The North Face, Inc.

In 1966, Douglas Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell opened a small climbing shop in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. They named it after the north face of a mountain, the coldest and most demanding route, and stocked it with gear from brands like Patagonia and Sierra Designs. Two years later, the company incorporated and began designing its own equipment, starting with tents and sleeping bags. The half-dome logo, introduced early on, nods to Half Dome in Yosemite, a granite monolith that rises 8,842 feet and has long drawn climbers from around the world.

The 1990s transformed The North Face from a niche mountaineering supplier into a cultural touchstone. Its Nuptse jacket, first released in 1992, became a streetwear icon, and by the late '90s the brand was as visible on city sidewalks as on alpine trails. VF Corporation bought the company in 2000 for around $25 million, and since then it has expanded into footwear, trail running, and a dedicated Urban Exploration line. Today, The North Face outfits everyone from Everest expeditions to festival-goers, and its Summit Series gear is standard issue on many high-altitude climbs.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the brand employs roughly 4,000 people globally. In Japan and Korea, licensing partner Goldwin, Inc. handles distribution, operating with a degree of independence from the US parent. The company's financial health is closely tied to VF's performance; in early 2026, The North Face was a key driver of VF's return to revenue growth, even as regional sales dips in Japan prompted forecast adjustments. Its sustainability push gained momentum in June 2026 with a partnership involving Neste, Idemitsu, and Toray to create renewable nylon for outerwear, starting with the Japanese market. [edit]