Patagonia

After years of being disappointed with European climbing spikes, mountain climber Yvon Chouinard founded Chouinard Equipment in 1957. At just 19 years old, Chouinard learned how to create a superior climbing spike than what was available at the time and by 1970, Chouinard Equipment was the largest supplier of climbing equipment in the United States. After dominating the equipment market, Chouinard became interested in the apparel his fellow climbers wore. After providing a small selection of clothing in breathable materials, the demand grew to the point where starting a clothing brand was the logical next step. In 1973, Chouinard started Patagonia, an apparel brand for climbers, by climbers. In 1977, Patagonia had a hit with the release of its Pile Fleece Jacket. While the jacket didn’t completely solve the problem of being a warm layer that absorbs moisture, it was still very popular and held fans over until the development of its next creation. In 1985, Patagonia introduced the Synchilla Snap T-Neck Pullover which resolved the problems the Pile Fleece Jacket had and it remains among the brand’s best selling products today. In recent years, Patagonia Baggies shorts have become extremely popular due to the shorts’ lightweight construction, water repellent exterior and deep pockets. While many debate whether the 5 inch or 7 inch inseam version of the shorts are better, the quality of Patagonia remains unquestioned.

Why is Patagonia so expensive?
Patagonia is committed to creating products in an ethical, environmentally friendly manner and because of this, Patagonia products tend to cost more than its competitors.

Why is Patagonia so popular?
Patagonia is popular for a variety of reasons, including fashion's recent outdoors obsession and the brand's commitment to making high quality items at a reasonable price point.

Is Patagonia made in China?
Patagonia has multiple factories around the world, some of which are in China.