Cleaning and Preserving, the only brand you should use:

If your the owner of any year or any model of North Face jackets( gear in general), it would be ideal to protect and care for it so it will not only last but look good while aging. That said, just throwing your pieces in the washer/dryer can be a daunting prospect. Sure you could abide by the tags and wash in the washer on cold inside out, however this may not get your item clean and worse it can damage the waterproof fabric and coating applied to the shell. So unless you have doubles or have OCD and keep everything in completely mint condition, you will need something safe to clean your gear.

Majority if not all of TNF jackets, pants, etc, will have a factory applied DWR coating, which is simply a waterproof special liquid mix or wax that is sprayed on to further aide the gears ability to disperse and repel water/moister; keeps you dry in other words. Franky the only and best brand of fabric care for your gear is Nikwax, professionals have known this for the better part of 30 years now. Developed in the late 1970s and released in England, this special brand of fiber care produces a product for virtually every waterproofing need. Tech wash, ironically enough, will wash your gear and remove those ugly chalk marks that dabbing with a rag can't remove, all without harming those sensitive water repelling materials. While the base wash will gently clean and renew anything waterproof, again without being abrasive. And finally, the TX Direct formula is a DWR coating that can be applied while you are literally still in the elements, apposed to other brands DWR that has to sit and dry before use.
 A true revolution in waterproof fabric care, Nikwax should be the only thing you use to get your gear clean and keep it dry. Check out there store for the full product line and the story behind this remarkable brand here at their site NikWax
picture is a courtesy, all rights reserved.

The Rage Line

The Rage series began a long time ago back in the mid 1980's and was almost all produced in the USA. Rage was a line of heavy while exuberant fleeces, sweaters, pullovers and a few more entry level items. Down right ugly to many, which is why a lot of TNF wearers don't like to talk about the line. While the vast majority that are still young have never even heard of the Rage series. Every piece was reminiscent of the Aztec line, where as each item featured some kind of ridiculous print; sometimes the print and color way worked while other  times it was plain old disgusting.

 The model featured is an late 80s model in aqua teal with the hard to distinguish Aztec blue/purple, this model is one of the more tasteful yet still a bit much versions of the pullover fleece. The loft used back then was very thick and heavy, almost like wearing two Denali's in one with out those lovely pit vent either. Made for only the most demanding cold weather traverses. Some did come with gore tex and even ultrex in the early nineties, but by about 1994 the line had run it's course.

Some are very rare while others are always available on the online markets. The one pictured is of an seldom offered for sale model, and is of the USA pedigree. Finding a buyer is hard press for any colorway/model, so it is advised to be kept as a heavy duty layer or a part of YOUR collection.

Retail $79 to $249 depending on year and model
Expect $ 20 to $50 if your lucky.

Mid 1990s Extreme Pullover shell

1995 Extreme "Lakers" Shell
During the mid nineties TNF gear became considerably more robust and technical. The extreme series peaked around this point, jackets like the model pictured, had to satisfy the most demanding consumers.  Mainly because more and more consumers began going pro and extreme,  so all gear had to be improved and state of the art. The model pictured is from that error and is an very heavy pullover shell, an Asia model that which some came from China and majority from Indonesia.

This model features stow away hood, inner stow pockets, four outer front pockets, gore tex fabric(some did escape with ultrex) and an colorway reminiscent of the Los Angeles Lakers team. Extremes from the mid 1990 are rare and valuable compared to the early 90s and late 80s models. This model would have been expensive when it first arrived on the scene and retains its value well. Other color ways of the model pictured include Emerald green and Aztec blue. Mid 1990s extremes rarely come up on auction sites and when they do bidders often bid high and ask many questions. If you own a rarer color way hold on to it for a few more years before even considering selling, these are more rare than the steep techs of the period.

Retail was $399
Expect $140 to $500 obviously depending on color and condition.

The Aztec Vest

Mid 1980s Aztec Print Vest
Very rare USA model vest, part of the Aztec line that produced sweaters, vest, pullovers and more with a Indian like pattern all over. Some pieces of the Aztec print line are easy to find, like the sweaters and light pullover models. The awesome model pictured is of an 80's made light fleece vest, featuring a diamond patterned quilt on the inside with lite insulate. As rare as this model is it will still have a hard time going for anything over $30, and that's regardless of the colorway. The Aztec motif models are not really haloed among enthusiasts online and if you own anything of the line hold on to it. Since this series debuted in the 1980s and until the early 90s, it is accepted that every piece was USA made in CA.

Also, note how this model has the "O" marked out, everyone knows about this on new models and how it denotes a factory second or sample. However, since this model was produced in the mid 80's it would have been with the first seasons North Face tried the idea with; this was a point in the company history where the original owners where still calling the shots and this factory second idea was very confusing to the public when it first came out. The idea made buyers question if it is the best gear on the market, why sell substandard variations, that also lacked the acclaimed lifetime warranty?

