Yes, Steep Series has been out of stock and hard to get this season (among so many other things) but the Summit FUTURELIGHT Jacket would make a good substitute as it's durable and makes for a great waterproof/breathable layer for skiing and other mountaineering adventures. I also like to have jackets with pit zips but truthfully I rarely if ever use them since if I am hot enough to need to open them I simply take off the jacket instead. The only real reason I'd ever use them was if it was raining and I was overheating in the jacket and I needed to stay dry from the rain. FUTURELIGHT does breath better than competing waterproof/breathable fabrics so this is a plus and so far I've not missed them at all.

@@Backcountryskiingcanada Thanks for the useful information. I'll have to think hard about my own use cases.

@@DanboShaw you bet!

Any shell will "wet-out" after some use, this is just the DWR or Durable Water Repellant wearing off the jacket's exterior. It can be renewed easily when the jacket is washed and should be done often to prevent that "wet-out" look. This would not cause the jacket to "wet-through" however which is a failure of the fabric to prevent water from penetrating the fabric and getting to the inside of the jacket. If this happens that is a more serious issue and a possible warranty scenario. I find that Futurelight and Neoshell are the best fabrics for breathability and waterproofness, but I do believe that Gore-Tex has the best warranty with their "Guaranteed to keep you dry" promise. I hope that this helps!

Hey Shawn, no stupid questions - thanks for asking. 20°F is about -6°C so that's pretty chilly. With only a T-shirt under it, you'd be old regardless if there was a light breeze or not. The North Face Summit FUTURELIGHT Jacket is essentially just a waterproof/windproof shell and provides no real insulation properties other than keeping some of your body heat next to your skin. At the very least I would have on some sort of base layer (mid weight long sleeve shirt) or mid layer (long sleeve insulating layer) to provide some warmth and trap more of your body heat. The North Face Summit FUTURELIGHT Jacket would do its job and keep the cold air or cold breeze out and the long sleeve layers under it would help keep you warm. I hope that this long winded response helps?

Raining cats and dogs here as well. We tested the jacket in winter and spring-like conditions and it passed with flying colours.

No insulation or flannel, it's a straight-up hardshell.

Hey Rob, no stupid questions here. This jacket is the Summit Futurelight but this video review was shot last year so likely the colour options have changed. It's an amazingly light and waterproof jacket. The colour is more of a lighter baby blue, but it looks darker in the video due to the lighting-the colour is really nice.

No, I don't believe they do.

That is a really tough question to answer as it depends upon how you like a jacket to fit and your overall proportions. For reference, I am 6' and 175lb in that video review and that is a size medium. So that means I am 1" taller and 20lb heavier. Not sure that constitutes a size change from Medium to small. Ultimately your choice though, good luck!

@@Backcountryskiingcanada In the video you say that it is a large size. Could you please confirm? I have the same coat in a large size, measuring 6'1 175 lbs and I float a bit inside; even with an insulating layer.

@@AnimateurGoupil Yes, that was the large and I found it a little lose as well but I think that that is the fit. I am the exact same hight and weight as you and find it the same, could have gone with a medium maybe.

This would make an ideal rain shell as well, bomber construction and 100% waterproof and also breathable. Not the lightest material but durable for any adventure.

I am based in Australia, purchased the jacket for its breathability, letting the heat out was a big deal to me. I exercise aerobically daily - walking and stairs. Unfortunately it is still too hot for use you perspire so much you may as well not have a rain jacket at all.

@@countryman3460 No matter what rain shell you wear if you are exercising profusely then you are going to overpower the fabric's ability to move heat and moisture. There is only so much a waterproof/breathable fabric can do but the The North Face Summit FUTURELIGHT Jacket is far more breathable than other fabrics on the market.

Hi, no there are no pit zips, if you watch the video this is covered at 1:56/

It looks like the FutureLight Torre Egger jacket is designed more for climbers and the jacket in the review is their first FutureLight jacket more for skiing and general wear.

yup Helly Hansen Odin Pants, great fitting and full-featured resort pants with a transceiver pocket, I luv 'em.

If you mean a napoleon pocket on the chest yes!

The fabric is by no means scratchy, it is pretty sturdy and not what I would call soft and fluffy but not hard and abrasive either. So I'd go with soft, yes!

@@Backcountryskiingcanada thank you! Out of interest have you tried any of their new Futurelight parkas

@@nippychops sorry, no not yet. I prefer to have just a waterproof breathable shell and then layer as needed under it rather than an insulated shell.

@@Backcountryskiingcanada do you rate Futurelight highly in general? Does it have what it takes to dethrone goretex?

@@nippychops Futurelight is a great product and does what it says as does Gore-Tex but the benefit of Futurelight like that of Polartec Neoshell is that it is naturally more breathable due to how it's created. So if you want a fabric that is more breathable than Gore-Tex but still just as waterproof (who doesn't want that?) then Futurelight or Neoshell for that matter are good options for you.

Great question. The Jacket is a medium and I am 6' 1" and 175lbs. I hope that this helps with your sizing.

Very much, it has a great cut and impressive waterproof/breathable fabric.

Most hoods that are designed to accommodate a helmet are larger than normal but they are nice when you need to put the hood up and you are wearing a ski or climbing helmet. I think this hood fits very well but appreciate your opinion.

@@Backcountryskiingcanada Do you own one? Cause mine stays wrinkled

@@fatherdaughteryoutubechann9559 I haven't had that issue, no.

@@Backcountryskiingcanada mine was purchased 3 days ago and one day wrinkled underneath other northface items in shopping bag. Took it out to try on again and it was wrinkled so i hung it up and now second day hung up it is still wrinkled not too bad but obvious. never had this problem with my 11 year old Summit series Gore-Tex. Its A Gen-Z jacket that’s why. They get Wrinkly about everything😂 Wish I could upload a pic of it hanging at the store.

@@fatherdaughteryoutubechann9559 It is a lighter material than previous fabrics and not that burly so maybe it's a little more fragile when it comes to wrinkles, should wear out with use I would imagine, mine has a few wrinkles but nothing I would call out of the ordinary. "Crusty Gen-Z Jacket" :)