Is North Face a decent brand?

[flypow]

Thinking of buying this one- is it worth it? I'm trading in a Moncler for it.

I suppose gang members spend a lot of time hanging around outside being menacing, so they would need some decent technical kit to stay cosy. How sensible of them.

Tsk it's not even Snow Goose, it's Canada Goose I thinking of. Clearly I know nothing about cold weather gear (and should therefore be living in a warm dry climate somewhere)

I live in Glasgow and mine is great for dog walking. It’s black and I’ve had it for about 10 years. Not been mistaken for a gang member yet. Anyway round here it’s Moncler jackets even in Summer with shorts for the gangs. Being hard means being able to withstand being boiled alive!!

All the dodgy teens are wearing it in our area now. Like they've ever been up a mountain .

I have a NF waterproof which I love - always keeps me dry, really comfortable, great colour. Think it's s great brand

The gangs are moving onto Moncler, I like NF as they do actually keep you warm.

It's a lovely jacket!

My non gang member ds is currently wearing my old NF coat. It's about 22 years old and still looks like new.

It is popular with young lads, but I think if you wear yours without a balaclava, and leave your hammer at home, you'll be fine.

They'll be in Rohan at this rate.

I think it is a becoming a bit of a chav brand nowadays. Also the gang link

I bought my University student DS a TNF fleece to make him look "A bit cared for" as he calls it.

So when he goes pottering off to Stratford he'll be cosy and look a bit with it ( never thought about the gang element though)

That jacket is gorgeous, the dark blue and rose gold is stunning! North Face is a great brand in terms of quality, performance and longevity. I've had an arctic parka for years and it's as good as new.

I know it's popular with teenagers, didn't realise about the gang connotations tho. I'm more 'outdoors walking hills in my practical and weatherproof North Face coat' gang.

A brand for dodgy teens in my neck of the woods.

Is there a hood ?

I wouldn't pay that much for a jacket without a hood

Gang brand?

Canada Goose, aspirational for those who want to wear coyote fur trapped in the wilds of Canada, just like the 19th century.
North face is worn by every BBC news reporter in Scotland, maybe they’re trying to blend in with the neds. I’ve had one of their jackets for years, it’s worn really well and is very warm.

It's a lovely jacket but t depends what you're using it for.
In my opinion The North Face has declined in quality, although tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.
I prefer RAB or Marmot for quality.

County Lines drug dealers too by the looks of it 😲: twitter.com/CambridgeCops/status/1063414269717315584?s=19

I passed a JD Sports this morning and the male mannequin was kitted out in The North Face gear which would suggest that it's well established in the urban market.

@Weathergirl1 ha ha I'm in Cambridge too!

I used to love TNF but it seems as if the quality isn't anywhere near what it used to be.

I've got a couple of their gilets, really warm and wash well. Just invested in a Rab down jacket and it's so thin but warm it's amazing, excellent pockets too!

I’ve bought NF for years and still buy it. Haven’t noticed any decline in quality, it’s all brilliant.
I don’t care if gangs wear it, I only care about my own warmth and comfort!

I wouldn't get hung up on the gang association. It won't last for a start, but they only wear a tiny selection of the brand, predominantly in black and grey, and it's certainly not the technical stuff.

Bit like tarring Burberry with one brush because of the print, or UGG because of the classic pull ons and who made them ubiquitous when they sell so much more and the quality can be fantastic.

Proper moutaineering/extreme sport enthusiasts don't rate them for their technical quality any more, but that's at the other end of the spectrum. For urban wear with decent cold and wet weather properties, they are still great.

Uniqlo have a great down jacket range and much more affordable too

Interesting. DH and I used to do a lot of walking / climbing years ago and I recall North Face as being a good technical make. I don't know whether that's changed recently. What I do know is that DS (17) has recently bought a bit of North Face stuff so I figured it was becoming more of an on-trend thing - I didn't know it had 'gang' connotations though - DS isn't in to that but he does aspire to some rock / sports personalities that look s bit dodgy!