The North Face
The North Face sponsors elite runners such as Fernanda Mac.
Tim Kemple / Argentina
The American performance outdoor gear brand known as The North Face began as a San Francisco retail outlet in 1966. Two years later, the founders began designing their own technical climbing gear under the brand name.
The North Face offers gear and apparel across a very wide swath of outdoor pursuits, including climbing, hiking, skiing and running, in addition to indoor gym workout clothes. By 1990, The North Face had become the only supplier in the United States to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, packs and tents.
Today the company specializes in outerwear, fleece, coats, shirts, footwear, and equipment such as backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. The North Face is a subsidiary of V.F. Corporation, which also owns Altra, Icebreaker, Timberland and Smartwool. Recently the V.F. Corporation announced the move of The North Face and other subsidiary headquarters to Denver, Colorado.
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