In 1966, two hiking enthusiasts founded a small mountaineering retail
store in the heart of San Francisco's North Beach. The Company soon
became known as The North Face, a retailer of high-performance
climbing and backpacking equipment. (The name was selected because in
the Northern Hemisphere, the north face of a mountain is generally the
coldest, iciest and most formidable to climb.) In 1968, The North Face
began designing and manufacturing its own brand of high-performance
mountaineering apparel and equipment, and in the early 1980s, extreme
skiwear was added to the product offering. By the end of the decade,
The North Face became the only supplier in the United States to offer
a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear,
sleeping bags, packs and tents.
In Spring 1996, The North Face made its debut in the sportswear market
with the launch of Tekware®, a collection of high-performance
sportswear made from advanced materials using innovative construction.
The Tekware® collection was designed to provide rock climbers,
backpackers, hikers, trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts with the
ultimate in fit and function. Later that year, the Company acquired
A-5 Adventures, Inc., adding portaledges and other big wall gear to
its collection of outdoor equipment. The North Face launched its own
line of trekking and trail running shoes in Spring 1999.
Now, 38 years after its start in the outdoor industry, The North Face
provides an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment and
footwear. Offering the most technically advanced products on the
market, The North Face is the choice of the world's most accomplished
climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders and explorers.
The North Face is committed to pushing the limits of design, so that
you can push your limits outdoors -- never stop exploring.
