1993 North Face TNFX

1993 TNFX
This model is the first China released version of the "Extreme" series released in the late 1980s. Very heavy jacket, almost a parka weight and feel. Features waist belt with clamp, Napoleon vents (side vents, instead of pit vents), 7 chest pockets, powder skirt, gore tex, and even two inner stow away pockets.

This model was superior to many steep techs at the time and is extremely rare as it was an Hong Kong made, none US market release. The model pictured featured "wicking" an early rip stop material,  which covers the yellow panels. Usually goes for around $100 to $200 in auction/online, but that is in the seldom event of one being offered.

Retail was $399
Current value if possible to find, usually $100 to $200

The SAR Line

The SAR Line
  Back in the mid 1990s North Face released a very special production line that featured technology was used in the gear provided to SAR teams. Search and Rescue teams from the U.S. coast guard to National Park Rangers used gear co developed and provided by the North Face; the company has a long and infamous legacy in sponsoring gear to the most demanding outdoor professionals and Athletes. The line produced for the public featured special SAR patches and badges, Recco Tech, first aid pockets, huge cellular pockets, rip stop fabric(which literally will prevent any rips/tears from enlarging) and gore tex. For such innovations, only professionals and enthusiasts could handle the retail price of $1200 a jacket, $299 for a fleece, and a whole suite would run into low $2,000 range. To add the prestige, the production run was extremely limited, and thus when anything of the line hits an online auction prices are guaranteed to return or double.

Early Steep Tech Insulated Gloves

Early 1990s Steep Tech Gloves
  Sold separate and with some Steep Tech suits, these gloves feature synthetic leather, fleece removable inserts for warmth, and also had water proof breathable fabrics. Very serious and high in there day, almost 20 years ago, the sported a hefty retail price of $189 new. Built for professionals, and serious skiers, designed by the original American extreme skier, Scot Schmidt. Currently on the online markets a nice intact pair will fetch anywhere from $70-$140, depending on color and completion. The pair pictured are of the most sought color, black, which came with USA modeled steep tech jackets.

Retail was $189
Current Value online $50-$200, depending on color and condition.

About the 1989-1990 Trans Antarctica Series

As the story goes, back in 1989 6 men from 6 different nations, and 36 sled dogs decided to go on an historic expedition across Antarctica's vast unmapped region. The team included USA, China, Great Britain, Russia, France, and Japan. The journey took approximately 220 days and was completed in March 1990.  Having survived temperatures of -150 degrees, blizzards, extreme threat of frost bite, and four hour long day periods; the team went down in history as being the first to traverse the continent on foot.

To further commemorate the legacy, The North Face who was there sponsor, released production versions of the gear that the crew wore. The line included fleeces, parkas, shirts, pants, suits, and even gloves. Anyone selling mint condition stock of this line is extremely seldom, however when jackets due hit the auctions prices often rival what they cost new. Almost 100 percent of the line was made in the U.S.A, with the exception of a few pullovers made in Korea and Hong Kong. As recent as 2008 retro versions of the line were released to commemorate the brand 40th anniversary. Retro models include fleeces, jackets, and bags; most of which are Japan only releases that cost about $600 to import.

Check Out Where to get your hands on a few original Authentic pieces from the Trans Line: http://cgi.ebay.com/North-Face-Trans-Antarctica-Expedition-Gore-Tex-Jacket_W0QQitemZ370350335904QQcategoryZ28083QQcmdZViewItem

Read and Learn about the dude that led the expedition, all rights reserved to respective owner's: Will Steger http://www.willsteger.com/content/section/19/97

How to find out when your North Face was made:

Date Code
If your ever curious as to what year your gear was made check the tags. All gear manufactured after 1985 has enough information on the tag to determine what season/year it is from. For example, the picture above shows the tag of a model that was made in the USA, in this case the numbers on the left indicate style code, while the numbers to the right of the slash indicate season/year; so 3 means March and the 1 equates to 1991. Models assembled in the US follow the above season format, while

models from Asia released in the mid 1990s will simply show the season/year code on the back of the tag at the bottom. In the picture above, 3 is March, 5 means 1995 model. However during the big move many China models didn't display season/year anywhere on the tags. Such the 1993 TNFX models, below is tag:

 Instead the season/year data was found the inside of the buttons, this only occurred during 1992 to 1994 for many Asia produced models: check the picture below:

Button is from a 1993 TNFX model, 8 denotes August, while the 3 relays 1993. The H.K. denotes that is an Hong Kong made limited release, more than likely never saw U.S. retailers/market.

North Face Hydration Vest Sample

 

1997 North Face Hydration Vest Sample

    Very rare find, a sample of the Heli Hydration vest that released in the mid 1990s.  These very special vests provide the wearer with on-the-go fluids/hydration, just fill the stow away bladder with the beverage of your choice. The production version of this vest was ridiculously expensive, costing around $799 new, and can purchased for about same price in used condition. Yet the pictured sample version was never intended for sale, and while presented in mint condition, value is truly the buyers digest. Features include 6 outer pockets, 160 Cordura shell, dark green ( reminiscent of North Faces emerald hue only darker), and rear zip pouch for bladder filled with choice beverage. Made in Thailand March, 1997.

Retail Price: Not intended for public release. 

Uber Rear

North Face Steep Tech Access Jacket

1996 North Face Steep Tech Access 
   Extremely rare and difficult to find, 1996 Access Steep Tech jacket design by Scot Schmidt. By 1996 high demand products such as jackets and ski suits were made in many factories in Asia. This Access model is a China made model, and is extremely heavy. Features 330D Cordura shell with 500D Cordura reinforced critical areas, 6 outer pockets, stow away hood, real Kevlar shoulders, back vents, powder skirt and more. The quality and craftsmanship of the mid to late 1990s models is truly distinct amongst rival brands. Color way of the model picture above is called "Hunter Green." Access is a rare Steep Tech model, not many were produced, and production only ran from 1994 to 1998. Truly a collector's item if in mint condition, or a work horse if you need it to be, awesome as a motorcycle jacket as well.

Retail was: $599.99
Current Market: $150 to $600 depending on size, color and condition. 


 
   

North Face Denali

1991 North Face Purple Denali
   Many may not be aware of just how long the Denali fleece has been around. Long before every college and high school student made it a best seller, the original Denali fleece was cherished by hikers, and extreme skiers. Originally assembled in the old USA factory, featuring double layer nylon reinforced elbows and shoulders, two chest pockets, and two side pockets, and Polartec 300 fabric: not to mention pit vents also.

The model shown features an extremely rare and popular purple that North Face used on a lot of there products in the late 80s and early 90s. Finding this model in new condition is difficult, especially in the pictured models size; the one pictured just hit the online auctions markets and is currently priced at $9.99, a steal compared to what originally sold for 20 years ago.

Retail was $129.99 new
Current market $20-$140 depending on color, size and condition.

North Face Steep Tech Fleece Pullover

1992 The North Face Steep Tech Pullover
    Manufactured at the old factory in Berkley, California. This rare pullover steep tech is made of 100% polyester, design by Scot Schmidt. Made to serve as an insulating layer over your base layer of gear in chillier climates. However, can be very versatile, wear with Air Jordan's or loafers; dress urban, casual, or worn expeditiously.   Finding this color way in mint condition on the online market can be difficult, as majority will be beaters. The model pictured just hit online auctions and is only at $9.99.

Retail was: $90 new
Current Market: $20-$50 depending on size, color, and condition.