End of an era, North Face Outlet closed in Berkeley

[littlebeast]

used to be into north face products. lately, and for a long time, it’s been almost exclusively UA and spyder.

 

[greenmonster]

According to Google TNF was sold in 2000 to the VF corporation who currently have 10 companies in their portfolio.
Among them are Vans, Timberland, JanSport and other lesser known clothing brands.

TNF shifted away from hardcore climbing gear and innovation (TNF invented the geodesic dome tent) towards urban streetwear. Away from uniqueness and towards mediocrity and sameness.

 

[Climber]

That explains a lot. Didn't know they had been bought, but they didn't seem the same once they got into the 2000's.

 

[Abacinator]

Eh, their products are still distinctly Northface. I don't know what the quality is like but VF has owned Vans shoes for over 20 years and they're basically the only brand of shoes I wear. I've always been happy with the fit , style, and quality so I expect that would extend across VF's other brands. VF is not a private equity firm

 

[mercurial]

I briefly worked for a TNF store in London in 2005, where it was a "cool" foreign brand, at the time. Most of our customers were London yuppies looking for glorified rain gear to wear during the morning commute. However we did get regular Himalaya expedition teams coming in and raiding all the base camp bags, which at the time were known to be top-tier, and might still be. I think the expeditions also sometimes bought the high altitude down suits. The TNF gore-tex jackets were mostly for the yuppies.

I think my least favorite aspect of the brand is, the size of the brand on items. Sometimes its absolutely massive, making it look kinda like the RL polo or LV of outdoor gear. Tacky.

 

[Climber]

I have a bunch of their dry bags, I still use a couple large ones that I bought in the 90's.

 

[mercurial]

yea they are like made for dragging over rock and are pretty much bomb proof. I think the built in shoulder straps allow porters to just throw them right on their back, although I think more often they just tie 4 of them on the back of a yack!