Is The North Face worth your money?
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- Опубликовано: 28 фев 2019
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In this Our Changing Climate environmental video essay, I look at the environmental actions of The North Face clothing. Specifically, I look at how The North Face seems to be torn between environmental actions and sustainability on the one hand and appeasing shareholders on the other. Ultimately, The North Face seems to follow the example of Patagonia and Fjällräven rather than challenging the outdoor industry to be environmentally ethical and sustainable leaders in their field.
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Resources:
1. Patagonia and The North Face: saving the world - one puffer jacket at a time (The Guardian): www.theguardian.com/business/...
2. 'The North Face Renewed' Gives Refurbished Clothes Second Life (Sustainable Brands): sustainablebrands.com/read/wa...
3. Will Green-Friendly "Bluesign" Clothing Lines Catch On with Consumers? (Scientific American): www.scientificamerican.com/ar...
4. Alternative Paths of Green Entrepreneurship: The Environmental Legacies of the North Face’s Doug Tompkins and Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard (Harvard Business School) www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publicatio...
5. This winter gear is made with plastic bottles rescued from the ocean (Fast Company): www.fastcompany.com/90271064/...
6. The North Face Manufacturing Impact (The North Face): www.thenorthface.com/about-us...
The North Face does have some pretty long lasting gear and they also do well to support environmental causes. But, at the end of the day, it doesn't seem like environmental ethics are front of mind for them. So, if you own something from The North Face, don't feel bad, I just think there are other for-profit companies in the outdoor retail space that are doing it better. What do you think about The North Face? Do you have a piece of TNF gear that has lasted for decades? Rebuttals and refutations welcome!
Do Kathmandu- "We act with people and the planet in mind - from the creative minds of our designers, to the careful hands of our suppliers, to the backs of our customers all around the world."
www.kathmandu.com.au/get-to-know-us
I just recently stumbled across this channel and I really like your effort in research and the passion that goes into your videos. That said, could you do a video about the self proclaimed leader of sustainable outdoor clothing Vaude ?
I'm currently wearing the same north face jacket that I have for the past 10 years. I would probably go Patagonia for my next one though.
they make some nice gear but for me its overpriced and not as good quality as Fjällräven or Patagonia ,you might pay a bit more for Fjällräven but you buy an item of clothing that is made to last for as long as you want it to
waste of a video. and time.
I have a North Face down jacket that I bought in '74 and a NF down sleeping bag that I bought in '75. I still use both and NF repaired both of them for free with their lifetime warranty. Is North Face worth it to me? Hell Yeah!
I know this is very late. But how do you claim warantee for repairement?
@@crescenteea Contact North Face.
@@crunchfootjim4936 lol.. haha
-The North Face- The Hidden Leaf
Amuro Ray hahahah that’s fantastic. If only everyone also wore forehead protectors, it’d be the closest thing to actually being in the anime :p
Whats that?
Malcolm Avocado if you’re not a weeb you won’t get it
The most environmentally friendly thing to do is to not buy either and die in freezing cold. Your deaths will surely reduce carbon footprint,
This is gold.
People who are so anal about sustainability are so douche. Its sustainable if its profitable its sustainable.
Biplav Shrestha i mean your not wrong
@Mr. P. Enis I hate to be a grammar nazi myself but that would be double negative.
@Mr. P. Enis My sentnce is gramatically correct as well.
dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/questions-and-negative-sentences/neither-neither-nor-and-not-either
I think wearing expensive clothes is always better for the environment since you tend to wear those for many years before you throw them away.
With cheap (I'm not saying bad) clothing you buy something new every year or two
Yeah you're right, it's sort of something in the back of your head that you don't consiously think about, but we tend to care more for objects that cost more money.
Facts always dripping in designer
Only if that piece of clothing is valuable to you. If you're the sort of person whose closet is as full of Patagonia as another person's is with Faded Glory and George, you probably don't value that $35 tank top near as much as the guy who has the $5 Faded Glory one would. Just a higher level of disposable.
You are right, I agree, for example I have TNF cloth that have years of use, I mean years, thats to say even more than 7 years and they are still usable
Exactly but my Nothface jacket lasted 7 years
The thumbnail looked like Naruto's jacket during Shippuden! 😬
Fauzi Wahid i said the same thing to my brother
Hahaha, I literally just chortled when I read that.
