Review: The North Face Verbier Gore-Tex ePE Jacket and Bibs

Sizing and Fit

I tend to size my ski outerwear slightly differently depending on where I plan on using most–though I’ve been trending toward the slightly looser and baggier end of the spectrum for both resort skiing and backcountry touring. I’m 6’0”, 190lbs, and opted for the XL version of both the jacket and bibs.

Both the jacket and bibs have a somewhat slim and tall silhouette. The jacket is long, covering my butt, but even in XL, these aren’t quite as baggy and loose as other kits I’ve found. The burly construction and stiff zippers also help the kit to really keep its shape, even if you cinch down the drawcords on the hem.

I’d say if you’re my size and want a truly baggy fit, you might want to consider the 2XL size.

In the field with the North Face Summit Verbier Kit:

As I’ve said many times before: I’m a hardshell guy. Why not stay cozy and protected from the elements with a durable, waterproof and breathable kit? The North Face chooses to use Gore-Tex’s new PFAS-free membrane, Gore-Tex ePE, as the core material for the whole kit, but otherwise the jacket and bibs remain largely unchanged from the existing version.

Both the jacket and bibs have a TON of features. This is not a minimalist kit. That means pockets and zippers everywhere. The jacket features left and right chest pockets as well as drop pockets, underarm zippers, a left-arm pass pocket with a microfiber goggle wipe, and interior pockets (with a pass through to the bib and a small headphone port). There’s a non-removable powder skirt. I found that the drop pockets are nice for resort skiing to stash a phone or snacks, but are inaccessible when wearing a pack because they are fully covered by a pack’s waist strap. That just adds unnecessary bulk to the jacket for backcountry or ski touring use.

The jacket’s hood is an interesting one–it’s large enough to fit over any size helmet, but the front has a stiff collar that’s partially separated from the hood. I actually really love this style of hood because it allows for better head movement with the hood up when storm skiing without having the collar move away from covering your face.

The bibs are a bit simpler, featuring a large drop pocket on the bib and really effective adjustable shoulder straps. The bib pocket has an organizer pocket inside (a nice feature, but adds bulk). There are waist and thigh pockets that are all suitable for carrying an avalanche beacon–it’s nice to have options on where to carry a beacon if you prefer to carry it in a pocket.

Gore-Tex ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane is the newest generation of the classic waterproof/breathable material that takes advantage of the hydrophobic (water repellent) nature of ePE without added PFAS chemicals, which have been proven harmful to the environment and outlawed in many states and countries. Here’s a good explanation on how the material actually works, and why even when the face fabric “wets out” on super nasty days, it will still keep you dry inside.

During testing in Canada and on subsequent storm days back home in the Tetons skiing in Jackson Hole, Grand Targhee and in the backcountry, the jacket and bibs proved to be very waterproof. The material and build are very burly and durable and don’t skimp on features. Even after several weeks straight of skiing in these, they show very little signs of wear.

Who is The North Face’s Summit Verbier Kit best for?

The North Face’s “Athlete Tested. Expedition Proven.” slogan really exemplifies the careful design that went into the Summit Verbier Kit. In other words, it’s a really high-quality jacket and bib that’s built to last and is filled with features that are perfect for resort skiers and mechanized backcountry skiers. 

I think the jacket is a bit too bulky to be a daily-driver ski touring shell (it doesn't pack down very small, and I found the fit to be a bit constrictive for touring), but it’s an excellent choice for lift-serve backcountry skiing, cat or heli skiing, or snowmobiling.