Recognized for durability and style, The North Face is a go-to brand for consumers of different lifestyles.
Mostly known for outdoor sportswear, the American clothing company also manufactures outerwear, shirts, footwear, and other equipment like tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks.
The North Face jackets are loved by consumers of all kinds — from active athletes to fashion-loving celebrities.
Angelina Jolie, Geri Halliwell, and Meryl Streep wearing The North Face jackets (Credit: WENN / HRC / Alex Jackson)
Counterfeiters have long been a problem in the fashion industry, and The North Face products are no exception.
In December 2019, AP News reported that $800,000 in counterfeit merchandise was seized at shopping centers and flea markets in North Carolina. The knock-off products included fake UGG boots, counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbags, and fake North Face Jackets.
If you’re planning to buy a product from this well-known brand, protect yourself by checking to ensure your purchase isn’t counterfeit.
Where to buy The North Face
Buying The North Face products from authorized retailers like Backcountry and Nordstrom is arguably the simplest way to ensure you get the real thing. You’ll find the best selection of products on the official The North Face website.
You can also shop The North Face jackets online at Zappos, Moosejaw, and Nordstrom Rack.
The North Face has more than 200 stores around the world (Credit: March Marcho / Shutterstock)
When shopping on Amazon, make sure you don’t purchase from a reseller. Here are seven easy ways to check the authenticity of The North Face jackets.
1. Check the seller
Fake and knockoff products are rampant online, and they are typically distributed as second-hand items with cut-off prices to attract buyers.
If you are considering buying a used jacket, it is essential that you closely inspect the seller or the online store, especially on sites like eBay and AliExpress.
Usually, there will already be some signs that can be spotted in a listing or a product post. Beware of sellers that have bad feedback, use stock photos, or offer extremely cheap prices. Whenever possible, take the time to question and observe the seller.
2. Check The North Face mountain logo
The brand logo is a great feature for checking the authenticity of the jacket. Generally, the worst counterfeiters will get this part wrong by bad stitching, uneven spacing, and even misspellings.
Screenshot from YouTuber Kaz L inspecting his jackets (Credit: YouTube)
The North Face’s quarter-circle logo, produced by California designer David Alcorn in 1971, evokes Half Dome, a massive granitic monolith at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California.
The font used for the logotype is similar to a widely used sans-serif called Helvetica Bold.
The North Face logo evokes Half Dome, a massive granitic monolith in Yosemite National Park (Credit: The North Face)
A genuine The North Face jacket should display a cleanly made stitch or print of the brand. Check for loose threads on the embroidery, as this is a typical sign of cheap production.
3. Check the tags
Authentic The North Face jackets have a red tag that displays the product code, product style, barcode, price, and place of manufacture. The style printed on the tag should match the actual style of the jacket.
If you want to identify the model name of your jacket but don’t have the original tag, check the internal label. The model name starts with an A or C followed by three letters or numbers.
Being familiar with the product styles/names should help you in this department. A quick Google search will help you determine the name of the product you are buying.
4. Check the quality of the fabric
The North Face uses high-quality fabric for jacket construction, and counterfeiters always use cheaper materials to save on production costs. In styles that have Gore-Tex technology, the fabric is durable and waterproof but lightweight.
Fleece models are smooth to the touch and do not feel heavy when worn. Cheap knockoffs may be able to replicate the look of the jacket, but they will never be as comfortable as the real deal.
Typically, copycat products feel heavy and rough because of the cheap alternative fabric.
5. Check other small details
Pay attention to other small details, including the hardware of the jacket.
Authentic jackets pay importance to even the smallest details. However, replicas will easily overlook this part and settle for cheaper materials.
Screenshot from YouTuber Kaz L inspecting a The North Face jacket’s zippers (Credit: YouTube)
Zippers should go up and down smoothly, even when they are brand new. In many styles that have the pull zipper, The North Face uses paracord and not a generic plastic pull.
6. How much do The North Face jackets cost?
While it’s possible to find discounted The North Face products online, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll find discounts exceeding 50% of the original retail price.
Try comparing the price to the discounted items found at Nordstrom Rack. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it most likely is!
7. Where are North Face jackets made?
The parent company of The North Face, VF Corporation, owns over 30 manufacturing facilities in countries including China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, the United States, and many more.
The North Face jackets are made in a variety of countries, including Cambodia, China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam (Credit: Kamil Zajaczkowski / Shutterstock)
The North Face’s Made in USA collection is made entirely in the United States.
The North Face Made In USA beanie is knitted in New Jersey with a label made in Kentucky
In addition, the company contracts with more than 1,000 supplier factories to produce its products.
Since the company has factories all over the world, it’s very difficult to tell whether your jacket is authentic just based on where it is made.
Who owns The North Face?
The North Face was acquired in 2000 by the VF Corporation and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the VF Corporation.
It is headquartered in Alameda, California, co-located with over 30 brands owned by the same American worldwide apparel and footwear company. VF Corporation controls 55% of the U.S. backpack market with the Jansport, Eastpak, Timberland, and North Face brands.
Check out the helpful video from YouTuber Kaz L that details more tips on how to spot a fake The North Face jacket.