Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear's name undeniably tells a tale. "Mountain" is, well, for the mountains, while "Hardwear" is truly the most telling word of the pairing–every piece is, literally, built for hard wear. Combined, these two words map the plot of Mountain Hardwear's story; a story running parallel to our collective ambition outdoors. You see, you can't just show up to climb an ice face or ski a remote line on the mountain; you actually have to put the work into it. Likewise, since 1993, Mountain Hardwear has realized the necessity that innovation plays in living up to its own name. More importantly, though, its advancements supply the tools you need to conquer the seemingly unconquerable. As technologies have changed, Mountain Hardwear has never been one to simply adopt and adapt. Instead, it actually initiates the shift in trends through strategic partnerships that lead to the development of innovative new materials. Much of this is traceable back to 2001, when Mountain Hardwear partnered with W.L. Gore and Associates on the development of the venerable Windstopper fabric. Today, it's a household name, but back then, it required a truly pioneering spirit to roll the dice. The same was true when Mountain Hardwear went solo on the development of its highly breathable DryQ Elite jackets and pants or its Ghost Whisperer down insulation pieces, creating new standards in lightweight, protective outerwear. Since its early days in California, Mountain Hardwear's unyielding passion for perfection has extended itself to nearly every category of adventure and freedom. In the camping and expedition domains, Mountain Hardwear invented standards like Crossflow construction, the Tension Shelf, and the Tension Arch for its tents. For backpacking, it produced the first waterproof sleeping bags in 2003, followed up by Coolwave Suspension for its backpacks. For skiing and ice climbing, it was the first to produce both men's and women's jackets with welded seam technology–a feat that also helped to revolutionize the industry for ski jackets and ski pants. And in 2005, it adapted this technology to produce the first welded softshell and down jackets. Not surprisingly, Mountain Hardwear's innovative spirit translates into a host of patents. Sure, that's something to take pride in, but all of this was done simply because Mountain Hardwear believes that nothing should be impossible, and that anything worth having is worth some hard work. As Mountain Hardwear even says, "We think that the magnificence of the outdoors is magnified when it's shared."

Find Mountain Hardwear gear for sale at Backcountry.com. Shop a huge selection of Mountain Hardware tents, jackets, gloves & more.

Mountain Hardwear - Jackets, Pants, & Tents

Its name captures the brand's essence with clever simplicity-Mountain Hardwear. From Exum Ridge to Everest, hardcore mountaineers have relied on Mountain Hardwear to get them through the toughest conditions. Check out Gore-Tex shells, weatherproof soft shells, technical fleece jackets, pants, and more.

Mountain Hardwear's name undeniably tells a tale. ""Mountain"" is, well, for the mountains, while ""Hardwear"" is truly the most telling word of the pairing–every piece is, literally, built for hard wear. Combined, these two words map the plot of Mountain Hardwear's story; a story running parallel to our collective ambition outdoors. You see, you can't just show up to climb an ice face or ski a remote line on the mountain; you actually have to put the work into it. Likewise, since 1993, Mountain Hardwear has realized the necessity that innovation plays in living up to its own name. More importantly, though, its advancements supply the tools you need to conquer the seemingly unconquerable.
 
As technologies have changed, Mountain Hardwear has never been one to simply adopt and adapt. Instead, it actually initiates the shift in trends through strategic partnerships that lead to the development of innovative new materials. Much of this is traceable back to 2001, when Mountain Hardwear partnered with W.L. Gore and Associates on the development of the venerable Windstopper fabric. Today, it's a household name, but back then, it required a truly pioneering spirit to roll the dice. The same was true when Mountain Hardwear went solo on the development of its highly breathable DryQ Elite jackets and pants or its Ghost Whisperer down insulation pieces, creating new standards in lightweight, protective outerwear.
 
Since its early days in California, Mountain Hardwear's unyielding passion for perfection has extended itself to nearly every category of adventure and freedom. In the camping and expedition domains, Mountain Hardwear invented standards like Crossflow construction, the Tension Shelf, and the Tension Arch for its tents. For backpacking, it produced the first waterproof sleeping bags in 2003, followed up by Coolwave Suspension for its backpacks. For skiing and ice climbing, it was the first to produce both men's and women's jackets with welded seam technology–a feat that also helped to revolutionize the industry for ski jackets and ski pants. And in 2005, it adapted this technology to produce the first welded softshell and down jackets.
 
