Is JanSport owned by VF Corporation?

Yes. JanSport is wholly owned by VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), which acquired the company in 1997. JanSport operates as a subsidiary within VF's Outdoor segment.

Is JanSport publicly traded?

JanSport is not publicly traded as a separate entity. Its parent company, VF Corporation, is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker VFC.

When was JanSport founded?

JanSport was founded in 1967 in Seattle, Washington, by Murray Pletz and Jan Lewis. The brand was named after Jan Lewis.

What is JanSport known for?

JanSport is known for its durable backpacks, particularly the SuperBreak model, which is among the best-selling backpacks of all time. The brand serves students, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Where are JanSport backpacks made?

JanSport products are manufactured primarily in Vietnam and China through contract manufacturers. Brand management and design are based in Seattle, Washington.

Fashion & Apparel

Who Owns JanSport?

JanSport is owned by VF Corporation, a publicly traded American apparel and footwear company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker VFC. VF acquired JanSport in 1997, and the brand continues to operate from its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, while maintaining its focus on backpacks and outdoor gear.

Parent Company

VF Corporation

Acquired

1997

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington, USA

JanSport Timeline

1899

VF Corporation

Parent company established in Denver, Colorado, USA

Company Founded

1967

JanSport

Founded by Jan Shultis, Murray Pletz

Founded

1997

Acquired by VF Corporation

VF Corporation acquired JanSport

Acquired

mid rangemass marketGlobalOfficial Website

Who Owns JanSport?

Parent Company: VF Corporation
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Acquisition Year: 1997
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NYSE: VFC

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
JanSport	VF Corporation	Wholly owned

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JanSport on Amazon

History of JanSport

Founded: 1967
Founders: Jan Shultis, Murray Pletz
Acquired by VF Corporation: 1997

JanSport was founded in 1967 by Murray Pletz and Jan Lewis in Seattle, Washington, as a manufacturer of high-quality backpacks and outdoor gear. The company was named after Jan (Janis) Lewis, with "Jan" combined with "Sport" to form the brand name. The founders were later joined by Skip Yowell, who became a key figure in the company's growth.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, JanSport established itself as a premier brand for backpacks and outdoor gear. The brand became known for its durable construction and innovative designs, including the development of external frame backpacks that were lighter and more comfortable than previous designs. JanSport became popular among hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers for its reliable products.

The 1990s saw JanSport expand into school backpacks and casual day packs, which became its largest market segment. The brand's SuperBreak model, introduced in this period, became one of the best-selling backpacks in history. The brand became a staple for students and travelers worldwide, with its backpacks becoming ubiquitous on college campuses.

In 1997, VF Corporation acquired JanSport, bringing the brand under corporate ownership. Under VF's ownership, JanSport continued to innovate in pack design and expanded its global presence. The brand maintained its focus on durability and functionality while benefiting from VF's supply chain and distribution resources.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, JanSport maintained its position as a leading backpack brand while expanding into lifestyle and casual gear categories. The brand has served diverse consumer segments from students to professionals to outdoor enthusiasts. In recent years, JanSport has focused on sustainability initiatives, achieving 80% recycled main body fabric across its styles by 2022 and launching the "BACK'D BY JANSPORT" repair program to extend product life.

About VF Corporation

What brands does VF Corporation own?
VF Corporation owns seven major brands: The North Face (outdoor apparel and equipment), Vans (skateboarding and lifestyle footwear), Timberland (outdoor footwear and apparel), Dickies (workwear), JanSport (backpacks), Smartwool (merino wool apparel), and Altra (running shoes). VF sold Supreme to EssilorLuxottica in 2024. Wrangler and Lee were separated into Kontoor Brands in 2019.

Is VF Corporation publicly traded?
Yes. VF Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VFC. The company is a component of the S&P 500. No parent company or controlling shareholder exists. Ownership is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, index funds, and individual shareholders.

What is VF Corporation's revenue?
For fiscal year 2025, VF reported revenue of approximately $9.5 billion and operating profit of $303.8 million, a return to profitability after an operating loss of $143.9 million in FY2024. The North Face generated $3.7 billion in revenue, Vans approximately $2.8 billion, and Timberland approximately $1.7 billion.

Who is VF Corporation's CEO?
Bracken Darrell serves as President and CEO, having been appointed in July 2023. He previously served as CEO of Logitech International. Darrell was brought in to lead a turnaround of VF Corporation, focusing on stabilizing Vans, accelerating The North Face, optimizing the brand portfolio, and reducing costs.

What happened to Supreme?
VF acquired Supreme in December 2020 for approximately $2.1 billion, intending to expand its portfolio into streetwear. The acquisition underperformed expectations, and in July 2024, VF sold Supreme to EssilorLuxottica for $1.5 billion, resulting in a $600 million loss on the investment.

