The North Face is the only manufacturer in the United States, with products ranging from outdoor jackets, skiwear, backpacks, tents, and a variety of other outdoor gear. The name originates from the north slope, which is known as the coldest and most challenging to climb. Interestingly, the story of The North Face actually began at the beach—more specifically, a place called North Beach in San Francisco, which is only 150 inches above sea level. In the early 1980s, we started exploring extreme skiing and expanded our product range to include specialized skiwear. Due to the unique demands of that era, it became the foundation for freedom among skiers. By the end of the 1980s, The North Face was the sole supplier of high-tech outerwear, ski apparel, backpacks, and other outdoor equipment in the U.S.
In the 1990s, a new era dawned for The North Face as we broadened our focus on outdoor activities and provided numerous sportswear options, including affordable North Face jackets. Our innovative series of products offered climbers, backpackers, hikers, and others the utmost comfort and functionality. Increasingly, athletes came to appreciate our brand.
Originally, The North Face Jackets started as a small mountaineering retail store founded in 1966 by two passionate hikers. Soon after, it was named The North Face and relocated to Berkeley, another area across San Francisco with unlimited potential for growth. There, we began designing and manufacturing professional clothing and equipment for mountaineering.
In the 1970s, we garnered praise from many outdoor sports enthusiasts and started sponsoring adventures in some of the world's most remote regions—places rarely visited before. This marked the beginning of our tradition: "Never Stop Exploring." Today, we continue to uphold this tradition, and we will do so forever.