Our Story

Vertical Athletics

Innovation, Performance, and Purpose Since 2008

At Vertical Athletics, we believe great products should do more than look good. They should solve problems, enhance experiences, and help people stay comfortable, protected, and ready for whatever the day brings.

For more than 18 years, Vertical Athletics has designed and manufactured innovative performance accessories, custom-branded products, cooling products, and licensed sports merchandise for athletes, fans, corporations, event organizers, retailers, and promotional partners across the United States.

Founded in 2008 by U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur Renée Krieg, Vertical Athletics began with a simple mission: create athletic products that perform better and help people feel more confident and comfortable while staying active.

What started as a tall-sized athletic apparel company quickly evolved into a nationally recognized brand known for innovation, customer service, and the ability to respond quickly to market opportunities.

Built on Innovation

From the beginning, Vertical Athletics has challenged conventional thinking.

In 2009, we introduced one of the first adjustable, non-slip athletic headbands, giving athletes a customizable fit that stayed in place during competition. We later expanded the category by creating fashion-forward athletic headbands featuring sequins, animal prints, and other unique designs that allowed athletes and fans to express their personalities while staying active.

Our founder, Renée Krieg, believed so strongly in the products that she traveled the country in an RV, exhibiting at volleyball tournaments and sporting events, meeting customers face-to-face, gathering feedback, and building a loyal community one event at a time.

Those early conversations shaped the company we are today: customer-focused, innovative, and committed to creating products people genuinely love to wear and use.

From Grassroots Events to Major League Baseball

In 2012, Vertical Athletics became an official licensee of Major League Baseball, beginning a relationship that would help establish the company as a leader in licensed sports accessories.

The brand gained national attention in 2019 when MLB superstar Bryce Harper wore a Vertical Athletics Philly Phanatic headband during a game. Demand surged almost overnight. Thanks to our domestic manufacturing capabilities and agile supply chain, we produced and delivered more than 30,000 headbands in just six weeks, helping retailers and fans get products while excitement was at its peak.

The experience demonstrated what continues to set Vertical Athletics apart today: innovation, responsiveness, and the ability to scale quickly when opportunities arise.

Rising to Meet the Moment

In 2020, as professional sports paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vertical Athletics rapidly shifted production to create protective face coverings for Major League Baseball teams and organizations across the country.

Our ability to develop products quickly and deliver at scale during a critical moment earned us official MLB on-field rights, a distinction achieved by very few brands and a reflection of the trust we built through years of partnership and performance.

More Than Sports

While our roots are in sports licensing and fan merchandise, today Vertical Athletics serves a much broader audience.

We partner with corporations, promotional product distributors, sports organizations, nonprofits, event producers, retailers, and marketing agencies to create custom-branded merchandise that helps people stay cool, protected, and engaged.

Our product offerings include:

  • Cooling towels

  • Cooling headbands

  • Neck gaiters

  • Sun protection accessories

  • Performance headwear

  • Custom promotional products

  • Corporate gifts

  • Employee appreciation gifts

  • Event merchandise

  • Retail-ready branded products

  • Licensed sports merchandise

Whether we're producing products for a Major League Baseball team, a national retail program, a corporate wellness initiative, an outdoor event, or a company recognition program, we bring the same commitment to quality, creativity, and service.

What Makes Us Different

As a woman-owned and veteran-owned business, we understand the value of resilience, adaptability, and hard work.

We combine the creativity and responsiveness of a small business with the capabilities needed to support large-scale programs. From custom product development and licensing expertise to rapid production and fulfillment, we help organizations create memorable products that people actually want to use.

Our customers trust us because we listen, innovate, and deliver.

Looking Ahead

As the world continues to evolve, so do we.

We remain committed to creating functional, high-quality products that help athletes, fans, employees, event attendees, and everyday consumers stay comfortable, protected, and engaged.

Eighteen years after launching Vertical Athletics, our mission remains the same: create innovative products that solve real-world problems, build meaningful connections, and help people enjoy life a little more along the way.

Thank you for being part of our journey.