- The North Face
The North face brand was established in 1968 in San Francisco. The name was chosen because the north face of a mountain in the northern hemisphere is generally the most difficult face to climb. By the 1980s, skiwear was added to the line of products, and eventually camping equipment was added as well. The North Face is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the VF Corporation.
- Patagonia
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, got his start as a climber in 1953 as a 14-year-old. Yvon’s love for climbing grew and he met otgers who shared his love for the adventure. Patagonia began to see clothing as a way to help support the marginally profitable hardware business, and by 1972 they were selling polyurethane rain cagoules and bivouac sacks from Scotland, boiled-wool gloves and mittens from Austria, and hand-knit reversible "schizo" hats from Boulder. You can find this, along wuith many other top outdoor clothing brands at theepicentre.co.uk
- Mountain Equipment
Mountain Equipment was established in 1961 and since have been equipping expeditions for the hardest conditions on Earth. They have participated in every British first ascent of an 8000m peak, been part of more than 175 Everest summits by International Mountain Guides and Sherpas and equipped unsupported trips to the North and South Poles.