A below-freezing climate, severe terrain, and almost unbearable weather conditions planted the seed of thought from which The North Face Mountain Jacket grew. In 1987, upon returning from an expedition to the Everest base camp, where temperatures are known to drop below -15 degrees Fahrenheit, the then-design director Sally McCoy and her team set out to create the Expedition System, where the Mountain Jacket was the nexus of function and form. A modular structure of layers where the Nuptse puffer and Denali fleece can zip into the Mountain Jacket, the outerwear heavyweight creates an impenetrable barrier–able to withstand any element.
Nearly 40 years later, The North Face has preserved the Mountain Jacket's beloved silhouette, elevating the overall essence with trusted GORE-TEX® technology. The GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket establishes a new chapter for the culture-defining garment, emphasizing the brand's commitment to innovation and design. "As we continue to iterate, innovate, and obsess over the details of our iconic products, we are constantly exploring new fabrications and incorporating advanced technologies," explains Carson Cook, Sr. Manager of Product Management at The North Face.
Although the GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket was made to take mountaineering to new peaks, the highly regarded unisex outer shell adorned not only rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts but city dwellers and fashion fiends alike. This incorporation of utility into everyday wear rose to popularity in the 90s, seen on Hip-Hop titans including Nas and LL Cool J, redefining streetwear and transcending beyond what an article of clothing signifies. Now, this nomadic aesthetic has found its way onto bodies wandering streets around the world, birthing gorpcore–an ever-evolving stylistic subculture. At the intersection of utility and style, The North Face's refreshed take on a cult classic continues to connect generations and reiterates their unwavering manifesto of "providing the best gear [to] athletes and the modern-day explorer, supporting the preservation of the outdoors, and inspiring a global movement of exploration."
The recent iteration of the GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket features the GORE-TEX 2 L shell fabric, a waterproof armor made for ascending climbers, extreme hikers, and urban adventurers. As the design evolves and takes a new form, The North Face's Mountain Jacket will remain steadfast to its roots and the community it has brought together. "In upcoming seasons, you will see us experiment with new fabrics [and] focus on sustainability. The Mountain Jacket will forever be a staple in our Outerwear line-up, and we will always protect its original DNA," Cook affirms.
Offered in a rich Forest Olive and TNF black, the GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket compliments any environment it finds itself in. If you are someone who loves to traverse the backtrails of the Catskill Mountains or opting for elevated stylin’ and profilin’ as you stroll the streets of SoHo, The North Face GORE-TEX Mountain Jacket is a sure wardrobe standout that will elevate any style rotation.
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