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Brand · United States

The North Face

A large-volume outdoor brand spanning inexpensive DryVent rainwear up to air-permeable FUTURELIGHT and GORE-TEX Pro mountain shells.

Founded 1966Last verified 2026-10-19

Background

Founded in 1966 as a San Francisco shop by Doug Tompkins; the later headquarters relocation is not the founding location.

What to check before buying

Editorial buying guidance, not a brand rating

A membrane name is only the beginning of a jacket comparison. Check the exact model's construction, hood, ventilation and intended use: a lightweight emergency shell and a mountain jacket solve different problems even when both are described as waterproof and breathable. Compare the features on the product page rather than assuming every jacket from the brand offers the same protection or comfort.

For the general method, see how to choose a waterproof jacket and waterproof ratings explained.

Brand facts

Published company information

Country of origin
United States
Founded
1966
Price range
Entry to premium
Jacket families
Antora, Dryzzle, Summit Series
Warranty
US: limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the product's practical and reasonably expected lifetime, original owner, nontransferable. UK pages state two years — a verified regional difference, not a contradiction.
Repair programme
Warranty repair route published; a universal paid repair tariff could not be verified from the accessible official documentation.
Sustainability
States a goal to convert 10% of polyester and nylon volume to textile-to-textile recycled content by 2030 — a target, not an achieved proportion for every jacket.

WaterproofJacket.com assessment

Our editorial view of the brand

Strengths

  • Unusually broad range from $130 rain jackets to $900 alpine shells
  • In-house DryVent and FUTURELIGHT platforms alongside licensed GORE-TEX

Weaknesses

  • Summit Series is a collection name, not a membrane — constructions differ within it
  • Warranty duration differs by region, so assumptions from one market do not transfer

Frequently asked questions

Is The North Face warranty lifetime everywhere?

No. The US policy covers the product's practical lifetime against manufacturing defects; the reviewed UK page states two years. Check the policy for your region.

Is Summit Series a waterproof technology?

No. Summit Series is a collection; jackets within it use named constructions such as GORE-TEX Pro or FUTURELIGHT, which differ per model.

Sources