Continuing to innovate in the outdoors.
1968 | SAN FRANCISCO, USA | Douglas Tompkins

Douglas Topkins, who had been passionate about skiing and mountaineering since his teens, opened "THE NORTH FACE," a shop selling skis and backpacks, in San Francisco in 1966. The then-unknown band, The Grateful Dead, also attended the opening party. The brand name "THE NORTH FACE" refers to the north side of mountains, which are difficult to climb, and its logo is modeled after the north face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

Starting with the release of the lightweight internal-frame backpack "Ruthpack" in 1969, which garnered significant attention, the company went on to introduce the industry's first sleeping bag with a minimum temperature rating, the "SIERRA PARKA," considered the prototype of the down parka, and the world's first dome-shaped tent, "Oval Intention." In addition to their functionality, these products, which were highly fashionable and unlike any outdoor wear before them, became popular not only among outdoor enthusiasts but also among young people at the time.

In 1977, they adopted GORE-TEX® for their outerwear, creating the world's first highly breathable, all-weather outdoor wear.

The brand boasts a variety of hit products, but one of its most iconic is the Nuptse Jacket, released in 1992. This high-performance down jacket features a baffle structure that insulates the jacket and enhances warmth. Its vibrant colors and rounded silhouette are its defining characteristics, making it a popular model not only among outdoor enthusiasts but also in street fashion.

As a brand that combines high functionality and fashionability, it has fans all over the world, and in Japan, Goldwin Inc. began importing and selling the brand in 1978 and is the official distributor.