It takes its name from the coldest and most inclement side of a mountain. It helped explorers reach unthinkable heights in the Himalayas. But ironically, The North Face® legend was born on a beach. More exactly, in the North Beach area of San Francisco, just 45 meters above sea level. It is here that, in 1966, two hiking enthusiasts decide to turn their passion into a small mountain equipment shop. Soon after, that little shop became known as The North Face, a retailer of high-performance climbing and backpacking equipment. In 1968, The North Face moves to the other side of the San Francisco Bay, in the Berkley area, where everything becomes possible, and begins to design and produce technical mountain equipment and clothing under its own brand. Throughout the 1960s, The North Face brand gained a fan following among outdoor athletes and began sponsoring expeditions to the most remote and untouched corners of the planet. Hence that tradition that still fills us with pride today and that constantly reinforces The North Face mantra "Never Stop Exploring ™. In the early 1980s, The North Face takes exploration to new heights in the world of skiing by adding extreme skiwear to its catalog. These were the years of pastel and fluo colors, hair dyes and crests, all features that would later pave the way for modern free-spirited skiers. Towards the end of the decade, The North Face becomes the only supplier in the United States to offer a full collection of outdoor and ski clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks and tents, all of which are high-performance. The 1990s saw the beginning of a new era where The North Face helps athletes explore new territories in the open air. This decade sees our debut in the sports apparel market with the launch of Tekware ™, an innovative collection designed to offer perfect fit and function to mountaineers, hikers, trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. The North Face half-dome logo begins to appear more and more frequently on ultramarathon courses, high mountain tracks and large walls. With the approach of the new millennium, The North Face launches its line of trekking and trail-running shoes to finally satisfy all the needs of those who always aim for new horizons.
Shortly thereafter, that little shop became known as The North Face, a retailer of high-performance climbing and backpacking equipment. In 1968, The North Face moves to the other side of the San Francisco Bay, in the Berkley area, where everything becomes possible, and begins to design and produce technical mountain equipment and clothing under its own brand.
Throughout the 1960s, The North Face brand has gained a fan following among outdoor athletes and began sponsoring expeditions to the most remote and unspoiled corners of the planet. Hence that tradition that still fills us with pride today and that constantly reinforces The North Face mantra "Never Stop Exploring ™.
In the early 1980s, The North Face takes exploration to new heights in the world of skiing by adding extreme skiwear to its catalog. These were the years of pastel and fluo colors, hair dyes and crests, all characteristics that would later pave the way for modern free-spirited skiers. Towards the end of the decade, The North Face becomes the only supplier in the United States to offer a full collection of outdoor and ski clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks and tents, all of which are high-performance.
The 1990s saw the beginning of a new era in which The North Face helps athletes explore new territories in the open air. This decade sees our debut in the sports apparel market with the launch of Tekware ™, an innovative collection designed to offer perfect fit and function to mountaineers, hikers, trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts. The North Face half-dome logo begins to appear more and more frequently on ultramarathon courses, high mountain tracks and large walls. With the approach of the new millennium, The North Face launches its line of trekking and trail-running shoes to finally satisfy all the needs of those who always aim for new horizons.