Not surprisingly, Mountain Hardwear's innovative spirit translates into a host of patents. Sure, that's something to take pride in, but all of this was done simply because Mountain Hardwear believes that nothing should be impossible, and that anything worth having is worth some hard work. As Mountain Hardwear even says, ""We think that the magnificence of the outdoors is magnified when it's shared.""

Five Ten

Five Ten's ultra high performance climbing shoes offer grip on the nastiest boulders climbs or on more subdued sport routes.  No matter what your line of choice, a pair of Five Tens will give you the grip you need to hit the top.

Five Ten's ultra high performance climbing shoes offer grip on the nastiest boulders climbs or on more subdued sport routes. No matter what your line of choice, a pair of Five Tens will give you the grip you need to hit the top.

Mammut

It all started in Dintikon, Switzerland, in 1862. Kaspar Tanner had just finished a three-year rope-making apprenticeship and decided to go into business for himself—a decision that would propel a storied, 150-year-old brand into motion. The Tanner family enterprise flourished well into the 20th century and in 1943, the Mammut brand name was introduced. Translating to “mammoth,” the Mammut name embodies both power and strength. Shortly thereafter, Mammut helped pioneer the world of mountaineering through the invention of its first glacier rope to be made from nylon yarn.  In the next 35 years, Mammut kept its focus set on mountaineering, inventing several new ropes—most notably, the first rope to be certified for climbing and the first to feature a braided, kernmantle construction. In fact, it wasn't until 1978 that Mammut shifted its gears away from ropes and towards products like technical outerwear. Its first collection of jackets and pants, the Altitude Collection, utilized the then-new Gore-Tex fabric. With the latest in waterproof and breathable technology, the Altitude set the bar high enough to inspire Mammut to reach further into the outdoor market.  For several years in the early ‘80s, Mammut introduced a stream of new products, effectively transforming it from a well-respected rope company with a few jackets into a major player in the mountaineering arena. Beginning with sleeping bags and climbing gear like carabiners, climbing harnesses, and helmets, Mammut continued to diversify its offerings. It began selling avalanche safety gear—including beacons, shovels, and probes—since 2006, but in 2011, it took a significant step of acquiring Snowpulse, an established developer of inflatable airbag backpacks. Today, it offers a full line of RAS (removable avalanche safety) packs featuring technology designed to significantly improve the wearer’s chances of survival in an avalanche. Today, skiers and mountaineers look to Mammut for climbing, mountaineering, and avalanche safety gear, as well as windproof and waterproof clothing suitable for the most demanding environments. Mammut’s backpacks, footwear covering everything from mountaineering boots to trail running shoes, and headlamps round out its offerings, which together have made the company a one-stop shop for professional-grade alpine equipment. However, this isn't to say that Mammut’s resting on its laurels. In fact, it continues to be the authority in climbing ropes, still producing them in Seon, Switzerland. In this way, little has changed in the spirit of Mammut. Small, dedicated, and obsessive, Mammut moves quietly and confidently forward. And when you have 150 years of experience under your belt, it's easy to see why.

Shop Mammut for premium products like jackets and clothing for outdoors at Backcountry. Find Mammut ropes and other essential gear for climbing the peaks.

Mammut Climbing & Hiking Gear & Apparel

It all started in Dintikon, Switzerland, in 1862. Kaspar Tanner had just finished a three-year rope-making apprenticeship and decided to go into business for himself—a decision that would propel a storied, 150-year-old brand into motion. The Tanner family enterprise flourished well into the 20th century and in 1943, the Mammut brand name was introduced. Translating to “mammoth,” the Mammut name embodies both power and strength. Shortly thereafter, Mammut helped pioneer the world of mountaineering through the invention of its first glacier rope to be made from nylon yarn.
 
In the next 35 years, Mammut kept its focus set on mountaineering, inventing several new ropes—most notably, the first rope to be certified for climbing and the first to feature a braided, kernmantle construction. In fact, it wasn't until 1978 that Mammut shifted its gears away from ropes and towards products like technical outerwear. Its first collection of jackets and pants, the Altitude Collection, utilized the then-new Gore-Tex fabric. With the latest in waterproof and breathable technology, the Altitude set the bar high enough to inspire Mammut to reach further into the outdoor market.
 
For several years in the early ‘80s, Mammut introduced a stream of new products, effectively transforming it from a well-respected rope company with a few jackets into a major player in the mountaineering arena. Beginning with sleeping bags and climbing gear like carabiners, climbing harnesses, and helmets, Mammut continued to diversify its offerings. It began selling avalanche safety gear—including beacons, shovels, and probes—since 2006, but in 2011, it took a significant step of acquiring Snowpulse, an established developer of inflatable airbag backpacks. Today, it offers a full line of RAS (removable avalanche safety) packs featuring technology designed to significantly improve the wearer’s chances of survival in an avalanche.
 
Today, skiers and mountaineers look to Mammut for climbing, mountaineering, and avalanche safety gear, as well as windproof and waterproof clothing suitable for the most demanding environments. Mammut’s backpacks, footwear covering everything from mountaineering boots to trail running shoes, and headlamps round out its offerings, which together have made the company a one-stop shop for professional-grade alpine equipment.
 
However, this isn't to say that Mammut’s resting on its laurels. In fact, it continues to be the authority in climbing ropes, still producing them in Seon, Switzerland. In this way, little has changed in the spirit of Mammut. Small, dedicated, and obsessive, Mammut moves quietly and confidently forward. And when you have 150 years of experience under your belt, it's easy to see why.

Mammut manufactures premium products like jackets & clothing for outdoors, or ropes & gear for climbing the peaks. Find this great brand at Backcountry.com.

Mammut - Climbing & Hiking Gear & Apparel

La Sportiva

For more than 85 years, La Sportiva has been handcrafting some of the world’s highest quality technical footwear for alpine pursuits. Located in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains, La Sportiva is a family-run business, and many of its employees come from families that have been with the company for eight decades. It’s a unique situation in the modern world of often disconnected, dispassionate corporations. Also unique is that La Sportiva manufactures more than half of its merchandise in a small, 150-person factory in Italy that’s owned and operated by the company rather than outsourcing production to cut costs. In 1928, Narciso Delladio began manufacturing boots and clogs for farmers and lumberjacks in Italy. During the Second World War, he provided custom mountaineering boots for Italian soldiers; following the war, Narciso produced his first ski boots under the name La Sportiva. During the ’70s Narciso and his son Francesco diversified production to include other growing mountain sports, including climbing and mountaineering. The ‘80s saw an explosion in the popularity of free-climbing, which provided another opportunity for growth. La Sportiva introduced the revolutionary Mariacher shoe, the final evolution of a long series of groundbreaking designs, and it redefined the sport.  Around that time, La Sportiva began selling abroad, and its boots and shoes became favorites of the world’s best climbers and mountaineers. Since then, la Sportiva has established itself as one of the world’s premier manufacturers of footwear for rock climbing, mountaineering, trail running, light hiking, and alpine ski touring. Regardless of their function, the company’s shoes and boots are renown for their support, durability, protection, and performance.  In 1996, La Sportiva moved to its modern manufacturing facility in Ziano di Fiemme in the heart of the Dolomites. Manufacturing has expanded to include technical apparel, including shirts and jackets, but the main focus is―as it always has been―on high-quality handcrafted footwear. La Sportiva stands out as one of the few companies left that won’t sacrifice craftsmanship for lower production costs, and it shows in every item that leaves the factory.

Shop La Sportiva shoes & boots at Backcountry.com. Find a huge selection of trail and climbing shoes by La Sportiva, including: Solution, Muira and Mythos models.

La Sportiva - Climbing & Running Shoes

For more than 85 years, La Sportiva has been handcrafting some of the world’s highest quality technical footwear for alpine pursuits. Located in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains, La Sportiva is a family-run business, and many of its employees come from families that have been with the company for eight decades. It’s a unique situation in the modern world of often disconnected, dispassionate corporations. Also unique is that La Sportiva manufactures more than half of its merchandise in a small, 150-person factory in Italy that’s owned and operated by the company rather than outsourcing production to cut costs.
 
