Carhartt vs. North Face: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Carhartt specializes in rugged, ultra-durable workwear made from heavy-duty fabrics like duck canvas, while The North Face focuses on high-performance outdoor gear using advanced, technical materials for weather protection. Carhartt offers a classic, utilitarian aesthetic at a more accessible price point, whereas The North Face provides sleek, modern designs with innovative technology at a higher cost. The core difference comes down to purpose: Carhartt is built for worksite toughness and The North Face is engineered for outdoor adventure.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your needs.

Carhartt: The Go-To for Rugged Workwear

Founded in 1889, Carhartt built its legacy on creating tough, no-nonsense clothing for railroad workers. Today, it's the gold standard for anyone needing hard-wearing apparel, from construction professionals to ranchers, but has also become a popular choice in streetwear culture. The brand's identity is rooted in durability, practicality, and a timeless, rugged American style that prioritizes function over fleeting trends.

• Product mix: Known for its signature jackets, bib overalls, and work pants made from heavy materials. Carhartt also offers a wide range of shirts, hoodies, boots, and accessories designed with the same resilient DNA.
• Price point: Generally offers mid-range pricing, providing excellent value for its durability. Jackets typically range from $50 to $150, and their popular beanies are around $20.
• Quality: The defining trait is toughness. Carhartt uses proprietary Firm Duck canvas, reinforced with triple-stitched seams and heavy-duty zippers to withstand abrasion, tears, and demanding weather conditions.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size with a relaxed, roomy fit, designed to be worn over layers and allow for a full range of motion. Minimal guesswork is needed when picking your size.
• Aesthetic: Utilitarian and classic, defined by earthy tones like brown, tan, and black. The look is straightforward, chunky, and purpose-built.
• Sustainability: Carhartt is improving its sustainability efforts by investing in responsible sourcing, reducing factory waste, and incorporating recycled materials into its products.

Carhartt is the ideal choice for those who need gear that can take a beating, offering unmatched durability and a classic workwear look at a great value.

Shop Carhartt: carhartt.com

The North Face: The Leader in Outdoor Performance Gear

Since 1966, The North Face has been a dominant force in the outdoor industry, creating gear that helps explorers, climbers, and athletes push their limits in extreme environments. The brand is celebrated for its technical innovation, combining advanced materials with modern design. Its target audience includes serious adventurers who demand performance as well as urban consumers who want stylish, weather-resistant apparel for everyday life.

• Product mix: Specializes in technical outerwear, including down and synthetic insulated jackets, waterproof shells, fleece, and parkas. They also offer a vast collection of backpacks, footwear, tents, and other equipment for outdoor pursuits.
• Price point: Sits in the mid-range to premium category. A lightweight fleece might cost around $100, while high-performance jackets made with technical fabrics like GORE-TEX can easily exceed $500.
• Quality & Technology: The foundation of The North Face's reputation. They use cutting-edge, often proprietary, technologies like Futurelight for breathable waterproofing, ThermoBall™ for synthetic insulation, and source high-quality materials to maximize warmth, reduce weight, and ensure weather resistance.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally fits true to size but often has a more athletic or "active" cut. Some shell jackets and performance layers are designed to be slimmer, so checking detailed size charts is always a good idea.
• Aesthetic: Blends technical function with contemporary, streamlined style. Their designs are clean and modern, making them equally suitable for a mountain summit or a city street.
• Sustainability: A known leader in the apparel industry, committed to using recycled fabrics, practicing Responsible Down Sourcing (RDS), and working towards reducing their carbon footprint across their supply chain.

The North Face is the best option for consumers who need advanced technical features, lightweight weather protection, and a modern style suitable for both trails and commutes.

Shop The North Face: thenorthface.com

Carhartt vs. The North Face Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in pricing between these two brands. Carhartt is significantly more affordable, with its iconic jackets like the Duck Detroit Jacket usually priced around $90-$120. This pricing reflects its focus on creating accessible, long-lasting workwear without costly proprietary technologies.

The North Face operates at a higher price due to its investment in research, development, and high-tech materials. Popular jackets like the Nuptse often sell for over $300, and technical shells using GORE-TEX can cost upwards of $400. You are paying a premium for lightweight construction, weatherproofing, and technical features designed for specific outdoor activities.

Quality & Materials

Both brands produce high-quality apparel, but their approach differs. Carhartt's quality is centered on raw durability and longevity. Its famous Firm Duck canvas is incredibly stiff when new but breaks in over time, molding to the wearer while resisting abrasion and tears. It's built to be abused on a worksite.

