The History of North Face

Exploring the Legacy of North Face

Embracing new trends like unusual ski masks can be truly imaginative. But let's delve into the roots of sportswear and discuss the legendary brand, North Face.

In 1968, in San Francisco, Douglas Tompkins established the North Face store. Its name, literally translated as "northern wall," symbolized one of the most challenging slopes to climb on the Eiger mountain.

This brand is not just a producer of sportswear but also a dependable support for mountain sports, protector of the wild, and innovators of products for active sports enthusiasts. The history of this brand is full of events and discoveries, and we will share it with you right now.

A New Owner – A New Concept

The year 1968 marked the appearance of a new owner for North Face. English entrepreneur Kenneth Klopp invested in the brand and relocated the store to Berkeley. At that time, there was a shortage of mountain gear suppliers, making in-house production inevitable. Transitioning to in-house manufacturing was key to the company's success. It was during this time that David Alcorn developed a unique logo that is globally recognizable today, graphically resembling the peak of Half Dome slope.

It all began with the production of backpacks, sleeping bags, and other essential gear for outdoor sports. Distinguishing themselves from competitors, finding new solutions, and improving familiar items were the main goals of the producers. In 1969, the world saw a lighter version of a hiking backpack with a unique load-carrying system named Ruthsack. This item had such a resounding success that it continues to be popular among active individuals in a slightly modified form.

Embarking on Adventures with North Face

North Face revolutionized the world of tourism by enabling people to embark on long hikes without having to carry heavy military gear. Materials like aviation-grade aluminum and parachute nylon were the starting point for a new approach to hiking gear, significantly reducing its weight. Kenneth Klopp, on behalf of his brand, provided all the essentials, sponsored and supported many significant scientific and medical expeditions.

Next in the path to success was the idea to enhance A-frame tents. Such shapes often broke under the influence of wind and precipitation, prompting the mountain sports world to seek more reliable shelters. North Face embarked on a development project that resulted in the creation of the Oval Intention tent, resistant to almost any external factors, offering excellent protection from rain, snow, and wind. It became a prototype for tents that North Face continued to improve and present to the public.

By the way, renting out such tents can be a lucrative business if you set up a tourism equipment rental business.

Ongoing Interaction

A key to the company's success was continuous engagement with expeditions and athletes, directly seeking their advice on gear improvements. Only through such interactions could new horizons be opened and innovations achieved. In 1977, North Face adopted a justified slogan, "Expedition Proven," emphasizing its products as tested by expeditions. In 1997, the motto was changed to a unique consumer call-to-action, "never stop exploring."

The manufacturers stated they were exploring ways to enhance mountain gear for customers to explore the world, confirming their slogan. During the same period, the company began producing vibrant down jackets, a product North Face is proud of to this day. Today, a North Face sports jacket weighs 70 grams and is recognized as an excellent product by millions of athletes worldwide, a testament to the valuable advice from sponsored expedition participants.

North Face Today

Today, the company has a nature conservation charity fund called Explore Fund and is engaged in fascinating projects like the Speaker Series, dedicated to showcasing the most impressive achievements of riders and climbers. A whole team of professional athletes has become the face of this brand, with their roster continually updated. In our times, seeing the company's name embroidered on a bright, high-quality jacket assures you of a top-notch product available in stores worldwide.

Despite achieving all peaks of recognition, North Face continues to evolve, this time developing apparel and gear for runners and organizing large-scale running events. This success story deserves recognition, so be sure to share it on social media and, of course, never stop exploring!