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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: dante on Sat, 07 March 2015, 22:44:00

Title: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: dante on Sat, 07 March 2015, 22:44:00: Right ... :cool:

I'm probably going to catch hell for this but here goes ...

So tonight I witnessed a whole lot of folks with North Face brand coats on. I mean, maybe 1 out of 4 people had them. And yes, maybe I'm getting old (kids get off my lawn, etc.) But it seemed incredibly annoying - and perhaps desperate to see the companies logo on the back of everyone's right shoulder.

Anyone care to explain the appeal of this desperate brand?
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: hwood34 on Sat, 07 March 2015, 22:45:07: Teenage girls love north face gear. Also, they just kinda make pretty good all around stuff
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Sat, 07 March 2015, 22:46:15: The North face of any mountain is usually considered the unforgiving and harsh side I believe. Usually colder and has more wind.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: tbc on Sat, 07 March 2015, 22:47:45: nothing to it.

north face is the trendy sports clothing brand.

just like apple is the trendy computer brand. is apple better than other computer brands like asus and dell? nope.

north face is just obvious, affordable (which is not the same thing as cheap or a good deal), and highly available.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: heedpantsnow on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:07:35: Was an amazing gear company in the 80's, went to crap in the late 90's, seems to make decent gear now again.

I climbed several peaks in Tibet in one of their jackets and practically lived in a couple of their sleeping bags in the 90's and to about 2004. Now I love my Feathered Friends bag.

Anyway, yeah walking around the mall in mountain gear is not really a great use of one's money but who cares.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: PunksDead on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:09:13: Northface bomber jackets all day, gotta deflect those ice grills in the street
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08: Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: hwood34 on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:26:12: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:35:54: Rich white kids on the ski slopes. Enuff said.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:38:53: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

When I was in college, it was North Face fleece, Nike shorts, and Uggs.

To answer OP, North Face is the brand you buy when you don't know better. Mountain Hardware and Arc'teryx is the way to go.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: PunksDead on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:45:37: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:35:54
Rich white kids on the ski slopes. Enuff said.

Checks out, i just bought a pair of chilkat snowboots for my tubing trip this week :D
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: dante on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:46:03: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:35:54
Rich white kids on the ski slopes. Enuff said.

But these weren't rich white kids - these were people from all walks of life.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: demik on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:46:28: in my school we had first down, because northface was expensive.

ALSO IT WAS NEVER COLD SO WHY DID PEOPLE BUY GOOSE DOWN JACKETS?!?!
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: fknraiden on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:48:19: Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:38:53
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

When I was in college, it was North Face fleece, Nike shorts, and Uggs.

To answer OP, North Face is the brand you buy when you don't know better. Mountain Hardware and Arc'teryx is the way to go.

Arc'teryx is slowly turning into the new north face/columbia
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:49:51: At least Arc'teryx is high quality.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:08:56: Quote from: dante on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:46:03
Quote from: Bro Caps on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:35:54
Rich white kids on the ski slopes. Enuff said.

But these weren't rich white kids - these were people from all walks of life.

I work for an online retailer that sells north face as a major brand on the site. I can tell you the core demographic is not 'all walks of life'. It's upper class, aged 25-40 white people (primarily)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:13:28: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

(http://milkchocolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIQDfWKCUAIMyTP.jpg)

dont forget the 'bucks
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: ghostjuggernaut on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:17:14: I live in a fairly Podunk town, where the average income is not much more than the national poverty level. With that said, if I go to Walmart, I can usually see 3-5 people wearing North face jackets. It is most definitely a statement brand anymore, regardless of income.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: missalaire on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:18:23: Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:13:28
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

Show Image
(http://milkchocolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIQDfWKCUAIMyTP.jpg)

dont forget the 'bucks

Yuggs
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:21:05: Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:13:28
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

Show Image
(http://milkchocolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIQDfWKCUAIMyTP.jpg)

dont forget the 'bucks

Ugggggggggggggggggggggggggg (pun intended)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:26:03: I'm more of a Mountain Hardware, Marmot, or Kathmandu kinda guy. Arc'teryx and Patagonia are also pretty solid but usually cost too much. I only have one North Face pullover and a soft shell jacket. For the cost North Face isn't as warm/ versatile as the other brands.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:28:01: Quote from: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:26:03
I'm more of a Mountain Hardware, Marmot, or Kathmandu kinda guy. Arc'teryx and Patagonia are also pretty solid but usually cost too much. I only have one North Face pullover and a soft shell jacket. For the cost North Face isn't as warm/ versatile as the other brands.