The North Face's quality is defined by technical performance. Their materials are chosen for being lightweight, waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Fabrics like Futurelight or DryVent keep you dry from rain on the outside and sweat on the inside. While durable, these technical fabrics can be more susceptible to snags and tears from sharp objects compared to Carhartt's heavy-duty canvas.

Product Selection & Style

Carhartt's style is unchanging and utilitarian. They offer reliable workwear classics that have incidentally become fashion symbols due to their authentic, rugged aesthetic. The look is chunky, functional, and deeply rooted in American work culture.

The North Face has a much broader aesthetic range, from pure technical mountain gear to urban-focused collections. Their style is sleek, modern, and athletic. A North Face jacket is just as common on a hiking trail as it is on a college campus, making it a more versatile choice for those who want their gear to fit into multiple environments seamlessly.

Fit & Sizing

Sizing reflects each brand's primary purpose. Carhartt clothing is known for its relaxed and sometimes generous fit. This provides comfort and ease of movement for physical labor and allows for heavy layering underneath. You can generally order your standard size and expect plenty of room.

The North Face offers a variety of fits, but many of its performance-oriented pieces feature a standard or slim-athletic cut. This minimizes bulk and allows a layering system to work effectively. It's always best to consult their size chart, especially if ordering a technical piece from their Summit Series or flight series collections, which are designed for a close-to-body fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

While both brands have sustainability programs, The North Face has made it a more central part of its public identity. They have long-standing commitments to using recycled materials, offering a product lifetime warranty to encourage repairs over replacement, and ensuring ethical treatment through the Responsible Down Standard. Their "Renewed" collection offers refurbished items to extend the product lifecycle.

Carhartt is also making progress, with initiatives aimed at more responsible cotton sourcing and reducing waste in its supply chain. However, The North Face is generally seen as the more proactive and transparent brand when it comes to environmental commitments.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your primary needs - are you looking for uncompromising toughness or technical weather performance?

Choose Carhartt if:

• You need extremely durable clothing for physical labor or demanding hobbies.
• You value a classic, timeless workwear style over modern trends.
• You're on a budget and want the best long-term value for your money.
• You prefer a relaxed, comfortable fit with plenty of room for movement and layering.

Choose The North Face if:

• You need high-performance gear for activities like hiking, skiing, or climbing.
• Lightweight, waterproof, and breathable materials are your top priorities.
• You want a sleek, modern aesthetic that works for both outdoor and urban environments.
• Supporting a brand with a strong, publicly stated commitment to sustainability is important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carhartt or The North Face more expensive?

The North Face is generally more expensive. The higher price is due to their use of advanced, often proprietary technical fabrics, extensive research and development, and features engineered for specific outdoor activities.

Which brand is more durable?

For raw toughness and resistance to abrasion, Carhartt is more durable. Its heavy duck canvas is designed to withstand a level of abuse that would damage the lightweight technical fabrics used by The North Face. However, The North Face gear is more durable against environmental factors like rain, snow, and wind.

Which brand is warmer?

This depends entirely on the specific product. The North Face offers expedition-grade parkas with high-fill-power down that are designed for arctic conditions. However, Carhartt's insulated jackets with arctic-quilting are extremely warm and popular in cold-weather work environments.

Is Carhartt true to size?

Yes, Carhartt generally fits true to size but with a relaxed and roomy cut to accommodate layering and movement. You can confidently buy your typical size.

Does The North Face run small?

Some collections from The North Face, particularly their technical and athletic lines, can have a slimmer, more "active" fit. It's always a good idea to check the specific product's sizing chart before purchasing.

Which brand is better for everyday wear?

Both are excellent for everyday wear, but the choice depends on your personal style. Choose Carhartt for a rugged, utilitarian look or The North Face for a sportier, more modern "gorpcore" aesthetic.

Are Carhartt jackets waterproof?

Most standard Carhartt canvas jackets are water-resistant, meaning they can handle light showers, but they are not fully waterproof. The material will eventually saturate in heavy rain. Carhartt does offer specific product lines with technologies like Rain Defender for enhanced water resistance.

Which brand is more sustainable?

The North Face has a more prominent and comprehensive sustainability program, focusing on recycled materials, responsible sourcing, and circularity. While Carhartt is making positive changes, The North Face is widely considered a leader in this area within the apparel industry.