The North Face is attempting to do something that many have tried, but few have succeeded: compete head-to-head with Gore-Tex in the waterproof / breathable fabric category. So we talked with Scott Mellin, the Global General Manager of Mountain Sports at The North Face, about their new fabric technology, Futurelight; the ideas behind it; what sets it apart in the crowded waterproof / breathable fabric market; sustainability practices related to Futurelight; some stories from athlete testing, and much more. 

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Scott’s background in product innovation (5:55)
• Why was Futurelight designed? (9:20)
• Futurelight vs. Polartec Neoshell (19:45)
• “Tuning” Futurelight for different designs (21:22)
• Durability? (29:55)
• Athlete testing at The North Face (36:40)
• Competing with GORE (55:32)
• Sustainability & Futurelight (59:30) 

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