I love Patagonia. Their clothing is top-notch stuff. Their company came out to meet us and we got to know a lot about their culture there. Most all of them were active in hiking, sports, etc.
Yes, their stuff is crazy expensive, but also guaranteed for life, and the quality and comfort is just about the best out there.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:43:52: I forgot about Marmot and Patagonia. Patagonia is solid stuff, but I always felt Marmot didn't quite live up to the cost. Arc'teryx is expensive as hell, but it seemed to be really high quality and had a killer warranty.

Mountain Hardware was always my favorite though, just so comfortable, usually on sale, and came with a great warranty too.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:50:23: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:28:01
Quote from: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:26:03
I'm more of a Mountain Hardware, Marmot, or Kathmandu kinda guy. Arc'teryx and Patagonia are also pretty solid but usually cost too much. I only have one North Face pullover and a soft shell jacket. For the cost North Face isn't as warm/ versatile as the other brands.

I love Patagonia. Their clothing is top-notch stuff. Their company came out to meet us and we got to know a lot about their culture there. Most all of them were active in hiking, sports, etc.
Yes, their stuff is crazy expensive, but also guaranteed for life, and the quality and comfort is just about the best out there.
I actually have a lot of my dad's old Patagonia stuff from the 80s and 90s and that is some good stuff, I where the jackets constantly
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: ApocalypseMaow on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:53:30: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.
My wife and I always called this the basic ***** kit :p (***** as in female not rude/*****y)

I also got her this shirt last week! :))
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0407/1721/products/Screen_shot_2014-03-23_at_1.17.25_PM.png?v=1412963654)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:54:14: I have a friend that used to work at a North Face distributor, so he stocked up on their gear. Aside from him, the only people I know that regularly wear it are:

Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:13:28
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

Show Image
(http://milkchocolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIQDfWKCUAIMyTP.jpg)

dont forget the 'bucks
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: fknraiden on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:06:31: i got myself a spyder 20k/30k jacket a couple years back and i love it more than my friends patagonia and Arc'teryx jackets.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Melvang on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:14:29: I think I will stick with my Carharts
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: dustinhxc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:17:44: I love my north face backpack. I'm all about Columbia for windbreakers and Carhartt for my winter jacket, stocking cap, etc.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: tbc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:24:45: Quote from: ApocalypseMaow on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:53:30
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.
My wife and I always called this the basic ***** kit :p (***** as in female not rude/*****y)

I also got her this shirt last week! :))
Show Image
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0407/1721/products/Screen_shot_2014-03-23_at_1.17.25_PM.png?v=1412963654)

my shirt. right now.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: ApocalypseMaow on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:41:51: Quote from: tbc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:24:45
Quote from: ApocalypseMaow on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:53:30
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.
My wife and I always called this the basic ***** kit :p (***** as in female not rude/*****y)

I also got her this shirt last week! :))
Show Image
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0407/1721/products/Screen_shot_2014-03-23_at_1.17.25_PM.png?v=1412963654)

my shirt. right now.
GLORIOUS ;D
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:43:26: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:21:05
Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:13:28
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 07 March 2015, 23:19:08
Northface coat, leggings, ugg boots. The outfit of every white middle class college girl in the USA.

Show Image
(http://milkchocolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BIQDfWKCUAIMyTP.jpg)

dont forget the 'bucks

Ugggggggggggggggggggggggggg (pun intended)

i love basic white girls tho
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:03:23: Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:50:23
Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:28:01
Quote from: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:26:03
I'm more of a Mountain Hardware, Marmot, or Kathmandu kinda guy. Arc'teryx and Patagonia are also pretty solid but usually cost too much. I only have one North Face pullover and a soft shell jacket. For the cost North Face isn't as warm/ versatile as the other brands.

