The North Face Men's Tansa Soft Shell
- Free Domestic Shipping On Orders Over $100
- In stock
- Backordered, shipping soon
- Add To Cart For Final Price
Men’s Tansa Soft Shell
Apparel · Outerwear / Hike Soft Shell
It may be a soft shell, but the Men’s Tansa Jacket goes hard on the trail. Built with added stretch for greater range of motion on the most strenuous switchbacks, this layer provides the water-repellent, off-grid coverage you need for long miles and longer days.
Stretch Woven Body
94% recycled polyester, 6% elastane woven with a brushed back — soft interior next to skin, stretch for unrestricted movement on the trail
Non-PFC DWR Finish
Water-repellent finish sheds light rain, snow, and trail spray without PFCs — keeps the layer wearable through unexpected weather on long days
Three-Piece Hood with Brim
Attached, adjustable, three-piece hood with a brim (stiff visor) + cinch-cord with cord locks in back — the brim keeps sun/rain off the face without obstructing vision, and the cinch dials in a secure fit
Chin Guard at Center Front
Exposed center front zip with a chin guard — the small fabric flap at the top of the zip prevents the zip teeth from irritating the chin/neck when zipped all the way up
Secure-Zip Chest & Hand Pockets
Secure-zip chest and hand pockets — keep phone, keys, snacks, or small gear safe during high-output trail use
Encased Elastic Cuffs
Encased elastic at the cuffs seals out wind and stays put without bulk — easy to push sleeves up on warmer sections of trail
Internal Drawcord at Hem
Internal drawcord at hem for adjustability — cinch the hem down to seal out wind or open it up for venting on uphill sections
Recycled Materials
Body fabric 94% recycled polyester
Regular Fit
True-to-size regular fit that layers over a baselayer or light fleece and accommodates active trail movement
Use
Type
Hike Soft Shell
Activity
Hiking · Backpacking · Light Active Mountain Use
Fit
Regular
Sizing
Sizes (Men’s)
XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Materials
Body Fabric
266 g/m² — 94% recycled polyester, 6% elastane woven with a brushed back and non-PFC DWR finish
Stretch
6% elastane for unrestricted movement
Brushed Back
Soft interior next to skin for next-to-skin comfort
Construction
Membrane
None (soft shell — wind-resistant, water-repellent, not waterproof)
DWR
Non-PFC durable water-repellent
Closure & Storage
Front Closure
Exposed center front zip with chin guard
Hood
Attached, adjustable, three-piece with brim and rear cinch-cord with cord locks
Pockets
Secure-zip chest + secure-zip hand pockets
Cuffs
Encased elastic
Hem
Internal drawcord (adjustable)
Branding
Logo on left chest + back-right shoulder
Sustainability
Recycled Content
Body fabric 94% recycled polyester
PFC Status
Non-PFC DWR finish
Washing
Close all zippers (CF + chest + hand pockets) before washing. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors. Use a mild technical cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger’s Performance Wash to maintain the non-PFC DWR finish on the 266 g/m² 94% recycled polyester body. Regular household detergent leaves residue that degrades the DWR over time and can mat the brushed back interior. Avoid chlorine bleach, fabric softener, and dryer sheets. Do not dry clean (solvents destroy the DWR + the 6% elastane stretch).
Drying
Tumble dry on low to reactivate the DWR finish. A short 10–15 minute low-heat cycle is usually enough — long high-heat cycles can damage the 6% elastane stretch, the brushed back interior, the chin guard, and the rear hood cinch-cord. Hang dry is also fine if you tumble briefly afterward to restore water beading.
DWR Re-Proofing
When water stops beading on the 266 g/m² woven face, re-treat with a spray-on DWR such as Nikwax TX Direct or Granger’s Performance Repel. Apply to the clean, damp jacket, paying extra attention to the shoulders (where pack straps wear the DWR fastest), the upper back, and the front chest. A short low-heat tumble helps set the finish.
Brushed-Back Interior Care
The brushed back interior is what gives the Tansa its soft-shell feel — soft against skin + light insulation. The brushing can flatten with repeated compression (stuffed in a pack) or high heat. After a season of regular use, give the jacket a quick fluff by hand or a short low-heat tumble cycle to restore the brushed texture.
Hood Brim Care
The stiff brim in the three-piece hood is what gives the hood its baseball-cap shape. Don’t fold the hood brim flat for long-term storage — this can permanently deform the brim and prevent it from returning to its curved shape. Hang the jacket on a wide hanger with the hood loose, or fold the jacket so the hood lies naturally without compressing the brim.
Chin Guard Care
The small fabric flap at the top of the center front zip is a wear-zone — it takes constant friction from the chin/neck. If it starts to fray or pull loose, a quick reinforcement stitch with matching thread is a 5-minute fix. The exposed center front zip itself is durable; lubricate sparingly with a silicone-based lubricant (Nikwax, GE Silicone II) if it starts sticking, and never force.
Stretch Fabric Care
The 6% elastane delivers four-way stretch but breaks down faster than polyester if exposed to high heat, chlorine, or harsh chemicals. Avoid hot tubs, chlorinated pools, and prolonged UV exposure. If the jacket loses its snap-back stretch, the elastane is likely degraded — common after 3–5 years of heavy trail use.
Encased Elastic Cuffs
The encased elastic at the cuffs is the most common wear point on a soft shell. The elastic is wrapped in the same woven fabric as the body, which protects the elastic but can fray at the seam. Check the cuff seam periodically; if it starts to fray, a reinforcement stitch with polyester thread restores the seam in 5 minutes. Avoid pulling the jacket off by the cuffs (stresses the seam) — pull from the body or unzip and shrug out.
Soft Shell vs Hard Shell Awareness
The Tansa is a soft shell — wind-resistant + highly breathable + four-way stretch + water-repellent, but NOT fully waterproof. Built for high-output hiking in cool/dry conditions, where breathability and stretch matter more than storm-grade waterproofing. For sustained heavy rain or wet conditions, layer a fully seam-sealed hardshell over the Tansa. The two systems are designed to layer together for serious mountain use.
Storage
Hang on a wide hanger in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, or fold loosely. Avoid thin wire hangers that can crease the shoulders or deform the hood brim. Long-term compression (stuffed in a pack or gear bag for storage, not transport) can flatten the brushed interior and degrade the elastane stretch. Keep out of direct sunlight — UV degrades both the 94% recycled polyester face and the non-PFC DWR over time.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Riding Gear & Apparel:
Riding gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 2-5 business days.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
