About Free Fly Apparel
Tanner Sutton absolutely loved his job as a fishing guide—but definitely not the shirt he wore to work every day. In fact, that shirt, which weighed on him "like a suit" and stuck to him "like plastic" at the end of the day, was the reason Free Fly Apparel came to be. Tanner wanted a shirt that wasn't irritating or uncomfortable on the water, so he made it his mission to find a solution.
After 18 months of researching fabric blends and testing materials, Tanner concluded that bamboo was the ideal fabric. His sister Jenna and her husband Austin, who both worked at Nike, helped him transform the fabric into a simple performance shirt that was lightweight, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, soft as butter, and UPF-protective. The shirt epitomized Tanner's time on the water: simple, purposeful, and free to go with the flow.
In 2013, Tanner convinced Jenna and Austin to join him full-time as co-owners of Free Fly. Since then, the family trio has expanded the brand's reach and product lines to include a wide range of apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids.
What types of clothes does Free Fly offer?
Men's wear
Free Fly offers an assortment of tops, bottoms, outerwear, hats, and accessories for men, including sun hoodies, pullovers, pocket tees, shorts, and pants.
Free Fly men's clothing you'll find at Athletic Annex include:
- Men's Lined Breeze Short: This pair of Free Fly shorts is light, airy, and stretchy and features a soft but supportive boxer-brief liner so you're comfortable and secure during any activity, whether on a hike, on the water, or just lounging.
- Men's Breeze Pant: This versatile pair of Free Fly pants is breathable, lightweight, and generously stretchy. It comes with an elastic waistband and a drawcord for a comfortable fit that won't pinch the skin. These pants also provide full-length sun protection without restricting airflow. Best for various outdoor adventures, including on the water.
Women's wear
Free Fly apparel for women includes tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, hats, and accessories, such as snap pullovers, windbreakers, twill pants, leggings, graphic tees, tank tops, breeze shorts, cropped hoodies, fleece joggers, trucker hats, knit beanies, and many more.
Kid's wear
Free Fly's kids' collection features tops, bottoms, graphic tees, short sleeves, sun hoodies, fleece pullovers, shorts, pants, joggers, hats, and various accessories. Items are available in toddler and kids' sizes.
Where can I buy Freefly clothing?
Free Fly clothing is available for purchase in 600+ locations across the US and internationally, including Athletic Annex in the Indianapolis area. You can also shop from the freeflyapparel.com website.
Where are Freefly clothes made?
Free Fly clothing is designed in the USA but manufactured in select locations around the world, including China, Vietnam, and El Salvador.
Who owns Free Fly Apparel?
Free Fly Apparel is a family-owned company. Outdoorsman Tanner Sutton, his sister Jenna, and Jenna's husband Austin Elliott run and manage it. Their goal? To create and deliver outdoor gear that embodies sustainability, comfort, and love for the outdoors.
What is Freefly?
Free Fly Apparel is a clothing brand based in Charleston, South Carolina. It was born out of co-founder Tanner Sutton's frustration with the shirts he had to wear as a fishing guide. The shirts were uncomfortable, stuck to his skin, and weighed him down. After months of research and testing, Tanner found the perfect blend of fabrics for his first-ever performance shirt.
Fast forward many years later, and Free Fly has become a fast-growing brand in the field of outdoor apparel and accessories for men, women, and kids.
What are Freefly shirts made of?
Freefly shirts are made from fabrics primarily derived from bamboo, which is why they're exceptionally soft, ultra-light, comfortable, and breathable. The blended bamboo fabric includes moisture-wicking materials like polyester, giving Freefly shirts quick-dry properties that keep moisture and odor away. They also provide sun protection, making them perfect for various outdoor activities.
Who started Free Fly?
Tanner Sutton started Free Fly. After 1.5 years of research and testing, Free Fly's first-ever performance shirt was ready to hit the market. In 2013, Tanner's sister Jenna and her husband Austin joined him full-time at Free Fly.
What makes Free Fly Apparel different from other outdoor clothing brands?
Free Fly apparel stands out in the market for the following reasons:
- Bamboo-based fabric: Free Fly clothing is exceptionally soft yet durable. Provides unparalleled comfort and durability.
- UPF-rated clothing: Many Free Fly products offer sun protection. Shield wearers from harmful UV rays during outdoor activities.
- Waterproof/water-resistant apparel: Free Fly Apparel also offers waterproof and water-resistant clothing. Ideal for protection during prolonged exposure to the elements.
Are Free Fly products eco-friendly?
Free Fly products are primarily made from bamboo, which is a highly renewable resource—it's considered one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Plus, compared to traditional cotton, bamboo requires less water and pesticides.
Free Fly also adheres to ethical manufacturing processes, making sure their partner manufacturers comply with its Supplier Code of Conduct and Restricted Substance List.
How should I care for my Free Fly apparel?
To keep your Free Fly apparel looking good, here are some tips:
- Turn your garment inside out, and machine-wash cold with like colors.
- Don't wash with heavy items like towels or jeans.
- Hang dry. Free Fly clothes have moisture-wicking properties, so drying shouldn't take long.
- If you'd rather tumble-dry, use delicate low heat. Avoid pairing your Free Fly clothes with rough or heavy items.
- Avoid using bleach or fabric conditioners.
- Do not dry-clean.
Does Free Fly offer free returns or exchanges?
If you don't love the fit, size, color, or style of a newly bought item, Free Fly Apparel offers free returns and exchanges for all products purchased in the US—provided the items are new, unworn, and unwashed, with tags attached.
Is Free Fly apparel available internationally?
Yes, it is. Free Fly clothing can be purchased at over 600 locations, both in the US and internationally. You can also order your items from the freeflyapparel.com website.
What sizes does Free Fly offer?
Free Fly clothes come in varying sizes for men, women, and kids. Detailed sizing charts are available on their website.
Does Free Fly Apparel offer products for specific activities?
Yes, it does. Free Fly carries apparel designed for various outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, kayaking, or a stroll around town. Each item is bamboo-lightweight, dries quickly, and offers exceptional breathability, ensuring comfort in any environment. Also, many Free Fly clothes provide UV protection, making them ideal for the great outdoors.
Where can I buy Freefly clothes in Indianapolis?
If you're in Indianapolis, you'll find Free Fly apparel at several Athletic Annex locations. Our Athletic Annex running store Indianapolis in Fishers, Indiana is located at 11591 Yard St. Suite 500, Fishers, IN 46037. Our Carmel store, meanwhile, is at 14405 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, IN 46032.
Got any questions for our team? Fill out this contact form or call 317-872-0000. We look forward to hearing from you.
