Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Around here is all The North Face over Patagonia.


TNF doesn't have as good of a reputation for serious outdoor equipment. They're more focused on casual clothing in the style of serious outdoor gear.


TNF makes serious mountaineering gear. I mean gear for people trekking Lhotse or Annapurna or Aconcagua. I've had one of their sleeping bags too. Not exactly a Western Mountaineering bag but it was quite respectable to a relatively serious backpacker.

That said, I don't wear their clothing so I can't comment on their apparel lines.


They have a limited amount of very good apparel. (I have one of their jackets for winter hiking which replaced a prior TNF I probably had for 20 years or so.)

With the exception of some boutique manufacturers (Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, etc.) all of the outdoor companies tend to lean on serious outdoor adventuring for their brand but, especially as they grow, they're more and more about selling clothes for people to wear around the city.

Some of them do maintain their original roots. Others not so much.


The North Face absolutely makes serious outdoor gear (in addition to casual/street stuff). Their Summit Series line is very high quality.

EDIT: Grammar.


They make serious gear, but it's mainly their mountaineering line.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: