1. Our Journey.

    1966-1969

    Named for the most challenging side of the mountain, The North Face has equipped explorers since 1966 to reach their dreams. Driven by the mantra of Never Stop Exploring™, our expeditions inspire us to test the outer limits of performance and possibility.

    A vibrant sunset illuminates Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

  2. A cultural trading post.

    1966

    In 1966, a young climber named Doug Tompkins used his savings to start a revolution. A humble shop in San Francisco soon became a cultural trading post where the Grateful Dead played live, the Beat Generation shared new ideas and a who’s who of American climbers stopped in after traversing Yosemite.

    Rock climber and The North Face founder, Doug Tompkins, on the phone.

  3. The birth of backpacking.

    1969

    Developed as a practical solution for bulky gear, the Ruthsack was one of the first internal frame packs ever created. Lightweight and ultra-functional, the pack revolutionized hiking by making it accessible to all. “Backpacking,” as we know it, was born.

    A backpacker treks through the snow-covered mountains wearing a fully packed.

  4. The commitment forward.

    1970–1979

    Since day one, we’ve done business differently. From repurposing surplus Vietnam-era materials, to advocating for wilderness preservation, our choices are aimed at protecting the places that we love. This commitment drives us forward.

    Rock climber and The North Face founder, Doug Tompkins, on the phone.

  5. Expedition for the earth.

    1972

    One of our first sponsored expeditions was a 30-day, 300-mile traverse of the Koyukuk and Itkillik Rivers led by adventurer, Ned Gillette. This journey to Alaska opened our eyes to the construction of the Alaskan Oil Pipeline—prompting a published plea in our 1967 catalog from Friends of the Earth to stop the pipeline and protect Alaska’s wildlife.

    Adventurer, Ned Gillette and his team, set up camp on their Alaskan expedition.

  6. A shelter of the future.

    1975

    Inspired by architect and inventor R. Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller’s theory of sphericity, The Oval InTENTion is introduced, revolutionizing the A-shaped tent. The first of its kind, the tent incorporated maximum efficiency with minimum materials.

    The efficient construction and unique design of the first oval-shaped tent is demonstrated.

  7. The first true outerwear.

    1977

    An effort to keep skiers warm in the harshest conditions led to the introduction of GORE-TEX® products in The North Face outerwear line: the first dry, breathable and truly all-condition gear.

    A close-up of a GORE-TEX® jacket demonstrates its superior waterproof properties.

  8. A woman’s place.

    1978

    The first all-female team summits 25,504-foot Annapurna. Led by Arlene Blum, it was also the first successful American ascent. Shirts and flags from the trip were emblazoned with the mantra, “A Woman’s Place is on Top.”

    Members of the first all-female team celebrate at base camp after summiting Annapurna.

  9. The trail is forever.

    1980-1989

    Our gear has crossed hemispheres and cultures, becoming a symbol on trails, sidewalks and the highest places on earth. Wherever it shows up, our iconic Half Dome logo is a reminder to celebrate where you’ve been and get inspired by what lies ahead.

    A mountaineer transports his gear in the Himalayas.

  10. Higher slopes.

    1983

    Extreme Gear, using GORE-TEX® fabric, hits the skiwear market. Squaw Valley skiers Scot Schmidt and the Egan Brothers test the products during their expeditions. Known as the “Extreme Team,” the skiers are often featured in Warren Miller’s ski films.

    A skier smiles while testing out new products and equipment.

  11. Motion on mountains.

    1985

    The Mountain Jacket and Pant are introduced, providing the same level of comfort and motion to climbers and trekkers as skiers. With GORE-TEX® in each piece, the suit is the genesis of an entire expedition apparel line developed with GORE-TEX® weather protection.

    A detailed look at the original GORE-TEX® Mountain Jacket.

  12. The Base Camp Duffel.

    1986

    Made of nearly indestructible fabrics and designed to go everywhere, the Base Camp Duffel continues to circumnavigate the globe, survive the world’s roughest airport baggage handlers and be carried by porters, yaks and camels to every region on Earth.

    A Base Camp Duffel is strapped to a pack animal in a remote region.