I love Patagonia. Their clothing is top-notch stuff. Their company came out to meet us and we got to know a lot about their culture there. Most all of them were active in hiking, sports, etc.
Yes, their stuff is crazy expensive, but also guaranteed for life, and the quality and comfort is just about the best out there.
I actually have a lot of my dad's old Patagonia stuff from the 80s and 90s and that is some good stuff, I where the jackets constantly

Word. I have a lot of button up shirts and jackets from them. Just about every other brand of clothing I have has worn badly in comparison.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:21: On the topic of jackets, anyone remember Starter jackets?
(http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2012/9/21/12/enhanced-buzz-24044-1348244134-10.jpg)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:22: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:03:23
Quote from: hwood34 on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:50:23
Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:28:01
Quote from: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 00:26:03
I'm more of a Mountain Hardware, Marmot, or Kathmandu kinda guy. Arc'teryx and Patagonia are also pretty solid but usually cost too much. I only have one North Face pullover and a soft shell jacket. For the cost North Face isn't as warm/ versatile as the other brands.

I love Patagonia. Their clothing is top-notch stuff. Their company came out to meet us and we got to know a lot about their culture there. Most all of them were active in hiking, sports, etc.
Yes, their stuff is crazy expensive, but also guaranteed for life, and the quality and comfort is just about the best out there.
I actually have a lot of my dad's old Patagonia stuff from the 80s and 90s and that is some good stuff, I where the jackets constantly

Word. I have a lot of button up shirts and jackets from them. Just about every other brand of clothing I have has worn badly in comparison.

When I'm camping/ climbing I live in their gear, never had a shirt wear through.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:23:23: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:21
On the topic of jackets, anyone remember Starter jackets?
Show Image
(http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2012/9/21/12/enhanced-buzz-24044-1348244134-10.jpg)

I used to have a 49ers one. It was pretty cool. That was like... high school though lol. Ahhh memories.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: bueller on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:32:33: On behalf of Australia, I apologise for Uggs. No-one here ever wore them outside of the house before they became wildly popular, they were actually considered totally bogan hahaha

(http://i.imgur.com/QnmQRQl.jpg)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: KON1G on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:45:19: Superdry does the same thing which i dont mind but north face logos are very meh and i dont get it either
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 04:10:24: Quote from: bueller on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:32:33
On behalf of Australia, I apologise for Uggs. No-one here ever wore them outside of the house before they became wildly popular, they were actually considered totally bogan hahaha

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/QnmQRQl.jpg)

:)) When I was in Aus I went paintballing and saw a flock of bogans, mullets and all. It made my day.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: bueller on Sun, 08 March 2015, 04:22:33: Quote from: Joey Quinn on Sun, 08 March 2015, 04:10:24
Quote from: bueller on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:32:33
On behalf of Australia, I apologise for Uggs. No-one here ever wore them outside of the house before they became wildly popular, they were actually considered totally bogan hahaha

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/QnmQRQl.jpg)

:)) When I was in Aus I went paintballing and saw a flock of bogans, mullets and all. It made my day.

Haha yeah they're definitely still around, the suburb I live in is bogan central. Then again considering my beard and general lack of verbal filter I could probably be considered one too hahaha
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: JaccoW on Sun, 08 March 2015, 04:44:26: I work at a store that sells outdoor gear and clothing. The North Face's HyVent jackets are reasonably cheap, waterproof and they look inconspicuous. Combine it with a very recognizable brand logo and a lot of people come for these since they know it just works.
And their Extreme-series are quality jackets.

I do have to say I enjoy the times where Moroccan guys come along and want nothing else but TNF. Even if something else fits better or does the same for less/more.

Brands like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, The North Face and other North American brands have a... Let's say "American fit" that is too wide around the torso and too short in the arms for the general Northern European population though. :P
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: iri on Sun, 08 March 2015, 05:26:18: TIL I'm rich.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Novus on Sun, 08 March 2015, 06:10:14: It's a symbol of being upper middle class but not living anywhere cold enough to actually wear something fashionable in the cold

American sense of fashion is pretty terrible anyways.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 08 March 2015, 06:52:18: Quote from: bueller on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:32:33
On behalf of Australia, I apologise for Uggs. No-one here ever wore them outside of the house before they became wildly popular, they were actually considered totally bogan hahaha

I used to take pride in wearing Ugg boots around one of the nicer areas of Sydney back in the 90s exactly because they were completely bogan.

It's also worth mentioning though that the current brand of "Ugg" is about as un-Australian as possible and a good example of terrible IP laws. Ugg used to be a generic term for sheepskin boots in Australia, then a US company (Sketchers IIRC?) managed to trademark it despite a long history of prior use, and threatened retaillers into dropping use of the name.

