DryVent

Is DryVent waterproof?

The North Face says DryVent fabrics are "engineered to be fully waterproof, windproof and breathable". It describes the barrier as a semipermeable polyurethane coating that blocks liquid water while letting water vapour escape, with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish on the outer face.

It also states that all DryVent gear is fully seam-sealed. This matters as much as the fabric: a waterproof fabric with untaped stitching still leaks at the seams.

DryVent 2L vs 2.5L vs 3L — what The North Face says

The North Face publishes three DryVent constructions and describes each by purpose rather than by number:

What waterproof rating does DryVent 2L have?

Not publicly specified by the manufacturer. The North Face's DryVent pages contain no hydrostatic-head figure for 2L, 2.5L or 3L. On the Antora Jacket (a DryVent 2L shell) product page we checked, waterproofness is shown only as a position on a "Regular – Extreme" slider, not as a millimetre value or a named test method.

Some retailers quote figures such as "around 10,000 mm" for DryVent. Those are retailer estimates, not The North Face's published data, and we do not repeat them as fact.

What this means when choosing a DryVent jacket

Because there is no published number, compare DryVent jackets on what you can verify: construction (2L, 2.5L or 3L), seam sealing, hood and cuff design, venting such as pit zips, and face-fabric weight where it is listed (the Antora lists 111 g/m² for its body fabric).

A 2L jacket with a hanging liner usually feels less clammy against skin than a 2.5L print but adds bulk. A 3L build protects the barrier on both sides, which is why brands generally reserve it for heavier use. None of this tells you how much water pressure the fabric resists.

For how hydrostatic head is measured and why figures from different brands are hard to compare, see our hydrostatic head and waterproof ratings guides.

Owner

The North Face

Membrane type

Described by The North Face as a semipermeable polyurethane coating within a multi-layered fabric. Its own video describes the 3L version as a membrane bonded between face fabric and backer.

Construction options

2L, 2.5L, 3L

Waterproof rating

Not publicly specified by manufacturer

Breathability rating

Not publicly specified by manufacturer

Air permeability

Not publicly specified by manufacturer

Typical price segment

Entry to mid

Weight characteristics

Varies by face fabric and construction rather than by membrane alone.

Durability characteristics

Durability depends on the textile, laminate, seams, use and care; denier alone does not establish abrasion resistance.

DWR requirements

Face fabrics carry a durable water repellent finish. Repellency wears off with use and needs reproofing; the membrane itself is unaffected.

PFAS / PFC information

Check the current season's material declaration. Many brands have moved to PFAS-free repellent finishes, and platforms differ by year and by garment.

• Follow the garment label and official care instructions. Use the specified cleaner; Gore permits a small amount of suitable liquid detergent for conventional GORE-TEX outerwear. Avoid products those instructions prohibit.
• For DWR-finished garments, clean first and reproof only if needed, following garment and treatment instructions. Do not apply DWR to persistent-beading constructions such as SHAKEDRY.
• Tumble dry warm or press with a cool iron under a cloth if the care label allows, to reactivate the finish.