The Athletic Community
The Athletic Community is a Portland, Oregon-based DTC cycling and athletic apparel brand founded in 2013, selling USA-made technical apparel (jerseys, bibs, socks, tees) and curated accessories (Ripton, Ombraz, Handup) via Shopify e-commerce, a Portland retail store, and wholesale.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What The Athletic Community does
The Athletic Community is a Portland, Oregon-based direct-to-consumer apparel brand founded in 2013 that designs, manufactures, and sells cycling and multi-sport athletic apparel and accessories. Its core proprietary products include cycling jerseys, bibs, tech tees, socks, neck gaiters, headwear, wind vests, and casual wear, manufactured domestically — socks are made in North Carolina and technical apparel is sewn in California by Endo Customs using Italian technical fabrics (moisture-wicking, YKK zippers, embossed rear elastic). The company supplements its own-brand portfolio with a curated assortment of third-party brands including Ripton (performance denim/jorts/overalls, distributed as a sub-brand), Ombraz (armless sunglasses), Handup Gloves, Swift Industries (bike bags), and Portland Design Works accessories.
The business operates three distribution channels: a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront supporting 100+ international currencies (primary channel), a brick-and-mortar retail showroom at 3901 N. Williams Ave. in Portland (described as "the bright pink store"), and a wholesale program with presale offerings for third-party retailers. Products are sold on a one-time unit-purchase model at price points ranging from $10 (gift cards, socks) to $200 (premium bibs and sunglasses), with a 15% first-purchase discount offered for email subscribers. A Custom Sock Program adds a bespoke service revenue stream.
The target customer base spans style-conscious active athletes (cyclists, runners, cross-trainers) who value distinctive artist-designed apparel and domestic manufacturing, plus lifestyle consumers and gift buyers. Headcount is 1-10 employees and the company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, indicating a founder-led lifestyle business model rather than a venture-scaled operation. Brand-building levers include Instagram and Facebook organic social, email marketing, the TAC Journal blog, and community events hosted at the Portland store.
The Athletic Community firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Athletic Community
- Legal name
- The Athletic Community
- Website
- https://theathleticcommunity.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Athletic Community is a Portland, Oregon-based DTC cycling and athletic apparel brand founded in 2013, selling USA-made technical apparel (jerseys, bibs, socks, tees) and curated accessories (Ripton, Ombraz, Handup) via Shopify e-commerce, a Portland retail store, and wholesale.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Athletic Community industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cycling Apparel
- NAICS
- Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers (45811), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)
- SIC
- Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600), Retail-Women's Clothing Stores (5621), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH), Athletic / Performance & Activewear Brands (CRAAAAAD), Outdoor & Active Lifestyle Apparel Retail (CRAAABAL), Sports & Outdoor Accessories Manufacturing (Performance Gloves/Headwear) (IMAOAFAI)
Keywords
Where The Athletic Community is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Athletic Community business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales - E-commerce: Direct online sales of cycling apparel, socks, and accessories through their Shopify-powered website. Products include cycling jerseys, bibs, tech tees, casual apparel, socks, headwear, and eyewear. One-time purchase model with prices ranging from $10 to $200.
- Retail Store Sales: Brick-and-mortar retail sales at their Portland, Oregon store location at 3901 N. Williams Ave. Shop hours are Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm and Saturday 12pm-4pm.
- Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale program for retailers to carry The Athletic Community products. They have a dedicated wholesale page and presale offerings for wholesale buyers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard product pricing for cycling and athletic apparel |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Athletic Community product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Athletic Community designs, sources, and sells its own branded cycling and athletic apparel — including jerseys, bibs, tech tees, wind vests, socks, neck gaiters, headwear, and casual tees — alongside a curated selection of third-party accessories (Ripton performance denim, Ombraz sunglasses, Handup Gloves, PDW, Swift Industries). Apparel is primarily manufactured in the USA (socks in North Carolina, technical apparel by Endo Customs in California from Italian fabrics) and sold direct-to-consumer through a Shopify e-commerce site, a Portland brick-and-mortar retail store, and a wholesale program for retailers.
Product overview
The Athletic Community is a Portland, Oregon-based cycling and athletic apparel brand founded in 2013, offering a unified portfolio of performance cycling gear and everyday athletic wear. The core product lines include cycling-specific items (jerseys, bibs, and socks) crafted from Italian technical fabrics by Endo Customs, tech tees for multi-sport use, and the Ripton sub-brand of performance denim and utility wear. The company also curates third-party accessories including Ombraz armless sunglasses, Handup Gloves, and headwear, alongside its own neck gaiters and wind vests. The company emphasizes domestic manufacturing, with socks made in North Carolina and technical apparel sewn in California. A custom sock program enables bespoke design services. The brand operates a brick-and-mortar retail store in Portland alongside its e-commerce platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cycling and Running Socks
Companies that use The Athletic Community
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Athletic Community technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Athletic Community partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RiptoncoreRipton is a performance denim and outdoor apparel brand. The Athletic Community serves as a retailer for Ripton products, offering their jeans, jorts (jean shorts), overalls, and technical apparel on their website and in their Portland store.
