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The North Face provides outdoor clothing, equipment, and footwear for adventure enthusiasts and athletes. It offers jackets, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and various footwear designed for durability and performance across casual hikes to professional expeditions. Its products work by using materials and designs that protect against cold, wet, and rugged conditions, with features like insulating layers, weatherproof shells, load-bearing packs, and rugged tents for different terrain. The company differentiates itself through its strong emphasis on sustainability (including a Renewed program for refurbished clothing), a direct-to-consumer model (online, company stores, and authorized dealers), and active sponsorships and community initiatives that support outdoor athletes and enthusiasts. The North Face aims to help people explore outdoors safely and responsibly by offering reliable gear and services while advancing sustainability in its operations and products.
About The North Face
Industries
Social Impact
Consumer Goods
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$28M
Headquarters
Alameda, California
Founded
1999
People at The North Face
People at The North Face who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Universal Collection features can extend into core tents, packs, and sleep systems.
- The eight-year U.S. Ski & Snowboard partnership strengthens technical-performance storytelling through 2034.
- Fall 2026 Olympic-inspired product drops can convert elite credibility into seasonal sales.
What critics are saying
- Inclusive product failures would damage The North Face’s accessibility positioning quickly.
- Canada Goose, Patagonia, and Salomon pressure premium outdoor share in key categories.
- Store closures in Kansas signal weak retail productivity outside flagship and tourism markets.
What makes The North Face unique
- Adaptive-athlete co-design drives the Universal Collection’s inclusive product architecture.
- The North Face pairs expedition credibility with lifestyle collaborations like emmi x VECTIV Breeze 2.
- Its multi-channel model spans DTC retail, authorized dealers, and destination stores like Thamel.
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Funding
Total Funding
$28M
Below
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Industry standards
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Hybrid Work Options
Employee Discounts
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 2%Adaptive products roundup: may 2026. May 27, 2026. Over the course of 25 years as a wheelchair user, I've spent hundreds of nights camping. I love the whole experience: campfires, hot coffee on cold mornings, even the sound of rain pattering on the fly. But there are parts of camping that are more of a pain than they need to be. The prime offender is the sleeping bag. Trying to zip up one up around a spastic, paralyzed body with limited finger function? No thanks. I choose to shimmy into an already-zipped bag, but that takes a few minutes of wrestling, and then the hood is likely to be covering my face. If I have to wake up to cath, it's two more wrestling matches. This is why I was intrigued by The North Face's announcement of its Universal Collection of "inclusive outdoor gear, " including the Universal One Sleeping Bag. With a unique double wing design, it looks way easier to get into and out of than a typical sleeping bag. The GIF showing how it opens is mesmerizing. Instead of zippers it has magnetic closures that should make getting opening or closing it a snap. Will it hold heat as well as typical zippered bag? No idea, but given the level of thought North Face put into the design, the chances seem good. Other items in the Universal Collection include the Universal Wawona 3 Tent, which has a lowered threshold to make it easier to roll your wheelchair into, a large vestibule to keep your chair out of the elements once you've transferred out of it, and a few features like an attached rainfly and easy-catch pole mounts designed to make setup easier. North Face also released the Universal Daypack with oversized zipper pull loops, a magnetic fastening top, a flat bottom designed to keep the pack standing while you load it and webbing straps made specifically to slide onto wheelchair backrest bars. New "Not a Wheelchair" Offerings. In other outdoor product news, Not a Wheelchair, the mobility equipment manufacturer started by YouTubers Zack and Cambry Nelson, is about to release an update to its "The Rig" off road device. The Rig 2.0 has a variety of improvements over the previous models: an updated suspension system, a seat with built in dump that should hold you in place better and a fold down steering column that makes it easier to transfer into. The base model is two-wheel drive, starts at $5,999 and is now available for preorder. They have also released a four-wheel-drive Big Rig capable of handling much rougher terrain. Check out the video below for a comparison of the two new rigs, along with a preview of the upcoming "Giga Rig," a super high torque model that can do things like climb a flight of stairs with three adults riding on it. Not as flashy, but equally helpful, Not a Wheelchair also offers manual wheelchair accessories that will work on most manufacturers' chairs and follow NAW's "solid quality at about half the price" business model. Wheelchair Armor ($29.99) is basically super durable, translucent vinyl stickers designed to interlock and follow the contours of your wheelchair frame to protect it from the dings and scratches of everyday life. Not a Wheelchair's wooden handrims feel nice on your hands and don't transfer heat in cold weather like metal ones do. I tried a pair of Lignorim wooden handrims back in 2023 