  13. An alliance for the planet.

    1989

    The North Face co-founds The Conservation Alliance with REI, Patagonia and Kelty. The group distributes its collective annual membership dues to grassroots organizations working to protect North America’s last wild places.

    A winter camper gazes at a clear night sky while overlooking Crater Lake.

  14. Iconic fleece.

    1989

    The Denali Jacket, a zip-in fleece compatible with the Mountain jacket instantly becomes an icon. Lightweight, durable and exceptionally warm, its legend shows up everywhere its worn.

    Snowboarders wearing the Denali Fleece Jacket pose with their gear in front of a snow covered peak.

  15. Expedition activated.

    1990-1999

    By making things a lot lighter and more functional, we were freeing people up to go much farther.

    – Jack Gilbert, VP of Sales and Marketing, 1968 – 1988
    A skier makes a daring jump off a high alpine ledge.

  16. Trans-Antarctica Expedition.

    1990

    An international team sets off on the first dogsled crossing of Antarctica—an extraordinary feat across 4,000 unforgiving miles. Their mission was to study climate change and raise awareness for Antarctica’s endangered environment. Their outerwear became a phenomenon.

    The first trans-Antarctic dogsled team takes a break while completing their expedition.

  17. Steep Tech.

    1991

    The first-ever athlete-inspired ski clothing line takes lift lines and rope lines by storm. Described as “the motocross garment of the mountains, designed for those who live, work and climb in the mountains.”

    Professional skier, Scot Schmidt, makes a steep descent of a near vertical slope.

  18. The Nuptse.

    1992

    Tibetan for “west peak,” Nuptse lies a mile southwest of Mt. Everest and is considered the western peak of this climbing gold mine. Incorporating an innovative construction that decreases down shifting and increases warmth, the Nuptse Jacket instantly becomes iconic.

    The original Himalayan Suit is advertised in The North Face catalogue.

  19. The Himalayan Suit.

    1994

    This fully baffled down garment for high-altitude climbing becomes the gold standard in the world of thin-oxygen and polar environments. It goes on to take hundreds of explorers to the highest and most frozen paths on Earth.

    The original Himalayan Suit is advertised in The North Face catalogue.

  20. A Never Stop mindset.

    2000-2009

    It’s not about the distance, but what there is to discover right in front of me.

    – Alex Honnold, Team Athlete
    Climber, Alex Honnold, looks down on the Yosemite Valley from an exposed ledge.

  21. 50 marathons. 50 days.

    2006

    Ultra-runner Dean Karnazes completes a record 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. He finishes with the New York City Marathon before running another 3,000 miles back home to San Francisco.

    Ultra-runner, Dean Karnazes, is portrayed in a black and white portrait.

  22. The seven summits.

    2006

    Kit DesLauriers becomes the first person to ski the apex of every continent—The Seven Summits. Her feat includes an on-foot ascent and on-ski descent of Everest. USA Today declares her Everest feat the “Crowning Glory of a Seven Peak Dream.”

    Kit DesLauriers and her team make a high-altitude ascent during her quest to ski the seven summits.

  23. Take flight.

    2006

    The Flight Series™, a new ultralight and ultra-functional line of running apparel launches, changing the game in the same way that the Oval InTENTion and Ruthsack did for alpinists a generation earlier.

    A trail runner sprints through a rugged mountain setting.

  24. Free the climb.

    2008

    Alex Honnold stuns the climbing world with his free solo of the Moonlight Buttress in Zion National Park, UT. Five months later, the 21-year old free solos the Regular Northwest Face (VI 5.12a, 23 pitches) on Half Dome in Yosemite, solidifying his status as one of climbing’s legends.

    Climber, Alex Honnold, grips the granite wall on his free solo ascent of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

  25. New progression.

    2010-2019

    Perhaps God can save the queen, but only man can save the wilderness.

    – The North Face Catalog, 1968
    A mountaineer looks out across the surrounding summits.

