The North Face

The North Face: a San Francisco brand and the Nuptse jacket

What kind of brand is The North Face?

The North Face is an American brand of outdoor clothing, footwear, and gear. According to Wikipedia, the company was founded in San Francisco by Douglas Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell, while the brand itself gives 1966 as the start of its history. Since 2000, The North Face has been owned by VF Corporation, and the company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The logo is inspired by Half Dome, a distinctive rock formation in Yosemite National Park.

Where did the Nuptse jacket come from?

The North Face says the first Nuptse jacket came out in 1992 and takes its name from the Nuptse peak in Nepal (7,861 m above sea level). It was designed for climbers as part of an expedition system and was the first to feature a new baffle construction that helps keep the down from shifting. We’ve also gathered the brand’s jackets in a separate category The North Face jackets.

Nuptse jackets and The North Face collaborations in the collection

1996 Retro Nuptse jackets: according to The North Face, the model is inspired by the original 1996 design and features its large logo. It is insulated with recycled 700-fill down, has a stowable, adjustable hood, and packs into its right pocket. Men’s versions: Blue, Gravel, Coal Brown, Green, Yellow Tail, Moss Green, and 700 Red, as well as Black Currant Purple and TNF Black in the 700 Fill Packable version. Women’s versions: White Dune, Summit Navy, Red, Coal Brown, Purple, and Black, plus Short Retro Nuptse models in black and Bright Green.

Vests and other Nuptse styles: a black 1996 Retro Nuptse vest, the High Pile Nuptse in TNF Black with a recycled sherpa fleece outer and recycled 600-fill down, the Versa Velour Nuptse in soft velour fleece with recycled 600-fill down, and the white Sherpa Nuptse.

Supreme x The North Face: according to Highsnobiety, the brands have been collaborating since the Fall/Winter 2007 season. W The collection includes the Split Nuptse Jacket from the Spring/Summer 2024 season, the Trans Antarctica Expedition Fleece from Spring/Summer 2017, the RTG jacket with a removable Gold vest from Spring/Summer 2020 (RTG stands for Remote Terrain Gear), Nuptse jackets in red and black, a green jacket, and red nylon shorts. Find more Supreme styles in the collection Supreme.

SKIMS and KAWS: SKIMS x The North Face 2000 Retro Nuptse jackets in Sienna, Cocoa, and Onyx from the brands’ first joint collection, released on December 10, 2024 (SKIMS), and the KAWS x The North Face Retro 1994 Himalayan Parka in Moonlight Ivory from October 2022, with both brands’ logos embroidered on the chest and back (KAWS).

The North Face fit and sizing

The North Face describes the 1996 Retro Nuptse as a relaxed-fit jacket with a boxy silhouette that leaves room for layers underneath and freedom of movement. The brand gives the center-back length as approximately 66 cm for the men’s version and approximately 60 cm for the women’s version. The manufacturer also describes the Versa Velour Nuptse as a relaxed fit, meaning a slightly looser cut for comfort, and the SKIMS 2000 Retro Nuptse as loose-fitting and slightly cropped.

The Supreme and KAWS collaborations have their own measurements, which vary by model, so compare them with the size chart on the product page before buying. If you’re between two sizes, write to us before placing your order.

Why choose The North Face at Saturaise

All The North Face products at Saturaise are authentic and covered by an authenticity guarantee. This collection brings together 1996 Retro Nuptse jackets in a dozen colors, less obvious Nuptse styles in fleece and velour, and collaborations with Supreme, SKIMS, and KAWS.