If there are two brands that are truly synonymous with outdoor apparel, they’re The North Face and Eddie Bauer. If reading those words conjures images of fleece pullovers, knit beanies, and thermal vests, you’re not alone.
As two of the leading brands in the performance wear industry, each represents a great choice for clothing that keeps you comfortable on the trail, around the house, or in the city — but which is the right one for you?
In our comparison of The North Face vs. Eddie Bauer, we’ll break down the two brands at a high level and then stack up some of their most popular custom jackets and vests to help you make the right call.
The North Face vs. Eddie Bauer: Brand Comparison
Brand Overview
The North Face
The North Face was founded in 1966 by hiking enthusiasts Douglas and Susie Tompkins in San Francisco, CA. The husband and wife duo opened a small mountaineering retail store and started selling quality outdoor apparel and equipment for serious climbers. The brand stands to this day as a provider of some of the highest-quality outdoor gear on the market.
Eddie Bauer
Founded in 1920 by (you guessed it) Eddie Bauer in Seattle, WA, the brand encapsulated the passions of its namesake mountaineer. Bauer started his company as a small mail-order outfit, selling camping and hiking equipment known for durability and functionality. Bauer’s expertise as a wilderness explorer helped him sell and innovate products that were practical and functional enough for die-hard outdoor enthusiasts like him.
Takeaway: Each of these brands is a staple name in the outdoor gear industry, though Eddie Bauer has been around for several decades longer than The North Face.
Products
The North Face
The name "The North Face" refers to the most challenging side of a mountain to climb, which stands as a testament to the company’s roots as a mountaineering gear retailer. Today, The North Face boasts a wide range of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment for hikers, campers, and mountaineers of all levels of experience.
Eddie Bauer
By the 1930s, Bauer had used his experience as a wilderness explorer to engineer the down-filled sleeping bag that’s essentially standard today. Over the years, the Eddie Bauer company expanded its offerings to include a broad catalog of outdoor clothing and gear. Today, Eddie Bauer products are still known for quality, comfort, and a distinctly outdoorsy style.
Takeaway: Both companies began as outdoor retailers for dedicated mountaineers, but today, they both supply apparel and gear for customers at virtually all ability levels.
Sustainability
The North Face
Few major apparel companies take as many strides toward sustainability as The North Face. By 2025, they aim to have 100% of their top apparel materials (like polyester, cotton, and nylon) recycled, responsibly sourced, renewable, or regeneratively grown. They’re also working toward reducing emissions, reducing packaging materials, refurbishing and reselling used gear, and pursuing fair labor conditions.
Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer’s commitment to quality is reflected in its sustainability efforts. The company aims to produce products that can be worn and passed down for generations rather than thrown out after a few wears. The company prioritizes low-impact materials like recycled polyester and fibers from renewable, responsibly managed forests. They’ve also been committed to reforestation efforts since 1995—decades before most brands.
Takeaway: Both outdoor companies have vested interests in sustainability, though The North Face has a larger number of notable initiatives.
The North Face vs. Eddie Bauer: Apparel Matchup
Both these brands make some of the best outdoor apparel that combines functionality with casual style. From fleece layers to rain jackets to custom vests, we’ll break down some of the more popular The North Face and Eddie Bauer products.
- Full-Zip Fleece Jacket: The North Face Sweater Fleece Jacket vs. Eddie Bauer Sweater Fleece Full-Zip
- Rain Jacket: The North Face DryVent Rain Jacket vs. Eddie Bauer Rain Jacket
- Puffer Vest: The North Face Everyday Insulated Vest vs. Eddie Bauer Packable Quilted Vest
- Fleece Vest: The North Face Sweater Fleece Vest vs. Eddie Bauer Fleece Vest
Full-Zip Fleece Jacket: The North Face Sweater Fleece Jacket vs. Eddie Bauer Sweater Fleece Full-Zip
Every outdoor enthusiast needs a good fleece jacket, which may well be the flagship product for both these brands. This warm-yet-breathable garment can be worn alone to fight off a slight chill or serve as an insulating base layer when the temperature really starts dropping.
The North Face's distinctly heavy-duty option is 100% polyester knit, features a brushed fleece interior, and is partially sourced from recycled fabrications. It also has convenient zippered pockets on both sides of the torso, with an extra one on the breast for secure storage.
