Ah, The North Face—an icon of outdoor apparel and equipment. If you're in the B2B space, especially with a focus on tactical and outdoor clothing like we are, understanding the material choices of a brand as colossal as The North Face can be like reading the industry's tea leaves. So, shall we get started?
SkySwallow—Your Manufacturing Maestro for Specialized Outdoor Brands
Before diving into the fabrics, let's spill some ink on SkySwallow, a stellar B2B provider in the tactical and outdoor clothing sphere. We have the privilege of offering our manufacturing services to esteemed brands like The North Face. With factory-independent production and a price advantage, we can ensure quality at a competitive rate. A cherry on top? We have seasoned trade companies that provide post-sales maintenance and shipping support. Enough about us; back to The North Face.
1. Gore-Tex
The North Face frequently uses Gore-Tex in its range of jackets and footwear. This fabric was exclusively invented and produced by the American company Gore Technologies. It's the VIP of breathable and waterproof materials. Gore-Tex is especially trustworthy in harsh conditions, with a waterproof index reaching up to 28,000MM.
2. Futurelight Fabric
Developed by The North Face after three years of relentless experimentation and testing, Futurelight is a proprietary breathable and waterproof fabric. It's widely used in their high-end products like storm jackets and ski suits. The waterproof index for this material can go as high as 20,000MM.
3. Dryvent (Formerly Hyvent) Fabric
This is The North Face's home-grown waterproof and breathable material. Unlike Futurelight and Gore-Tex, it features a waterproof PU coating. It may not be as breathable or waterproof as the other two, but it offers great value for money, especially for daily commuting. Its waterproof index is around 15,000MM.
Waterproof Comparison
Gore-Tex > Futurelight > Dryvent
In terms of waterproofing, Gore-Tex stands at the top, especially for extreme conditions, followed by Futurelight. Dryvent, while not as formidable, offers enough protection for everyday use.
Breathability Comparison
Futurelight > Gore-Tex > Dryvent
When it comes to breathability, Futurelight takes the cake with its unique three-layer structure and nano-level breathable holes. Gore-Tex is not far behind but requires a moisture differential between the inner and outer layers to be breathable. Dryvent suffices for daily commuting with a breathability index between 12,000 and 15,000.
Cost-Performance Comparison
Dryvent > Futurelight > Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex is the priciest of the lot, but its performance and brand power justify the cost. Futurelight comes next, while Dryvent offers the best bang for your buck, especially if you’re more into everyday commuting and light outdoor activities.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances between these materials is pivotal for distributors and brand managers. If you're considering stepping up your game in the outdoor apparel industry, SkySwallow can be your trusted manufacturing partner, echoing the quality and expertise you find in top-tier brands like The North Face. Choose your material wisely, and here's to outfitting the world's adventurers with the very best. Cheers!