Are you looking for a good outdoor clothing or gear brand but can’t find one? Worry not because you are not alone, and we have something that may interest you. Outdoor clothing is quite common, especially among people who love adventure. However, it can be difficult to find one to trust unless you settle for high-end brands. What should you do in such a case? Find out as much as possible about the different options before you before deciding.
We intend to make your life easier by covering one of these brands, Patagonia. We will help you make a good purchase decision by answering whether it is a brand worth your time or money. However, let’s first find out more about it.
What Is Patagonia?
A look at Patagonia’s official website reveals that it is an outdoor clothing and gear designer for adventure enthusiasts and people who engage in sports such as snowboarding, skiing, surfing, climbing, trail running, and fly fishing. It was founded roughly 5 decades ago, in 1973, and is currently headquartered in Ventura, California. It has stores in more than 10 countries worldwide and manufactures its product in 16 countries globally.
Patagonia started as a rock-climbing gear designer, reflecting its founder’s business- the Chouinard Equipment Banner, famous for producing strengthened spikes for rock climbers. Chouinard decided to rebrand his business, which saw Patagonia producing outdoor clothing aimed at offering functionality and comfort to those who wore them. It’s worth mentioning that the company was one of the first to use new fabrics and materials in response to environmental concerns and ethical business-doing.
Patagonia’s mission, which we will find whether it lives up to, is ‘We are in business to save our home planet.’ From its official website, the company is interested in building durable products that can easily be repaired and recycled. A good look at their website will provide you with all the necessary information.
Patagonia’s Products
To make a perfect assessment and review of Patagonia, we must look at its different products. They include:
- Shorts, for example, Patagonia’s Barely Baggy Shorts
- Jackets such as the Nano Puff Jacket and Down Sweater Jacket
- T-shirts and vests
- Long-sleeved shirts, which come in unique designs
- Boardshorts
- Wading boots and waders
- Workwear
- Base layers
- Pants and snow jackets
- Fleeces
- Hats
- Sweaters and hoodies
- Jeans and sweatpants
It’s pretty evident that Patagonia offers an array of products, which is one of the first positive things about it that we discovered. Some of the most acclaimed Patagonia products include:
1. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
Outdoor enthusiasts use this lightweight and warm jacket in cold weather and rainy conditions. It is also pretty stylish, which is a huge advantage.
2. Patagonia Down Sweater
Patagonia down sweater is another great option for an outdoor enthusiast. It is not only warm and stylish but also comfortable. Most people love this product, as seen from the number of sales registered on different platforms.
3. Patagonia Baggies
The baggies are Patagonia’s bestselling shorts. They are practical, comfortable, and color-rich, which every outdoor lover likes. You can choose between two options, the 5 and 7-inch inseam shorts. Women’s baggies are quite different given that they come in 3- and 2.5-inches.
4. Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket
The Patagonia Mirco Puff Jacket is the smaller version of the Nano Puff. It is the best option if you are looking for a product with the best warmth-to-weight ratio. It also has excellent insulation, thanks to the PlumaFil insulation it uses.
Is Patagonia A Good Brand?
In determining whether Patagonia is worth your time or money, we will look at what it offers based on different factors and specifications. Here is what we have discovered from the reviews and customer feedback we have obtained.
1. Sustainability
Apparel companies are adopting sustainable initiatives to echo the increasing calls for environmental conservation and saving the planet. From what we have seen, Patagonia keeps its word on the sustainability promise in its mission statement. Through the 1% for the planet initiative, this brand donates 1% of all its sales to environmental preservation and restoration campaigns. As it stands, the company has donated over $100 million towards the initiatives mentioned above.
Patagonia also has a buyback program that allows its customers to sell their used Patagonia gear in exchange for a Worn Wear credit. This empowers you to purchase other used Patagonia clothing at lower prices. Note that buying second-hand clothing saves the environment by reducing the chances of poor disposal.
