North Face

The North Face- part of the VF Corporation- is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through outdoor, active and workwear brands including Vans, The North Face, Timberland and Dickies. 

Founded in Berkeley CA in 1966 it has a long storied legacy of enabling exploration, loving and protecting wild places and creating iconic technically advanced products. At North Face the core team believes that exploration is a mindset- both on the mountain and off the mountain- and it infuses everything they do. As a community of explorers, they stay curious about new ideas, places and people.

1966. San Francisco's North Beach. It was here Douglas Tompkins and his wife Susie opened a modest mountaineering retail store which became a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. They named it The North Face because the northern wall of a mountain in the Northern Hemisphere is the most formidable ascent. In two years, the couple launched Esprit and sold North Face to Kenneth "Hap" Klopp. The shop became acclaimed for climbing and backpacking gear and shifted base to Berkeley on the other side of the Bay.

Klopp was at the helm of the company for the next twenty years years. Shortly Fifield took over. Through the Sixties, The North Face had a loyal following amongst outdoor enthusiasts and sponsored expeditions to remote parts of the world, a tradition that continues till date. By the Eighties, the brand added extreme skiwear to the product line and became the only supplier in the US to offer a comprehensive line of quality outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags and tents. 

In the Nineties The North Face launched Tekware- a quality functional collection for rock climbers, backpackers, hikers and trail runners. The North Face half-dome logo became visible at ultra-marathon courses, high-country trails and big walls on a regular basis and the brand launched its own line of trekking and trail-running shoes.

In 2000 The North Face was acquired by American worldwide apparel and footwear company VF Corporation for reportedly $25.4 million and became a wholly owned subsidiary. While the brand continued to strengthen the outdoor market with product, expedition and athlete achievements, it also launched two pioneering product lines — Thermoball and Fuseform. Thermoball introduced synthetic insulation similar to down while Fuseform changed the way technical apparel is produced. 

“North Face is an excellent example of a brand that’s standing behind its core beliefs. By acting on purpose, the outdoor apparel retailer is driving growth through impact" per Forbes. “The world's largest outdoor brand has committed to donating $7 million and joins with passionate experts across industries including Lena Waithe- the Emmy Award-winning screenwriter producer and actor... to help develop scalable solutions that addresses inequity in the outdoors and support access to exploration.” Today The North Face has become such an icon that it is used by celebrities Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Aniston, Kanye West and Drake

The North Face is dedicated to equipping athletes and adventurers with the highest-quality gear, designed to withstand the most demanding environments. Their mission is to enable individuals to push their boundaries and explore the world with confidence, knowing they have the best tools at their disposal. Whether it’s scaling the highest peaks or navigating urban landscapes, The North Face provides innovative and reliable products that empower people to pursue their passions without limits. This commitment to excellence in product design and functionality ensures that athletes and explorers can focus on achieving their goals and discovering new horizons.

Beyond providing exceptional gear, The North Face is deeply committed to the preservation of the natural world. The company actively supports environmental initiatives and advocates for sustainable practices in the outdoor community. By encouraging responsible exploration and environmental stewardship, The North Face aims to inspire a global movement that values and protects our planet. Their mission is not only to foster a love for exploration but also to instill a sense of responsibility towards the environments we venture into, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience the wonders of the natural world.

The North Face, a leading brand under the VF Corporation umbrella, envisions itself as more than just an apparel, footwear, and accessories company. It aims to inspire a global movement toward exploration, adventure, and sustainability. By equipping athletes and outdoor enthusiasts with the highest-quality gear, The North Face strives to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world. 

The purpose of North Face is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and planet. Named after the most challenging side of the mountain.. The North Face has equipped explorers since 1966 to reach their dreams. Driven by the mantra of Never Stop Exploring, the team envisions to continually test the outer limits of performance and possibility.

The North Face offers a diverse range of high-performance products designed to meet the needs of athletes, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Their product line includes apparel, footwear, and equipment that cater to outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, and running. The apparel collection features technical jackets, insulated layers, base layers, and pants made from advanced materials that provide durability, breathability, and weather resistance. Footwear options include hiking boots, running shoes, and winter boots, all engineered to offer superior traction, support, and comfort across challenging terrains and weather conditions.

In addition to their products, The North Face provides a suite of services aimed at enhancing the customer experience and fostering a community of like-minded explorers. These services include personalized gear recommendations, expert advice on outdoor activities, and access to educational resources about sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. The brand also supports a robust warranty and repair program, ensuring that customers can rely on their gear for the long haul. 

Through initiatives such as the “Clothes the Loop” program, The North Face encourages customers to recycle used products, promoting a circular economy and reducing environmental impact. Together, these products and services reflect The North Face's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and empowering people to explore and protect the great outdoors.