Waterproof Jackets

The North Face Summit Papsura Jacket | Review

Made for the lightweight alpinist, this ISPO award winner encourages you to move fast and light through the mountains.

This is a technical jacket made for high-output alpine pursuits, using The North Face’s premium waterproof fabric and advanced technologies. I haven’t had the opportunity to test The North Face Summit Papsura over 5000ft yet, but I’ve been using it on various hiking trails throughout the UK, most recently in the wilds of Eryri, North Wales. Whether I’ve been pounding out the miles on a quick ascent in the Rhinogydd, or taking it slow walking through Celtic rainforests in the rain, this ultra-lightweight jacket has been a very handy addition to my kit bag.

To see how it compares with the competition, check out our article on the best waterproof jackets for women.

The Top Line

At 200g, the Papsura jacket weighs about the same as an apple. And it packs down almost that size too. It uses The North Face’s Futurelight membrane technology, a lightweight and breathable 100% recycled nylon fabric and a PFC-free DWR. We’ve used this fabric in a number of products now and it has impressed us. You can also expect lots of alpine-friendly details too.

Buy The North Face Summit Papsura Jacket: £360 at Ellis-brigham.com

Key Features

100% recycled nylon fabric: This 3-layer fabric features The North Face’s proprietary Futurelight breathable-waterproof technology. It’s also treated with a PFC-free DWR.

Packability: The Papsura stuffs down small into the right hand pocket, but I’ve managed to squish it down even smaller very easily. It’s barely noticeable in your pack.

Hood: This is adjustable using a cinch-cord with a cord lock at the rear. It’s also helmet-compatible, with a bonded brim and an encased-elastic opening.

The fit: I like the standard fit here. It allows room for your body to breathe and can fit a lightweight fleece underneath. There are also no shoulder seams, creating less bulk and less chance of niggles.

Jazz wearing The North Face Papsura in the mountains of North Wales where it performed well in the rough terrain.

Who Is The North Face Summit Papsura Jacket For?

According to The North Face, the Summit Papsura jacket is geared towards alpinists who like to move fast and light through the mountains. It’s all geared around lightweight durability and performance. In fact, that’s the ethos behind all of their Summit series. So far, I’ve found it excels best on those hikes where you’re really working up a sweat and know you won’t be having too many breaks along the way. High-aerobic activities is the name of the game here.

Due to its packability, I can also see it working well for summer hiking when you need a lightweight waterproof in your bag for those unexpected showers. It really doesn’t take up much room in your backpack, and it’s sure to keep you dry. Likewise, if you know you’re in for a stormy but humid hike, this is an ideal jacket for reliable weather protection that keeps you cool in the heat.

I appreciated the long, protective sleeves. Photos: Dave MacFarlane.

I can also see it working well for winter mountain trail running or for bikepacking, where you want something ultra-breathable that won’t clam up when the going gets tough. Think: two-wheeled ascents along the Pennine Bridleway when the rain is lashing sideways, and the sweat’s dripping down your face.

Buy The North Face Summit Papsura Jacket: £360 at Ellis-brigham.com

Materials

This is a 3-layer design that uses The North Face’s well-renowned Futurelight technology. For the geeks amongst us, Futurelight is made via a process called nano-spinning where an electromagnetic field is used to weave a super-fine mesh of polymer fibres. Moisture in vapour form is able to pass through this mesh, but liquid molecules cannot. In short, it creates a highly breathable and 100% waterproof fabric. The seams are all sealed too, as you’d expect.

While the fabric is a touch on the thin side, so far it’s held up against light abrasion on the trail. I wouldn’t hedge my bets on anything too extreme mind you. It’s also a lot crinklier than I expected, particularly once you’ve packed it into its pocket a few times, though this evens out a bit once you’ve warmed up.

Details

You’ll find two covered and seam-sealed hand pockets on the front, and a VISLON AquaGuard zipper on the main opening down the middle. There are also pre-tensioned cuffs on the arms, as well as a low-profile hem that’s also pre-tensioned with elastic on the sides. While this provides you with a little more protection from the elements, I personally prefer a toggle system so I can adjust the elasticity depending on the weather conditions.

Pictured here is the left hand pocket with an internal mesh pouch.

The hood is a good size, with a cinch cord with a cord lock in the back. It’s helmet-compatible and there’s encased-elastic protection around the sides too.

In terms of storage, the design is very minimalist. There’s a left hand pocket with an internal mesh pouch, and a right hand pocket with an internal gear loop. And that’s about it. There are no pit zips which is a shame (I love a good pit zip), though I’d say the jacket makes up for it with its high breathability.

Sustainability

It utilises 100% recycled nylon in its construction, which helps reduce landfill waste and minimises environmental impact. Additionally, the jacket features a non-PFC durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, avoiding the use of perfluorinated compounds that are harmful to the environment .

The Papsura stuffs down small into the right hand pocket, but I’ve managed to squish it down much smaller very easily.

Fit

I’m 5 foot 6 and have a stocky and curvy build. I tried the Papsura jacket in an XL and it fitted me well. Designed in a ‘standard fit’, I could fit a base layer and a lightweight fleece underneath it pretty easily. I probably wouldn’t layer it with anything super bulky but something like the Patagonia R1 or the Arc’teryx Kyanite will do just fine.

Interestingly, there’s no shoulder seams in the jacket. The North Face says this is to reduce bulk and increase comfort when wearing a backpack. Admittedly, I did get a bit worried about the fabric when wearing this under a heavily loaded backpack, but so far I’ve had no problems. There’s also some handy underarm gussets for increased mobility when reaching upwards. I’ve found this particularly useful when scrambling as it prevents the hem from creeping up too much.

Verdict

While I can see the Summit Papsura jacket working well for a variety of outdoor activities, at £360, the price point is high and I think it will predominantly appeal to people who are focused on fast and light, high-aerobic hiking and climbing. Unless you’re willing to dish out the big bucks, it’s a little bit overkill for everyday hiking considering its minimalist features.

That being said, it is a very impressive jacket. I’ve found it to be a highly breathable outer layer so far, with good waterproofing abilities. I can see myself getting some mileage out of it in the summer months on some of the ultralight hiking trips I’ve got planned, and I’ll keep it in the locker for any trips to the alpine.