The North Face has been dancing around this moment for years. While brands like Arc’teryx and Salomon suddenly discovered their runway appeal, TNF has been quietly infiltrating hip-hop culture and streetwear since the ’90s. The Nuptse jacket became more famous for its omnipresence in everyday fits than its alpine prowess, and Supreme collaborations turned technical gear into hype-beast currency. Now, with the Red Box collection, The North Face is finally making it official: we’re not just outdoor gear anymore.
This isn’t some limited-edition capsule or collaboration stunt. Red Box is a permanent lifestyle collection that acknowledges what everyone already knew – The North Face logo has been a streetwear staple hiding in plain sight for decades. The timing feels perfect, arriving just as the gorpcore wave matures beyond fleeting trend status into genuine wardrobe integration.
The Archive Dive That Actually Makes Sense
Rather than randomly pulling pieces from their vault, TNF went surgical with their approach, focusing on ’70s and ’90s era pieces when the brand first became synonymous with counter-cultural adventure.
The standout pieces read like a greatest hits compilation: a snap-front down jacket that ditches external quilting for clean lines, a packable wind jacket that nods to ’90s windbreaker aesthetics, and a waterproof coaches jacket that bridges technical functionality with street-ready styling. The materials mix classic TNF fabrics with modern innovations, all finished with antique silver snaps, Vislon zippers, and that distinctive 30mm Red Box woven label.
Where TNF Gets It Right
The oversized fits feel natural rather than forced, acknowledging how people actually wear outdoor gear in urban environments. Climate Conscious Cotton appears throughout the hoodie and tee offerings.The packable elements maintain TNF’s technical DNA while serving real-world functionality for city dwellers who need gear that adapts.
Pricing hits that sweet spot between accessible and premium, ranging from $50 to $400. The down jacket at $400 actually undercuts the current Nuptse at $430, which suggests TNF understands they’re competing in lifestyle territory where value perception matters differently than pure technical performance.
Spec Sheet
Collection Focus: Heritage-inspired streetwear from ’70s and ’90s archives
Key Pieces: Down jacket, coaches jacket, packable wind jacket, hoodie, tee, sweatpants
Materials: Climate Conscious Cotton, WINDWALL fabric, classic TNF textiles
Design Details: Antique silver snaps, Vislon zippers, 30mm Red Box woven label
Fit: Relaxed and oversized throughout
Price Range: $50-$400
Availability: Permanent collection, dual gender
Key Retailers: Bloomingdale’s, END, Flannels, Extra Butter
Pricing & Availability
Red Box launched July 31st as a permanent collection on thenorthface.com and select retailers including Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship, with prices ranging from $50 for basics to $400 for the down jacket.
Recap
The North Face Red Box Collection
The North Face’s Red Box collection finally formalizes their decades-long streetwear influence with a permanent lifestyle line that mines ’70s and ’90s archives for oversized, premium pieces that bridge technical heritage with urban functionality.
