The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew review: this technical base layer manages moisture so you don't have to

The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew: first impressions 

A thermal base layer is an essential piece of kit for anyone who likes venturing into alpine areas, but not all base layers are created equal. While many opt for the magical benefits of merino wool, some, like the The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew, recognize that synthetic materials can have their merits when you want long lasting protection from the elements.

This base layer is soft and light against the skin, but it has a secret weapon that ensures it is both warm in cold weather and helps you efficiently manage sweat once you layer up and get moving. What The North Face calls Double-Knit DotKnit Fabric is two layers of very light material with engineered holes in the face fabric to help sweat move away from your skin, so you don't get chilled when the going gets tough and you stay comfortable if it's milder than you expect outside. That means, unlike some synthetic tops, this one doesn't feel clammy and it dries in an instant when you get sweaty.

Two of the main issues with synthetic tops are that the material is essentially plastic, and therefore non-biodegradable, and that they can get really smelly as compared to wool tops. This one is made using 100% recycled fabric, for a kinder footprint, and it's treated with anti-odor protection. We've found we can get a few wears out of it before it inevitably starts to pong.

It's got a slim fit, which seems to make up for the lack of stretch (which in turn means it should keep its shape longer) and has long sleeves with thumb holes for added hand protection, and is a good length for decent coverage.

It's not exactly cheap, but compared to other base layers we've tested, it's about middle of the price range, and while it's definitely aimed at colder weather adventures where you'll be wearing it with other layers, on its own it could make a decent top even on chillier summer adventures.

The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew: in the field 

I got this base layer to test out on a whirlwind trip to Courmayeur where, among other things, I got to attend the launch of Jeep Avenger 4Xe TNF edition and do some glacier hiking in whiteout conditions. Since then, I've been wearing it all winter here in Scotland for hiking.

Here’s how it performed:

Sizing, fit and comfort

I tested a small, which is my usual size, and it's a perfect fit. It doesn't have any stretch, but I don't have any problems getting it on and off and of course, zero stretch means it won't lose its shape, or not for a long time anyway.

It's got a longer cut so it's easy to tuck into my rain pants or just offer a little more protection from the cold around my hips, and long sleeves with thumb holes. This can be annoying when trying to look at my GPS watch of course, but it also means added hand protection when it's cold.

It's well designed with raglan sleeves and not tight around my shoulders or middle so it's comfortable in fit as well as being soft against my skin, but the slim fit means it's also easy to layer with mid layers like my Houdini Power Hoody.

Temperature regulation

I usually swear by merino wool for my first layer, but I've been venturing out into synthetic tops this winter with a fair degree of success. This one doesn't initially feel like a thermal top, but upon closer inspection I realized that the double layer does hold in heat, and I was happy to have it on an alpine glacier as well as up multiple Scottish Munros this winter.

The double layer of DotKnit Fabric is really just tiny holes in the face fabric, but it seems to work a charm. The brand claims this speeds up moisture transfer from skin to surface and of course I can't say for sure that it does, but I can say that I can hike up a steep mountain wearing this with a fleece and waterproof and never feel damp or clammy, which is all I can ask for.

Like a lot of The North Face's tops in recent years, it also dries astonishingly quickly when my back has got sweaty from carrying a pack, which is another big bonus in colder weather.

Odor control and other features

I've grown a bit skeptical when it comes to claims of odor-control in synthetic tops. Synthetic materials just get smelly. But that said, I can tell that some effort has been made to mitigate this eventuality, and I've worn this several times before I've felt I needed to wash it, which is a good start.

Other than that and the thumb holes, there aren't any other great special features to speak of when it comes to this base layer.

The North Face Summit Series Pro 120 Crew: the bottom line 

If you're looking for a synthetic, technical base layer, you won't find much to argue with here. This top is excellent for high output adventures in cold weather where you want to stay warm, manage moisture and dry off quickly. It's probably too warm for summer pursuits, but if you're in a chillier climate or find yourself at altitude, it's fairly protective on its own.

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