The North Face’s Furano Jacket is a technical, nicely fitting jacket that will perform well for a number of seasons, says Paul Jennison. Here’s our full review.
www.thenorthface.co.uk | £360
The North Face‘s Furano Jacket comes in two colour options: red, to really stand out on the slopes, or a more sombre grey/blue for someone who doesn’t want to draw attention to themselves (especially when getting a round in at the bar). Colours aside, the Furano is a technical, nicely fitting jacket that will perform well for a number of seasons.
The jacket’s outer shell has fully taped seams and is made from HyVent fabric, a windproof and waterproof material that is highly breathable and has a four-way stretch for unhindered movement during your downhill activities. The HyVent is also durable, to withstand abrasions when you fall over. The jacket uses Primaloft Eco insulation: a thin and lightweight synthetic fill that is warm and comfortable but also quick drying. Temperature regulation is helped by underarm vents that allow warm air to escape, and the jacket is equipped with a Recco location device for emergencies.
The Furano has five outer pockets, all of which have water-resistant zips with large tabs to make them easy to use while wearing gloves. The two main side pockets are big enough for gloved hands, or for storing larger items like goggles. Then there are two chest pockets, which are smaller but useful for keeping snacks in. On the lower left arm there is the crucial ski lift pass pocket that also contains a goggle wipe on a lanyard – while it’s always useful to have something to wipe goggles or sunglasses with, we believe the lift pass pocket should never be opened once the lift pass is in it. Inside the jacket there’s a zip-up pocket for valuables which has a hole for some headphones, and an open mesh pocket that would be useful for goggles or hats and gloves.
The detachable hood is large enough to accommodate a helmet and there is good side and back draw-cord adjustment to fine-tune the fit. The hood also has a stiffened peak that will stop it impairing your vision and to help keep the elements out. The collar is high and loose to allow extra layering. The sleeves have an articulated cut for unrestricted movement and the cuffs have a thin liner gaiter with thumb loops to stop the sleeves riding up and to keep snow out. The cuffs are big enough to take large gloves and are held in place by Velcro adjusters. There is a snow skirt that can either be completely removed or clipped back so it does not get in the way when the jacket being used for non-snowy activities. The main zip is one-way, YKK and water-resistant with a large pull tab to make it easy to use even in big gloves, and the hem has a drawstring that is adjusted via two glove-friendly toggles.
The fit is comfortable with room to vary the layering beneath. The length is mid-backside which I like, but taller people might find it a little on the short side. But it’s a stylish and practical jacket.
The North Face Furano Jacket Verdict
Good style and warmth – a great winter sports jacket