In 1928, Narciso Delladio began manufacturing boots and clogs for farmers and lumberjacks in Italy. During the Second World War, he provided custom mountaineering boots for Italian soldiers; following the war, Narciso produced his first ski boots under the name La Sportiva. During the ’70s Narciso and his son Francesco diversified production to include other growing mountain sports, including climbing and mountaineering. The ‘80s saw an explosion in the popularity of free-climbing, which provided another opportunity for growth. La Sportiva introduced the revolutionary Mariacher shoe, the final evolution of a long series of groundbreaking designs, and it redefined the sport.
 
Around that time, La Sportiva began selling abroad, and its boots and shoes became favorites of the world’s best climbers and mountaineers. Since then, la Sportiva has established itself as one of the world’s premier manufacturers of footwear for rock climbing, mountaineering, trail running, light hiking, and alpine ski touring. Regardless of their function, the company’s shoes and boots are renown for their support, durability, protection, and performance.
 
In 1996, La Sportiva moved to its modern manufacturing facility in Ziano di Fiemme in the heart of the Dolomites. Manufacturing has expanded to include technical apparel, including shirts and jackets, but the main focus is―as it always has been―on high-quality handcrafted footwear. La Sportiva stands out as one of the few companies left that won’t sacrifice craftsmanship for lower production costs, and it shows in every item that leaves the factory.

Black Diamond

Although the Black Diamond name was officially adopted in 1989, the company's roots can be traced back to 1957. That's when climber and mountaineer Yvon Chouinard started hammering out chromoly pitons on an anvil in his backyard and selling them from the trunk of his car in Yosemite. Yvon's equipment quickly became an industry standard. In 1989 Chouinard Equipment LTD was purchased by a group of former employees and renamed 'Black Diamond.' Today, Black Diamond has offices on three continents. Its focus is, and always has been, innovative ski and climbing gear and an equally innovative approach to sustainable business practices. Black Diamond's approaches to innovation and sustainability have been inseparably intertwined since the very beginning. When climbers noticed that popular routes had been damaged by the pitons traditionally used for protection, Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost developed aluminum chocks that had significantly less impact on the rock, and then phased out of the piton business entirely. It was a risk, but one that defined a lasting environmentally aware direction for Chouinard and Black Diamond. Today, Black Diamond's expertise extends well beyond climbing, with notable innovations in skis, headlamps, backpacks, harnesses, trekking poles, tents, helmets, and many other outdoor products. Black Diamond has earned an outstanding reputation in backcountry skiing for its ground-breaking designs in both AT and telemark gear, including award-winning skis, boots, bindings, gloves, climbing skins, and vital accessories like beacons, probes, and Avalung packs. Moving beyond gear, Black Diamond continues to expand its line of high-quality apparel, offering both the technical jackets and pants one would expect from Black Diamond, as well as appealing, comfortable casual wear. Even with Black Diamond's broad range of products and worldwide distribution, it never lost sight of its roots or its high standards of environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and safe working conditions. In 2010 it initiated an official Corporate Responsibility program to monitor and ensure environmental and social compliance and stewardship within the brand, and it put into place a Vendor Code of Conduct to hold its outside vendors to a similarly high standard. Black Diamond is also extremely active in environmental programs, providing continuing support for over a dozen groups whose focus is environmental preservation. The company came a long way from a backyard anvil and a climber's vision in Yosemite. Fortunately, it hasn't lost sight of its values along the way. Black Diamond produces some of the finest climbing and skiing equipment and clothing in the world, but its commitment to the environment and fair labor practices are equally impressive. As it grows, Black Diamond's influence will also grow—helping to advance the outdoor industry not only through technical innovation, but through social and environmental programs as well.

Black Diamond continues to introduce cutting-edge climbing & skiing gear year after year. Shop skis, gloves, headlamps, climbing harnesses, & more on Backcountry.com.

