in fleece option for colder weather that makes the positioning even more clear. The mesh liner also hints that this is more of a jacket to wear up the pub than out in the wild, as does the weight of material in the double thickness areas. Overall, this is a proper old-school parka, not a modern shell like some of the other TNF Futurelight range.
Comfort levels are pretty high, however, the robustness and scale letting you wrap this around you like a massive expedition-grade jacket. And although the pockets are too small for accoutrements like a map, you’ll get plenty of snacks in there. The adjusters all work surprisingly well, in spite of their ‘retro’ appeal, in particular the hood straps. They might look OTT but they do keep the hood exactly where you want it, even in high winds.
Similarly, apart from the weight of The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket, it performs pretty well. The Futurelight is much more breathable than the original circa 1994 fabric, so the pit zips can stay safely closed in anything up to an uphill run. It’s also very waterproof, shrugging off the heaviest downpour with ease, as one would expect given the styling and highly-visible TNF branding.
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket review: verdict
The North Face Mountain Light Waterproof Jacket is always going to polarise opinion due to the marriage of retro styling and modern fabrics. As a highly competent waterproof jacket for around town there’s nothing to complain about, but as an outdoor jacket the weight and retro detailing play against it. That said, as a reliable heavyweight waterproof for more stationary outdoor occasions this is a solid choice, and the 90s flavour is certainly strong.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Mark Mayne has been covering tech, gadgets and outdoor innovation for longer than he can remember. A keen climber, mountaineer and scuba diver, he is also a dedicated weather enthusiast and flapjack consumption expert.
-
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 review: hard miles made easy
Get ready to turn heads and leave dust behind with the Deviate Nitro Elite 3
By Matt Kollat Published
-
IAMRUNBOX Everyday Running Kit review: run, rain, repeat
Stay dry, look fly and keep rolling with IAMRUNBOX's running backpack system
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Zwift Ride review: turning sweat into smiles, one turn at a time
The Ride is your all-in-one solution for fun and effective home workouts with Zwift
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Adidas Ultraboost 5 review: run happy, look snappy
The new Ultraboost isn’t the fastest, but who cares when you’re this comfy?
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Brooks Ghost 16 review: boo-tifully reliable
Brooks’ most inoffensive trainers are hauntingly reliable, day after day
By Matt Kollat Published
-
Volt Lite review: foldable and potent electric fun
Striking looks and decent ride quality make this folding electric bike well worth investigating
By Rob Clymo Published
-
Technogym Run review: like running on air
The Technogym Run will give you a premium running experience, but it comes with a premium price tag
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 review: feel the cushion, embrace the support
Run farther and walk longer with ASICS' latest stability shoes
By Sophie Higgs Published