About the Brand: The Fortis Story

Fortis Clothing started in 1997 on a small family farm in Devon, England. The founder, Hugh Massy-Birch, originally began the business under the name “Country Covers.” In the beginning, he didn’t make jackets; he made tough seat covers and spare tyre covers for rugged off-road vehicles.

Over time, Hugh’s passion for durable fabrics grew. He saw a need for outdoor clothing that could actually survive the wet and thorny British countryside. He eventually converted a “lamb barn” on the farm into a sewing workshop. Today, that same barn serves as the brand’s headquarters and showroom.

In 2016, the brand officially changed its name to Fortis Clothing. The word “Fortis” is Latin for “Strong,” which perfectly describes their gear. Now led by his son, Oliver Massy-Birch, the company remains a family-run business. They are famous for keeping manufacturing in the UK and using military-grade “Ripstop” fabrics to create some of the toughest waterproof coats in the world.

Read the full Fortis Clothing review here!