Red Oxx Manufacturing

Red Oxx Manufacturing started in 1986 when Jim Markel Sr., a retired Green Beret Captain, opened a shop in Billings, Montana. He was later joined by his son Jim Markel Jr. and Perry Jones — both retired military parachute riggers. The company originally produced fitness equipment before pivoting to bags and luggage. Today Jim Jr. runs the operation as CEO, and every bag still comes off the sewing floor in downtown Billings.

The parachute rigging background matters. When your previous job required stitching together equipment that people's lives depend on, your tolerance for sloppy construction is zero. Red Oxx bags are built with that mindset. Heavy-duty zippers, reinforced stress points, double-stitched seams, and materials selected for durability rather than cost optimization. The No Bull Warranty backs it up — unconditional, lifetime, no receipt required. If it breaks, they fix or replace it.

The product line centers on travel. Duffel bags, carry-on bags, rolling luggage, messenger bags, backpacks, and accessories like packing cubes and toiletry kits. These aren't fashion bags. They're built for people who fly frequently, pack hard, and expect their gear to outlast the trip. The Air Boss — their flagship carry-on duffel — has become something of a cult object among road warriors and travel writers. It fits in overhead bins, opens flat for easy packing, and gets better-looking as it ages and wears.

Manufacturing happens entirely in-house at their Billings facility. Red Oxx doesn't offshore production to cut costs. That decision keeps prices higher — duffels run $150 to $400, larger bags over $500 — but it also means quality control stays in the hands of the people who designed the product. The retail store and factory share the same building on North 13th Street. You can buy a bag, then walk into the back and watch the next one being sewn.

Veteran-owned, Montana-made, lifetime-guaranteed. In an industry dominated by disposable bags manufactured overseas, Red Oxx is a stubborn holdout doing things the expensive way because the expensive way is the right way.

Products

• Travel duffel bags (Air Boss, Sky Train, PR series)
• Rolling luggage and carry-on bags
• Backpacks and daypacks
• Messenger bags and briefcases
• Packing cubes, toiletry kits, and travel accessories
• Custom and limited-edition builds

Why We List Them

• Veteran-owned and operated since 1986 — Jim Markel Jr. (CEO) and Perry Jones
• Every bag manufactured in-house at their Billings, Montana factory
• Unconditional lifetime No Bull Warranty — no receipt required
• Parachute rigger heritage in every stitch
• No offshore manufacturing, no cost-cutting on materials