Is it Hype??? (Metlakatla: job, company, price)

[cobolt]

Okay, here goes. The other day I was watching some outdoors show featuring the Alaska Mountaineering School and they were all outfitted with North Face clothing. I see North Face on it seems most of those outdoors, climbing, hiking shows. It seems everywhere I turn I see people sporting North Face jackets, parkas....you get the drift. Now, maybe the television types get their stuff for free, North Face gets their name out there (as if they needed to), and everyone is happy. I don't know how these endorsements and drug deals work. My question: Is North Face really that great or is it just overpriced and hyped up? I tend to think it's more of a fashion statement than a testament of warm outerwear, but I could be wrong. I know NF was sold a few years ago to some parent company and many claim the quality has gone down the tubes. I mean, am I missing something here? I just don't get the fascination.

[warptman]

I personally like Cabela's gear. I've never had anything North Face, they're a bit spendy for me. The bargain cave in Cabelas.com is a great place to find clothing cheap. I guess the North Face has a guarantee if you rip it, they replace it, something like that.

[Wandering Mind]

ive seen quite a bit of north face stuff where i live as well

[User 3]

Its a marketing scam...you pay a ton extra for the name and there are many brands that are actually better

Their stuff is made in China in the same plants as most the other outdoor gear

You can't beat Cabela's or REI....Columbia makes good outdoor gear also

[Barkingowl]

Cabela's, LLBean, Carhartt...

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by warptman

I personally like Cabela's gear. I've never had anything North Face, they're a bit spendy for me. The bargain cave in Cabelas.com is a great place to find clothing cheap. I guess the North Face has a guarantee if you rip it, they replace it, something like that.

So is Cabelas outerwear good, in your opinion? There is a Cabellas near where I work, which is why I ask.

User3...I was looking at a 3 in 1 jacket at REI...with the zip out fleece, poly shell and down insert, but they don't fit me right...it's like I'm between sizes...small is too small, medium is too big...and the only color they had was lilac....I can't feel good about hiking in lilac....HA HA...Olive drab is better...Anyway, so I'm looking for the REI alternative. I don't care about brand names. It just has to fit right and do the job!!

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I don't care about brand names. It just has to fit right and do the job!!

Avoid anything made in Mexico or Asia. I think they randomly put size tags in their garments that are two sizes too small.

[Metlakatla]

I saw a lot of people wearing North Face last summer and damn near every last one of them was a touron trying for that rugged northern look. They looked even more stupid with their white tennis shoes.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I saw a lot of people wearing North Face last summer and damn near every last one of them was a touron trying for that rugged northern look. They looked even more stupid with their white tennis shoes.

Absolutely! You see it alot in urban places too....which is why I didn't pay it too much mind until I saw NF on alot of outdoors shows...Just figured it was another fad/fashion statement for me to care little to nothing about.

[Nephler]

I don't really understand the North Face thing either, I see lots around here also. I'd rather have something less pricey and more in the "working" area of clothing. I don't mind spending some money on stuff, but they and better holdup to my abuse.