What SALT ATHLETIC does

Salt Athletic, Inc. is a privately held, direct-to-consumer athletic gear company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, USA. The company designs and sells the patented Aērcase Cleat Bag, a 3-layer smell-proof storage product that combines 99.9% pure silver ion-releasing mesh, military-grade activated carbon, and a moisture-wicking micro-mesh to neutralize odor-causing bacteria at the source. The technology is certified by the International Antimicrobial Council and is positioned as a permanent, lifetime-effective alternative to temporary odor sprays. The product portfolio has expanded to include a Glove Bag (using the same technology for goalie, batting, receiver, and boxing gloves), a performance apparel line (jerseys, hoodies, tees, sweatpants, caps, windbreakers), bundled offerings, digital gift cards, and team-customized bulk orders.

The business operates primarily through a Shopify e-commerce storefront at saltathletic.com with global shipping, complemented by a wholesale program for approved retail partners and a team-orders channel offering logo and number customization with bulk discounts. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $25 (caps) to $89 (Retro-Tek Jersey), with the flagship Aērcase bag at $59 and bundles offering 15% savings. Marketing is product-led, leveraging 746+ customer reviews (4.71/5 average on the Aērcase, with 88% five-star ratings), a brand ambassador program with referral codes, organic social presence on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X, event marketing at soccer tournaments, and official partnerships with ECNL, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Sogility, and The Soccer Tournament. The company is founder-led by CEO Rafael de la Vega, operates with 1–10 employees, and has raised modest external capital across rounds in 2019 (MassChallenge), February 2025 ($981,616), and May 2026 ($365,000).

Name

SALT ATHLETIC

Legal name

Salt Athletic, Inc.

Website

https://saltathletic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Salt Athletic is a direct-to-consumer sports gear company that designs and sells patented anti-odor cleat and glove storage bags for soccer, baseball, football, and combat-sport athletes, alongside performance apparel, sold online and through team and wholesale channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Athletic Gear & Sports Accessories

NAICS

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Luggage and Leather Goods Retailers (45832)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Bag & Accessory Components/Hardware (Straps, Buckles, Zippers) (CRAAAJAJ)

Keywords

• Anti-odor athletic gear
• Smell-proof sports bags
• Soccer cleat accessories
• Performance athletic apparel
• Anti-bacterial sports equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: One-time purchase model for individual consumers through Shopify storefront. Products include Aērcase Cleat Bag ($59), Glove Bag ($39), apparel (hoodies, tees, sweatpants, caps), and bundles with discount pricing. No subscription required; technology is permanent for product lifetime.
2. Bundle Packages: Pre-packaged bundles offering 15% savings: Aērcase + Glove Bag Bundle ($83), Aērcase 3-Pack Bundle ($150), Aērcase + Retro-Tek Jersey Bundle ($95). Higher average order value through bundled offerings.
3. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards in $100 and $200 denominations. Recipients can apply balance to any products. No expiration date.
4. Team Orders & Customization: Bulk orders for teams with custom logo, numbers, and initials. Volume-based pricing with bulk discounts. Quote-based pricing requiring team inquiry.
5. Wholesale: Wholesale pricing for approved retail partners. Retailers apply for partnership to carry Salt products in their stores.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Salt Athletic designs and sells the patented Aērcase Cleat Bag and Glove Bag, which use a 3-layer smell-proof system (99.9% pure silver ion mesh, military-grade activated carbon, and moisture-wicking micro-mesh) to permanently eliminate odor-causing bacteria from athletic footwear and gloves. The company also sells performance apparel (Retro-Tek Jersey, hoodies, tees, sweatpants, windbreakers, caps), pre-packaged bundles, team-customized orders, and digital gift cards, primarily direct-to-consumer through its Shopify storefront.

