The North Face Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoodie Review

Overview

The Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE Full-Zip Hoodie is a slim, thin fleece built for people who sweat on the way up and need something light to throw on at the top. It weighs 208 g in a men’s medium and compresses to roughly the size of a large orange. The trade-off is plain: it’s an excellent layer while you’re moving and a mediocre one when you’re standing around.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Style number	NF0A5J7S
Weight	208 g (men’s medium)
Fabric	124 g/m² FUTUREFLEECE, 55% polyester / 45% recycled polyester
Construction	Full-loop fleece, stretch fabric, seamless shoulders
Center back length	27.25 in
Fit	Slim
Hood	Fitted, scuba-style
Sizes	S, M, L, XL, XXL
Pockets	Chest pocket; no hip pockets
Extras	Thumb loops, glove-friendly zipper

Performance

Warmth and breathability. The fabric is a full-loop knit with open channels between the fleece “squares,” and that structure does the work. Outdoor Gear Lab’s testers praised its breathability on long uphill grinds, where it kept sweat to a minimum, and found it held heat well as a second base layer on cold ice-climbing and skiing days. BetterTrail’s reviewer called it the lightest and most breathable fleece they had tested, and also scored its warmth low: it sits just below active-use fleeces like the REI Hyperstretch and Outdoor Research Vigor Grid, and well behind warmer options like the Patagonia R1 Air or Black Diamond Coefficient. Owners say much the same thing in different words. It is a high-exertion layer, not a belay jacket. One buyer who wore it in 20°F New York weather reported being a little chilly but not uncomfortable while moving.

Wind and weather. Wind protection is minimal. A shell is the answer when the breeze picks up. A UK test panel found it handled sideways rain and mud on winter training runs without overheating, and that it dries quickly, which matters more than water resistance in a fleece this thin.

Comfort and fit. The smooth face and brushed interior read as soft to most testers, closer to a technical base layer than a traditional fleece. BetterTrail described the stretch as just right, including in the hood, which stays put in wind and fits under a helmet. Not everyone agrees about the interior: one REI buyer found the inside scratchy for a fleece with this price tag. The fit is the other point of friction. It is cut slim and long, and several owners sized down (one medium-wearer went to a small), while a woman reviewing the women’s version needed a large to clear her hips. Outdoor Gear Lab flagged the fit as a dealbreaker for some. Anyone with broad shoulders who wants to layer a puffy underneath should try before buying.

Durability. The fabric holds up better than its weight suggests. After well over 100 days of climbing, scrambling, running and travel, BetterTrail’s tester reported no holes and little pilling, though Outdoor Gear Lab noted minor pilling. Weak points are in the construction: owners report zipper problems, loose threads at the bottom hem, and in one case a thumb poking through the fabric on first wear. A hem fix is a few minutes with a needle, but it’s irritating at this price.

Features. There is a single chest pocket, and it holds a phone without sagging, according to an owner who wore the hoodie across Andean passes and up Cotopaxi. There are no hip pockets, which some buyers dislike and some climbers prefer, since pockets under a harness or pack belt are useless. Thumb loops are included, but the cuffs can’t be rolled up.

Packability. At 208 g it’s a layer a fastpacker can carry on a day when it might not be needed. UK testers called it a good fit for shoulder-season wild camps and cold-weather running.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 208 g for a full-zip hooded fleece
• Breathability that stands out among fleeces
• Soft, stretchy fabric with seamless shoulders and a hood that stays put
• Compresses to about the size of a large orange
• Fabric holds up well to abrasion and pilling
• Dries quickly

Cons

• Low warmth for sitting around camp
• Minimal wind resistance
• Slim cut won’t suit everyone, and sizing runs small for some
• Owners report zipper and hem-stitching problems
• No hip pockets; cuffs can’t be rolled
• Expensive: about $190 in the US

Who Should Buy This

This hoodie suits fastpackers, alpinists, ski tourers, trail runners and thru-hikers who run hot, move fast, and want one light mid layer to wear for most of the day. It works best in summer mountains and shoulder seasons, or in deep winter as an active layer under a shell. Cold sleepers and hikers who want something warm for camp should look at the Patagonia R1 Air or Black Diamond Coefficient, which trade weight for more warmth. Anyone with a broader build, or who wants a roomy cut for layering, should also look elsewhere or buy a size up. Shoppers watching the budget could consider the REI Co-op Trailmade, which Outdoor Gear Lab rated 7.5 against the North Face’s 8.0.

Verdict

The Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE hoodie is among the lightest and most breathable technical fleeces available, and for high-output use it earns its place in a pack. Quality-control complaints and the price keep it from a top score, and it is not a warm layer at rest. Buy it if you move fast and sweat a lot. Skip it if you need warmth at camp.