Jack Wolfskin
| Company type | Partnership limited by shares (KGAA) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Outdoor apparel and gear |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Ulrich Dausien |
| Headquarters | Idstein , Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Outdoor apparel, sports gear, mountain wear, casual wear, footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents |
| Owner | Anta Sports (since 2025) |
Jack Wolfskin is a German manufacturer specializing in outdoor apparel and gear, with its headquarters located in Idstein, Germany. Established in 1981 by Ulrich Dausien, the company has evolved into a prominent supplier and franchiser offering a wide range of outdoor products, including sports gear, mountain and casual wear, footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags, and tents.
The general partner of the partnership limited by shares (KGAA) is Skyrager GmbH, which is also situated in Idstein.
History
Originally launched as a trademark under Sine in Frankfurt am Main, Jack Wolfskin was created by Ulrich Dausien in 1981. After achieving initial success, it became an independent entity separate from Sine. In 1991, the company was acquired by Johnson Outdoors. While initially distributing solely through specialist retailers, Jack Wolfskin opened its inaugural proprietary store in Heidelberg in 1993. By the middle of 2012, the brand had expanded to operate more than 500 stores worldwide, predominantly through franchising.
In 2002, Bain Capital acquired Jack Wolfskin from Johnson Outdoors for €42 million. Three years later, in 2005, Bain sold the company to Quadriga Capital and Barclays Private Equity for €93 million. The private equity firm Blackstone Group took ownership in 2011 with intentions to broaden the brand’s global footprint. At that time, Manfred Hell, who had served as CEO and co-owner for 25 years, stepped down. Melody Harris-Jensbach assumed the role of CEO in November 2014.
On 6 July 2017, Jack Wolfskin successfully restructured its finances with creditors, achieving a debt reduction of €225 million—from €365 million down to €110 million—and extended repayment terms through 2022. The company secured a €25 million loan from senior creditors who became majority shareholders via a Luxembourg-based holding entity; major investors included Bain Capital Credit, HIG/Bayside Capital, and CQS.
In April 2018, control was transferred from Blackstone to lenders through a debt-for-equity exchange.
On 30 November 2018, Jack Wolfskin revealed it would be acquired by Callaway Golf Company (currently known as Topgolf Callaway Brands). The transaction was finalized on 4 January 2019 for €418 million.
Richard Collier took over as CEO starting 1 December 2020.
In 2022, investigations revealed that some Jack Wolfskin shirts contained cotton sourced from Xinjiang.
In April 2025, the Chinese sportswear firm Anta Sports purchased Jack Wolfskin for €262 million ($290 million), marking a new chapter of international growth under its new ownership.
Corporate responsibility
Since July 2010, Jack Wolfskin has been affiliated with the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), an organization dedicated to enhancing labor conditions within the textile and garment sectors. In July 2007, the company became a sponsor of the I.C.E. Youth Camp—a UNEP initiative focused on educating young people about environmental stewardship and sustainable resource use—in collaboration with Arved Fuchs.
The company introduced supplier monitoring systems in 2008 and by 2009 committed to exploring participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives. After inquiries from the Clean Clothes Campaign regarding labor conditions in 2009 and 2010, Jack Wolfskin joined FWF due to its alignment with the company’s existing social auditing framework. In partnership with Wolfgang Niedecken and World Vision Germany in 2008, it initiated "Rebound," a program aimed at improving living standards and supporting the reintegration of former child soldiers in Uganda. In 2010, the Swiss NGO Erklärung von Bern assessed Jack Wolfskin’s labor standards as "average," placing it second out of five rating categories.
Litigation
Jack Wolfskin has actively enforced its rights over the paw print emblem through rigorous legal measures. In 2002, the company successfully barred the taz newspaper from featuring a paw print on its outdoor products, citing its trademark registration from 1982 in contrast to taz’s unregistered logo introduced in 1978. This action triggered calls advocating for boycotts of Jack Wolfskin products.
In October 2009, Jack Wolfskin sought compensation from hobbyists crafting paw designs—irrespective of the animal depicted—resulting in widespread criticism from online forums and unfavorable press coverage within Germany. Subsequently, the company adopted a more conciliatory approach by communicating directly with alleged infringers instead of pursuing immediate damage claims.
In November 2009, Jack Wolfskin issued a warning to Dutch apparel supplier Bearwear concerning its use of a bear paw logo, which led to the closure of Bearwear’s European online store and dissatisfaction among customers. The conflict was ultimately settled, permitting Bearwear to continue using its paw print branding.
On 19 December 2011, representatives of Jack Wolfskin sent legal warnings to the Slovak non-governmental organization Civic Association Dog Soul, accusing them of trademark infringement without any judicial decision.
Sponsorship
In August 2010, Jack Wolfskin entered into a three-year sponsorship agreement with English football club Liverpool FC to enhance its market footprint in the United Kingdom. This collaboration was extended for an additional three years in April 2013, further strengthening the brand’s exposure through sports-related marketing initiatives.