Lastly, 80%+ of the products this brand produces can be recycled easily.
2. Quality
From the reviews and feedback we came across, Patagonia has created a name for itself because of its range of high-quality products. This brand produces shoes that withstand heavy usage and jackets made from high-quality wool, giving them their ‘puffy’ nature.
Note that quality directly impacts durability; therefore, we can accurately say that Patagonia produces durable products which can be worn for a long duration or even handed down.
3. Supported Programs
Aside from the supported environmental conservation programs, this brand also has the worn wear program, which aims to improve the life cycle of its offerings, hence promoting sustainability. Through this program, Patagonia takes back all its old products and repairs or restores them before selling them back. There is also a recycling option for products that can’t be restored.
Note that this program aims to prolong the life cycle of Patagonia’s products and reduce the need for new products.
4. Corporate Structure
A Business’s corporate structure can also tell whether it is a good option. From Patagonia’s mission statement and the different available reviews, it is evident that Patagonia’s main interest is making the world a better place. With its success over the years, the owners have the option to list it publicly but prefer that it remains a private entity, owned 100% under Holdfast Collective and Patagonia Trust.
A percentage of the profit received yearly funds environmental and protection programs instead of ending in the pockets of greedy and shrewd major shareholders.
5. Materials Used
Looking at the materials this brand uses to manufacture its products can tell us whether it is a good brand. Luckily Patagonia mostly uses recycled materials, which account for 87% of the materials that go into its products. In case you are wondering what they are, they include wool, polyester, nylon, and cotton, among many others.
This brand managed to manufacture polyester from plastic bottles in 1993, showing a great commitment to environmental sustainability. Most of the cotton, wool, and spandex the company uses are also obtained from interesting sources. It is also worth noting that the materials used are obtained from fair-trade merchants, i.e., Patagonia pays relatively higher to ensure that the merchants are able to improve their worker’s working conditions and wages.
When it comes to packaging, this brand uses recyclable packaging materials such as polybags which are then recycled into plastic lumber.
Conclusion
So, Is Patagonia a good brand? Definitely. From what we have discovered following our discussion, Patagonia is a highly acclaimed outdoor brand thanks to its highly functional and quality products, genuine environmental credentials, and extensive focus on sustainability, as reflected by the materials used in its products. Getting the Nano Puff Jacket or the Baggies you have been eyeing may therefore be an excellent decision.
FAQS
1. Where Can I Get Patagonia’s Products?
If you want to purchase Patagonia’s gear, use their website Patagonia.com, their main retail platform. Try any of their self-owned and operated Patagonia stores worldwide for physical sourcing. You can also get this designer’s gear on platforms such as REI, Amazon, and other major marketplaces.
2. Does Patagonia Make Its Products In The USA?
Even though Patagonia’s main office is in the U.S., most of its offerings are made outside the continent. The company even clarifies on its website that it can’t claim to be a ‘Made in America’s company given that half of its products are sourced outside the U.S. It attributes the decline in its American-made products to the decrease in the number of high-quality sewing shops and the decline of the U.S textile industry.
3. Why Does Patagonia Sell Its Products At Relatively Expensive Prices?
You must have noticed that Patagonia’s products aren’t cheap. It may be one of the most expensive middle-class outdoor brands in and outside the U.S. Whereas this may prevent a given market population from buying its products, it directly reflects on the quality of Patagonia’s gears. Patagonia makes long-lasting products, meaning you won’t need to replace your baggies or Nano Puff Jacket soon.
Patagonia’s products also have better design and functionality, which you need.
4. Who Are Patagonia’s Main Competitors
Patagonia has several competitors given that it is an outdoor brand. Some of these include Carhartt, which we have covered somewhere on our website, Marmot, North Face, and Black Diamond, to mention a few. It’s worth noting that Patagonia has managed to stay ahead of most of these brands owing to the quality and design of its products. This may be the cue you have been waiting for before getting a Patagonia product.