What happened to Wrangler and Lee?
In 2019, VF separated its Jeanswear division, consisting of Wrangler and Lee, into a new publicly traded company called Kontoor Brands (NYSE: KTB). The separation was completed through a tax-free spin-off to VF shareholders. Wrangler and Lee are no longer part of VF's portfolio, though they may appear in historical references.

Why did VF move to Denver?
VF moved its corporate headquarters from Greensboro, North Carolina, to Denver, Colorado, in 2016. The move was part of a strategy to align VF's corporate culture with its outdoor and active brand portfolio. Denver's outdoor lifestyle culture was seen as a better fit for a company whose primary brands were in the outdoor and active categories. VF retained significant operations in Greensboro.

How is VF's turnaround going?
VF returned to operating profitability in FY2025 with operating profit of $303.8 million, despite revenue declining from $10.5 billion to $9.5 billion. The North Face maintained growth, and Vans showed early signs of stabilization in late FY2025. The company has guided to 2 to 3 percent revenue growth in FY2026. However, Vans remains under pressure, and the turnaround is ongoing.

Founded: 1899
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NYSE: VFC
Revenue: approximately $9.5 billion (FY2025)
Employees: Approximately 35,000

Visit VF Corporation website

View full company profile for VF Corporation

Where Is JanSport Made / Based?

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Vietnam, China

JanSport Categories & Tags

Backpacks Outdoor Gear School Bags Travel Packs Durable Bags

JanSport Sustainability & Ethics

JanSport has implemented significant sustainability initiatives under VF Corporation's environmental framework:

Recycled Materials: JanSport has achieved 80% of its styles made with 100% recycled main body fabric. The company has diverted 236 million plastic bottles from landfills by switching main body fabric and lining to recycled materials. The brand introduced partially recycled materials in 2019, launched the Recycled SuperBreak in 2020 (each pack containing 20 recycled water bottles), and introduced the Undyed collection in 2021.

Repair Program: Through the "BACK'D BY JANSPORT" program, JanSport offers repair services to extend product life, promoting circular economy principles and reducing waste.

Packaging: JanSport uses 100% FSC-certified packaging for its products.

VF Corporation Alignment: JanSport's sustainability initiatives align with VF Corporation's science-based targets for emissions reduction and sustainable materials sourcing across all brands in the VF portfolio.

Awards & Recognition

JanSport does not have widely documented awards from major design or industry organizations. The brand's recognition comes primarily from its market position as one of the best-selling backpack brands globally, with the SuperBreak model being among the most purchased backpacks in history.

JanSport's sustainability achievements, including 80% recycled fabric usage and 236 million plastic bottles diverted from landfills, have been noted by environmental organizations and sustainability rating platforms.

JanSport Recalls & Controversies

University Contract Terminations: JanSport faced multiple university contract terminations due to concerns about labor practices and worker safety in VF Corporation's manufacturing facilities. Cornell University became the 15th US college to drop its contract with JanSport after VF refused to guarantee improved worker safety in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the Accord on Worker Safety created after the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse that killed over 1,100 people.

NYU Contract Cancellation: New York University's Student Labor Action Movement successfully campaigned to cancel JanSport contracts after months of protests highlighting labor rights concerns in VF's supply chain.

Bangladesh Worker Safety: VF Corporation's reluctance to fully commit to the Accord on Worker Safety for Bangladesh garment factories led to institutional contract cancellations and public criticism. The Accord was a legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions to improve factory safety in Bangladesh.

Labor Wage Concerns: Questions have been raised about labor wages in JanSport's manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Cambodia, where monthly garment worker salaries are significantly lower than in China.

No major product safety recalls have been associated with JanSport backpacks.

JanSport Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Access to VF Corporation's global distribution network, supply chain expertise, and financial resources
+Strong brand recognition as one of the most recognized backpack brands globally
+Authentic outdoor heritage dating to 1967
+Established sustainability initiatives including recycled materials and repair programs
+Diversified product portfolio across school, travel, and outdoor categories

Considerations

-VF Corporation's recent financial challenges may affect investment in the brand
-Competition from premium outdoor brands (Osprey, Arc'teryx) and fashion brands (Herschel, Fjallraven)
-Labor practices controversies have led to university contract cancellations
-Dependence on VF's strategic direction and portfolio decisions
-Manufacturing concentrated in Vietnam and China, creating supply chain vulnerability

Frequently Asked Questions About JanSport

Sources & Further Reading

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Who Owns JanSport?

Parent Company

VF Corporation

Acquired

1997

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington, USA