For Land for Life: How Schaefer Outfitter Built a Heritage Brand
- Editorial Staff
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
From the Tetons to the Texas plains, four decades OF crafting durable, heritage-driven Western wear
In the rugged heart of the American West, where wide-open skies meet hard-earned grit, Schaefer Outfitter was born—not in a boardroom, but beneath the towering Tetons of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was 1982, and Francis “Cub” Schaefer, a visionary outdoorsman with a knack for blending functionality and Western style, saw a need for dependable, high-performance gear that could keep up with the working cowboy. What started as a tightly run operation focused on high-function ranch wear has grown into one of the true legacy brands of the Western world, carried forward by four decades of family ownership, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the land and people who live close to it.
Today, Schaefer Outfitter stands not just as a Western apparel brand, but as a cultural mainstay—featured on Yellowstone, trusted by modern ranchers, and embraced by a new generation of fans drawn to authenticity in a sea of fast fashion.
The Founding of a Heritage Brand
The origin of Schaefer Outfitter reads like a classic Western: one man, an idea, and a whole lot of resolve. Cub Schaefer, also known for co-founding Rocky Mountain Featherbed, brought a unique blend of mountain culture and cowboy practicality to the design table. He’s often credited with popularizing Western yoke parkas and vests—signature silhouettes that remain central to the brand’s aesthetic to this day.
From Jackson Hole, the company migrated across the West: each move informed by its surroundings. In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Schaefer embraced a dual identity in a town where Alpine and Bovine met. A move to Las Cruces, New Mexico in the 2000s brought the brand closer to the grit and volatility of the Southwestern range. Now headquartered at the historic Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas, Schaefer is embedded in the cultural epicenter of modern cowboy life. But through every relocation, the values stayed the same: durable construction, sharp fit, and gear made not in labs, but tested by real people in real conditions.
The Craft Behind the Cowboy
What sets Schaefer Outfitter apart isn’t just the look—it’s the purpose. Every stitch, snap, and seam is built with utility in mind. Multi-pocket jackets, snap-out vents, bi-swing shoulder panels, and heavy-duty canvas fabrics aren’t just style choices; they’re working tools. The brand’s slogan, “For Land. For Life.”, says it all: this is clothing meant to live in the dirt, the saddle, and sometimes, the elements.
Small-batch production and a hands-on approach mean garments don’t hit shelves until they’ve passed real-world testing. Ranchers, artists, and horsemen collaborate in the design process, ensuring each product serves a functional purpose—whether that’s a waxed canvas coat tough enough for calving season or a pearl snap sharp enough for a Saturday night at the dance hall.
To Schaefer, heritage isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a compass. It means preserving the elements of the past that matter: the iconic Western yoke, sturdy construction, and practical elegance that defined Cub Schaefer’s original designs.
But heritage doesn’t mean stagnation. Today’s lineup includes punchy new shirting patterns, upcoming fleece outerwear, and even performance fabrics like the best-selling RangeTek line, engineered for extreme heat—a nod to the harsh Texas sun and the needs of modern ranch life.
“We’ve taken our product line in some newer directions,” says Jason Smith, President of Schaefer Outfitter, “but they all maintain those core principles—durability, function, quality materials, and a look that feels true to who we are.”
From the Range to the Screen: Yellowstone and Cultural Relevance
Perhaps no recent partnership has done more to solidify Schaefer Outfitter’s national identity than its heavy presence on Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan’s runaway hit that’s brought cowboy culture to the mainstream. Lead character John Dutton, portrayed by Kevin Costner, wears Schaefer gear throughout the series, as do several other central figures.
Schaefer didn’t chase this placement—it happened organically. Sheridan, a fan and customer, sought out the brand for its authenticity. “We make clothes for the lives these characters live,” says Smith. “We’re proud to see that lifestyle represented honestly—and to be a part of it.”
This kind of cultural spotlight hasn’t changed the brand’s approach. If anything, it has reinforced it. “We’re not chasing trends. We’re just glad more people are discovering what we’ve been doing all along.”
Despite newfound visibility, Schaefer hasn’t lost sight of its community. From a product partnership with Texas’s historic XIT Ranch, to artist-designed Heritage Wild Rags inspired by past brand locations, Schaefer continues to build bridges between place, product, and people.
Each rag, each jacket, each pair of dungarees tells a story—whether it's the alpine-meets-ranch spirit of Steamboat Springs or the dust and heat of the New Mexican high desert. It’s a form of wearable storytelling, a way for customers to connect not just with a look, but a lineage.
Musicians like Post Malone have taken note, too. Recently spotted wearing one of the brand’s classic pearl snaps on stage in Denver, Malone joins a growing group of cultural figures drawn to the brand’s authenticity. Yet for all the celebrity attention, Schaefer remains focused on its original audience: the people working hard every day to keep the spirit of the West alive.
Blazing the Next Trail
What does the future hold for a company that’s already stood the test of time? According to Schaefer, the goal is to keep walking the line between legacy and relevance. A full collection in collaboration with a major musician is slated for 2026. The brand is also gaining momentum in niche Western sports communities like skijoring, hinting at new arenas for function-forward gear.
But perhaps most importantly, the next chapter will still be written by the people who wear Schaefer daily—not just as a brand, but as part of their identity. Adds Smith: “When someone puts on one of our garments, we want them to feel like we’ve got their back. That they’re equipped to handle whatever’s in front of them—and look sharp doing it.”
If Schaefer Outfitter is remembered 50 years from now (and by all signs, it will be) it won’t be for chasing fashion. It will be for anchoring it. For serving the people who build fences, raise cattle, ride fences, and write their own stories under open skies. It will be remembered for making gear that lasts, and values that do too.
That’s what heritage really means. And Schaefer? They’re still sewing it, one garment at a time.
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