🏞️ 1993 – The Journey Begins

In the winter of 1993, Frank Hintz loaded the first American Backcountry t-shirt designs into his car and drove to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

He cold-called Brian King at the Appalachian Trail Conference, hoping to get a foot in the door. Brian agreed to test the shirts and suggested we attend the Appalachian Trail Days festival in Damascus, Virginia the following spring.

⛺ 1994 – Trail Days in Damascus

We set up our very first booth at Trail Days. We connected with tired but passionate thru-hikers, sold our shirts, and walked away with a deeper understanding of why we burned our corporate suits: 

to create something meaningful and rooted in the outdoor experience. Frank left before dawn to climb Mount Washington in less-than-ideal conditions to get a flavor for the experience. That afternoon he met with Museum buyer Peter Crane at the Mount Washington Observatory. Peter had a simple but powerful request: a shirt with a topographic map and a list of the mountain’s most popular trails. We delivered—and that moment marked the beginning of our destination-specific designs.

🗺️ 1995 – Listening to the Trail

Frank climbed Mount Washington in less than
ideal conditions

to meet with Peter Crane at the Mount Washington Observatory. Peter had a simple but powerful request: a shirt with a topographic map and a list of the mountain’s most popular trails. We delivered—and that moment marked the beginning of our destination-specific designs.

🚸 Growing With Our Community

As we listened more and more to the outdoor community, we grew fast.

Customers helped shape our direction, and we quickly became a trusted vendor for National Parks, outdoor retailers, and Boy Scouts of America groups. Today, our shirts are worn on trails from coast to coast.

💧 2001 – Innovation on the Trail

We became the first company of our kind to print custom graphics on moisture-wicking t-shirts—making sure hikers stayed cool and dry without sacrificing style or story.

🧵 2004 – Making It Ours

We took it a step further and began manufacturing our very own line of moisture-wicking tees.

That same year, we adopted Sublimation and Direct to Garment (DTG) printing to create brighter, longer-lasting designs that could stand up to the elements. Our catalog—and our community—kept growing.

🇺🇸 2016 – Domestic Manufacturing

We began domestic manufacturing of tri blend tee shirts in the Carolina’s for our National Park Partners. 

That initiative has greatly expanded and our USA Made tee shirts can be found in over 200 National and State Park locations across the United States.

🌿 2024 – Printing for the Planet

In 2024, we leveled up again with the Polaris printer

—one of the latest advanced printers in the U.S. This cutting-edge machine uses water-based inks that are non-toxic, eco-friendly, gentler on fabric and skin, and deliver vibrant, high-quality prints.

We also continue to reduce our footprint by sourcing and printing within a 200-mile radius in North Carolina. It’s all part of our commitment to sustainability and protecting the public lands that inspire our work.

🥾 Still Trail-Tested. Still Listening.

More than 30 years later, we're still guided by the trail, the hikers we meet, and the stories they share. Every shirt tells a story—and we’re honored to keep telling them.

Real Places. Real Design.

Every shirt is designed to honor the real location it represents — not just a name slapped on a generic image. Our hand-drawn artwork is created by U.S.-based artists who know the trails and the stories behind them.

Made in the USA.

We produce gear, right here in the Carolinas. That means fewer emissions, stronger local economies, and full control over quality. Our Repreve® tees are made from recycled water bottles, and many shirts are printed on U.S.-made garments.

Eco-Friendly

We use sustainable printing methods like water-based inks, sublimation, and direct-to-garment (DTG) that lower environmental impact without sacrificing color or detail—especially when paired with our eco-friendly Repreve® shirts, made from recycled plastic bottles.

A Team That Lives It

Our people are artists, hikers, parents, and outdoor lovers. We value work-life balance because when our team thrives, so does our work.

Built for Community.

By keeping design, printing, and production close to home, we support local jobs and help strengthen the communities we’re a part of. We're proud to make shirts that not only represent wild places — but help protect them.

Because to us, this is more than apparel. It’s a way to preserve the magic of the places we love and help your customers take that magic home

Let’s Build Something Meaningful Together

Whether you're a park, shop, or outdoor organization, we’d love to bring your destination to life through memorable, meaningful apparel.

👉 Contact us to start your custom design or explore wholesale opportunities today.