North Face

Summary

The North Face- part of the VF Corporation- is a globally recognised outdoor apparel and equipment brand renowned for its high-performance products designed to empower exploration in the harshest environments. Established in 1966, the company has built a legacy of innovation, offering a wide range of gear including insulated jackets, hiking boots, backpacks, and tents, all tailored for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Known for its iconic half-dome logo inspired by Yosemite’s Half Dome, The North Face embodies a commitment to sustainability, durability, and functionality. Whether scaling mountains, traversing forests, or navigating urban jungles, the brand equips individuals to “never stop exploring,” combining cutting-edge technology with timeless design to withstand nature’s extremes while keeping users comfortable and protected.

History

1966. San Francisco’s North Beach. It was here Douglas Tompkins and his wife Susie Tompkins 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. Per Forbes, “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.”

In 2020, “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. Currently, communities of color are three times more likely to live in nature-deprived places, and often face racism and other systemic challenges when they do explore,” per Forbes.

Vision

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.

Mission

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.

Products and Services

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  includes hiking boots, running shoes, and winter boots, all engineered to offer superior traction, support, and comfort across challenging terrains and weather.

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 supports a 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.

Awards and Recognition

The North Face enjoys global recognition as a premier brand for outdoor performance and lifestyle apparel, celebrated for its enduring quality and innovation. Known for outfitting adventurers, athletes, and explorers, the brand has become synonymous with resilience and exploration, often seen on expeditions to some of the world’s most extreme environments. Its iconic logo, inspired by Yosemite’s Half Dome, is a symbol of rugged determination and outdoor excellence. Beyond technical gear, The North Face has also achieved cultural prominence, frequently embraced in urban fashion and streetwear for its blend of practicality and style. This dual appeal has solidified its reputation not only among outdoor enthusiasts but also within mainstream culture, making The North Face a trusted name for those seeking reliability, performance, and style in their gear.

Leadership Team

Nicole Otto (Global Brand President)
Bracken Darrell (VF President and CEO)
Matt Pucket (VF Executive VP and CFO)

References

• Official website North Face
• Business booming for once-troubled North Face SF Gate
• Twitter account of North Face Twitter
• Backpacks: A new ‘badge’ of cool USA Today
• LinkedIn account of North Face LinkedIn
• How The North Face Took Over ’90s New York The Cut
• Youtube account of North Face Youtube
• Gucci’s collaboration with the North Face GQ
• Instagram account of North Face Instagram
• Brand history The North Face
• Wikipedia account of North Face Wikipedia
• How the Founder Went From High School Dropout to Millionaire Conservationist National Geographic
• The North Face and Gucci Pop-Up in NYC Harpers Bazaar
• Freewheeling early days of North Face GQ
• This North Face Collection Really Makes Us Wanna Go Outside GQ
• The North Face Unveils Global Retail Strategy PR Newswire
• North Face announces reset Forbes
• The North Face’s Epic 1966 Store Opening Men’s Journal
• How North Face builds movements Forbes
• North Face is suing South Butt SS Today