The North Face Outdoor Apparel & Gear

The North Face is a premier American outdoor recreation product company. Founded in 1966 by Douglas Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell in San Francisco, California, it originally began as a climbing and camping equipment retail store. The name was chosen because the north face of a mountain in the Northern Hemisphere is generally the coldest, iciest, and most formidable route to climb.

Over several decades, the brand transitioned from a niche technical supplier to a global fashion and utility icon. While its headquarters remain in the United States, manufacturing is distributed globally to take advantage of specialized textile capabilities. Production takes place in various countries, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, and El Salvador, ensuring high-quality output for their technical jackets, footwear, and equipment.

Since 2000, The North Face has been a subsidiary of VF Corporation. This parent company, a massive American apparel titan, also oversees other major lifestyle brands. This ownership has allowed The North Face to scale internationally while maintaining its focus on innovation and sustainability through initiatives like circular design and refurbished gear programs.