I don’t know if you heard, but 2025 is gonna be a big year for jackets. We are talking US$53.25bn. You heard that right! It is a 2.67% growth from last year.
And some of the biggest names in the industry are Columbia and North Face jackets. What do you know about them?
Our top JACKET MANUFACTURERS are here to bring you the facts on the Columbia vs North Face jackets debate. So you will know how to model your brand after these giants. Have the right info on them and position your budding a successful brand.
We should jump in without any further delay.
Table of Contents
About North Face
Douglas Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell are the brains behind North Face. They started the company in 1966, selling climbing and camping equipment.
Since then, they have switched gears to fashion, and they’ve grown to be a household name. The original owners sold the company to VF Corporation in 2000 for 24 million.
Beyond the jackets, they sell killer boots, backpacks, and accessories. They have something for the whole family. That is, men, women, and children.
Their rise to prominence has seen them become a cultural icon. And to do so they have lots of brand associations with top athletes. Some of these include Ady Wright, Grace Von Mettenheim, and Irie Jefferson.
All About Columbia
Often called Columbia Sportswear, the company was started in 1938 by Paul Lamfrom. They kicked off as a family-owned hat distributor. But they have since evolved into a globally renowned brand.
Columbia’s headquarters is in Oregon, near Portland. And you can score footwear, headgear, camping equipment, and ski apparel from them.
Oh yeah, Columbia has been a publicly traded company since 1998. The company owns other subsidiaries like Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, and Prana.
Their explosion into global fashion can be linked to Its focus on reliability. A strong emphasis on community engagement characterizes Columbia’s Branding. They are also big on sustainability.
Columbia Vs North Face Jackets: A Table Comparison
| Property | Columbia | The North Face |
| Style | Classic, traditional | Modern, trendy |
| Fit | Relaxed, looser | Slim, athletic |
| Technology | Omni-Tech, Omni-Wick, OutDry | DryVent, FlashDry, WindWall |
| Sustainability | Recycled materials, partnerships | RDS certification, eco-initiatives |
| Price Range | Affordable, budget-friendly | Premium, higher-priced |
| Availability | Widely available in retail stores | Selective, online-focused |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited two-year |
Columbia vs North Face Jackets — Who is better?
1. Insulation
North Face
With North Face, you get natural down and synthetic insulation. The first one comes with a great warmth-to-weight ratio. Synthetic insulation takes things up a notch by drying way faster. Some of their jackets come with body-mapped insulation that shoots up warmth.
Columbia
These chaps totally shine when it comes to insulation with two patented techs. Columbia has Omni-Heat™ reflective lining and TurboDown™. Omni-Heat™ Works by reflecting heat from the body, giving the wearer added warmth.
The other type of fabric mixes down and synthetic material. Colombia’s Omni-Heat thermal reflective performance is so good that astronauts use it.
Pro tip: Investing in innovation, such as insulation, can make people flock to your jackets. For example, you could model your fabric properties after top brands like Patagonia. It will give people something to talk about.
– Ayşe Sena Akdeniz Öktem, Textile Engineer
2. Design
North Face
Variety is the name of the game when it comes to North Face jacket designs. There’s enough to cater to different tests. At the same time, they are always sleek and modern with a dash of retro. You even get different Types of Jacket Closures. North Face jackets are always trendy, taking the lead in Columbia Vs North Face Jackets.
Columbia
Practicality and innovation are the primary focus here. You’ll get cuffs, hoods, and hems in their jackets. There is also enough diversity here for most people. Colombia gives you ergonomic fits in the jackets. And their colors are quite varied.
3. Price
North Face
On average, the North Face is slightly pricier than Colombia. Expect them to offer a range of prices ranging from cheap to premium. Basic jackets fetch around $100, while premium ones go for $500 or more.
Columbia
You also get a good range of jackets, from basic ones to top-tier ones. Expect to cough up $30 for basic Columbia designs like a fleece. On the higher side, expect to pay $300 or more. So, their jackets are generally more accessible in the market than North Face.
JaceApparel is your price-friendly Private Label Clothing Manufacturer. We give you super competitive minimum order quantities MOQs. Plus, you can negotiate with them to meet your business needs.
Our production capabilities allow us to keep prices relatively low. And we give you a clear and honest breakdown so you can know where each cent goes. Enjoy better markups and profits.
Recommended Reading: Sweater vs Jacket: Evaluating the Best Options for Your Brand
4. Quality
North Face
You get quality that you can bank on with North Face. They are known for craftsmanship and durability. The jackets come in several high-quality materials. We are talking recycled polyester mesh fabric, nylon, and bio-based material.
North Face’s jackets come with tight stitching. Plus, their attention to detail is evident in their high-quality closures.
Columbia
This company doesn’t slouch on quality either. Colombia uses multi-high-quality fabrics. They claim to use recycled materials made from plastic bottles. Users report on the reliability of the jackets.