- OmbrazcoreOmbraz is an armless sunglasses brand known for their innovative design using a built-in cord instead of traditional arms. The Athletic Community is an authorized retailer offering the full Ombraz collection including Dolomite, Cammina, Classics, Leggero, Teton, and Refugio models.
- Portland Design Works (PDW)minorPDW is a Portland-based bike component and accessory brand. The Athletic Community carries PDW products as part of their accessory offerings.
- Swift IndustriesminorSwift Industries makes bike bags and packs. The Athletic Community offers Swift Industries products in their bikepacking gear section.
- Handup GlovesminorHandup Gloves is a cycling glove brand based in Tennessee. The Athletic Community carries their gloves including Cold Weather Gloves, Checkered Gloves, and Pro-Tection Gloves.
- Endo CustomscoreEndo Customs is the manufacturer that produces The Athletic Community's technical apparel in California. They use Italian fabrics to create The Athletic Community's jerseys, bibs, and tech tees with features like moisture-wicking, embossed rear elastic, and full-length reverse YKK zippers.
- Double DarnminorDouble Darn is a Portland, OR-based maker that produces some of The Athletic Community's headwear, including their SUPER TUFF Bad Boy Strawberry Cycling Cap.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Athletic Community competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Café du Cycliste: France-based premium cycling apparel brand with Mediterranean aesthetic and DTC-led growth. Comparable to The Athletic Community on artist/designer-led designs, premium price points, and lifestyle-oriented positioning around cycling culture.
- Chrome Industries: Portland- and Denver-based urban cycling and outdoor brand with strong messenger/commuter roots. Comparable to The Athletic Community on Portland heritage, cycling-first brand identity, and DTC-plus-retail distribution, though Chrome is broader in product mix (bags, footwear, apparel).
- Q36.5: Italian premium cycling apparel brand specializing in technical jerseys, bibs, and base layers using proprietary fabrics. Directly comparable to The Athletic Community on Italian technical fabric sourcing, performance positioning, and boutique DTC model.
- Castelli: Italian heritage cycling apparel brand known for high-performance jerseys and bibs at premium price points. Directly comparable to The Athletic Community on technical fabric sourcing, premium pricing ($130–$200+ jerseys), and performance-cyclist positioning.
- Defeet: USA-made cycling sock specialist based in North Carolina—precisely where The Athletic Community produces its socks. Direct comparable on sock manufacturing origin, performance positioning, and DTC/team-custom business model.
- Pas Normal Studios: Copenhagen-based premium cycling apparel brand with strong design identity, growing global DTC, and selective stockists. Closely comparable to The Athletic Community on design-led positioning, premium pricing, and European technical fabric sourcing.
- Rapha: Premium cycling apparel and lifestyle brand with global retail footprint and strong community/IP-led marketing. Rapha is the benchmark for premium cycling apparel and the most aspirational comparable for The Athletic Community's brand and pricing strategy.
- Sportful: Italian heritage cycling and cross-country ski apparel brand with strong technical pedigree. Comparable to The Athletic Community on Italian-fabric technical apparel, premium pricing tier, and specialist cycling positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Giro: Major cycling brand offering helmets, shoes, gloves, and apparel across price tiers. Broader incumbent overlapping with The Athletic Community on apparel, gloves, and accessories, with much larger scale and retail distribution.
- Pearl Izumi: Long-established cycling and run apparel brand with broad distribution across specialty bike retailers and DTC. Overlaps with The Athletic Community in cycling jerseys, bibs, and tech tees, though Pearl Izumi operates at far larger scale and price breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Athletic Community social profiles
Digital presenceThe Athletic Community financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Athletic Community leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Athletic Community funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Athletic Community M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Athletic Community
What does The Athletic Community do?
The Athletic Community designs, sources, and sells its own branded cycling and athletic apparel — including jerseys, bibs, tech tees, wind vests, socks, neck gaiters, headwear, and casual tees — alongside a curated selection of third-party accessories (Ripton performance denim, Ombraz sunglasses, Handup Gloves, PDW, Swift Industries). Apparel is primarily manufactured in the USA (socks in North Carolina, technical apparel by Endo Customs in California from Italian fabrics) and sold direct-to-consumer through a Shopify e-commerce site, a Portland brick-and-mortar retail store, and a wholesale program for retailers.
Is The Athletic Community a public or private company?
The Athletic Community is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Athletic Community founded?
The Athletic Community was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Athletic Community based?
The Athletic Community is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Athletic Community make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are retail Store Sales and wholesale Distribution.
Who are The Athletic Community's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Café du Cycliste, Chrome Industries, Q36.5, Castelli, Defeet, Pas Normal Studios, Rapha and Sportful. Broad incumbents are Giro and Pearl Izumi.
Does The Athletic Community have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Athletic Community.
What industry is The Athletic Community in?
The Athletic Community's product category is Cycling Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAHAC, Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMABAH, Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories). Its NAICS code is 45811 and its SIC code is 5600.