First launched in 1994, the Himalayan Suit has set the standard in thin air environments ever since. Now it reaches its full potential.
Designed by a female-led team and built specifically for women, this is the new Himalayan Suit.
Asymetrical front zip
Offset zip placement to protect against oxygen mark condensation and freezing
Futurelight™ shell
Breathable-waterproof membrane delivers extreme weather protection and aids temperature regulation
Double insulated placket
Targeted insulation for temperature regulation
Expandable pockets
Two external mesh drop pockets on thighs provide quick and easy storage for gloves
Double layer lower leg construction
Allows shell to fit independently over boots
Behind the design
Designed by a female-led team and built specifically for women, the new Himalayan Suit is the result of a multi-year project.
"It has always been the icon of The North Face.
But the original Himalayan Suit was really designed for men. You’ve got to feel confident in your suit.
It’s your best friend out there.
It’s life and death so as designers we had to rethink everything.
We packed all of the innovation and technology that we have within The North Face really to provide a suit that is expedition-proven."
Chanelle Joly
Summit Senior Technical Developer
Dawa Yangzum Sherpa grew up in a Himalayan village with no electricity or running water. But by age 9, she knew she would someday summit Mount Everest. She accomplished her dream at age 21 and one of just over 100 women worldwide, to earn certification as an IFMGA Guide. Dawa was part of the first all-female team from Nepal to reach the summit of K2. She also made a first ascent on Mount Langdung in her home Rolwaling Valley and has attempted Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak.
Dawa Yangzum Sherpa
Team athlete
"With growing numbers of women in alpinism and mountaineering, it’s really important to have a suit that’s built for them.
Where you have your pack, the shoulders were too wide on the men’s.
The torso was too long.
Getting the new women’s suit right was so important so with Dawa meant we had the perfect partner."
Erica Cottrell
Senior Design Manager
"With growing numbers of women in alpinism and mountaineering, it’s really important to have a suit that’s built for them. Where you have your pack, the shoulders were too wide on the men’s. The torso was too long. Getting the new women’s suit right was so important so with Dawa meant we had the perfect partner."
ERICA COTTRELL
SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER
"It has always been the icon of The North Face. But the original Himalayan Suit was really designed for men. You’ve got to feel confident in your suit. It’s your best friend out there. It’s life and death so as designers we had to rethink everything. We packed all of the innovation and technology that we have within The North Face really to provide a suit that is expedition-proven."
CHANELLE JOLY
SUMMIT SENIOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPER
Athlete tested. Expedition proven.™
Since ’94, the Himalayan Suit has set the standard in thin air environments. To relaunch it in 2023, we worked someone who does the same, team athlete Dawa Yangzum Sherpa.
2009
First high summit, Yala Peak - 5,500 m
2012
Successfully climbs Mount Everest - 8,848m
2014
Summits K2 with an all-female Nepali team - 8,611m
2017
Summit attempt on Kangchenjunga - 8,586m
2017
First female Nepali IFMGA Guide
2019
First Nepali woman to summit Makalu - 8,481m
2022
First winter ascent of Mount Langdung - 6,357m
Because we don’t stop at basecamp.
We’ve stood on the summits. We’ve pushed the limits. And we’ve done it all with equipment that wasn’t made for us. Imagine what we can do when it is.