The North Face wants its customers to take a hike -- or take a stab at climbing Mount Everest -- as long as they're packed with its products. The company designs, distributes, and retails high-tech outdoor apparel and gear, such as jackets, tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks, as a subsidiary of VF Corporation. Its products are sold through specialty sporting goods stores in North and South America, Europe, and Asia; more than 180 namesake stores operated by third parties in Europe and Asia; some 40 company-owned European and US outlets; and its Web site. Known for gear used in extreme situations, the company also makes Tekware sportswear, as well as its The North Face footwear.