North Sails, founded in 1957 by Lowell North in San Diego, California, has become synonymous with innovation and excellence in the sailing world. An engineer by training, North brought a meticulous, methodical approach to sailmaking, setting the company apart from its competitors. His dedication to precision led him to test the strength and stretch characteristics of sailcloth, ensuring consistency in his materials. This commitment to quality extended to the introduction of computer-driven cloth cutting machines, which revolutionized the repeatability and accuracy of sail designs. Lowell North’s pioneering use of computer modeling for sail forces and structural loads laid the foundation for the company’s enduring success and its continued emphasis on technological advancement.

In the decades following its founding, North Sails expanded significantly, largely due to North’s strategy of recruiting top-tier sailing talent. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Olympic and international sailing champions like Hans Fogh, Peter Barrett, and Tom Blackaller joined the company, bringing invaluable expertise and prestige. This influx of talent helped cement North Sails’ reputation for producing superior sails, further solidifying its position in the competitive sailing market. By 1984, when North sold the company to Terry Kohler, North Sails was already a dominant force in the industry.

Under the leadership of Kohler and renowned sailor and sailmaker Tom Whidden, who became president in 1986 and later CEO, North Sails continued its trajectory of growth and innovation. Kohler and Whidden’s partnership propelled the company to an 80% market share, making it the world’s leading sailmaker. The integration of North Cloth, which produces high-quality woven and laminated sailcloth, exemplifies the company’s vertically integrated approach. This synergy, particularly with Southern Spars, a manufacturer of carbon fiber masts, enables North Sails to offer comprehensive, integrated sail and spar packages, enhancing performance and reliability for sailors worldwide.

The company’s evolution took another significant turn in 2014 when Oakley Capital Private Equity acquired a majority stake in North Technology Group, which includes North Sails. This acquisition marked a new chapter, bolstering the company’s financial stability and opening new avenues for innovation and expansion. Today, North Sails continues to embody Lowell North’s legacy of precision, innovation, and excellence, maintaining its status as a leader in the sailing industry. This rich history is mirrored in the company’s evolving logos and branding, which serve as markers of the different eras in its storied past.

North Sails ‘Go Beyond Together’ Campaign

How to tell if North Sails is vintage from the logo

North Sails, known for its high-quality sailing gear and apparel, has a rich history reflected in its evolving logo designs. Recognizing vintage North Sails items can be an exciting challenge for collectors and enthusiasts. By examining the logos used over the years, one can identify the approximate era of a piece. This guide will help you distinguish between the different North Sails logos from the 1980s to the present day, providing key details to look for in each period.

1980 to 2010s North Sails logo

• The logo consists of a bold, capitalized “N” and “S” separated by a horizontal band with the words “NORTH SAILS”.
• The overall design is encased in a blue circle, with the top half containing the “N” and the bottom half containing the “S”.
• The font used for “NORTH SAILS” is serif and blocky, giving it a classic, robust appearance.
• This logo style remained consistent for several decades, making it a challenge to pinpoint exact years without additional context.

1980 to 2010s North Sails logo

2010s to now North Sails logo

• The updated logo retains the basic structure of the previous design but introduces subtle changes for a modern look.
• The circle remains, but the blue is slightly more vibrant and the overall design cleaner and more streamlined.
• The font for “NORTH SAILS” is now sans-serif, giving it a more contemporary and minimalist appearance.
• The letters “N” and “S” are slightly thinner, with a more refined and less blocky look.

2010s to now North Sails logo

How to tell if North Sails is vintage from the tags

The classic North Sails logo and branding have evolved over the decades. By examining the tags, you can often determine the era in which a garment was produced. Below are descriptions of the tags used in North Sails clothing from the 1990s to the 2010s.

Having difficulty identifying vintage tags or labels? Submit a picture on our vintage tag identification page, and we’ll help you out!

1990s vintage North Sails tags

• Classic circular logo with “N” and “S” divided by a horizontal line.
• Tags often featured the text “Est. 1958.”
• Square or rectangular tags with bold serif lettering.
• Some tags included size indicators, sometimes separately.

1990s North Sails tags

2000s vintage North Sails tags

• Modern look with a mix of colors and designs.
• Loop tags introduced, featuring “Est. 1958.”
• Combination of logo and size information in one tag.
• Tags often feature additional branding like the USA flag.

2000s North Sails tags

2010s vintage North Sails tags

• Modern layouts with updated branding styles.
• Various colors and materials used for tags.
• Tags often include detailed information such as collaboration details (e.g., 36th America’s Cup).
• Retained the classic circular logo with “N” and “S.”

2010s North Sails tags