Patagonia is an outdoor clothing and gear company founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard in Ventura, California. The company is widely regarded as one of the most environmentally responsible corporations in the world, having pioneered sustainable business practices and environmental activism in the outdoor industry. In 2022, founder Yvon Chouinard transferred ownership of the company to a trust and nonprofit dedicated to fighting climate change, ensuring that all profits not reinvested in the business go to environmental causes.
Patagonia designs and sells technical outdoor clothing and gear for climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, trail running, and mountain biking, along with casual lifestyle apparel. The company is known for its durable, high-quality products built to last, including iconic items like the Better Sweater fleece, Nano Puff jacket, Black Hole bags, and Torrentshell rain jacket. Patagonia uses recycled, organic, and fair-trade certified materials throughout its product line.
The company's Worn Wear program promotes circularity by offering repairs, trade-ins, and sales of used Patagonia gear. Patagonia donates 1% of sales to environmental organizations through its 1% for the Planet commitment and has given over $140 million to grassroots environmental groups. The brand's transparent supply chain, fair labor practices, and vocal environmental advocacy have made it a model for purpose-driven business.