I thought the exact same thing!
I came to say the same thing
Only reason I clicked
I am blown away by the quality of the videos you put out, the first video I watched was the Fjällräven one. I at first thought it was a Vox or one of the other major channels, but it wasn't, and I'm glad I saw it wasn't a major channel, because now I can support you through your way up! You have great potential, I really hope this works out for you!
I thought the exact same thing! I thought his first video was from Vox.
I'm glad this is the quality of Vox, but not pushing and forcing his own opinion too much
I second that. Awesome work!
it was exactly the same for me!
@@Simon-xj8hc Yeah I'm also glad it's not as biased as Vox
Same happen to me. This is the second video I watch and I am now subed.
Dude this breakdown is a perfect representation of how unique Patagonia's dedication is. Great video mate!
He just needs to stop pronouncing Fjällräven wrong haha
Except I had many of my quality issue with them, the only brand that managed to leave me down with ripping seam, unevenly zipper seawing, defective fabric and in almost every case refused to refund or replace the item. Even got an R1 (my first and last R1) armpit seam to yield after 7 or 8 climbs in the dolomites. Sorry. They burned all of the trust they could get from me, and even more.
By the way, I believe tnf is not a great company, but at least they managed to get me a replacement when a lateral zipper broke off one of their overpant and when an elbow seam ripped the fabric around because of the repetitive movements in climbing.
@@REVOLUTIONS51 I've also had a few quality issues with Patagonia in the past too but I still like their stuff
@@John-yg2rt there's always the possibility that I've been unlucky with customers service here in Italy, and maybe thf thanks to a greater profit margin has a different internal policy leading to more refund or replacement
I have recently discovered this channel and I'm enjoying being enlightened
Poo 😂
Ultimately a harsh conclusion, but not necessarily unfair treatment. While they may not be pushing the edge of sustainable business practices like some of their competitors, they are still doing quite a lot for the protection of the environment and it would be great for most other consumer apparel companies to make even a fraction of the effort TNF does. Mostly, I'm just observing that over the years, I've seen TNF support many activists, influencers, athletes, events and organizations that I feel are doing more good than harm, and it would be great for that to continue.
I agree, but I think it's important to hold businesses (especially in the outdoor space) to a really high environmental standard. I think TNF has done some really great work, but I also think it could be doing more.
It is undeniable that TNF is more environmentally sustainable than many, if not most global brands. However, the outdoor apparel and clothing industry naturally enjoys more loopholes and lenient punishment for breaking rules or straight face lying to consumers/society. Take the automotive industry for example, when a car manufacturer makes their products less environmentally friendly then they claim, they often face endless lawsuits and are likely to get massive fines or sanctions. TNF claims to be doing the same as some of its competitors to help the environment, but in reality causing much more negative impact than they claim, unlike lying car makers, TNF gets away with it.
Blah blah, blah?
@@OurChangingClimate can you compare TNF, Patagonia to other brands in your next video? TNF may not be the most sustainable when compared to Patagonia, I still feel like it's a better company than say Jcrew, etc.
Your channel is a goldmine. Thank you so much for providing such analyses of brands and how they work, and comparing them together. The animation style is just delightful. You got a new fan !
You have such a special, incredible channel! It is so clear that you put a lot of work into making the videos you post, and making people more aware and enlightened in the process. Great work!
Proud to see how much you've grown in recent months! Was about time, keep doing what you do!
This is amazing to see. I subbed for a couple of months ago. At the time you had barely a thousand subs. You completely smashed it with the Fjällräven video. I cannot empahasize enough on how much the quality has improved on the videos!
All these companies pay a pittance to their workers. Most of them manufacture in Bangladesh and other poor developing countries. It's heart-wrenching to see the poverty of the people who make these products. BUT these COMPANIES, who charge $350 for a jacket, won't even pay a dollar extra to their workers. The latter live in utter poverty and can't even afford a good medical insurance. All these environment friendly image is just a marketic technique, that's all.
