Duckworth was founded in Dillon, Montana by the Helle family, fourth-generation sheep ranchers, after John Helle met outdoor-industry veteran Robert "Bernie" Bernthal, who recognized the exceptional quality of the family's Rambouillet Merino wool. Tired of selling that wool into the commodity supply chain for standard pricing, the Helles decided to build their own clothing brand around it instead. Duckworth's wool is still raised on the family's 25,000-acre Montana ranch, and its clothing is made entirely in the USA, from sheep to shelf.