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The North Face A-Cad FutureLight Bib Trousers | Review

Live for seeking out untouched powder? These bib trousers from The North Face are perfect

Why We Chose The North Face A-Cad FutureLight Bib Trousers: FutureLight technology, ‘Chimney Venting’, excellent protection from the elements.

Price: £400

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Chosen by freeriding snowboarder Marion Haerty, the A-Cad FutureLight Bib Trousers from The North Face are made for getting out and about.

Pair them up with the equally excellent A-Cad FutureLight Jacket, and you’re looking at the kind of synced-up outerwear creation that, if it was a plate of food, would surely make the Millwall-supporting Masterchef co-presenter Gregg Wallace cry salty tears of joy. “The flavours just work so well together,” he says. “This is the perfect combination.”

Anyway, let’s crack on with this Ski 100 review shall we?

Materials

Built with FutureLight 3L fabric, for added stretch and durability, the A-Cad is made to keep you dry on those powder-hunting days in the mountains. The nanospinning process used in its creation means FutureLight is able to be both incredibly waterproof, breathable, and windproof all at the same time. 

This trifecta of properties makes it perfect for those long, interchangeable weather, days in the hills. You know, the ones where you’re getting properly active from sunrise to sunset.

What else? Well, it’s good news for the environmentalists – 100% recycled polyester has been used here in the main body of the bib (75D X 75D). Those who like a comforting feel against their skin will also be delighted to know these bib trousers feature a soft-brushed, warm, tricot backer for a more comfortable ride. 

The upper bib consists of 150D X 150D + 90D 96% recycled polyester, 4% elastane. The kick patches, meanwhile, are 420D X 500D 100% nylon. 

The bib trousers have been treated with a non-PFC DWR finish.

Features

Highlighted this in the intro already, but these bib trousers are at their best when they’re team up with the A-Cad FutureLight Jacket. The jacket-to-trouser integration here delivers the ultimate defensive coordination when dealing with the elements.

That reassuring, defensively-minded, nature is also on show in the reinforced edge guards, three-layer construction, Stretchvent gaiters and integrated crotch gusset. Shout out, on this note, to the AquaGuard zips that help to prevent the water coming in and messing with your happiness.

There’s a whole bunch of pockets here, to keep all the Practical Patricks happy,  and we like the feel of the adjustable suspenders – ideal for when you really want to optimise the fit. 

When the temperature goes up, you’ll be glad to know the A-Cad FutureLight Bib Trousers have knee-to-knee inner-leg vents and outer leg vents for added breathability.

The ‘Chimney Venting’ system here might bring to mind Dick Van Dyke saying “Oh, hello Mary Poppins” in a faux cockney accent, but it’s actually a pretty clever system set-up to let warm air travel all the way up from your boot and out into the mountain air.

The A-Cad FutureLight Bib Trousers come in two colourways. They are ‘British Khaki / Weathered Black’ and ‘Trellis Green / Weathered Black’.

Conclusion

£400 might seem like a hefty whack to spend on some ski trousers, especially if you’re fully set on combining this up with the equally not-cheap A-Cad jacket. That being said, if you are serious about freeriding in the backcountry there’s no point skimping on gear that won’t cut the mustard when you need it to. 

The FutureLight technology used here is as impressive as ever, and there really is a high quality feel to the whole set-up. These won’t be for everyone but if you love scoring fresh powder lines off the beaten track, like snowboarder Marion Haerty, we say treat yourself. 

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