When the North Face rolled out “Flashdry” fabrics, we were curious if they would hold their own in a competitive market with other synthetics, Merino Wool, and blends that incorporate both.

The Flashdry base layers consist primarily of polyester treated with an additive that increases wicking. Microporous particles are blended into the fabric to increase surface area against the skin and assist in wicking. The inner surface also has small pinholes that looked cool and aided in moisture management.

The Flash Dry fabric had just enough stretch to provide a nearly form fit against the skin. This enhanced comfort and reduced bunching against outer layers.

Polyester fabrics tend to be good wickers naturally. However, Flash Dry excelled in pushing moisture away from the skin into outer layers. As in other synthetic layers we noticed odors even after single use, so if you love your neighbor wash it between activities.

Flash Dry Warm is also available in a slightly thinner layer for extreme aerobic conditions as well as a thicker layer for less aerobic activities like downhill skiing. Unlike, some of its wool counterparts, don’t expect a zippered chest, pockets or anything fancy. However, at its price point we were not complaining.