Female-specific gear can be hard to come by in the mountaineering space — but today we’re one step closer. On October 7, The North Face (TNF) leveled up its Advanced Mountain Kit (AMK), launching the 2.0 version, which includes a women’s-specific kit.
Built for high-speed mountaineering, the women’s AMK collection includes 12 pieces. It’s designed for layering and swapping to match almost any conditions and activity level.
“No matter where I’m going, I throw the entire modular AMK in a bag and know I’ll be set,” professional alpinist Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger said during a TNF athlete panel about the release.
Lustenberger worked closely with TNF to develop the layering system. During her first descent on Trango Tower in Pakistan, she even sent TNF product director Kyle Parker satellite messages about the kit’s real-time performance.
Building a women’s-specific kit meant tailoring each piece to fit a female body and support natural mobility — rather than Lusti “showing up in an extra-small men’s kit” (which she previously did).
Designers thoughtfully placed the pockets and mapped the insulation specifically for women. They added less insulation in the chest and lower back, informing the design with gender-specific thermal testing.
“We’ve been working with TNF on this collection since day one,” Lustenberger said. The process has empowered female alpinists to give input through every iteration of development. Beyond Lustenberger, TNF worked with Chantel Astorga, Anna Pfaff, and Brette Harrington to dial the women’s AMK kit.
Years of Field & Lab Testing, New Innovation
The women’s-specific AMK includes the Summit AMK Cloud Down Parka ($1,200) and Jacket ($700), Cloud Down Pant ($1,000) and Cloud Down LT Pant ($600), Futurelight Climb Pant ($600) and Futurelight Ski Pant ($600), the 5050 Hoodie ($650), Futurefleece Hoodie ($325), DotKnit Crew ($175), Vest ($250), Shorts ($400), and DotKnit Tights ($175).
Originally launched in 2020, the updated men’s collection has the equivalent pieces alongside an AMK Assault Tent, Superlight Sleeping Bag, Duffel, AMK Backpacks (in 23L, 40L, and 55L sizes), a Down Mitt and Overmitt, Verto FA climbing boots, a DotKnit Wool Beanie, Balaclava, and Liners.
Now, the Futurelight electrospun membrane is PFAS-free. The AMK carries over innovative materials, including Spectra yarn (rated to be stronger than steel), DotKnit Wool — which wicks moisture from skin to the outside — and loftier Cloud Down insulation.
Each piece also underwent rigorous lab testing at the VF Corp Lab in Denver. The lab ran abrasion tests for durability, snagging tests with spiky balls, and rain room tests with gender-specific manikins. If it didn’t pass muster, the product went back to the development team for tweaks and improvements.
The result is a kit that high-performance mountain athletes can trust to protect them from the elements, no matter where they are.
“With AMK I can pursue my wildest goals,” Lustenberger said in a press release. “As a kit intentionally made for winter alpinism, it allows me to explore my extreme limits with absolute confidence and ease.”
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