Where to buy Vintage North Face Gear and clothing

Do you like the The North Face products? If so, there's a few items you may have missed or just didn't know about.

When buying The North face gear online many people are paranoid and for good reason; since about the year 2000 counterfeit TNF products have flooded markets. However, products made generally before this period are almost guaranteed to always be authentic, especially USA models.

For collectors, and older outdoor enthusiasts, the products made in the U.S.A/Berkley California, are the most coveted. Particularly gear made during 1986 to 1991, which was when The North Face began producing extreme outer wear for the most demanding athletes and expeditions. And during the mid nineties, even though production predominantly was imported, jackets became bombproof; well at least some of the materials, such as Kevlar.

The steep tech line was designed by and for the world's most extreme skier, Scot Schmidt. As Technical Consultant and Designer for The North Face, the line was introduced in the late 1980's, and was the most advanded and reliable ski line ever.Featuring 330D Cordura, goggle shamy, gore-tex, ultrex fabric and much more. The jackets/pants fabric, could insulate for warmth, while dissipate heat without allowing water molecules to pass through; which was a revolution in the late 80's. Retail prices for the line were astronomical, about $700 for a jacket, $1,300 for a ski suit, even $70 for a head warmer.

Such pedigree and prestige eludes to high market value amongst collector's for gear in mint condition. For original, and rare USA models, prices are always going up; sometimes even to what they were retail.

During 1989 and 1990 six explorers from six nations took 40 sled dogs on a historic trans-Antarctica expedition. Led by Will Steger, an American, an impassioned and seasoned explorer. Members were from the Soviet Union, United States, France, China, Japan, and Great Britain. These six men endured 220 days in -125˚F temps, surviving blizzards, hurricane force winds, mountain ranges and bottomless crevasses.

They literally covered every inch of their body in The North Face sponsored gear, to not only protect against the ridiculous cold, but also the unshielded UV rays coming through a huge hole in the ozone layer.

The objective to this mission was to raise worldwide awareness of global climate change and to encourage preservation of the Arctic.

And in the following year, the public was able to buy commemorative versions of the gear the explorer's wore, all of which was produced in the USA; minus a few pullover's and t-shirts that were imported. Today on the online markets, mint condition of this line of gear is extremely hard to find, and prices can rang from $100 to $1000, depending on models, condition, and size. The jackets and fleeces come in a variety of colors, from pink/emerald, to orange/teal, and the most common turquoise/yellow.

The RTG line was introduced way back in the mid 1990s, Remote Terrain Gear, and was state of the art expedition technology in the form of clothing/gear. Featuring ultra light weight, vapor dispersing fabrics that were breathable yet water proof; the line also featured Recco, to aid in the rescue of emergency, such as an avalanche.

The line also featured a hydration vest that can be worn under, or attached to the outside an accepting jacket. The bladder can be filled with beverage of choice and is a must on long expeditions.