Free Fly Apparel

Free Fly Apparel

Performance apparel brand using bamboo blends

Overview

Free Fly Apparel makes performance clothing from bamboo-blend fabrics. Based in Charleston, they design and craft shirts and other activewear, selling through 600+ specialty stores worldwide and online. The fabrics are engineered to be soft, breathable, and durable for activities like boating, hiking, and workouts, with a focus on comfort and fit. Their products stand out by a long, research-driven development process (over two years) to create soft, high-quality performance fabrics, a design philosophy rooted in fun and adventure, and careful craftsmanship. The company differentiates itself from competitors with this material focus, in-depth development, and emphasis on practical, everyday wear for active lifestyles, offered through specialist retailers as well as direct-to-consumer sales. The goal is to become customers’ go-to, favorite shirt for active living by providing reliable, well-made apparel that performs across water, mountains, and gym environments.

About Free Fly Apparel

Simplify's Rating
Why Free Fly Apparel is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Design

Consumer Goods

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Charleston, South Carolina

Founded

2011

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Active Breeze upgrades target higher-conversion favorites with athletic fits and bounce-free pockets.
  • Free Fly added Cam Richards on January 5, 2026 and Brandon Cyr on February 19.
  • Mike Reilly’s sales leadership and 800+ retail doors broaden wholesale reach.

What critics are saying

  • James Evans’ October 14, 2025 ADA lawsuit targets freeflyapparel.com checkout accessibility.
  • Wholesale-heavy distribution leaves Free Fly exposed if retailers cut shelf space or reorder slower.
  • Patagonia, Vuori, and Western Rise outspend Free Fly on performance basics and brand gravity.

What makes Free Fly Apparel unique

  • Bamboo-based performance apparel and water-sports identity separate Free Fly from generic activewear.
  • 2026 ambassadors Cam Richards and Brandon Cyr feed product testing, credibility, and marketing.
  • B Corp certification and 800+ partner retail locations strengthen trust and reach.

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Company News

Backpackers.com
Jan 16th, 2024
Free Fly Elevates Active Breeze Collection with Performance Upgrades

Free Fly, a leading activewear brand, has taken its bestselling Active Breeze collection to new heights with a range of performance-minded enhancements.

Shop Eat Surf Outdoor
Nov 8th, 2023
Former Quiksilver Head of Sales Mike Reilly Joins Free Fly

Former Quiksilver head of sales Mike Reilly joins Free Fly.

Free Fly Apparel
May 10th, 2022
Free Fly Apparel recognized as Free Fly ambassador

Over the last five years as a Free Fly ambassador, its relationship has grown and evolved into something neither of Free Fly Apparel could have seen coming.

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