5. Warranty
North Face
The company stands behind its quality with a two-year warranty on the products. Issues such as accidents, bad care, and normal wear and tear are not on the warranty. They only accept things to do with manufacturing defects on the material/workmanship. And they will either repair or replace a jacket. But sometimes, they can credit it.
Columbia
These folks are also quite confident with their offerings. You get a lifetime warranty on the jackets. So they will sort you for defects in the material/ Craftsmanship. That is, throughout their practical lifetime, your threads. Don’t expect replacements for normal wear and tear and misuse.
Insider info: Give your customers quality you can hang your reputation on. Warranties are a good way to show people that you believe in your products. One-year warranties are often enough and will see you getting loyal customers.
6. Features
North Face
These jackets are feature-packed. You may not get one jacket with all the features. Here is some of what to expect, though:
- water-proof designs
- Inside pockets
- Removable hoods
- Recycled materials
- Lightweight fabrics
- Sidewalls
Columbia
You will get a bunch more features than with North Face. That’s mainly because Colombia focuses on functional outdoorsy jackets. Expect the following in their jackets:
- snap-fastened collars
- water-resistance
- stretchable cuffs and hems
- adjustable drawstring hems
- pockets with zip
- foldable designs
7. Environmental impact
North Face
Circular design is what they are all about. It is their move to promote sustainability and reduce production waste. North Face also uses 100% recycled materials. They wanna go all out with regeneratively grown fabrics by 2030.
You also get a loop program in which they revamp old clothes. Another sustainability-focused initiative is a renewed collection.
Columbia
These folks are about conservation and promoting environmental management. Past the Sustainable Materials, they are cozy with organizations such as Conservation International. That is a team That protects the environment. Colombia is also in cahoots with the Higg Index. It helps establish squeaky-clean supply chains.
If you wanna roll with the best Top Cut and Sew Manufacturer, JaceApparel is your best bet. We take care of the production process from start to finish. It includes making the patterns, cutting the fabrics, and putting things together. We strictly measure the size of the jacket to ensure product quality.
That allows us to accommodate novel custom designs. It also enables us to give you superior quality finishes. Stand out in the market and carve out your own niche.
8. Columbia and The North Face Brand Differences
North Face
When you think North Face, think innovation. That is how they’ve positioned their brand. It is in line with their motto that states “Shaping the Future of Human/Nature.” They are constantly pushing the envelope with design and fabrics in their labs.
It’s not all nerdy, though. The North Face brand has the “cool” factor in the fashion industry. They are popular streetwear in the UK and the US, almost becoming a pop culture icon. That is on top of the fact that it is positioned as an outdoor brand.
Columbia
Instead of innovation, Colombia focuses on reliability. It presents the “tough mother” persona. This goes back to the 1970s when Gert Boyle took over the company.
When customers get their products, they are guaranteed to get the job done. Although they have stellar fabric tech and innovations, this flies below the radar.
Columbia single-handedly spawned the outdoor apparel industry. So, their clothing also has a classic allure to them when comparing Columbia Vs North Face Jackets.
No one makes branding easier than JaceApparel. You get a buffet of all the latest printing methods. We are talking Screen Printing, heat transfer, Direct-to-Garment (DTG), and Sublimation Printing.
Need something more premium like Custom Embroidery? We all also do that. Our in-house technicians also help you settle on the design and approach that works for you. Enjoy better brand appeal and grow your business.
People Also Ask About Columbia vs North Face jackets
1. Which brand is better than Columbia?
For outdoor wear and gear, North Face and Patagonia are generally taunted as better than Columbia. Despite that, Colombia typically has better materials and higher performance. But when it comes to price, Patagonia is way more premium than Columbia.
2. Can I find Columbia or North Face jackets in bulk for my business?
Yes. You can totally score Columbia or North Face jackets in bulk for your business. You have plenty of online retailers that specialize in this. You can also slap your logos on them.
3. Are there any sustainability initiatives associated with North Face jackets?
Yes. North Face is big on sustainability. Its initiatives include Circular design, Recycled materials, a Take-back program, and Renewed Collection. Limited Warranty, Repairs Program and Clothes the Loop program are also more initiatives that help.
4. Which company between Columbia and North Face has great reviews?
Columbia generally has better reviews among customers. It is more reliable and pocket-friendly. People claim that Columbia’s gear is also considered more high-performing. On the other hand, North Face is seen as a higher-status label.
What’s Next
If we are talking jackets, then no one does it better than JaceApparel. Our army of talented designers can give you Columbia Vs North Face Jackets-level designs at a moment’s notice.
We handle production at a modern facility with an A-plus QC team. So you only get world-class quality jackets for your biz.
Everything is fully custom and you get comprehensive guidance all through the process. Get to market with killer products and see your reputation soar. We have a free quote waiting!
Sources:
Statista – Coats & Jackets – Worldwide
Quora – Which is better, The North Face or Columbia?
Reddit – Columbia vs North Face +