Living in the Southeast comes with an ingrained love for outdoor adventures + an appreciation for the rivers, creeks, and oceans that always guide us back to shore. The atmosphere carries with it a sense of living life more freely + simply.
These are just a few of the many reasons why Free Fly Apparel found itself making Charleston, S.C. their home. A company built on a passion for being one with nature, they noticed a lack in the market + were frustrated with the overbuilt, synthetic performance outerwear that one– was NOT comfortable, and two– could NOT LAST a full day out on the water.
So, after spending 18 months researching fabrics (and chasing redfish in the Lowcountry), Tanner– one of the company’s co-founders– discovered bamboo. By combining the incredible comfort of bamboo with a touch of quick-dry material, their “secret sauce” (and the company overall) was born. (Learn more about the benefits and the process of making bamboo fabric here).
Launching in fall 2011 out of Tanner’s bedroom, a simple long sleeve was Free Fly’s first entrance into the space. Tanner hit the road, selling a lean line of apparel during the day. At night, he would brainstorm + collaborate with his sister Jenna, and brother-in-law Austin, who were working at Nike at the time. With their backgrounds in the retail marketing space, Jenna + Austin would provide insight into the product line and soon felt the pull of Charleston’s charm– leading them to move down to the Lowcountry in 2013 and join in on the family business.
Equally comfortable + technical, Free Fly now sells 52 products for men + women and are on the verge of celebrating their seventh anniversary. What started as a bootstrapped business, now boasts a team of 12 employees located in downtown Charleston. You can find the brand across 400 specialty stores in the U.S. along with their website. Most of their distribution is in the south, making Charleston the perfect place to build the brand + focus on the active lifestyle that drew them here in the first place.
A family of fish-chasers, wave-riders, and designers, their office is blurred between work + play– built with an atmosphere that encourages open communication + collaboration. On the weekends, you can catch the team at local farmers markets, tailing redfish, keeping an eye on the local surf break, and finishing the day by cracking beers on the dock with friends. Monday’s are spent kicking-off flip flops, sharing stories, and going in feet first on how they can inspire everyone to enjoy the Free Fly way of life– a way of life that is bigger than clothes + fishing. It is a community that wants to do something positive + inspire people to enjoy life freely, simply, and comfortably.
Are you ready to try the Free Fly way of life? See more about the business here + follow them on Instagram here.
Are you ready to be dressed in buttery-smooth bamboo? From now through Nov. 22, use NOOGA15 for 15% off your online purchase. More of an in-person shopper? Click here for local dealers.