  26. Exploring the future.

    2010

    The North Face launches the Explore Fund at the 2010 Outdoor Nation Youth Summit in New York City. A grant-giving program with an initial base of $250,000 (increased to $500,000 in 2015), the money supports nonprofit organizations seeking to create a deeper connection between people and nature.

    A group of hikers make their way through the wilderness, as an ice climber smiles during their ascent.

  27. Summiting Meru.

    2011

    Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk make the first ascent of the Shark’s Fin on 21,700-foot Mount Meru in India—considered one of the most challenging and dangerous peaks in the Himalayas. Three events before, the same trio was defeated after 19 grueling days. This time, they successfully ascended after 30 days of climbing.

    A portrait of Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker, members of the first team to summit Mount Meru.

  28. Powering freeskiing.

    2013

    With deep roots in the freeskiing community, The North Face announces in 2011 that we will take our support a step further by signing an eight-year deal as the founding partner of U.S. Freeskiing and the official supplier of the U.S. Freeskiing Team.

    Athlete and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin, wears a ThermoBall<sup>™</sup> Jacket while preparing for a winter expedition.

  29. The launch of ThermoBall™.

    2013

    After events of testing on expeditions including two trips to Meru’s Shark’s Fin and Everest, The North Face launches ThermoBall™, a new type of synthetic insulation that closely mimics down clusters.

    Athlete and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin, wears a ThermoBall<sup>™</sup> Jacket while preparing for a winter expedition.

  30. Clothes the Loop.

    2013

    Charting new paths for sustainability and circularity, Clothes the Loop allows consumers to drop off clothing and footwear from any brand, in any condition, at retail stores. This initiative stems from our commitment to reduce the environmental impact of our products.

    A detailed depiction of the Clothes the Loop logo.

  31. Responsible Down Standard.

    2014

    With a goal of better traceability and animal welfare in the down industry, The North Face creates the Responsible Down Standard and gifts it to the Textile Exchange to administer globally. The North Face applies this standard, meeting RDS certification by 2016.

    A detailed depiction of the Responsible Down Standard Logo.

  32. A level above.

    2017

    On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold free solos the Freerider route of El Capitan in three hours and 56 minutes. This breathtaking human achievement is celebrated all over the world, and captured in the Oscar-winning film, “Free Solo”, directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.

    Climber, Alex Honnold, visualizes his next move while completing the first free solo ascent of El Capitan.

  33. Walls are meant for climbing.

    2017

    Global Climbing Day marks the culmination of The North Face’s Walls Are Meant For Climbing campaign, a global movement to bring people together through the power and community of climbing.

    A young climber enjoys learning on an indoor rock wall.

  34. Renewed launched.

    2018

    The North Face Renewed is created to develop a program to renew, refurbish and recycle used gear. Whether previously worn, returned, damaged or defective, we inspect, wash, and tune it up so it’s ready for that next adventure.

    A jacket is carefully repaired so it can be reused on future adventures.

  35. Future of outerwear.

    2019

    Developed using innovative nanospinning technology, FUTURELIGHT™ is created to offer the first of its kind breathable, waterproof protection. Unlike conventional membranes, the nano structure of FUTURELIGHT™ allows air to pass through.

    A detailed look at the waterproof and breathable FUTURELIGHT<sup>™</sup> fabric.

  36. The future of exploration.

    2020-Now

    What exploration offers is a vehicle for personal transformation.

    – Conrad Anker, Team Athlete
    At sunrise, a pair of mountaineers make the final push towards the summit.

  37. Introducing: Explore Fund Council.

    2021

    The Explore Fund Council brings together experts from all walks of life to find creative solutions to celebrate all the ways humans explore. Across cultures and communities, The Explore Fund removes barriers so everyone can get outside and benefit from the experience.

    Athlete and filmmaker, Jimmy Chin, stands on a summit with camera in hand.

  38. The future of trail.

    2021

    Our most innovative trail footwear technology to date is introduced with VECTIV™, an athlete-tested, lab-proven technology system, designed to maximize energy on the trail. Boldly standing out from what currently exists in the market, a mid-cushion rocker tuned with a 3D Plate maximizes energy on the trail and propels you further.

    A trail runner races through a desert landscape.