Interesting thread though, I had not realised that TNF had made a comeback in pop fashion.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:07:06: (http://www.msgking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/onion-avatar127.gif)

I also don't understand why people climb mountains..

the FIRST guy.. ok fine.. we didn't know what's up there..

But NOW, we know..

There's literally nothing up there..

I'm certainly not against people challenging themselves.. but there are more productive hurdles for humanity to overcome..
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: heedpantsnow on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:09:02: Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:07:06
Show Image
(http://www.msgking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/onion-avatar127.gif)

I also don't understand why people climb mountains..

the FIRST guy.. ok fine.. we didn't know what's up there..

But NOW, we know..

There's literally nothing up there..

I'm certainly not against people challenging themselves.. but there are more productive hurdles for humanity to overcome..

Lol
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:16:26: Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:07:06

I also don't understand why people climb mountains..

the FIRST guy.. ok fine.. we didn't know what's up there..

But NOW, we know..

There's literally nothing up there..

I'm certainly not against people challenging themselves.. but there are more productive hurdles for humanity to overcome..

It's like collecting keyboards and key caps. Just think of each mountain as a gigantic, unique key cap. Only mountaineering is healthier. And more MANLY. Grrr.

Back on topic of brands though: These days there are so many brands that make good stuff that I think that a lot of brand loyalty is down either to old preferences or to marketing. TNF used to be very good back in the 80s, and then made a lot of mass market crap (school bags for students). Mountain Hardware replaced them in terms of design. Arcteryx popularised ultrasonic welding and water resistant zips (and then outsource to China while maintaining their Made In British Columbia stratospheric pricing).

I used to buy a lot of Patagonia stuff, until I finally realised that I was buying an image (and a cut made for chunky Americans, when I am built like a sport climber). I've sinced switched to whaterver fits, which tends to be European. Rab is well made and cut for skinny climber physiques. French stuff fits well, when I can find it in non-horrible colours.

It's especially telling that one of the most effective softshells on the market (Marmot Driclime) is unpopular, because it looks like a daggy 80s shell suit. People buy much fancier jackets that cost two or three times as much and don't breathe as well, because the newer softshells look far more fashionable.

There are a bunch of brands which definitely make stuff that's not top notch, but top tier design and manufacturing quality is pretty easy to find across a lot more brands these days.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: baldgye on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:17:55: Sounds like the 'Super Dry' thing in the UK.
Everyone has one and to be fair, they make some nice stuff. But it's just designer stuff and not really much use for skiing and alike, which is fine.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:31:54: Tp4 does NOT collect keycaps.. (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_057_.gif)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:37:02: Keyboards, then.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Megaweapon on Sun, 08 March 2015, 08:28:01: ...
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sun, 08 March 2015, 08:31:28: When it comes to outdoor gear, I just buy any decent brands that are on sale on Sierra Trading Post. Unless you are getting into the real high quality attire, like what you need to climb peaks in the winter, most of these brands offer the same product with a slight different flavor.

Outdoor gear was the first niche hobby I got into that breached the point of obsession. Before I knew it, the only stuff I wanted to buy was handmade by some old guy in his garage in a mountain town.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: dustinhxc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:14:46: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:21
On the topic of jackets, anyone remember Starter jackets?
Show Image
(http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2012/9/21/12/enhanced-buzz-24044-1348244134-10.jpg)

Haha nice choice of photo! I had a couple Orlando Magic ones!!

Anfernee Hardaway and SHAQ babyyyy!
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:17:47: Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:23:23
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:21
On the topic of jackets, anyone remember Starter jackets?
Show Image
(http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2012/9/21/12/enhanced-buzz-24044-1348244134-10.jpg)

I used to have a 49ers one. It was pretty cool. That was like... high school though lol. Ahhh memories.

And I had a raiders one.

I made mistakes as a child.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: jackalope on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:21:44: Quote from: Melvang on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:14:29
I think I will stick with my Carharts

Once it's broken in they are amazing. Gotta add the insulated Carhart hoodie when it's really cold though.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: paicrai on Sun, 08 March 2015, 13:27:26: i dont know, quality? fashion? just because?
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: 0100010 on Sun, 08 March 2015, 14:23:28: Quote from: tp4tissue on Sun, 08 March 2015, 07:07:06
Show Image
(http://www.msgking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/onion-avatar127.gif)

I also don't understand why people climb mountains..

the FIRST guy.. ok fine.. we didn't know what's up there..