Black Diamond Gear & Apparel

Although the Black Diamond name was officially adopted in 1989, the company's roots can be traced back to 1957. That's when climber and mountaineer Yvon Chouinard started hammering out chromoly pitons on an anvil in his backyard and selling them from the trunk of his car in Yosemite. Yvon's equipment quickly became an industry standard. In 1989 Chouinard Equipment LTD was purchased by a group of former employees and renamed 'Black Diamond.' Today, Black Diamond has offices on three continents. Its focus is, and always has been, innovative ski and climbing gear and an equally innovative approach to sustainable business practices.
 
Black Diamond's approaches to innovation and sustainability have been inseparably intertwined since the very beginning. When climbers noticed that popular routes had been damaged by the pitons traditionally used for protection, Chouinard and his business partner Tom Frost developed aluminum chocks that had significantly less impact on the rock, and then phased out of the piton business entirely. It was a risk, but one that defined a lasting environmentally aware direction for Chouinard and Black Diamond.
 
Today, Black Diamond's expertise extends well beyond climbing, with notable innovations in skis, headlamps, backpacks, harnesses, trekking poles, tents, helmets, and many other outdoor products. Black Diamond has earned an outstanding reputation in backcountry skiing for its ground-breaking designs in both AT and telemark gear, including award-winning skis, boots, bindings, gloves, climbing skins, and vital accessories like beacons, probes, and Avalung packs. Moving beyond gear, Black Diamond continues to expand its line of high-quality apparel, offering both the technical jackets and pants one would expect from Black Diamond, as well as appealing, comfortable casual wear.
 
Even with Black Diamond's broad range of products and worldwide distribution, it never lost sight of its roots or its high standards of environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and safe working conditions. In 2010 it initiated an official Corporate Responsibility program to monitor and ensure environmental and social compliance and stewardship within the brand, and it put into place a Vendor Code of Conduct to hold its outside vendors to a similarly high standard. Black Diamond is also extremely active in environmental programs, providing continuing support for over a dozen groups whose focus is environmental preservation.
 
The company came a long way from a backyard anvil and a climber's vision in Yosemite. Fortunately, it hasn't lost sight of its values along the way. Black Diamond produces some of the finest climbing and skiing equipment and clothing in the world, but its commitment to the environment and fair labor practices are equally impressive. As it grows, Black Diamond's influence will also grow—helping to advance the outdoor industry not only through technical innovation, but through social and environmental programs as well.

Petzl

The Petzl story began in the early 1930s, when Fernand Petzl discovered the sport of caving. Petzl was 17 and trained as a mechanic by trade; he was used to solving complex problems with simple solutions. Together, with his friend Pierre Chevalier, the two began exploring deep caves with gear designed for only for hiking and light climbing. It wasn’t long before the two began to envision new techniques for going deeper into previously inaccessible caves, and with these new techniques, they created new gear for the task. Rather than rely on fixed ladders as was the norm, Petzl began to use nylon ropes, and he invented the climbing pole, the Ascender, and Descender. With tools in hand, Petzl and Chevalier explored the first 17 kilometers of the Dent de Crolles and established a new world record for caving below 600 meters. By 1968, Petzl was manufacturing ascenders and descenders under the name Produits Fernand Petzl (Fernand Petzl Products). In 1970 Petzl brought his sons Pierre and Paul into the business, and the Petzl brand expanded its production to include mountaineering equipment. The first Petzl mountaineering headlamp followed in 1973 and, in 1975, Petzl established its headquarters in Crolles, France. This was truly the beginning of something larger. With the name established and its manufacturing plant in place, things took off. The Petzl name was already synonymous with high-quality climbing equipment and headlamps, so the addition of climbing harnesses was a natural addittion to the product line in 1977. Eleven years later Petzl would put in place its own research and development department, complete with a Test Tower for climbing gear, and an athlete team, Team Petzl, soon followed. Now known as the the world’s first self-braking belay device, the invention of the Grigi made climbing much safer. It was 1991 and the world of climbing suddenly became more accessible to recreational and casual climbers. Just a year earlier Petzl had begun making safety equipment for firefighters, roofers, tree care professionals, rescue workers, and other professionals whose jobs involve roping in above the ground. To this day, many of Petzl’s product such as descenders, work-spec harnesses, and helmets are used for both work and play.  Countless other products and innovations have followed over the past 20 years. The Tikka, Petzl’s firs LED headlamp, The Quark Ergo ice axe, the ASAP mobile fall arrester, the Rope Trip, and many others. Over the years, Petzl has always designed products to address a specific issue—never just to add to its catalog. Innovation in lighting and verticality are at the heart of the brand’s expertise and innovation is what drives their products into the hands of future customers, again and again.

