What if we told you that the clothes you wear could be contributing to environmental degradation?
No, we aren’t kidding because most outdoor equipment and clothing have carbon footprints that negatively impact the natural world. So, what’s the solution?
As one of the most popular outdoor brands, Patagonia, has taken significant strides to correct the wrongs and develop eco-friendly production methods. However, you might still be wondering – “is Patagonia a good brand?”.
Hence, we’ve dedicated today’s guide to discussing everything there is to know.
What Is Patagonia Brand Known For?
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, all the way back to 1953 when Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard was beginning to express an interest in rock climbing. Little did he know that one day he would own a multi-million dollar company, dealing exclusively in outdoor clothing.
As the passion and love for rock climbing blossomed, Yvon and his friends started scaling the rock faces in Yosemite. However, the lack of professional gear meant he taught himself how to blacksmith and built equipment suitable for mountaineering.
Slowly word spread about the quality of the tools, and people began flocking to buy them. From the back of the car to his first company, “Chouinard Tools,” it was a long journey.
In fact, in 1970, it became the leading supplier of climbing equipment in the US. However, most of its tools were having a severe environmental impact, thereby changing the landscape.
To prevent this, the company produced environment-friendly aluminum chocks and a user catalog in 1972 to help customers use its latest innovation. Since then, Patagonia has earned a name for focusing on environmental conservation while expanding its product line to include reliable outdoor clothing.
Speaking of reliability, they are renowned for their fleece, and it was the first brand to educate people about the need for layering, ensuring that consumers enjoy optimum comfort in all weather conditions.
Is Patagonia A Luxury Outdoor Brand?
It’s safe to say that Patagonia is a luxury outdoor brand, thanks to its high-end products that include climbing, surfing, snowboarding, and trail running gear. Most of its products are priced higher than other brands, but it has a tremendous following even then.
Despite the high prices, you can’t doubt the quality of its simple, stylish, and suitable equipment for withstanding different weather conditions. Unsurprisingly, the brand has over 30 stores in the US with annual revenue of over $800 million.
Why Patagonia Brand Is A Good Company?
A Brand Meant To Last
There are several reasons why Patagonia may be the go-to option for people, but foremost among them is the quality of its equipment. Be it rock climbing tools or layered clothing; it guarantees consumers excellent value for money.
Moreover, due to its focus on sustainability, the brand ensures that all its products meet the durability criteria. You can use them for a long time, in all weather conditions and terrains for a reliable experience.
In turn, it leads to lower energy consumption, less wastage of natural resources like water, and less trash. Not to mention, all clothing wear and outdoor equipment are stylish so that people can enjoy their reliability while turning heads.
For me, I’d always recommend their down jackets that indeed are “Buy It for Life.” My Patagonia Nano Puff is on its 7th winter, and it looks good/works like a charm.
Great customer Care
Now, there are instances when customers might be unsatisfied with the performance of the products.
For example, if the fleece pullover starts showing wear and tear, what should you do? Luckily, despite all its glory and prestige, the brand has developed an excellent return policy to meet customers’ demands.
As per the company guidelines, consumers can visit a Patagonia store, use the shipping label, or fill the return form to avail of the refund. Also, it’s possible to return gifts through online transactions, thereby ensuring that the process is smooth.
Patagonia’s commitment to customer satisfaction is unmatched. I can vouch for this, as every single time I had an issue with a garment, they took it back without any questions – and that makes me feel like Patagonia really cares about my happiness in their products.
Environmental Impact
The defining image of Patagonia is its effort to protect the natural world and prevent environmental degradation. As a result, the brand makes available all the information, allowing consumers to view its eco-friendly methods.
All you need to do is visit the website to find all the data regarding the carbon footprint of every item. Moreover, 1% of the revenue goes directly towards restoration, preservation, and finding sustainable ways to reduce the impact on the natural habitat.
But especially pleasing was its “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign when Patagonia asked customers to invest in used clothing. The advertisement highlighted the cons of buying a new jacket as opposed to spending money on recycled clothing without compromising on quality.
Is Patagonia Clothing Worth The Money?
All things considered, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Patagonia is worth the money. If you visit the website, you’ll find that the company mentions that it is “In Business To Save The Planet.”
This is why it’s popular – the brand clearly defines its policies.
Now, we understand that the higher prices are a cause for concern, but there’s a reason. Instead of focusing on profits, it chooses to recycle, reuse, and ethically sourced raw materials – all of which costs more money than producing new products.
As a result, people who share the brand’s vision may choose to purchase from it irrespective of the prices. Not to mention, it values quality standards, delivering long-lasting and comfortable clothing to stand out on the market.
I’ve spent a ton of money on their gear, and it’s totally worth it. They have great customer service and ethics as a corporation have been why I keep returning to buy from them again.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’ve all the information about Patagonia to make an informed decision.
But more importantly, it’s about time we realized that environmental conservation is the need of the hour. Humans as inhabitants of this planet share the natural treasures with all living creatures, and it’s due to unsustainable practices that the ecosystem is in turmoil.
Patagonia’s products may be costly, but it’s a small price to pay if they contribute towards saving the planet. Additionally, all its equipment is robust and promises an excellent return on investment in the long run.
So, consumers who make the purchase can be proud that they played a small part in environmental preservation.
