Built to Last: A 50-Year Legacy

Built to Last: A North Face Jacket’s 50-Year Legacy

In 1975, my father, Dozier Cane, turned 18. The only thing he asked for that year was a down jacket from The North Face. It cost around $110 at the time—probably close to $350 in today’s money. He got his wish, and for the past 50 years, that jacket has been with him through every brutal winter, every adventure, and every memory made in the cold.

The reason? He saw the value in a well-made piece of gear. No matter how cold it got, I never once saw him reach for another jacket. The fabric is still intact, inside and out—proof of craftsmanship from an era when quality mattered. But after decades of use, the zipper had failed, and the Velcro had worn out.

A few weeks ago, knowing I had a frigid trip up into the Sierras coming up, I decided it was time to bring my dad’s old North Face back to life.

Restoring an Icon

The first step was inspecting the stitching, and sure enough, it was still solid.

That’s the kind of build quality you got in the ‘70s. The Velcro, though, was a lost cause—rotted from age and use. Instead of replacing it with the same odd black strips, I sourced a tan-colored Velcro to match the jacket, giving it a clean, cohesive look.

Next up: the zipper. The original had been a faded gray, so I did my best to color-match the replacement. While waiting for materials to arrive, I carefully stripped off the old Velcro and removed the zipper—tedious work, but necessary. The jacket had a snap closure that could’ve worked on its own, but to restore it right, the zipper had to be replaced.

When the new Velcro arrived, I spent the morning sewing it into place. Seeing the jacket come back to life was an incredible feeling. Then came the zipper—a tricky install, and I’ll admit, my stitching wasn’t as straight as I would’ve liked (which is why I leave the cutting and sewing to the pros for Wild Cane). But after a few tries, I got it done. To finish it off, I crafted a custom zipper pull from some leftover leather I had from the Rambler Knife lanyards.

The final stitch went in the night before my trip. Perfect timing.

A Legacy Worth Keeping

When I showed my dad his refurbished jacket, his reaction made it all worth it. Fifty years later, he still loves it just as much as the day he got it.

This is exactly what Wild Cane stands for—authentic, durable, and premium-quality goods designed to last a lifetime, maybe even two. Yes, I know most premium gear come with a hefty premium price tag but when you invest in a piece built with intention, it doesn’t just wear out; it wears in. It becomes something worth passing down. Maybe one day, your kid will love their Wild Cane gear so much that they’ll take the time to repair it—ensuring it lives on for another adventure, another generation.

Thanks for following along on this restoration journey. Here’s to gear that stands the test of time.