My Philosophy

“Well, I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and civilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.” - Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

I was raised near the ocean, and what that may mean I know is different for every man. I didn't start traveling until I was in my mid-thirties and didn't fall in love with reading or the pursuit of the uncommon until I was in my early forties. 

The people I meet along my off beaten travels recharge my spirit and remind me that precocity doesn't own innovation. No, that belongs to the curious, to the unreasonable, to the people who are confident without pretense because they are doing something they believe in. 

Our collections are inspired by those I discover along the way, from St. Barts to Luxembourg. Our styles should remind you that real life takes place off stage and that your wanderlust for travel is not governed by a committee or designed by a big corporation, it's about you. 

The original Territory Ahead catalog, released in 1989.

What's Different About Our Clothes

We hate to shop just as much as Huck would have, and there’s never a day where we wouldn’t want to be out looking for a new territory. That’s why we work tirelessly to bring you well-crafted and reasonably priced products meant to take you off the beaten path–wherever in the world that happens to be.

Yet, while we believe clothing should give you all the mileage to get there and back (and go farther the next time), we’ve made it our mission to search and scour the globe for wildly original fabrics and the most interesting details. You won’t find character, personality, or quality like this anywhere else, and whether you hail from the Gold Coast, the Heartland, or back East, our clothing fits the bill for everything from epic journeys to simple relaxation, and always has a story to tell.

While our own story has shifted from California to the Queen City, our approach and vision haven’t done a 180. Our own designs–crafted here, in house–remain the root of our brand, as they have always been. And, when we curate other products, we don’t select just any items. Rather, we source from reputable brands acknowledged as experts in their respective fields.

Big picture, we continue to obsess over and refine the details, emphasize comfort throughout everything we do, and seek out qualities geared toward specific performance needs–for instance, multiple pockets, water resistance, and quick-drying, moisture-wicking properties for travel and other active pursuits. And, because clothing and adventures are never one-size-fits-all, we consider all types of guys. As you browse through our catalogs and website, you’ll find regular and tall sizes and short to long lengths.

Throughout every endeavor, The Territory Ahead remains a small company–one that devotes our full attention to our clothing and prioritizes our customers above all else. We’ve had an open ear to your feedback from the get-go, and if you have any suggestions, we’re always ready to listen.