Flowfold

Tired of equipment failures on what should be simple items, Charley decided to try making his own gear. He began with a wallet made of discarded sailcloth. The thin but super strong material made a superb product; lightweight, simple, durable, and waterproof.

Flowfold has built on this concept with a commitment to “minimalist gear for everyday adventures.” Their products include backpacks, totes, dog gear, and of course, wallets. Continuing to grow without sacrificing its vision for reliable, rugged gear with no-frills designs, Flowfold has found its way to major outdoor retailers around the country.

REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Backcountry.com all carry Flowfold products. Even LL Bean – a neighboring company in Maine – has recognized the company’s potential and partnered on exclusive collaborations, a testament to the quality of Flowfold’s product line.

Featured Flowfold Products Made in the USA

Conductor duffel bag: Packing for a weekend trip need not be complicated. The Flowfold Conductor duffle bag features 40 liters of capacity while weighing in at just over 12 ounces, making it easy to pack down – perfect for adventuring or traveling. It also fits overhead luggage requirements. The high-quality, durable materials mean that the Conductor can get stuffed into overhead compartments or thrown around a campsite without tearing or bursting at the seams. It’s also water-resistant, ideal for boating or paddling excursions. 

Backpacks: Flowfold offers five backpacks as part of its collection. Coming in 10L, 12L, 14L, and 18L, no matter what your adventure, there’s something for everyone. All are made from water-resistant materials and have a variety of pockets and compartments, keeping you organized at all times. They’re lightweight but also made from durable, abrasion-resistant fabrics, ideal for everyday wear and tear or hiking adventures. Their minimalist design also makes them perfect for school, work or socializing. 

Wallets: The wallet is where it all started with Flowfold. Whether you’re after a wallet essential for traveling or something to shove in your back pocket for a day out, Flowfold has you covered. With trifold, bifold, and cardholder wallets on offer, most of these are made from recycled sailcloth fabric, meaning they’re lightweight, super thin, and durable. I have one of their minimalist wallets and carry it with me every day.

Pouches/fanny packs: Make packing or organizing your gear a dream with the Flowfold pouches and fanny packs. Protect your essentials from abrasion, dirt, and liquid with these water-resistant pouches. Available in a range of sizes, depending on your needs, they’re lightweight with a paracord gear loop, ensuring they never get lost. There’s also a variety of fanny packs, made from 100% recycled EcoPak fabrics, they’re thoughtfully designed to keep your gear organized and safe on everyday adventures. 

Manufacturing Notes

If you’re looking for American-made, innovative outdoor wear, then look no further than Flowfold. 

Flowfold is immensely proud to have 100% of its products made in the USA. On their website, they share that even as they continue to grow and gain international awareness, they are committed to their origin of Maine and will always be a Maine-based brand that makes all of its products in the United States. Their product pages are transparent with materials sourced, used, and where they’re manufactured. 

Seeing how Flowfold has grown since it originated in 2010 with its sole product, the Recycled Sailcloth Vanguard wallet, it clearly has a dedication to innovation, problem-solving, and sustainability at its heart. They’ve continuously evolved their designs to make them lighter, more durable, and find sustainable materials that last longer. 

Their commitment to solving problems and innovation is evident when in March 2020, they pivoted their manufacturing to create USA-made personal protective equipment (PPE) to help during the pandemic. They immediately retooled their facility to create thousands of plastic face shields for hospitals and clinics across the East Coast. Flowfold continued to grow, with the State of Maine CDC contracting a million more, meaning they opened a second site and brought on other US manufacturers to help supply those in need during the pandemic. 

Flowfold is evidently dedicated to creating high-quality products, reducing waste, and continuously developing to ensure they’re manufacturing the best products for their customers. Though they’re over a decade into their business, they continue to innovate, but remain committed to their three foundational principles:

• Sustainable and durable materials
• Quality craftsmanship
• Making all of their products in the USA

If you’re looking for quality minimalist outdoor gear that can hold up against any weather but also want to support a USA business that acts on customer feedback, continues to innovate, and create sustainable products, then Flowfold is a great bet.