The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant Review

Lightweight, warm fleece pants in women’s and men’s styles.  

The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant has become a staple in my winter gear rotation because it’s comfortable, versatile, and packable. 

I’m not usually a fleece fan, but I love the lightweight, stretchy FUTUREFLEECE™ fabric (55% polyester and 45% recycled polyester). It has a plush grid pattern on the inside that’s soft against my skin and a poly-feeling flatness on the outside. It’s surprisingly lightweight and packable, and much more breathable than old-style fleece pants I’ve worn. 

I think of The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant as a sweatpant made out of high-tech fabric, and it fits like my favorite baggy sweats. I found a lot to love even though the fit wasn’t ideal for my body type (tall, extra long torso, avowed low-rise pant fan). I tested a size larger than I usually wear because I wanted a baggy pant since I was going to primarily test the pant as a post-swim cover-up for open water swimming outings. I also wanted to be able to wear the pant over merino base layer tights on freezing and below-freezing days. (It was only after testing that I realized I would have been fine with my usual size.)

Since I prefer low-rise pants, I found the high waist to be too high for me, but all I had to do was fold the waistband over a few times. I think many women will like the higher waist for more coverage during cold-weather activities. The waistband is 1.25” wide, and it feels right, although I wouldn’t mind it even a bit wider. I think most women will be fine with the length. At 6’ tall, I would love a “long” version of this pant but the cuffed leg style still works well (or the men’s pant might have been a better fit for me).

I love how warm The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant is for such a lightweight garment. On a chilly outing to the sea (temps around 40 F) I wore the pant all day and didn’t feel cold even with breeze coming off the water. I love the roomy front pockets, which are fairly deep and ideal for stashing my keys, a lip balm, and a nutrition bar or two. There’s a smaller zippered pocket on one leg that’s just the right size for my wallet. 

Most often, I wear The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant after swimming outdoors and as an all-purpose outdoor pant that feels like a lounge pant. When the water is 47 F, the air is 30-40 F, and the wind is brisk, having warm post-swim gear is vital to recovering from open water swimming. I am always so happy to have this warm pant after my swims. The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant is easy to pull on quickly, and the wide cuffs prevent cold air from entering. My winter swim bag is quite heavy, so having a warm pant that’s doesn’t add weight or bulk to my bag is big bonus.

The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant is also perfect for a variety of outings when actual sweatpants would be too heavy and not breathe as well and jeans or hiking pants would feel restrictive. I will always choose an elastic waistband pant over a fitted pant. Always more comfortable. I have been wearing The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant on urban walks and hikes, as well as for out-of-town adventures. 

Of course, The North Face Women’s Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ Pant was designed with winter in mind, making it idea for snow sports.

Details

Available in women’s sizes XS-XXL in black. Available in men’s sizes S-XXL.

$130 Available for less at Amazon