Invista's Cordura brand has teamed up with The North Face and three other original suppliers to recreate a limited-edition collection of packs featuring the authentic notes of the '68 Daypack and the '78 Duffel series – re-engineered. The new bags bring back inspiration from the sixties and seventies, combined with the forefront of today's fabric technology.

"As we continue to nod to 50 years of innovation, what better way to honour our longstanding history with The North Face than a completely revamped collection from one of their original 1960s bags," said Cindy McNaull, Cordura brand and marketing director.

 "This year we're all about combining our durable heritage with the latest cutting-edge innovations hitting the marketplace, and as a leader in the outdoor and adventure industry, The North Face has always known the critical importance of engineering products with fabrics that are built to last."

Collaborative innovation

The bags combine collaborative innovation with military heritage, and are designed to bring added durability to outdoor, extreme sports and active lifestyle applications. The North Face made the products in the US, in a Chicago factory whose roots go back to the WWI-era.

"Cordura fabric is just the best, and through this collaboration we really wanted to elevate the high-quality, made-in-the-USA story," said Greg Dailey, senior product developer at The North Face. "We have a long history with the brand, and this 50th anniversary collection is a perfect tribute to our continued partnership."

Black and Arctic Multicam Cordura fabric

The use of Black and Arctic Multicam Cordura fabric from Brookwood, one of the brand's longest running authorised mills, was inspired by the need for longstanding durability combined with modern design, the company reports. The fabric, traditionally used in military and tactical applications, is said to infuse an authentic military feel into the rugged, outdoor pack designs that The North Face pioneered and continues to be so well known for.

"It was a great honour to have the opportunity to collaborate on a collection with these key industry players once again," said Tom Auer, president at Bearse USA. "Recreating a vintage pack with a legendary product like Cordura fabric - which has always been high-quality - is an exciting opportunity, not only because of the brand history but because both companies have been innovating ever since."

The bags also feature high quality YKK zipper technology and signature leather trims from Horween Leather. Only 2,000 of the packs will be created for this special edition line. The collection will be on display at OR Show booth this week and available commercially online, in flagship The North Face stores, and in a number of wholesale retailers in the Chicago area.

www.cordura.com