There is nothing wrong on manufacturing a cloth in Bangladesh. FYI, if you only know Bangladesh as having worst factory than let me tell you, it has the Best factory in the world. So if North Face is producing its cloths in Bangladesh, as a consumer we have right to know the factory details. Is that factory meets all those ethical complaince? Such BSCI, GOTS certification? Is the factory is LEAD certified? Is their chemical and dyeing factory OEKOTex certified? If yes...I would go for it rather than buying a "Made in USA/Canada/UK or EU shirt" which is not complainced and may be using illigal immigrant. So be careful when you are buying cloths and know #whomademycloth, and how it was made. It is your right to know. If the brand does not want to disclose it, boycott their product. Its my advise as an industry expert.
When the brand first launched yes, but these days they're just a fashion company.
I got some of their gear and some from other brands like Patagonia and Fjallraven. I can say that their gear is still up there for me! like one of their gore tex jackets is very good!
marr123n didn’t know Fjallraven made something other than backpacks
Blanco fjallraven also makes all sorts of clothing and tents as well
They hiking gear. Never see them as fashion. That would be moncler.
campkira True... It’s not for nothing their gear is used on Mount Everest
This is the fourth video I've watched from this channel and been learning a lot! Just subscribed. Great content, keep 'em coming!
Backpacks: yes
Jackets: it depends
Clothes: hell no
I agree. I bought a borealis II four years ago and its still doing great dispite using it pretty much everything I do including outdoors activities, and its a very confortable.
Definitely agree on backpacks best one I ever owned
Hey! Actually discussing the value of the products is NOT in line with this "is it worth it" video! You must only tell us about your feels and how spending $35 on a tank top makes you a more ethical person!
A.J. Hart please elaborate, I’m confused 😐
@@blakedavis2447 I'm commenting on how the person who posted the original comment of this thread was actually engaging in whether the gear was worth it (like the vid's title suggests), rather than what they actually did in the vid, which was not discuss the merits of costs of the gear at all and instead just touched upon environmental topics.
Please keep up what you;re doing. Straight forward facts and commentary on the state of Climate Change and how corporations and consumers are involved is incredibly important.
Wow your channel really blew up! This is awesome!! Great video btw 😊
Is anything worth it really?
All everyone cares about is the hype, and the North face is over hyped cos of collab with other hyped brands like supreme etccc.
U could easily find something cheaper with similar colourway to keep u just as warm.
Yes. Believe in yourself and life will get better, stop putting yourself in that negative mindset.
MrAceekidd any brand recommendations?
@@gustavogutierrez2709 MDV (Manière De Voir's) have really nice jackets especially their mountain print 1, or just try major retailers like Zara/H&M.
@@jamontoast1414 thank you mario you made my day
I bought a Northface 18 yrs ago when I was in high school and still wear it today, every year I think I'll get a replacement just to have something new but it's really stood the test of time as far as durability. At the time I was reluctant about the price tag but it's proven worth it many times over!
Great video and editing. I think the reason Patagonia is popular is because they care so much about the environment and ethical practices. They are keeping true to their brand, which people love them for that. Profits and being environmentally conscious don’t have to be at odds with each other. You can have your cake and eat it too.
This is one of the veeeery few channels that are useful, full of service and information, I am gladly supporting it.
Greetings from Germany
Hey man, i just wanna say that your channel is dope bro. Its a real experience listening to you talk about things from name brands to music. Keep it bro, you got a new patron now when i have some spare
Rare Earth did a great episode about Doug Tompkins and his efforts to improve the environment. The episode is called "How To Spend A Fortune" and i believe Doug set a great example for how to do so
I started getting recommended your videos last week by RUclips, just subscribed! I like the content and the way you break down each video. I’m trying to start my own business using green materials so I say I’m definitely interested in this industry haha
Love this channel! I just found it from the fjallraven video and I think you guys are very informative and have a great style for your videos
*This is literally a quality video.. outstanding presentation son!! Nicely done, simply terrific!*
*Hope all videos has this quality.. subscribed*
A great channel! Thanks RUclips for recommending it to me, you deserve more and thanks for sharing the conscious mind :)
I've just discovered your channel - so underrated! Great videos!
Your videos are always so calming...
Love this video ! Great work once again 👍😊
I was surprised when i saw the german subtitle and it helped me alot. Thank you
Can’t stop watching your videos
I'd love to see an update. "Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard and his family recently announced that they are giving away their outdoor clothing and gear company to help fight the climate crisis."
I'm glad I happen to have bought 2 Patagonia jackets instead of The North Face ❤️
I just found this channel today and this channel is soooo interesting.
