Canada Goose and The North Face are two of the most renowned jacket brands in the world. Both companies have histories of innovation and development, creating outerwear that is admired globally for its quality and performance.
Not only has their functionality received acclaim, but also their impact on the broader fashion world. The brands' winter jackets have become must-haves for the style-conscious and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Whether you prefer Canada Goose's luxurious warmth or The North Face's rugged versatility, these two brands have firmly cemented their positions in the outerwear market and broader fashion landscape.
Deciding between Canada Goose and The North Face isn't easy, with many similarities and striking differences in their offerings. Luckily, we've done it for you.
In this guide from the Slingo lifestyle blog, we explore the design, quality, exclusivity, price, and cultural significance of these two titans to ascertain which is best – the brand known for its Arctic-level protection or the brand celebrated for its mountaineering expertise.
But first, let's take a closer look at the histories of Canada Goose and The North Face.
A Brief History of Canada Goose and The North Face
Canada Goose History
Canada Goose was founded in 1957 by Sam Tick in Toronto, Canada. Initially named Metro Sportswear Ltd., the company focused on producing woollen vests, raincoats, and snowmobile suits.
In the 1970s, Sam Tick's son-in-law, David Reiss, invented a volume-based down-filling machine that revolutionised the production of down jackets.
The brand's parkas gained significant attention in the 1980s when they were worn by scientists in Antarctica, mountaineers scaling Everest, and film crews in extreme climates. One of these jackets, the Expedition Parka, solidified Canada Goose's reputation for creating high-end performance pieces.
Today, Canada Goose continues to create premium-quality winter coats. However, it has extended its offering to appeal to a more fashion-centric audience, including pieces like jogging bottoms, hoodies, and trainers, while retaining its core purpose as an outdoor brand.
The North Face History
The North Face was founded in San Francisco in 1966 by Douglas Tompkins and his wife Susie as a retail store selling climbing equipment. In the 1970s, The North Face began producing its own high-performance outerwear and equipment line, quickly gaining a reputation for innovation and quality.
Since then, the brand has become a go-to for outdoor enthusiasts, providing gear for explorers, skiers, and more.
The brand's commitment to durability and performance has made it a trusted name in extreme conditions, leading it to more mainstream acclaim.
Introduced in 1992, the Nuptse jacket exemplifies The North Face's dedication to combining functionality with style, having been worn by ardent hikers and fashion influencers alike.
Fast forward to the present day, and The North Face jackets continue to be a staple winter jacket for people all over the world, whether they're scaling the peaks or hitting the streets.
Canada Goose vs. The North Face: Which Should You Choose?
Now you know more about the history of these two outerwear giants, here's our take on the Canada Goose vs. The North Face debate.
Design
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is known for its luxurious and functional designs. The brand focuses on high-performance jackets that provide exceptional warmth, often using premium materials such as Arctic Tech fabric and coyote fur trims.
Each Canada Goose coat has various features, like chin guards, rib-knit cuffs, and elasticised snow skirts, to ensure its users' warmth and protection.
The North Face
Similarly, the North Face also excels in designing versatile and practical outerwear. The brand's jackets are crafted for extreme conditions, with innovative features like Gore-Tex membranes and ThermoBall insulation.
The North Face's designs often focus on combining outdoor performance with style. This is demonstrated by iconic pieces like the Denali Jacket that showcase the brand's commitment to functionality and have crossed over into mainstream fashion circles.
Like Canada Goose coats, The North Face's range includes technical performance wear, like the Summit Pumori Gore-Tex Pro Jacket. This coat is designed for mountaineering and includes AquaGuard zips and laser-cut perforations for comfort and breathability.
Canada Goose score: 9/10
The North Face score: 8.5/10
While both brands offer exceptional designs, Canada Goose's luxurious touch gives it a slight edge in this category.
Take a look at Zavetti Canada vs Canada Goose: Which to Choose to see how the two outdoor brands fared in our comparison.
Quality
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is renowned for its exceptional quality. Each jacket is made in Canada and undergoes rigorous quality control checks. High-quality down insulation and durable outer fabrics guarantee that each coat is built to last, providing reliable warmth and protection in the harshest conditions.
The North Face
By contrast, The North Face is also known for its high-quality outerwear. Using advanced materials and construction techniques to ensure durability and performance. Whether it's the robust Gore-Tex jackets or the innovative ThermoBall insulation, The North Face products are designed to withstand extreme conditions and heavy use.
Canada Goose score: 9.5/10
The North Face score: 9/10
Both brands are renowned for their quality, but Canada Goose's meticulous craftsmanship and premium materials give it the advantage in this category.
