Carhartt VS North Face

[Snapdragon]

Brands mean nothing to me. If it's reasonably priced and serves it's purpose and I happen to like it, then that's what I wear.

That being said, North Face is just trendy to me. It's to winterwear what Jordache was to jeans in the 70's.

 

[nascarfantoo]

Carhartt ... it will hold up to the abuse that may easily come from being active around the house, in the field or under the truck.

 

[MTN]

Carhartts is what I wear. Looked at NF, I don't see spending that much for a coat. The money I save from buying carhartt, I use to buy gun stuff.

 

[paintman]

I have a carhart coat I have worn every winter since I got it for christmas in 7th grade. I am now 30 and still will not get a new one. Its rugged looking but I love it and would never buy any thing but carhart. And yes I am hard on it. I've done construction in it, gutted deer and was covered in blood and worked on cars. U just can't beat them

 

[Harleyrider_50]

Brands mean nothing to me. If it's reasonably priced and serves it's purpose and I happen to like it, then that's what I wear.

That being said, North Face is just trendy to me. It's to winterwear what Jordache was to jeans in the 70's.

Oh.....
It'd mean sumthin if ya spend 8,9 hrs or more a day outside make'n a live'n in'em......TRUS'me.....

got coat/bibs, etc.....they 25 yrs ol', if they a day......still work.....still function.....an' still warm

 

[Arthur Dent]

Had to do this

 

[Snapdragon]

Oh.....
It'd mean sumthin if ya spend 8,9 hrs or more a day outside make'n a live'n in'em......TRUS'me.....

got coat/bibs, etc.....they 25 yrs ol', if they a day......still work.....still function.....an' still warm

My point is that if something serves me that well, I don't care if it's Carhartt or KMart or Garanimals, I'm going to wear it, regardless of what anyone else is wearing.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

My point is that if something serves me that well, I don't care if it's Carhartt or KMart or Garanimals, I'm going to wear it, regardless of what anyone else is wearing.

.......

BUT......the garanimals......ain' gonna keep ya warm in -20 windchill.......
AIN'T.......

 

[bigretic]

First off, the 2 brands don't compare other than they both make "jackets". It's like saying would I be better off with a new 4x4 chevy pick or an AWD audi. both very capable but not "comparable".
Anywho... I am a carhartt fan and have a well worn typical hooded jacket that could probably be replaced, but it's broke in just perfect, but the bottom of the zipper is currently screwed, so I need to get it fixed. it's well over 10 years old and I have no intention of getting rid of it. A+ for quality and durability.
No, however, i'm not wearing it with anything other than jeans and probably not even with some of my "nicer" jeans. You'd look like some sort of off balance jack wagon.
I like North Face - I would not say it's trendy, it's been around a long time, it's just become more popular commercially. As for the quality, I do agree that the quality has seemingly gone down and price up in the last 10 years as popularity has risen. Also keep in mind that the North Face stuff you see in Cabelas or macys, is NOT their top of the line stuff. You gotta hit a real snow sport shop for that or an REI.
Which brings me to my next point of the mention of "reasonably priced" - stop right there. $100 won't spend the same way across different brands and Everybody has a different opinion so totally subjective. Personally I think Patagonia and Kuhl beat the **** out of North Face. Are any of them reasonably priced? Most people are gonna crap themselves when they see $400+ for a jacket not to mention $100+ for a friggin pull over. Still not going to compare them to Carhartt - maybe some Kuhl stuff - maybe, but just in style, not price.
I guess i'm saying I personally cant have one or the other - I have to have both.

 

[Vigilant]

Without reading the first 48 responses, the North FARCE is nothing more than marketing! Used to be they made REAL technical clothing, but now they make fashion clothing. Carhartt is work clothing, built for abuse, hardly any comparison between the brands?

 

[1911ly]

I've got a Carhartt Jacket that's 15 years old. It's my winter work jacket. It's really my winter jacket in all honesty. It's wore like iron. It shows very little wear. no holes rips or tears. Zero complaints. It was a 160 dollar jacket back then. I've more then got my $$ worth.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

Carhartt's for me. Workin' on docks all day everyday, hunting, fishing, whatever... I have faith my Carhartt's can withstand the abuse.

 

[Kutnupe14]

You can keep your Carhartt's...

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[churchmouse]

You can keep your Carhartt's...

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Thank you Kut......I think I will.

 

[oldpink]

If you want to look stylish and trendy, go North Face.
If you intend to spend time in the woods or fields actually hunting, or working, or otherwise accomplishing something worthwhile, Carhartt all the way.

 

[vitamink]

Neither

Triple Aught Design or Arcteryx

 

[Vigilant]

Neither

Triple Aught Design or Arcteryx

Absolutely! Huge TAD fan! Arcteryx is awesome too, although they are drifting toward fashion over function in a lot of their line! The LEAF stuff is still top notch!

 

[KittySlayer]

Sarcasm, and playful ribbing of others of a like mind can be good for comradery, no? Of course no one really gives a **** what you wear.

Comparing the two objectively they are built different to suit different tasks. One looks nice and has clean lines while serving a needed function of keeping the wearer warm. The other is ruggedly built for outdoors type work and doesn't look as refined but serves the same purpose for less out of pocket expense without the worry of damaging the garment. Both will suit your needs fine pick which ever is within your price range and better suited for your daily tasks.

A much more practical response but also much less fun to type or entertaining to read.

Lets face it, just like suburbanites driving 4x4s in the city the choice of coat is driven by fashion more than need/performance. That walk from their heated homes to their remotely started cars to their heated offices could be done in flannel pajamas and bunny slippers.

Technical winter gear specific to your sport is amazingly well engineered and warm. I can bicycle outside in freezing temps for hours with just a lightweight wool base layer and a well designed jacket. Same for gear designed specifically running, skiing, hiking, etc. You hold it in your hand and it seems too thin to keep you warm but it works for the activity it is designed for. Note even North Face has fashion gear that is different from their performance gear.

If I worked outdoors day in and day out then Carhart style clothing specific to my profession/activity would be what I would wear.

Thankfully there are no pictures of what INGOers are wearing (or not wearing) as they post.

 

[BugI02]

as for warmth I think they would be comparable.... If you are going to and from your car and running errands then the northface will be lighter and more convenient.... And if you live in an urban area will blend into the crowd better.

If you do much actual work while wearing it, then the car hart wins hands down every day. its just flat out more durable.

^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^^^^

North Face is technical, so is warm but lightweight and allows freer movement. Think snowboarding (although most kids wouldn't be caught dead in NF due to mainstream lacks cool factor). Not durable enough to even THINK about working in it. I've got 4yr old carhartt thats getting a little frayed at cuff and collar but still going strong. Some NF doesn't even seem like it could stand up to one washing.

 

[indiucky]

My opinion, in the last 10-15 years or so North Face quality has steadily declined while their prices have risen at an even greater rate.

Same thing with Patagonia....I have a Patagonia jacket that I have had for 25 years or so and it's as good as the day I bought it...I looked at some of their new stuff and it was crap.....I had a North Face back pack from the mid 80's that was as good a quality as any back pack I have ever seen...