Honestly, if you walk through SoHo or Tokyo’s Harajuku district, you’re going to see one. It’s inevitable. That iconic rectangular red logo stitched right next to the Half Dome. The North Face and Supreme backpack is more than just a place to shove your laptop and a hoodie; it’s a weirdly durable piece of financial currency.
Streetwear moves fast. Trends die in weeks. Yet, for some reason, these bags have managed to stay relevant for nearly two decades. Why? It’s not just because they’re "cool." It’s because they represent a very specific intersection of high-performance gear and absolute cultural chaos.
When James Jebbia’s Supreme first linked up with The North Face in 2007, nobody really knew if it would stick. At the time, North Face was for dads hiking in the Catskills or college students trying to survive a Chicago winter. Supreme was still a gritty skate shop. They mashed those worlds together, and since then, the backpack has become the entry-level drug for collectors.
The Weird Evolution of the North Face and Supreme Backpack
You can’t talk about these bags without talking about the textures. It’s not all just standard 600D polyester. Some of these things are built like actual survival equipment, while others feel like they were made out of a discarded space suit.
Take the 2014 "Bandana" Dolomite Sleeping Bag and the accompanying Expedition Backpacks. People went feral for those. The paisley print wasn't exactly "tactical," but it didn't matter. It looked like something a high-fashion house would do, but it had the ruggedness of a bag meant for a trek through a monsoon. Then you have the 2017 "Mountain" print. It’s literally just a photo of a snow-capped peak plastered across the fabric. It sounds tacky on paper, but in person? It’s a masterpiece of graphic design.
The variety is actually staggering when you look at the archives.
One year, they’re doing a heavy-duty Cordura 1000D fabric that could probably stop a low-caliber bullet (don't test that). The next year, they release a metallic rose gold bag that looks like it belongs on a runway in Milan. This constant flip-flopping between "I'm going to climb Everest" and "I'm going to a rave in an abandoned warehouse" is exactly why the North Face and Supreme backpack line stays fresh.
Why the Resale Value Never Seems to Tank
Most clothing loses 50% of its value the second you take the tags off. Not these.
If you bought a Supreme/TNF "Leaves" pack back in 2016 for the retail price—which was roughly $150 USD—you could likely sell it today for $500 to $800 depending on how many coffee stains you’ve accumulated. It’s basically a high-yield savings account you can wear on your shoulders.
💡 You might also like: Finding the most affordable way to live when everything feels too expensive
Resale platforms like StockX and GOAT show a consistent demand that defies logic. It’s driven by scarcity, sure, but also by the fact that The North Face actually makes a good product. Unlike some "luxury" backpacks that fall apart if you put more than a notebook in them, these are built on the Borealis or RTG chassis. They have real suspension systems. They have legitimate water resistance.
You’re buying the clout, but you’re getting the utility for free.
Real Talk: Are They Actually Comfortable?
Let’s be real for a second. Some of these collaborations are better than others.
If you get one of the "RTG" (Remote Terrain Gear) versions from 2020, you’re getting a detachable vest and a hydration-compatible sleeve. It’s technical. It’s heavy. It’s also kind of a lot for a trip to the grocery store. On the flip side, the "Steep Tech" models are legendary for a reason. Inspired by Scott Schmidt—one of the pioneers of extreme skiing—these bags are covered in pockets.
Pockets on pockets.
Zippered compartments you’ll forget you even own.
I once found a twenty-dollar bill in a hidden side pouch of a Steep Tech bag six months after I'd last used it. That’s the kind of unexpected ROI we like to see.
But if you’re looking for a daily driver, the "Expedition" series is usually the sweet spot. It’s large enough to hold a 15-inch laptop but doesn't feel like you’re carrying a turtle shell. The padding on the straps is usually top-tier North Face tech, meaning your shoulders won't be screaming after a thirty-minute commute.
📖 Related: Executive desk with drawers: Why your home office setup is probably failing you
Identifying the Fakes (Because They Are Everywhere)
Because the North Face and Supreme backpack is such a high-value item, the "replica" market is insane. You’ve got to be careful.
- The Embroidery: Look at the "The North Face" logo. On real bags, the letters are crisp. They aren't connected by "run-off" threads. If the 'A' in North looks like it's holding hands with the 'R', it's a fake.
- The Hologram Tag: Inside almost every modern TNF bag is a tiny, silver hologram tag. It should shift colors when you tilt it. If it looks like a dull sticker, walk away.
- Zipper Quality: They use YKK zippers. They should glide. If you’re fighting the zipper like it’s a wild animal, that’s a red flag.