Exclusivity
Canada Goose
Canada Goose maintains a sense of exclusivity through its high price points and limited distribution. The brand's jackets, with their distinctive arctic patch and luxurious finishes, are often seen as status symbols.
Canada Goose's exclusivity is further enhanced by its association with high-profile celebrities such as Tom Hardy, Daniel Craig and Emma Stone.
The North Face
The North Face has a broader market reach, making its products more accessible and cost-effective. The brand has also created exclusive collaborations and limited-edition collections that are highly sought after. Partnerships with brands like Supreme and Gucci have elevated The North Face's exclusivity within certain fashion circles.
Canada Goose score: 8.5/10
The North Face score: 8/10
Canada Goose's higher exclusivity and closer association with luxury give it the victory in this area; however, there's no denying The North Face's credentials.
Discover how the North Face got on against another outdoor juggernaut in our Berghaus vs The North Face comparison guide.
Price
Canada Goose
Canada Goose jackets are in the premium price range, with outerwear prices starting at £395 for their Mersey Vest Fleece and increasing significantly for more specialised designs, like the Carson Parka, which will set you back over £1,500.
The high cost reflects the quality, craftsmanship, and brand prestige. While the investment is substantial, many find the exceptional weather protection, warmth and durability of Canada Goose jackets justify the expense.
The North Face
The North Face offers a wide range of prices, with high-quality jackets starting around £100. The brand provides excellent value for money, innovative features and durable construction.
While some of the more specialised jackets can be expensive, The North Face generally offers more affordable options than Canada Goose.
Canada Goose score: 8/10
The North Face score: 9/10
The North Face's broader and more accessible price point gives it the edge in this category.
Cultural Significance
Canada Goose
Canada Goose has made a significant cultural impact, especially in urban fashion. The brand's jackets are often seen on celebrities and in high-fashion contexts, making them a status symbol. Canada Goose's association with extreme weather expeditions and film productions adds to its cultural cachet.
The North Face
The North Face is prominent in outdoor and urban culture. The brand's jackets are popular among adventurers and streetwear enthusiasts alike. Collaborations with high-fashion brands and appearances in popular media have cemented The North Face's cultural relevance.
The North Face jackets have been worn by celebrities and explorers from all areas of popular culture. Countless rappers, including Biggie Smalls and Ma$e, wore The North Face in the '90s; Adam Sandler accepted a People's Choice Award in a North Face jacket in 2022, and pictures of Kendall Jenner in a brown Nuptse jacket saw the piece fetch hundreds on resale sites in 2019.
The North Face's understated stylings and undeniable quality mean it's never too far from the spotlight.
Canada Goose score: 8.5/10
The North Face score: 9/10
The North Face's broader appeal and successful collaborations give it a slight edge in this cultural significance category.
Final Scores
Without further ado, let's take a look at the final scores…
Canada Goose score: 43.5/50
The North Face score: 43.5/50
It's ended in a draw - these brands are too close to separate! Each brand excels in different areas; Canada Goose boasts exceptional quality and product testing measures.
Meanwhile, The North Face is available at a more accessible price range and has built a more culturally significant brand thanks to collaborations with the likes of Kaws and Gucci.
Ultimately, the choice between Canada Goose and The North Face depends on your style and what you value in your outerwear.
See more from the Slingo blog
Into your high-end fashion? Check out more comparison guides on Slingo's lifestyle blog, including:
- Hollister vs Abercrombie: A Clothing Brand Comparison
- Zavetti Canada Vs Canada Goose: Which to Choose?
- Nike vs. Adidas: Which Brand is Best?
- Top Luxury Bag Brands
- Top British Designer Brands
- 12 Best Affordable Luxury Clothing Brands
- 18 Best Designer Brands For Jewellery
FAQs
Why are Canada Goose jackets so expensive?
Canada Goose coats are expensive for several reasons, including:
- They use high-quality materials: Canada Goose jackets use premium materials, like Hutterite downfill, to ensure they're durable, waterproof, and adequately insulated to protect wearers from the elements.
- Brand reputation: Canada Goose jackets are traditionally worn by mountaineers and adventurers, including people scaling Everest and trekking across the South Pole. The brand's involvement in these achievements has helped build its reputation as one of the best jacket manufacturers in the world.
- Craftsmanship and manufacturing processes: Each Canada Goose jacket goes through rigorous product testing to ensure it's suitable for use. The brand also makes many of its pieces in Canada, where labour costs are higher.
- Sustainability and ethical practices: Canada Goose takes steps to ensure its pieces are sustainable by ethically sourcing materials. These measures are often more expensive than less ethical practices.
Does Canada Goose use real fur?
Canada Goose has previously used real fur; however, it announced in 2021 that it would cease buying fur before the end of that year and stop using fur on its products by the end of 2022.
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