Last year, North Face’s Summit Series Trail Running Kit tickled my fancy with their Flora Alpina styles. This year’s launch is a little more subdued, but has some nice updated colorways in select styles -Lava Red, Frost Grey, Pearl Stone, and TNF Black. These are super accessible and reflect the energy of spring and summer while maintaining the athlete-tested and expedition-proven technology that The North Face Summit Series is known for.
This collection continues to not just be about looking good—it’s designed to help trail runners not only withstand the elements but thrive in them.
The Summit Series Trail Running Kit includes:
- Tops
- Summit Series Superior FUTURELIGHT Jacket (available in men’s and women’s)
- Summit Series High Trail Short Sleeve (available in men’s and women’s)
- Summit Series High Trail Tank (available in men’s and women’s)
- Shorts
- Shoes
- Accessories
Summit Series High Trail Short Sleeve & Tank
Both the Tank and Short Sleeve are strong options for trail runners, and importantly, they share the same performance-focused build—so choosing between them really comes down to whether you want sleeves or not. Either way, you’re getting a top designed for high-output efforts, with a body-mapped construction that pairs FlashDry fabrics with a more advanced FlashDry-Pro back panel to keep moisture moving when the effort ramps up.
Out on the trail, that translates to a lightweight, breathable feel that holds up well on climbs, in the heat, and under a pack. Details like underarm gussets and a split hem keep movement unrestricted, while bonded seams help reduce friction over longer miles. They are purpose-driven pieces that feels most at home during bigger efforts, where managing sweat and staying comfortable becomes just as important as the miles themselves.
Summit Series Pacesetter 5” Short
The North Face Summit Series Pacesetter 5″ Shorts land right in that sweet spot of being simple, lightweight, and ready for just about any run you throw at them. The regular fit feels comfortable without getting in the way, and the combination of LIGHTRANGE and FLASHDRY fabrics does a nice job managing moisture, odor, and sun exposure all at once. They stay breathable as things heat up, and the added DWR finish is a nice touch for those damp spring mornings when the trails (or roads) aren’t fully dry yet.
From a usability standpoint, everything feels pretty dialed. The elastic waistband with internal drawcord is easy to adjust, and the storage is just enough without overdoing it—power-mesh pockets along the waistband for quick stash items, plus a secure zip pocket in the back for anything you don’t want bouncing around.
The built-in liner is comfortable and moisture-wicking, and small details like reflective hits round things out. It’s an easy, no-fuss short that does exactly what you want it to do when you’re just trying to get out the door and get your miles in.
Taken together, the The North Face Summit Series High Trail Collection feels like a really solid lineup for runners heading into spring. The tops and bottoms both lean into lightweight, breathable performance without overcomplicating things, making them easy choices for everything from daily miles to longer trail efforts.
It’s definitely a collection worth checking out if you’re looking to refresh your kit with pieces that just work when you need them to.
