Both companies have been counted on in the US for many years and both continue to deliver year after year. Both are pretty well known in terms of their clothing, their brands, and their price ranges. If you plan to buy Columbia or NorthFace products it is always best to have a set idea in your head and then go to the websites for some quick side-by-side comparison shopping. Some things you might want to keep in mind though: which is better will end up being a matter of personal preferences and the final decision will be purely subjective. Columbia Sportswear has a classic, timeless styling with clean lines, basic color choices, and no real surprises. Occasionally you may find a trendier piece in with the more traditional wares but the fashion-forward crowd is not flocking to columbia.com anytime soon. What you will find are well-made pieces that will last more than a season or two with a range of prices so that you can find something to fill your needs and still fit your budget. The NorthFace may have slightly more choices in terms of color and materials while also being slightly more modern overall.