Similar to The North Face, Eddie Bauer's option has a full-length zipper, cadet collar, and three total zippered pockets. Unlike The North Face, its logo is displayed on the side, which lends more visual focus to custom designs on the breast. Made of 86% polyester and 14% spandex woven trim, it's also nearly 2.5 oz lighter with a bit more stretch.
For overall quality construction, The North Face comes ahead here, but if you're looking for more value on bigger orders of custom fleeces, Eddie Bauer could make more sense.
Our recommendation: The North Face Sweater Fleece Jacket
Rain Jacket: The North Face DryVent Rain Jacket vs. Eddie Bauer Rain Jacket
When the weather takes a turn for the worse, you'll appreciate having one of these two custom soft shell jackets handy. Waterproof, windproof, insulated, and still light enough to layer, they're ideal for keeping you warm and dry no matter what the forecast.
The North Face's shell features a VELCRO® closure cover and patented DryVent™ technology that's seam-sealed to be 100% windproof and supremely waterproof. Partially constructed from recycled fabrications, it also has adjustable VELCRO tab cuffs, a hem cinch cord, pit-zip venting, and an adjustable hood to maximize breathability for more temperate rainy conditions.
Eddie Bauer's fully seam-sealed jacket also boasts waterproof properties with a 100% polyester dobby shell, adjustable tab cuffs, and locking drawcord. However, it doesn't have The North Face's customizable ventilation system and more intricate weatherproofing, so it's not as strong an offering as The North Face's.
Our recommendation: The North Face DryVent Rain Jacket
Puffer Vest: The North Face Everyday Insulated Vest vs. Eddie Bauer Packable Quilted Vest
When you need an extra insulated layer for the weather-fighting warmth you need on a damp, windy day, a puffer vest is ideal. Lightweight, portable, and design-ready, a custom puffer is perfect for keeping your core temperature up while showing off your branded design.
The Everyday Insulated Vest from The North Face has a signature two-tone colorblock design that gives it a dynamic look. Its 50D WindWall™ shell provides wind and water resistance and is made of 100% recycled polyester taffeta. Meanwhile, its Heatseeker™ insulation ensures your torso stays toasty.
Eddie Bauer's Packable Quilted Vest has a single-tone design but is available in a slightly wider range of colors. It also has a full-length storm flap and chin guard to keep the elements out. Like the Everyday Insulated Vest, it also has zippered pockets but features a bonus embroidery access pocket and additional branded elements.
The North Face's vest is a distinctly premium product, but Eddie Bauer wins for offering a significant value for similar features.
Our recommendation: Eddie Bauer Packable Quilted Vest
Fleece Vest: The North Face Sweater Fleece Vest vs. Eddie Bauer Fleece Vest
A good fleece vest can do a lot: you can wear it around town on crisp fall days, slide it on over a jacket when the evening chill hits, or layer it under a jacket to keep your core temperature up. Predictably, you can find options from both of these brands that are as effortlessly attractive as they are practical.
Forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but The North Face’s option is heavy-duty and exceptionally functional by design. It’s also extremely soft, with a 100% polyester sweater knit construction and brushed fleece interior. Like many other The North Face products, it’s also made from recycled fabrications.
Eddie Bauer’s 100% polyester fleece vest features a similar design but gets points for an additional zippered breast pocket that’s perfect for a phone, a wallet, or other personal items you’d like to keep close to the chest. This vest is also constructed using Low Impact Technology (L.I.T.™) — which means the production process uses reduced dyestuffs, thermal energy, and water to sustainably improve quality for the lifespan of your garment. Those perks combined give Eddie Bauer the win.
Our recommendation: Eddie Bauer Fleece Vest
The North Face vs. Eddie Bauer: Which Brand Should You Choose?
As you might have predicted, we had an even split from these two brands, with Eddie Bauer’s vests getting wins and both The North Face jackets taking wins for their respective categories. Eddie Bauer tended to offer better value for the money, while The North Face often boasted heavier-duty builds.
Ultimately, the right choice for you in any category likely comes down to the characteristics you value most. However, if none of these pieces is quite what you’re looking for, explore our full catalog of custom products so you can add your branded design to just about any type of apparel or accessory you can imagine.
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Bryce Emley
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.