Product overview

Salt Athletic is a direct-to-consumer athletic gear company offering a portfolio of smell-proof storage products and performance apparel. The core product line centers on the patented Aērcase Cleat Bag, which uses 99.9% pure silver and military-grade activated carbon technology to neutralize odor at its source. Complementary products include the Glove Bag (applying the same technology to goalie and batting gloves), multiple bundle options pairing the Aērcase with other products, and an apparel line featuring the Retro-Tek Jersey with moisture-wicking and odor-resistant technology. The company also offers team customization services, brand ambassador programs, and wholesale partnerships. Products are manufactured on-demand to reduce overproduction, with a focus on sustainability and ethical consumption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aērcase Cleat Bag Patented smell-proof cleat bag using 99.9% pure silver lining and military-grade activated carbon to permanently eliminate odor-causing bacteria at the source. Fits cleats up to size 12M (Regular) or size 15M (XL), with magnetic closure and water-resistant interior pocket. Priced at $59.
• Glove Bag Smell-proof storage bag applying Salt's 3-layer odor-blocking system (silver ion + activated carbon) to goalie gloves, batting gloves, receiver gloves, and boxing wraps. Available in Small (3-5), Medium (6-7), Large (8-10), and XL (11-12), priced at $39, with magnetic closure.
• Aērcase + Glove Bag Bundle Goalkeeper kit bundling the Aērcase Cleat Bag with the Glove Bag at $83 (15% savings vs. $98 individual), targeting athletes who need both cleat and glove odor control.
• Aērcase + Retro-Tek Jersey Bundle Bundle pairing the Aērcase Cleat Bag with the Salt Retro-Tek Jersey at $95 (15% savings vs. $148 individual), combining performance gear and vintage-inspired apparel.
• Aērcase 3-Pack Bundle Family pack of three Aērcase Cleat Bags with mix-and-match sizing at $150 (15% savings vs. $177), targeting multi-athlete households and team rosters.
• Salt Retro-Tek Jersey - Limited Edition G/B/W Limited-edition retro-design soccer jersey inspired by classic 90s aesthetics, made from 100% polyester with moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and anti-static technology. Priced at $89 in sizes S to 2XL.
• Salt Hoodie Premium embroidered hoodie with 100% cotton face, front pouch pocket, matching drawstrings, and 3-panel hood. Available in Black, Dusty Rose, Grey, White, Royal Blue, and Maroon at $60.
• Salt Crewneck Heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt made with 100% cotton face and 65% cotton/35% polyester blend. Priced at $50; runs small, recommend sizing up.
• Salt Heavyweight Tee Premium heavyweight t-shirt made from 100% combed ring-spun cotton (20 singles thread count) in Black, Gold, and White. Regular fit, side-seamed construction, made-to-order. Priced at $27.
• Salt Sweatpants Fleece sweatpants with 100% cotton face, cotton/polyester blend, embroidered logo, elastic waistband with flat drawstrings, and two cross pockets. Available in Maroon, White, Grey, and Black in sizes XS to 2XL at $40.
• Salt Logo Half-zip Windbreaker Packable half-zip windbreaker made from 100% polyester micro poplin, wind and rain resistant, with hood, front kangaroo pocket, hidden zipped pouch for packability, and embroidered logo on the left sleeve. Priced at $75, made-to-order.
• Salt Cap - Black Classic dad hat in Black, made from 100% chino cotton twill with six embroidered eyelets for ventilation and adjustable strap with antique buckle. Crown measures 3-1/8 inches, made-to-order. Priced at $25.
• Salt Cap - White Classic dad hat in White, made from 100% chino cotton twill with six embroidered eyelets for ventilation and adjustable strap with antique buckle. Crown measures 3-1/8 inches, made-to-order. Priced at $25.
• Salt Athletic Gift Card Digital gift card available in $100 and $200 denominations with no expiration date, redeemable for any Salt Athletic products online or in-store.
• Team Orders & Customization Bulk order program for youth clubs, high schools, and pro-level teams, offering volume discounts and customization of bags with custom logos, numbers, and initials. Quote-based pricing with 72-hour quote turnaround.
• Wholesale Program Application-based wholesale partnership program offering wholesale pricing to approved retail partners who carry Salt Athletic bags and apparel in physical or digital stores.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by 100,000+ athletes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ECNL (Elite Clubs National League)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner of the Elite Clubs National League, a national youth soccer developmental league in the United States. Provides odor-control solutions for ECNL players and families. Partnership positions Salt Athletic within the premier youth soccer development ecosystem.
• Colorado Springs Switchbacks FCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial cleat bag provider to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, winners of the 2024 USL Championship. Professional soccer partnership providing visibility at the USL Championship level and credibility with serious soccer players and parents.
• SogilityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology-driven soccer training center partnership. Sogility provides effective and engaging training environments, and Salt provides smell-proof gear solutions for athletes training at their facilities.
• The Soccer Tournament (TST)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial partner of The Soccer Tournament, the most exciting and highest stakes 7v7 soccer festival in the world. Features legends, celebrities, and professionals sharing the pitch. Partnership provides high-profile visibility in the soccer community.
• International Antimicrobial Council (IAC)coreTechnology or IntegrationMembership in the IAC ensures products meet highest antimicrobial standards through intensive lab testing. Silver ion technology and activated carbon components tested and certified for effectiveness against odor-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Adidas: Adidas is a global athletic goods giant and dominant soccer brand. Comparable as the largest incumbent in soccer gear with the distribution and R&D capacity to replicate or acquire anti-odor technology.
• Under Armour: Under Armour is a large athletic apparel and footwear company with a soccer category and youth partnerships. Comparable as an incumbent that could credibly enter the anti-odor athletic bag category using its scale.
• Nike: Nike is the largest athletic goods company globally and dominant in soccer (footwear, apparel, equipment). Comparable as the broadest incumbent that could bundle or replicate Salt Athletic's category at scale.

Direct peers

• KwikGoal: KwikGoal manufactures soccer training equipment, goals, and accessories. Comparable as a soccer-specialized sporting goods company that sells through both team channels and retail distributors.
• Select Sport: Select Sport is a global soccer equipment manufacturer known for balls, gloves, and accessories. Comparable as a soccer-specialized sporting goods brand with both consumer and team/wholesale distribution.
• Storelli: Storelli makes soccer-specific protective gear, training apparel, and equipment bags. Closely comparable niche: a small DTC soccer-athletic brand targeting the same youth and pro player segments as Salt Athletic.
• SKLZ: SKLZ is a sporting goods training equipment brand selling directly to athletes via e-commerce. Comparable in DTC motion, athletic end-customer, and category breadth around individual sports performance gear.

Emerging players

• Hyperice: Hyperice is a sports performance and recovery brand that built a patented technology into a premium DTC athletic brand. Comparable trajectory: technology-led DTC athletic gear expanding across sport categories with athlete partnerships.
• Greyson Clothiers: Greyson Clothiers is a DTC golf-lifestyle apparel brand with premium positioning and ambassador-driven marketing. Comparable as a small DTC athletic-lifestyle brand using similar influencer and event marketing playbooks.

Regional players

• Eastbay: Eastbay is a multi-channel sporting goods retailer specializing in athletic footwear, apparel, and team equipment. Comparable as a U.S.-focused sporting goods distribution channel where Salt Athletic could pursue wholesale placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saltathletic
• Facebookfacebook.com/saltathletic
• Instagraminstagram.com/s.athletic
• TikToktiktok.com/@salt.athletic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SALT ATHLETIC