Keep it up!
I am glad I discovered your channel. Officially my top favorite!
thank you for dropping quality content
I first thought Naruto was on the thumbnail and so I clicked it. . .
So am I! High five !
begone anime
Pass away old guy
Helpful vid bro! Thanks for uploading such useful info:)
You nailed the animation.
Love the impact that it bring .
good content mate, so glad i found this channel
Dude your video editing skills is dope
I'm so glad you're finally blowing up!!!!
I love your editing!
great video as always
I can watch videos like this every single day
Brilliant video, would be really interested to see you do a video on Osprey and their second life option online.
I would love to see more of these about sportswear brands! Like running shoes for instance.
THANK YOU FOR THOSE VIDEOS!
This Chanel will blow up, keep it up man :)
Dope video!
I'm new to this channel and I love it already. Can you make a video about Mammut and/or Burton?
These researches on clothing companies are really good. Helps to make concious decisions when truly need to buy something. You should do one for Kathmandu too.
I'm glad this channel exist.
Just liked and subscribed, your video is so well made !
Bought my 1st TNF backpack 10 years ago about $90 on sale, using it for heavy duty adventures and it still survive until now....pass it down to my niece. The 2nd TNF backpack bought 4 years ago about $250 after discount but the water proof coating seems starting to peeled off. Anyway it's stronger and durable than backpack from different brands I ever bought.
Amazing video production quality! I'm glad I came across your channel.. Can you please do videos on whether brands like Canada Goose and Arc'teryx are worth their high price tags..
love this video and the others on brands like these!! keep it up:D
Thank you for this video most eye-opening. I have purchased a lot of the North face in previous years I will definitely be looking for an alternative more responsible brand...... keep up the good work.👍
I have used my north face backpack for 5 years pretty much daily and it only suffers a broken zipper. I probably wont replace it for a long time though, I'll try to repair it and keep it going. I agree with all the points made here.
I love this channel sm :’(
I also have an old snowboard jacket from 1998 and it holds . Only the wrist adjustment strap Velcro isn’t holding well. This is why I bought another in 2020
Great! I like The North Face a lot, so I have been waiting for this! Thanks a lot!!
Discovered your channel recently. Love your videos! If it's ok to ask, how do you make the effects on your videos?
The only piece of North Face gear I've ever bought was a jacket found broken in a Goodwill for something like $15. I managed to fix it up, new zips etc for another $20. While it has some advantages over it's closest Patagonia counterpart, the synchilla, such as a hood and some more waterproof aspects on the shoulders, I have found that as a quality outdoors product I have consistently chosen my Worn Wear synchilla over it for hikes/climbing. Considering they both have a similar used background I'm glad to have been able to fix it up and bring it back to it's near full potential but overall, I have to hand it to Patagonia for just being more solid gear, or at least for what I do.
I got a seasonal job with TNF a few years back and used the employee discount to buy a hoodie. I still have the hoodie almost 7 years later and it has lasted longer than others I have had. Pretty decent for the money
Fjallraven and Patagonia are worth it in quality alone of their products but environmental awareness is a huge bonus. The only bad part is that kind of innovation does not come cheap. Love the vids. Great job to the crew and thanks.
very interesting and helpful video, in generell your videos have a great style - i like them. You diserved my Subscribtion ;) Keep on producing, original and
multifaceted content
Your channel needs more subs. Your videos are really good.
Phenomenal channel. Glad I found it
Love the channel! You should do allbirds and blundstones
Great content guys, which you lots of success pretty soon.
Great Vid! Can you please do Berghaus next?
How does this channel have so little views and subs, I feel like I'm watching a environmental version of Kurzgesagt. Keep this stuff up!
MY NEW FAVORITE CHANNEL. YOU ARE A SAVIOR!
I have many items from both The North Face and Patagonia that I’ve built up over the last 20 years and I have to say they’re both long lasting and high quality.
I am new member of your channel. Really loved your video style 👏👍
Great video !
I would like to see an episode on Mountain Equipement Coop (MEC).
