Is it...Bake-line? Or Bach-line?
It’s Bakline—like “Back” without the “c.” (Don’t worry, you’re not the first to ask.)
Bakline started back in 2008 when brothers Rob Schnabel (working at an ad agency) and Matt Vosburgh (still an undergrad) played rugby together for the New York Rugby Club—a sport rooted in hard work, sportsmanship, strength, focus, and community.
At the time, there weren't many rugby apparel brands, so Rob and Matt decided to create one. In rugby, you have "Forwards" (the bigger players who drive the scrum) and "Backs" (the fast ones you see weaving through defenses). When the Backs attack, they form a line—bringing teamwork, strength, and precision into motion. That’s the spirit we wanted to capture: bold graphic tees that celebrated the heart of the game and what it takes to succeed.
For a lot of reasons (some practical, some stubborn), our venture into rugby didn’t take hold. But it’s still a part of who we are—what we learned, who we met, and how we grew.
In 2018, we pivoted Bakline to running. Matt had been running his entire life—cross country, indoor, outdoor, whatever the season—and the rhythm of running had always been his throughline. It made sense to fuse that passion into our next chapter.
Today, Bakline is a Brooklyn-based sportswear and lifestyle brand that blends art, sport, and street culture. We've built high-performance gear that holds up to the miles, alongside graphic apparel that tells our story—and yours.
Through all the shifts, one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to supporting athletes at every stage, growing with our community, and building a brand that stays true to the work, the craft, and the miles ahead.