and loved them so much I'm still using them. But Lignorims start at $490 a pair and Not a Wheelchair sells theirs for $199. Similarly, Not A Wheelchair offers aluminum scissor wheel locks for $90 that look identical to the ones I paid $150 for just a year or two ago. A bring-it-yourself aisle chair. Adaptive mountain bike company Bowhead has recently been expanding into everyday mobility products. Bowhead's latest offering is the Nano Travel Chair. The Nano is compact enough to serve as a light-weight shower chair or an airplane aisle chair. It weighs less than 10lbs and quickly folds to fit underneath your seat or in an overhead bin. You propel yourself by pushing/pulling yourself on seats or other fixed objects. Because of the balance and strength needed to transfer into it and move yourself around, it's likely better for paras or low quads with solid arm strength. Like everything Bowhead, it's a super functional design with high quality execution. The Nano is priced at $1,499 and Bowhead also sells a custom, shower-friendly cushion for $299, both of which are scheduled to start shipping in June. Stay tuned for our real-world review and video of the Nano. (Slightly) updated tilites and easy-adjust brakes. In March, Permobil announced its new versions of their flagship titanium manual wheelchairs, the ZR and the TR. The updates are around the edges, with aesthetic and component changes, including "redesigned machined caster bullets, slimmer fork caps, and streamlined CoG systems." I use a TiLite TR myself, and I've never been one to worry over the girth of my fork caps, but I guess incremental improvements do add up. TiLite says there's a 13% weight reduction on the TR and a 6% weight reduction on the monotube ZR. Doug Garven, a manual wheelchair user and product manager for TiLite says that "When we were designing the new iteration of the TR and ZR, we were always thinking about ways to cut weight and make the geometry as compact as possible. I feel confident that we've achieved that." Lastly, Hands on Concepts, the company that makes super-bespoke titanium wheelchairs, released "Quick-Turn Brakes." The innovation is that you can quickly adjust the brake position with a turn of a knob. Anyone who switches between on- and off-road wheels or just gets annoyed when you have mushy brakes because you've lost air pressure in your tires knows how nice it would be to not have to reposition the whole mechanism with an Allen wrench. They are available in Scissor or Push to Lock styles for $325 from the Hands on Concepts store, or you can buy just the posts for $175 and bolt on your existing aluminum wheel locks.
The North Face closes only store in Kansas. May 19, 2026 The North Face has closed its store at Leawood, KS, its only store in Kansas, according to local reports. The location at 5004 W 119th St. in the Town Center Plaza, which opened in late 2023, closed on May 8. No reason has been given for the closure. The North Face also closed its Country Club Plaza store, at 312 W. 47th St., in Kansas City, MO in early 2024. It opened in late 2007. The North Face continues to operate a store at 1464 St Louis Galleria, in Kansas City, MO. Image courtesy The North Face
Golden gains as Durston brings design and prototyping in-house. April 13, 2026 Outdoor equipment company Durston is strengthening its roots in Golden by expanding its design capabilities and bringing more of its manufacturing process in-house, a move expected to boost local innovation and economic activity. The business has grown rapidly since its establishment in 2018. This year, president and product architect Dan Durston made two significant advancements: he established an in-house prototyping division in Golden and hired Chris Stone, formerly of The North Face, as senior designer to work alongside him. "Bringing prototyping in-house means a much faster pace of innovation and will give us the ability to really push the limits of what we can do technically," Durston said. - Advertisement - "Sending things overseas, it takes us longer and is harder to get things right and so, we're moving towards prototyping in-house, because we can do it faster and better." "Plus, having such a talented designer as Chris Stone on site is a major advantage." Stone relocated to Golden from Denver, Colo., drawn in part by the community's direct access to the outdoors. "Durston's geographic location is an amazing benefit," Stone said. "I love being able to prototype where I play. Going straight from the lab into the field to test in our backyard is very satisfying." The shift to in-house prototyping allows Durston to design, test and refine products locally, reinforcing Golden's reputation as a hub for outdoor innovation and skilled talent. Widely respected in the ultralight backpacking community, Durston has built a strong reputation for design innovation through its award-winning X-Mid tents and Kakwa packs. The X-Mid is now one of the best-selling ultralight tents on the market, and the company's Iceline trekking poles are described as the world's lightest three-piece adjustable poles, weighing 134 grams. Durston is also one of the original members of KORE Outdoors, a Kootenay-based industry alliance for gear makers, designers and repair technicians. "KORE's mission is to establish the Kootenay region as a global leader in outdoor gear innovation," said board chair Matt Mosteller. "Durston's decision to bring prototyping in-house is a meaningful win for the region and reinforces the Kootenays' growing role in shaping the future of outdoor gear." Kate is a proud mom of two with a wealth of journalism, media and communications experience. Born in Australia, Kate moved to the Kootenays for a change in lifestyle and now spends her days enjoying the mountains, lakes and activities the region has to offer.