Amazing content
I often like your videos, but I’m not sure I agree with the conclusion on this one. Is it worth it shouldn’t be about the ethics. I’m all for ethical brands and sustainability, I myself am part of the zero waste movement and have a capsule wardrobe. Is it the most environmentally friendly brand, maybe not. should you buy it (based on ethics), it depends. But is it worth your money that’s a different matter. It’s all about durability and quality here. Does it last? Is it made from good quality materials? Is it easy to repair? Is it overpriced? Is the price justified? These are the questions that should be asked when it comes to is it worth the money. I checked out this video because I wanted to know about the quality side of it, and have to say I’m disappointed.
Yup, I really wanted to see the quality of their product put to test... Shame
exactly. by the title this video shouldn't bash a company for it's work ethics, it should be about the comany's products and their quality and reliability.
This video was a poitnless 5 minute short introduction of the brand and criticism of it.
This video is more centered on the worth of the products environmentally, not quality wise. North Face makes quality stuff and I’m sure you can find product testing in other videos or on outdoor gear websites. 👍👍
P Narenpithak I disagree. I think that as consumers we should be putting out money into companies we support morally as well.
P Narenpithak as GUI Ning
Great video! But curious question; what editing software do you use?
You do good reporting
Bought a jacket from northface back in 2012. Still wear it and it does look like brand new. So yes. In terms of lasting long and saving money its worth it
Love your channel
i love this channel's whole message and aesthetic and graphic design! keep it upppp
Great video nice little animations and stuff.
HQ Kontent. 👌🏼
It’s crazy because I was just telling my husband how sick I am of having to replace my North Face rain jacket every year or two. My old ones retire to a bin in my closet because I feel like it’s a waste to throw them away and they aren’t worth donating. Great video and very informative!
Patagonia, The North Face, Colombia are my favorite winter gear brands.
thanks for this video (:
I completely agree with you and love the way you're explaining everything on the video.
But what one cannot forget, even though it doesn't directly relate to your "research question", is that tnf is one of the biggest outdoor companies out there. Therefore, even though their relative impact might be less compared to patagonia, their t shirt business alone is probably bigger the whole of patagonia, so in an absolute sense they have a bigger positive impact. But that is no excuse for them not becoming a leader in sustainability, as they would have the extra money for it and would create an even bigger absolute and relative impact.
PS: Other brand are more sustainable, but as a winter mountaineer and climber, they simply make the best gear. Bought a relatively cheap hard shell 3 years ago, when I started and it is still outperforming my friends patagonia hard shell, that is especially designed for winter climbing. Mine is as light as his, but has never teared, never started soaking and has a better breathability.
Bought a jacket few days ago, was going back and forth between a North face and a Columbia. The North face was $99, and fit/looked great, it was a puffer type, but it had no hood and only 2 pockets, no inside pocket. The Columbia same price has a hood and 5 pockets, and it fit looked great. I allllmost got the NF mostly for the name, but chose the Columbia because I felt like it was the best decision. So far I am very happy w the choice, the Columbia is perfect, prob my favorite coat I've ever had. I know I'd have wished I'd gotten it if I bought the NF.
I’ve always been a north face guy, I live in Phoenix so we have a clearance outlet here which is where I get a lot of my stuff for super cheap. I went to the Patagonia website a few weeks ago and their prices seem way more expensive than the north face website. As far as sustainability goes , I can’t really give an opinion on that cause I haven’t done much research on that topic.
I would love to see you do a video on LL Bean
Amazing video
I still have and still use, a 2 ply Gore Tex Mountain Light circa 1999. It tore at a seam and a tear in mesh inside. Sent it back to Northface in San Leandro to be repaired. They fixed it for free! I am tempted to get a new shell, but it still works. If I get another shell, probably get an Arc'teryx or Buffalo System. I also still have and use Polar Sun 300 Polartec fleece. I really don't know about their new stuff.
Amazing video. Can you do a breakdown of Helly Hansen? I have a couple of rainjackets and I like the brand / design. I bought a used suit and jacket, but I feel for such active wear where people really sweat in it and may be rough on the stuff, preowned is less appealing.
Currently taking the next step in my life where I move towards consuming more carefully and only from sustainable brands. In only 5 minutes, this video has convinced me against buying that TNF bag I've been thinking about for months. I enjoyed this so much.
P.S. Can you do one on the Danish brand, Rains? :-)
Tnf bags are seriously amazing. Miles ahead from Eastpak or similar products
This video is awesome! Can you tess if the jacket in the thumbnail is real? Or just a concept art? It looks cool.