Browse a wide selection of Petzl Bike, Hike, and Climbing gear at Backcountry.com. Choose from the latest headlamps, tents, sleeping bags, and more.

Petzl - Hike, Camp, & Climb Headlamps, Helmets, & More

The Petzl story began in the early 1930s, when Fernand Petzl discovered the sport of caving. Petzl was 17 and trained as a mechanic by trade; he was used to solving complex problems with simple solutions. Together, with his friend Pierre Chevalier, the two began exploring deep caves with gear designed for only for hiking and light climbing. It wasn’t long before the two began to envision new techniques for going deeper into previously inaccessible caves, and with these new techniques, they created new gear for the task. Rather than rely on fixed ladders as was the norm, Petzl began to use nylon ropes, and he invented the climbing pole, the Ascender, and Descender. With tools in hand, Petzl and Chevalier explored the first 17 kilometers of the Dent de Crolles and established a new world record for caving below 600 meters.
 
By 1968, Petzl was manufacturing ascenders and descenders under the name Produits Fernand Petzl (Fernand Petzl Products). In 1970 Petzl brought his sons Pierre and Paul into the business, and the Petzl brand expanded its production to include mountaineering equipment. The first Petzl mountaineering headlamp followed in 1973 and, in 1975, Petzl established its headquarters in Crolles, France. This was truly the beginning of something larger.
 
With the name established and its manufacturing plant in place, things took off. The Petzl name was already synonymous with high-quality climbing equipment and headlamps, so the addition of climbing harnesses was a natural addittion to the product line in 1977. Eleven years later Petzl would put in place its own research and development department, complete with a Test Tower for climbing gear, and an athlete team, Team Petzl, soon followed.
 
Now known as the the world’s first self-braking belay device, the invention of the Grigi made climbing much safer. It was 1991 and the world of climbing suddenly became more accessible to recreational and casual climbers. Just a year earlier Petzl had begun making safety equipment for firefighters, roofers, tree care professionals, rescue workers, and other professionals whose jobs involve roping in above the ground. To this day, many of Petzl’s product such as descenders, work-spec harnesses, and helmets are used for both work and play.
 
Countless other products and innovations have followed over the past 20 years. The Tikka, Petzl’s firs LED headlamp, The Quark Ergo ice axe, the ASAP mobile fall arrester, the Rope Trip, and many others. Over the years, Petzl has always designed products to address a specific issue—never just to add to its catalog. Innovation in lighting and verticality are at the heart of the brand’s expertise and innovation is what drives their products into the hands of future customers, again and again.

The North Face

When you think of movements born in San Francisco in the late ‘60s, the high-performance outerwear movement probably isn’t at the top of your list. That is, however, exactly when and where it all began. Back then, Alpinists were forced to use equipment they picked up from the local Army surplus store. There were hardly any manufacturers focused on outdoor equipment in the private sector. That was about to change in a big way. In 1966, Doug Tompkins and his wife Susie decided to open a high-end ski and camping gear storefront at 308 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco's North Beach. They called their shop The North Face, a nod to the storied face of the Eiger and one of the most difficult climbs in the Northern Hemisphere. The store quickly became a hangout for local outdoor enthusiasts, and the legend was born. In 1968, Kenneth ‘Hap’ Klopp acquired The North Face and shifted the company’s focus from retail sales to the design and manufacture of outdoor clothing and equipment. The first manufacturing facility was squeezed into the back of The North Face store in Berkeley. Just a year later, a full-blown factory was opened to produce specialized gear and outerwear. Having established itself as a leader in outdoor apparel and equipment, The North Face began to sponsor expeditions to far flung, untouched locations at every corner of the globe. This launched a proud tradition of exploration that has continued for more than 50 years and solidified the brand’s standing as a leader in the outdoor industry. By the early ’80s, The North Face had expanded its product offering to the world of extreme skiing. Jackets, pants, gloves, and even beanies from The North Face were designed to withstand the harshest weather on the most unforgiving peaks in the world—a far cry from the mostly basic offerings from other manufacturers. By the end of the decade, The North Face became the only supplier in the United States to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents. The North Face entered the sportswear market in the ‘90s with its Tekware line. This innovative collection was designed to provide rock climbers, backpackers, hikers, trail runners, and outdoor enthusiasts with the ultimate fit and function. As the ‘90s drew to a close, the Half-Dome logo was a common sight at ultra-marathons. In response, The North Face launched its own line of trekking and trail-running shoes to complement its hiking, backpacking, and winter boots and to outfit the outdoor enthusiast from head to toe. Today, almost 50 years since its humble beginnings in San Francisco, the North Face offers an extensive line of men’s and women’s outdoor gear and clothing. Whether you’re looking for a hat, a windbreaker, a down jacket, or even an expedition shelter for a month at basecamp high in the Himalayas, The North Face can provide you with gear built to meet your needs and much more.