The North Face Base Camp Duffel marks 40 years with rugged reinvention. The North Face has unveiled a rugged update to its iconic Base Camp Duffel, celebrating 40 years since its launch. Long regarded as a chief rival to Patagonia's Black Hole, the bag now comes in special editions, including a premium leather version, reinforcing its legacy as a travel essential. The North Face has marked the 40th anniversary of its most iconic travel bag, the Base Camp Duffel, with a bold new update that underscores its reputation for durability and adventure-ready design. First introduced in 1986, the Duffel quickly became a staple for explorers and travellers, earning its place alongside the greatest travel bags ever made, including Patagonia's celebrated Black Hole. Four decades on, the Base Camp Duffel remains one of the brand's most enduring products, prized for its robustness and versatility. To celebrate this milestone, The North Face has unveiled special editions that elevate the bag's appeal while staying true to its rugged heritage. Among these is a premium leather version, designed to bring a touch of sophistication to the Duffel's utilitarian roots, making it equally at home in airports and urban settings as it is in the mountains. The anniversary update is more than a cosmetic refresh. The North Face has reinforced the Duffel's construction, ensuring it continues to withstand the toughest conditions. Known for its weather resistance, heavy-duty materials and practical design, the bag has long been a favourite of climbers, trekkers and travellers who demand reliability. The latest iteration builds on this legacy, offering enhanced durability while retaining the features that made it a classic: spacious compartments, sturdy handles and the ability to endure years of use. By positioning the Base Camp Duffel as a direct alternative to Patagonia's Black Hole, The North Face has reignited a rivalry that has defined the travel gear category for decades. Both bags are celebrated for their toughness and adaptability, but the anniversary edition of the Duffel signals The North Face's intent to reaffirm its leadership in the space. For loyal fans, the new editions are a reminder of the Duffel's journey from a practical expedition bag to a cultural icon. For newcomers, they represent an invitation to invest in a piece of outdoor history that has proven its worth across generations. As The North Face celebrates 40 years of the Base Camp Duffel, the brand has ensured that its most iconic travel companion is not only preserved but strengthened for the adventures yet to come.
The North Face reopens Performance Pro Store in Thamel, introduces new retail concept. B360 April 6, 2026, 1:15 pm 8 Shares Discover more KATHMANDU: The North Face has reopened its Performance Pro Store in Thamel, Kathmandu, introducing a new retail concept for Nepal's trekking and mountaineering community. The Kathmandu outlet, themed 'Endless Exploration', brings together outdoor performance gear, lifestyle apparel and expedition-grade equipment, including the brand's Summit Series, in an immersive store layout for trekkers, climbers and outdoor enthusiasts. Situated in Thamel, a central marketplace for expedition supplies, the store will serve international visitors preparing for routes such as Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit, as well as local mountaineers and trekkers. The company said the outlet will provide authentic, warranty-backed technical apparel, tents, sleeping bags and footwear in a market where imitation gear is common. The North Face has operated in Nepal since 2003 and maintains retail locations in Thamel, Pokhara and Namche Bazaar. The Kathmandu upgrade forms part of a broader retail strategy that emphasises experiential design, customer engagement and storytelling to meet the needs of Nepal's growing outdoor community. Company officials said the move supports expedition preparedness and safety by improving access to global outdoor technology and reliable equipment for both visitors and residents. Discover more The North Face also plans further expansion and upgrades of Performance Stores and Performance Pro Stores across Nepal, and will refresh other outlets to deliver more immersive in-store experiences. Published Date: April 6, 2026, 1:15 pm Post Comment E-Magazine February 2026. RELATED B360 National
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About The North Face
Industries
Social Impact
Consumer Goods
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Series C
Total Funding
$28M
Headquarters
Alameda, California
Founded
1999
The North Face is Hiring for 38 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today