Fashion or function?
Blurring those two camps has become the hallmark of many an outdoor brand, including runway darlings Salomon and Arc’teryx. But you could call the North Face’s crossover into hip hop and streetwear culture in the ’90s a first ascent of sorts.
Today, the Nuptse jacket is more iconic for its omnipresence in everyday life than its prowess in rugged alpine environments.
The same could be said of the Borealis backpack, not to mention countless pieces born from the brand’s high-profile collaborations with Supreme, Gucci and others.
With its latest lineup of everyday basics, the North Face isn’t being shy about its off-mountain appeal. That said, the collection of t-shirts, sweatpants and more still pays tribute to the brand’s rugged roots.
