What Real People Actually Recommend to Other Real People: Patagonia

Some recommendations are timeless. And that happens when a brand’s mission is also timeless, and the company executes on it continuously and expertly. So, take heed of the timeless ones; they have countless lessons to teach about what it means to be a brand that people talk about again and again, and more importantly, what it means to be a company with values, integrity, and reasons for existing beyond profits.

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From our very own, Ben Rudolph:

Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

For me, Patagonia’s mission statement says it all and makes them an easy brand for me to recommend. First and foremost, their ultimate goal is to build the best products that they can. In doing so, they always use the highest quality materials and don’t cut corners in the manufacturing process. Better yet, all their products come with a lifetime warranty; rip, tear, or wear, Patagonia will always replace or fix their clothing or equipment.

Beyond their commitment to product quality, Patagonia is dedicated to reducing their negative impact on the humanitarian side of the business. In an industry rampant with poor working conditions and underpaid foreign labor, Patagonia has made a commitment to treating their employees and vendors fairly. When you purchase a product from Patagonia, you always know that your purchase is supporting the hardworking humans whose labor went into building that product; everyone wins, not just you and the big dogs at the top.

Finally, Patagonia is committed to using its business practices to help solve our environmental crisis. Since 1985, Patagonia has donated 1% of sales to environmental organizations. In total, Patagonia has donated over $74 million to product our wild environment. Furthermore, Patagonia is committed to using environmentally friendly materials in all their products. For example, this year, Patagonia shifted away from the industry standard of using neoprene to make wetsuits and adopted a proprietary plant-based material for all their wetsuit products.

Because of their commitment to products, humanity, and the environment, I cannot recommend Patagonia products enough. With Patagonia, you are guaranteed the best clothing and equipment with the peace of mind that, through your purchase, you are supporting people and environment.

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Photo credit: Patagonia