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.
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