During my most recent trip to my home state I went in to Portland to visit some menswear companies that are distinctly “Pacific Northwest” – the area has a unique aesthetic, and Tanner Goods captures that as well as anyone else. While I was at the store I was able to chat with Colton Tong, manager of the Portland flagship, and learn a bit more about the brand.
Tanner Goods began as a leather goods company making a few simple items; you may have heard the name in reference to the natural leather patch featured on many top-tier selvage jeans, or perhaps you’ve seen their camera straps around the necks of your favorite blogger. These days, though, Tanner Goods has a huge selection of leather belts, pouches, wallets, and lanyards, as well as canvas bags and other items that feature materials besides just leather. All of their products are made in the great city of Portland, Oregon, and embrace the rugged and utilitarian style of the Northwest.
All of Tanner Goods’ leather products are made from Chicago’s Horween Chromexcel calf leather, except for the natural leather, which is sourced locally from a tannery making the best vegetable tanned leather available. For those that aren’t familiar with natural leather, it is made with a different process that leaves the hide with its original color, and develops an incredible patina over time. The natural leather items have become some of Tanner Goods’ most popular and iconic pieces. The Chromexcel leather comes in a variety of colors, as seen here. All of the hardware used in the leather goods is solid brass or steel.
The Portland flagship store also carries a selection of clothing, including a solid stock of raw denim choices like Tellason and 3Sixteen (both of which source Tanner Goods’ natural leather patches on their jeans). The store’s stock of clothing can be seen at the Woodlands, which is the textile side of the Tanner Goods family.
All told, Tanner Goods is a company devoted to making simple, high quality goods that are functional and attractive. The Tanner Goods flagship store may be located in Portland, but they have many stockists around the US, including Bay Area staples like Unionmade and Welcome Stranger. If you’re ever in the Portland area, though, I encourage you to stop in and look around.
The rest of the “Out and About” Series can be found here.