Shop the latest The North Face jackets, coats, clothing & gear at Backcountry.com. Check out popular lines such as the Osito, Denali, Venture, and more.

The North Face - Outdoor Apparel & Gear

The North Face, like the athletes who wear it, represents strength and endurance. The North Face is the most venerable and ubiquitous brand in outerwear and equipment. Like a protected stash of powder, here are The North Face goods: waterproof shells, plush fleece jackets, warm down coats, winter boots, tents, packs, and much more. We are a preferred The North Face seller. So if you seek The North Face gear, we have the largest selection anywhere online. Shop here first to find the outerwear and equipment you're looking for.

When you think of movements born in San Francisco in the late ‘60s, the high-performance outerwear movement probably isn’t at the top of your list. That is, however, exactly when and where it all began. Back then, Alpinists were forced to use equipment they picked up from the local Army surplus store. There were hardly any manufacturers focused on outdoor equipment in the private sector. That was about to change in a big way.
 
In 1966, Doug Tompkins and his wife Susie decided to open a high-end ski and camping gear storefront at 308 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco's North Beach. They called their shop The North Face, a nod to the storied face of the Eiger and one of the most difficult climbs in the Northern Hemisphere. The store quickly became a hangout for local outdoor enthusiasts, and the legend was born.
 
In 1968, Kenneth ‘Hap’ Klopp acquired The North Face and shifted the company’s focus from retail sales to the design and manufacture of outdoor clothing and equipment. The first manufacturing facility was squeezed into the back of The North Face store in Berkeley. Just a year later, a full-blown factory was opened to produce specialized gear and outerwear.
 
Having established itself as a leader in outdoor apparel and equipment, The North Face began to sponsor expeditions to far flung, untouched locations at every corner of the globe. This launched a proud tradition of exploration that has continued for more than 50 years and solidified the brand’s standing as a leader in the outdoor industry.
 
By the early ’80s, The North Face had expanded its product offering to the world of extreme skiing. Jackets, pants, gloves, and even beanies from The North Face were designed to withstand the harshest weather on the most unforgiving peaks in the world—a far cry from the mostly basic offerings from other manufacturers. By the end of the decade, The North Face became the only supplier in the United States to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents.
 
The North Face entered the sportswear market in the ‘90s with its Tekware line. This innovative collection was designed to provide rock climbers, backpackers, hikers, trail runners, and outdoor enthusiasts with the ultimate fit and function. As the ‘90s drew to a close, the Half-Dome logo was a common sight at ultra-marathons. In response, The North Face launched its own line of trekking and trail-running shoes to complement its hiking, backpacking, and winter boots and to outfit the outdoor enthusiast from head to toe.
 
Today, almost 50 years since its humble beginnings in San Francisco, the North Face offers an extensive line of men’s and women’s outdoor gear and clothing. Whether you’re looking for a hat, a windbreaker, a down jacket, or even an expedition shelter for a month at basecamp high in the Himalayas, The North Face can provide you with gear built to meet your needs and much more.

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