The titans of outdoor gear have traditionally abided a very Daft Punkian design philosophy:
Harder, better, faster, stronger.
And while there’s a time and a place for spider-silk jackets and puncture-proof apocalypse packs, there are also those who want a solid piece of gear that doesn’t look like it was bought at Ridley Scott’s garage sale.
Which is why the North Face has introduced a new throwback line of waxed canvas and leather bags. Made in the U.S.A., they’re handsome enough for any sartorial snob — but don’t mistake this endeavor for vintage novelty. These may be reproductions of classics, but they’re ready to brave the elements.
The Originals Collection — which includes a backpack, small duffel and large duffel — is the North Face’s way of revisiting some of their best design from their 50 years of outfitting outdoorsmen. They worked with a third-generation Chicago factory to reproduce both their 1978 soft duffel and their original 1968 daypack.
And to show that the North Face can do nuance, all three bags are finished by Horween Leather Co. They’ve been in the tannery game since 1905, so together we’re looking at 161 years of experience in these bags.
You can pick one up for $225-$300, and we highly suggest it, because there’s a lot of winter ahead.
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