- The Red Supreme Box Logo: The font (Futura Bold Italic) is very specific. Fake ones often get the spacing—what designers call "kerning"—wrong. The letters look too cramped or too far apart.
The Cultural Impact of the "Big Three" Collabs
There are three specific releases that changed everything. If you’re a serious collector, these are your holy grails.
First is the 2007 "Summit Series." This was the beginning. It featured two-tone color blocking that screamed 90s nostalgia. Second is the 2011 "Checkered" pack. It was simple, loud, and incredibly hard to find now. Third, and perhaps most controversially, is the 2015 "By Any Means Necessary" collection.
That 2015 drop was everywhere. It featured white text on a black or red background, quoting Malcolm X. It was provocative, it was bold, and it cemented the North Face and Supreme backpack as a political and fashion statement simultaneously. It showed that Supreme wasn't afraid to take a piece of technical gear and turn it into a billboard for a message.
Whether you agree with the marketing or not, you can't deny it worked. It turned a backpack into a conversation piece.
How to Style a Bag This Loud
You might think wearing a bright orange, metallic, or fur-printed backpack is hard. It kind of is.
The "rule" in the streetwear community—if there even are rules anymore—is to let the bag do the heavy lifting. If you’re rocking the 2013 "Fur Print" backpack, maybe don’t wear a neon tracksuit. Keep it simple. Black jeans. A plain grey hoodie. Let the bag be the center of gravity for the outfit.
Actually, ignore that. Streetwear is about being obnoxious. If you want to wear a lime green S-Logo backpack with a purple jacket, go for it. The North Face and Supreme backpack is inherently "extra," so you might as well lean into the chaos.
👉 See also: Monroe Central High School Ohio: What Local Families Actually Need to Know
Sustainability and Longevity
People often criticize "hype" culture for being wasteful. They aren't entirely wrong. However, there is an argument to be made for the durability of these specific collaborations.
Unlike fast-fashion bags from H&M or Zara that end up in a landfill after one semester, these things last. I know people still using their 2010 "British Millerain" waxed cotton packs. They’ve developed a patina. They look better with age.
When you buy a North Face and Supreme backpack, you’re buying something that was designed for the outdoors. The zippers are reinforced. The base is often made of water-resistant TPE fabric laminate. It’s the opposite of "disposable" fashion. Even if you get bored of it, you aren't going to throw it away; you’re going to sell it to the next kid who wants a piece of the history. That’s a form of circular economy, even if it’s driven by hype.
What to Look for in 2026 and Beyond
As we move further into the decade, the designs are getting weirder. We’re seeing more recycled materials being used. The North Face has been pushing their "Renewed" program, and while Supreme hasn't fully integrated that into the collabs yet, the pressure is mounting.
Expect to see more "Gore-Tex" integrations. We’re also seeing a shift back toward the "Archive" styles—re-imagining the shapes of the 1990s but with modern internal organization.
If you're looking to buy one now, look for the "S-Logo" or the "RTG" series. They offer the best balance of that classic Supreme aesthetic and actual, usable technology. Avoid the "faux fur" ones if you live somewhere it rains a lot. Trust me on that. Wet faux fur smells like a damp dog and takes three days to dry out. It's not a vibe.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you are ready to pull the trigger on a North Face and Supreme backpack, don't just rush into a random eBay listing.
- Check the weight. Real TNF bags have a certain heft because of the high-denier nylon. If it feels light as a feather, it's likely a cheap polyester fake.
- Verify the season. Every collab is tied to a specific Fall/Winter (FW) or Spring/Summer (SS) drop. Cross-reference the colorway with the official Supreme archive or sites like Supreme Community. If a color exists that was never officially released, it's a "fantasy" piece (a fake).
- Inspect the "Half Dome" logo. The three curves of the North Face logo represent the Half Dome in Yosemite. They should be perfectly parallel and the stitching should be dense.
- Use a middleman service. If you’re spending $400+, use a platform that offers authentication. It’s worth the extra $20 in shipping and fees to know you aren't getting scammed.
- Clean it properly. If you get a stain, don't throw it in the washing machine. The heat can ruin the waterproof coatings and the heat-pressed logos. Use a damp cloth and mild soap. Air dry only.
These bags aren't just for school kids or "hypebeasts" anymore. They are legitimate pieces of design history that just happen to be able to carry your gym clothes. Whether you love the brand or hate the culture, the quality of a North Face and Supreme backpack is hard to argue with. It's the ultimate "if you know, you know" piece of gear that actually does the job it was built for.