Over the past 40 years, The North Face has released its Mountain Jacket in a myriad of iterations, be it coveted joint efforts with Supreme, lightweight attempts to tackle spring weather, and much more. In celebration of its anniversary, the revered outdoor brand has decided to up the ante yet again, now reimagining the timeless piece for a new generation: the DryVent Mono Mountain Jacket.
Not Your Average Jacket
No matter how often you see city dwellers wearing one around town, the Mountain Jacket’s rich past goes well beyond that of your local techwear fanatic’s everyday piece.
When unveiled in 1985, the San Francisco-bred label underscored that it engineered the now-40-year-old design to help adventurers and ice climbers combat unpredictable conditions in style. As documented by countless photos, its impact went well beyond the mountains, becoming a staple among everyone from East Coast rappers who needed a cool way to stay warm to modern-day influencers.
Nowadays, people even wear it with hiking boots to the supermarket, which I have no qualms about. Still, it never hurts to remember the design’s true intention—and that applies doubly if it’s been celebrated for decades.
Where Next, Mountain Man?
Moving towards greener pastures, the latest take on this famed piece of outerwear is crafted using proprietary DryVent Mono 2L fabric, offering lightweight waterproof prowess thanks to its fully seam-sealed construction. As its name suggests, this is a fully recycled mono-material, assuring far less waste and resource consumption in the manufacturing process.
In the long run, this one-piece structure also simplifies recycling for the brand, suggesting that you can make the most of it for years before submitting it to TNF’s Circular Design program.
Materials aside, the new release’s relaxed fit allows you to take on the outdoors without feeling restricted. Thanks to the internal draft flap and chin guard, you can still garner the weather defense you need. And in case your next adventure requires all the protection possible, the DRYVENT Mono Mountain Jacket is zip-in compatible with two other TNF classics—the Nuptse and Denali—so you can stay warm and uniform.
For adjustability’s sake, it features an internal drawcord with cord locks at the hem and a set of hook-and-loop cuff tabs to ward off wind and water. Additionally, The North Face released a GORE-TEX-clad Mountain Jacket with slightly varying features, including armpit vents to prevent overheating.
Spec Sheet 1 (DRYVENT)
Sizes: XS-3XL
Body: DryVent Mono 2L (100% recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish)
Lining: 100% recycled polyester
Fit: Relaxed
Waterproof?: Yes
Colors: Black, Red, White Dune, Deep Nori
Spec Sheet 2 (GORE-TEX)
Sizes: S-3XL
Body: GORE-TEX 2L (100% recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish)
Lining: 100% recycled polyester
Fit: Relaxed
Waterproof?: Yes (it’s GORE-TEX)
Colors: Black, Red, Estate Blue
Pricing & Availability
The North Face’s DRYVENT Mono Mountain Jacket is available on its website today for $250, while the GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket costs a bit more at $400.
Recap
The North Face DryVent Mono Mountain Jacket (40th Anniversary)
The North Face celebrates 40 years of its Mountain Jacket with two updated releases embracing timeless design and a dedication to sustainability.
