disco
Looking to step up from The North Face? These 5 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.
German maker of avalanche safety gear and merino wool mountain apparel, founded in 1980 around the first dual-frequency avalanche transceiver.
Why it's similar. Founded near Munich in 1980 around the first dual-frequency avalanche transceiver, Ortovox pairs that mountain-safety pedigree with Tasmanian merino base layers and shells built for colder ground.
Norwegian outdoor brand founded in 1908 on the patented frame rucksack, now making backpacks, tents and technical hiking and hunting apparel.
Why it's similar. Ole F. Bergan patented the external-frame rucksack in 1908, and Bergans still builds packs, tents and waterproof shells on that expedition lineage, predating The North Face by decades.
Japanese technical apparel label founded in 1950, known for ski heritage, GORE-TEX outerwear and restrained, performance-led design.
Why it's similar. Goldwin's Toyama knit factory dates to 1950, and the group holds perpetual Japanese rights to The North Face itself, selling GORE-TEX shells and down parkas in far more restrained cuts.
The weekly disco
Like these brands? Keep discovering.
One email a week — new brands worth knowing and the markdowns actually worth clicking.
Free · One email a week
Canadian technical outerwear brand from North Vancouver, known for Gore-Tex Alpha SV shells, Atom midlayers and its Veilance and LEAF sublines.
Why it's similar. North Vancouver's Arc'teryx has made laminated, low-seam Gore-Tex shells like the Alpha SV since 1989, pushing the same waterproof-breathable brief into serious alpine territory.
Los Angeles technical outerwear brand making minimal, sealed-seam jackets and ski gear built for both city wear and the outdoors.
Why it's similar. Two film producers started AETHER in Los Angeles in 2009 wanting jackets that worked in town and on the mountain, using sealed seams and matte fabrics with almost no visible logos.
Ortovox, Bergans of Norway, Goldwin lead our ranking. Looking to step up from The North Face? These 5 brands share the aesthetic but bring elevated materials, construction and a higher price tier — ranked by overall similarity.
Community recommendations
We're always discovering new labels. Suggest a brand we should look into.
Own a brand?
Spotted outdated information?