The North Face
The North Face outdoor clothing, packs and gear, from the iconic Base Camp Duffel to down jackets, rain jackets, fleece and tents. Shop men's and women's ranges built for real weather, with technical gear for the mountains and everyday pieces that work just as well in town.
Explore The North Face men's jackets and women's jackets, Base Camp duffels and packs in our luggage range, and Stormbreak tents for the campsite.
Try jackets on and size up a Base Camp Duffel at the Land & Sea concept store at 36 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand, with click and collect from our Westgate collection point at 4B Topere Way.
The North Face Hip Packs
About The North Face
The North Face was founded in San Francisco in 1966 as a small climbing and backpacking store. The name comes from mountaineering: in the Northern Hemisphere, the north face of a mountain is usually the coldest, iciest and hardest side to climb. Its motto, Never Stop Exploring, still sums up a brand that has equipped expeditions to the world's highest peaks for decades.
Today The North Face designs technical clothing, packs and equipment for climbing, skiing, running and tramping, alongside everyday outdoor clothing that has become a staple well beyond the mountains.
Gear that defines the brand
The Base Camp Duffel is one of the most recognisable bags in the world: a tough, laminated duffel with backpack straps that has carried gear on expeditions, road trips and baggage carousels for decades. The North Face is also known for its down jackets, from technical insulation to the classic Nuptse, its waterproof rain jackets, and its fleece.
In the tent range, the Stormbreak is a popular, easy-pitching tent for campgrounds and the backcountry, and backpacks like the Borealis and Recon carry everyday loads to work, school and the trailhead.
The North Face at Land & Sea
We carry a broad selection of The North Face for New Zealand conditions: men's and women's down and insulated jackets for winter, rain jackets for our changeable weather, fleece for layering, Base Camp duffels and backpacks for travel, and tents for the campsite. It is all chosen to handle the wind, rain and sun New Zealanders deal with every day.
Not sure which jacket or duffel size suits your plans? The team at our Grey Lynn concept store can help you compare insulation, waterproof shells and fits side by side, and talk you through building a layering system that covers a winter tramp, a ski trip or a wet commute. Online, every product page lists the key features, fabrics and size guides, so you can choose with confidence and order for fast delivery anywhere in the country.
Frequently asked questions about The North Face
Is The North Face a good outdoor brand?
The North Face has been making technical outdoor gear since 1966 and has equipped expeditions to the world's highest mountains. Its range covers serious mountain clothing and equipment through to everyday jackets, packs and duffels, so it suits trampers, travellers and anyone who wants reliable gear for bad weather. Quality and features vary by range, so match the product to how hard you will use it.
Where does The North Face name come from?
The name comes from mountaineering. In the Northern Hemisphere, the north face of a mountain usually gets the least sun, so it is often the coldest, iciest and most difficult side to climb. The founders chose the name to reflect the challenge and ambition of climbing, and the brand's logo is inspired by Half Dome, the famous granite peak in Yosemite National Park.
What size Base Camp Duffel should I get?
The Base Camp Duffel comes in several sizes. Small suits a weekend away or carry-on-sized gym and travel use, Medium covers a week of travel or a few days of outdoor gear, and Large and Extra Large suit long trips, expeditions and bulky gear such as boots and sleeping bags. Remember that a full large duffel gets heavy, so choose the smallest size that fits your usual trips.
Are The North Face jackets waterproof?
Many of The North Face's rain jackets and shells are fully waterproof and breathable, using the brand's own waterproof membranes and other technologies, with taped seams. Others, such as many insulated jackets and fleece, are water resistant or not waterproof at all, so they shed light showers but need a shell in heavy rain. The product details state whether a jacket is waterproof or water resistant.
Which North Face jacket is best for a New Zealand winter?
For cold, dry days, a down or synthetic insulated jacket gives the most warmth for its weight. For our wet, windy winters, pair it with a waterproof rain jacket, or choose an insulated jacket with a weather-resistant shell. For active use like tramping, a fleece or light insulated layer under a waterproof shell is the most flexible combination, letting you adjust as conditions change.
How does The North Face sizing fit?
The North Face uses its own size charts, which are broadly similar to standard US sizing. Technical and athletic pieces tend to be cut closer, while lifestyle and relaxed-fit styles are roomier, and the product description usually says which fit a style has. Check the size chart with your chest and waist measurements, and size up in a shell if you plan to layer a puffer underneath.
Does The North Face make tents?
Yes. The North Face makes tents for camping and the backcountry, including the Stormbreak range, which is known for being easy to pitch, sturdy and good value for campgrounds, festivals and summer tramps. Check the capacity, floor area and packed weight against your plans, and remember that a tent rated for more people than you need gives extra room for gear in our wet weather.