But NOW, we know..

There's literally nothing up there..

I'm certainly not against people challenging themselves.. but there are more productive hurdles for humanity to overcome..

Like a strong man competition, watching them throw pianos from the ground up to the 2nd floor. You're thinking to yourself, those pianos don't really need to be up there....
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 14:27:15: Quote from: demik on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:17:47
Quote from: Bro Caps on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:23:23
Quote from: noisyturtle on Sun, 08 March 2015, 03:19:21
On the topic of jackets, anyone remember Starter jackets?
Show Image
(http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2012/9/21/12/enhanced-buzz-24044-1348244134-10.jpg)

I used to have a 49ers one. It was pretty cool. That was like... high school though lol. Ahhh memories.

And I had a raiders one.

I made mistakes as a child.

Seems like we both did ;)
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 08 March 2015, 14:40:23: trendy

typical streetwear culture, i'm guilty of it too

within the fashion communites there's a lot of "brand status"

basically, the better the brand you're wearing, the more fashionable you are

north face has gained some status as a "streetwear" brand, that's why people like wearing it
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Keyzus on Sun, 08 March 2015, 14:47:21: Shout out to the Swedish company Fjällräven. Their jackets are top notch quality, made to last a lifetime.

Where I live you hardly ever need a jacket though. While a lot of the country is covered in snow, today it's a beautiful 75°F here.

It's our summers that are brutal, often hitting 120°F.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Michael on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:16:37: Quote from: Keyzus on Sun, 08 March 2015, 14:47:21
Shout out to the Swedish company Fjällräven. Their jackets are top notch quality, made to last a lifetime.

Where I live you hardly ever need a jacket though. While a lot of the country is covered in snow, today it's a beautiful 75°F here.

It's our summers that are brutal, often hitting 120°F.

Viva Las Vegas
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Sygaldry on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:18:44: I got my Recon backpack for 40 dollars from Sierra Trading Post back back in 2005 and it came with a free Camelback Eddy bottle. Ironically the Camelback, which is touted as indestructible, shattered on me a few years back when I took a nasty fall while longboarding. I was going something like 40mph downhill and ended up breaking my wrist in the process despite wearing wrist guards. The Camelbak suffered a fate far worse. My backpack survived the impact with barely any damage though!

In any case, I've had this backpack for over 10 years now (just passed it's 10th anniversary this past week) and it's still going strong. It takes all the abuse I dole to it without uttering a single word of complaint. I dragged it to and from school (high school, college, and grad school), carried it with me while backpacking across South East Asia, while traveling, hiking, longboarding, snowboarding, work, etc. and it still isn't showing any signs of giving out on me! If it ever dies on me (highly doubtful), I'll definitely be replacing it with the same thing because I highly doubt any of those 100+ dollar backpacks that everyone seems to go crazy for these days will last half as long.

I've had this backpack for so long, in fact, that it now has an incredible amount of sentimental value for me, spanning my life over four academic degree programs, more romantic trysts than I can be bothered to count, a few moves (between a couple places in the US and a few places in Asia), etc.

Come to think of it, I haven't owned anything for longer than my North Face backpack.

This one is for you, oh great North Face Recon backpack, for your indomitable spirit and tireless service over the past 10 years.

(http://media0.giphy.com/media/GCLlQnV7wzKLu/200_s.gif)

Seriously though... While all of you are bashing North Face for how trendy and overpriced it is, at least their day packs are great and I only paid 40 dollars for mine.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: JaccoW on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:58:14: Quote from: Sygaldry on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:18:44
I got my Recon backpack for 40 dollars from Sierra Trading Post back back in 2005 [...]

Seriously though... While all of you are bashing North Face for how trendy and overpriced it is, at least their day packs are great and I only paid 40 dollars for mine.[/i]
As me and my colleagues always say to each other;"The North Face isn't bad, it's just that there are better brands."

They make some very sturdy daypacks. They're just a bit heavy.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Sygaldry on Sun, 08 March 2015, 16:53:56: Quote from: JaccoW on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:58:14
Quote from: Sygaldry on Sun, 08 March 2015, 15:18:44
I got my Recon backpack for 40 dollars from Sierra Trading Post back back in 2005 [...]