Retail was $59
Expect $15 to $30

1990 Trans Antarctica Fleece

1990 Trans Antarctica Fleece
Extremely rare fleece model, almost never offered online, especially in mint condition. Public production model of the Fleeces worn by the six men that embarked on the legendary expedition across Antarctica. Released in extremely limited quantities and made in USA. The model pictured is in the uber rare moss green with navy blue accent color way. Other colors included teal, purple, black, and even orange. Finding on online is an rare opportunity, however does seldom happen. Retail was around $400 new and very very select retail chains. Features 300 down heavy weight fleece fabric, three outer pockets, and built in neck gaitor for superior warmth. Easily out performs any year of the Denali fleeces or even the ridiculously heavy Steep Tech fleeces; true collectors gear.

Retail new $400
Expect $200 to $600 depending on color, size and condition.

The Vertical Series

The Vertical Line
This line came before Tonar, Mountain guides, and even the Steep Tech line. The model pictured is an early 1990s model made in China. However, the series started about 1984/1985 being made in Berkly Cal. USA, with light/technical ski jackets that featured early gore tex fabric. Many models came with the rare Ultrex fabric, an gore tex alternative that was/is made by Burlington. Ultrex fabric does the exact same thing as the more common gore tex, however at particular competitive times cost less to acquire.  The pictured China model from 1994 is a pullover shell and features waist belt, stow away hood, powder skirt (front/back) and the rare Ultrex fabric. These are fairly common on the online auction scene, and one should never pay over $100 for virtually any model or color way, though sellers will try to con buyers into buy now prices; even though the Vertical Line was virtually the first prominent waterproof breathable purpose built gear.

Retail New $250
Expect to pay $20 to $70 for all models, colors, and condition. Very common line on the net.

1994 Mountain Guide Jacket

1994 Mountain Guide Jacket
Since around 1988, the mountain guide jacket has served countless explorers, hikers, and urban youth. The model pictured is an 1994 Asia manufactured jacket. The fabric used in this model instead of the usual gore tex, was an, then new, version called Gore Activent.

Which essentially was the same as the regular gore tex fabric, however was a notably more breathable version. Models from 1993 to about 1996 featured this version of the innovative fabric.  This year would have been the last for screen printed Logo's, after which the more reliable embroidered logos were used on the outer shell.

The model pictured was around $300 new and usually sells on the markets between $20 and $170, obviously condition and color play huge factor. More rare color ways include aqua teal, Aztec purple, and emerald green. Guide models usually came already equipped with buttoned in matching Denali fleeces, the light version usually did not, but was not unheard of.

Retail was $300 to $400
Now Expect $20 to $200 depending on color and condition, especially if a USA model prices will go up.

1989 Trans Antarctica Pullover

1989 Trans Antarctica Pullover
From the infamous TA line, this pullover is the standard shell production model. Released over twenty years ago, finding in mint condition is truly a task and a waiting game. However, when one of any color pops up, bidders come in full effect. Prices can vary widely, from $150 to $700, depending on condition, size, and color.

(Camera Flash in second Pictures makes it appear brighter in places)
The model pictured went for about $200 a few months back, but was poorly promoted and was a fast auction; if word was out seller may have received a lot more, which is also the case with a purple model being sold now. Many enthusiasts have never seen this model cause there so used to the standard teal parka Trans. Model is made in the USA.

Retail was $500
Expect Now $100 to $800 depending on color and demand.

The original "Bubble Coat"

1970s Goose Down
The original purpose built expedition/mountain jacket was the North Face Goose Down. Also is believed to be one of the first jacket models produced, some speculate it is. Features include detachable hood, genuine 550 goose down loft for insulation. Some models included very early version of the haloed Gore Tex fabric, a water proof breathable material.  Two inner pockets, and four shell pockets. These days, this model doesn't receive much attention from collectors, which translates to lower market prices; but that is in the event you find one in nice and complete condition. Rare colors include Fuchsia, Teal, and deep purple. Essentially the original bubble coat, older explorers will often still have theirs well after 30 years since its original release, a testament to the brands quality even when they were independent.

Retail was $149 to $249
Now Expect $50 to $149 depending on color and completion.

Internal Frame Hiking Pack

1970's Internal Frame Hiking Pack

Back in the seventies, before gear so ridiculous high tech, North Face produced more rugged simple products. Then the brand was primarily producing Premium Tents, Hardware, Sleeping Bags, Goose Downs, Packs and booties. When leather was genuine, when canvas was thick, even the goose downs had real goose loft. The model pictured is about a 1976 internal frame model, which equates to the smaller hiking pack, featuring an anodized aluminum frame. Large brown label on the front and inside, with Made in the USA on each tag. These models were originally sold for $99 new, and can be found on the online markets at reasonable prices. Color and condition play a huge factor in the resell value, but after over thirty years it's truly vintage.

Retail was $99 new

Online Markets $20 to $110