Table of contents
Origin
The North Face originated in the United States and was founded in 1966 in San Francisco, California. It actually started very modestly, as a small shop specialising in mountaineering equipment. The founders, Douglas Tompkins and his wife Susie Tompkins, started with a small shop on the north side of San Francisco. They mainly sold equipment for hikers, mountaineers and adventurers. The name "The North Face" refers to the north side of a mountain, which is generally the coldest and hardest to climb - thus a nod to challenges and adventure.
In 1968, the company moved to Berkeley, California, and began designing and producing its own technical clothing and sleeping bags. In the 1980s and 1990s, the brand grew rapidly, partly as outdoor sports became increasingly popular.
Although The North Face originally focused on extreme outdoor sports, such as climbing, skiing and expeditions, the brand is now also wildly popular on the streets. Today, The North Face it known as one of the largest and most influential outdoor and lifestyle brands in the world. The brand also remains strongly committed to sustainability, with initiatives such as recycled materials and circular production lines.
Collection
The North Face produces clothing as well as footwear and equipment. For equipment, think backpacks, sleeping bags or tents. At Twinseasons, you will find a large part of all these article groups in our range.
Technologies and innovations
DryVent
DryVent is a waterproof and breathable membrane that keeps outside moisture (such as rain and snow) out, while allowing sweat and moisture to escape from inside. This keeps you dry and comfortable, even during intense activities or bad weather. The North Face often uses DryVent as an alternative to other well-known membranes such as Gore-Tex, especially in their more accessible or everyday wear lines.
DryVent consists of multiple layers:
- 2-layer: an outer layer that protects against the elements, with the waterproof membrane behind it.
- 2.5-layer: a lighter version with a protective coating on the inside.
- 3-layer: for tough conditions, with an extra inner layer for durability and comfort.
Heatseeker
Heatseeker is an insulation technology from The North Face, designed to retain heat without adding much weight. It is a synthetic filling often used in jackets, gloves, trousers and sleeping bags.
There are several varieties of Heatseeker, such as:
- Heatseeker Eco: made from recycled materials (e.g. plastic bottles), so more environmentally friendly.
- Heatseeker Pro: more technical version, used in sports or alpine equipment for better performance.
Heatseeker is often used in combination with DryVent in jackets: the outer layer protects against wind and rain, while Heatseeker keeps you warm on the inside.
Sustainability
In recent years, The North Face has been increasingly active in sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. They want to reduce their impact on the environment while continuing to make high-quality, sustainable products for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Recycled materials
Many of The North Face's jackets, fleeces and backpacks are now made from recycled fabrics, such as recycled polyester (often sourced from plastic bottles), recycled nylon and "Recycled Down": down reclaimed from previously used products. The North Face's "Eco" products often carry the label "The North Face Renewed" or "Exploration Without Compromise".
Circularity
Through the The North Face Renewed programme, The North Face takes back worn clothing, professionally restores it and resells it. This way, products are given a second life. Lifetime Warranty: many products have a long warranty and can be repaired, which reduces waste. In some countries, The North Face even has a repair service or mobile repair trucks at events.
Participation in sustainable initiatives
The North Face is a member of a number of initiatives that aim to improve the production process of clothing and (outdoor) equipment. These include the following initiatives:
The above are some of what The North Face is doing in the area of Sustainability. Should you want to know even more about it, be sure to check out The North Face's own website.
The North Face Store
In the Netherlands, Twinseasons is an official The North Face dealer with a shop and also an extensive range on the webshop. Shop in our The North Face store and experience how durable and high-quality The North Face products are.
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 