Seriously though... While all of you are bashing North Face for how trendy and overpriced it is, at least their day packs are great and I only paid 40 dollars for mine.[/i]
As me and my colleagues always say to each other;"The North Face isn't bad, it's just that there are better brands."

They make some very sturdy daypacks. They're just a bit heavy.
There's always a better brand out there =]

I drive a Toyota but Lexus is most definitely better (different price range).

I wear Allen Edmond shoes to work but Alden and Edward Greens make better shoes (different price range).

For a similar day pack to my $40 Recon I'd have to shell out $90 for a Patagonia, $120 for an Arcteryx, so on and so forth (neither of these day packs are in the same price range as the North Face).

North Face gets a bad rep because their fleeces are horrendously overpriced for what they are.

And just as North Face fleeces have become a fashion statement, it has almost become a trendy/hip thing to say "North Face is okay, but there's better."

North Face day packs might be a few grams heavier than these so called "better" brands but they're designed for different purposes. Patagonia and Arcteryx day packs are intentionally lightweight because those few grams might make a difference on a long trek - the intended use for these bags. North Face day packs are intended for more general usage so those grams don't matter as much. Losing those grams is indispensable for the avid hiker/trekker, but they end up causing these bags to be less durable over time. My brother bought a Patagonia bag the same year I bought my North Face bag. He paid twice as much as I did for the bag but it completely fell apart at around year 4 (the bottom of his bag had worn through).

I'd take my "not so good" North Face over the "better" brands any day to save money and to have something that will last. I don't hike/trek enough for me to justify the extra cost for a few shaved grams especially when I use a day pack throughout the work/school day.

:cool:
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: dustinhxc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 18:43:17: Quote from: jackalope on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:21:44
Quote from: Melvang on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:14:29
I think I will stick with my Carharts

Once it's broken in they are amazing. Gotta add the insulated Carhart hoodie when it's really cold though.

Yep! I wear the thermal hoodie under it! ;) perfect combo.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: Melvang on Sun, 08 March 2015, 19:11:33: Quote from: dustinhxc on Sun, 08 March 2015, 18:43:17
Quote from: jackalope on Sun, 08 March 2015, 12:21:44
Quote from: Melvang on Sun, 08 March 2015, 01:14:29
I think I will stick with my Carharts

Once it's broken in they are amazing. Gotta add the insulated Carhart hoodie when it's really cold though.

Yep! I wear the thermal hoodie under it! ;) perfect combo.

I work outside in the winter a lot, but not a lot of physical moving to generate heat. So I have the arctic coat that is a sizze to big. The reason is so there is room for my extreme arctic bib overalls. They have the full length double zipper on the legs. Makes it very easy to take them on and off when I am wearing my 8" steel toe work boots. Plus with the double zipper, I can zip the top one down if I start getting to hot.

The only issue is the outer shell on the extreme arctic line is nylon instead of denim so it tends to melt when grinding, torching, or welding.

I have had the bibs since Dec 07 and the coat since Jan 09, neither have been washed yet. Washing Carhart outer wear is the hardest thing on them.
Title: Re: Can anyone here explain "North Face" brand to me?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 08 March 2015, 23:31:03: I'm surprised at the lack of crossover between Geekhack with the world of outdoor gear geaks :)

Nobody has mentioned the seriously high end pack options yet, or the alternatives to waterproof laminated Cordura that's used in most packs (and loses water integrity after a handful of years).

I've got a McHale pack, which as far as I can tell is the pinnacle of outdoor packs- custom fit by a crotchety old craftsman based in Washington state, insanely overbuilt using quadruple threading and Spectra panels, with an until-recently proprietary harness design, and 7075 aluminium stays instead of the usual overly-malleable 6060 stays. The sad thing about this pack is that it's a lot more capable than I will ever be.

http://www.mchalepacks.com/

The other manufacturer that I'm aware of in roughly the same league (not sure if they do custom though) is Cold Cold World, but I believe they only do alpine climbing packs.

For longer life waterproof materials, some of the Australian/New Zealand brands (and one of the Scandinavian brands) use polyester/cotton fabrics which are mechanically waterproof instead of reliant on a layer bonded onto Cordura.