My favorite piece of running gear is a pair of Patagonia slate gray men’s running shorts, bought on sale for five dollars seven years ago. Since then, the shorts have been through countless runs and hikes, as well as three long distance assaults known as the marathon. I like these shorts above my others because they fit well, are a nice color, and are waterproof. But most of all, I like them because they’ve lasted.
Making long lasting clothing is great for the consumer, but Patagonia isn’t just a company producing well-made gear. In a world where the bottom line often outstrips environmental concerns and worker’s welfare, Patagonia stands out as a model of corporate responsibility. Their mission statement, to “build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis,” is more than just feel good lip service. Unlike the current wave of businesses greening themselves to appear more enviro-friendly, Patagonia puts their ethos to action and refuses to sacrifice ideals in the name of big profits.
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, characterizes himself as a “reluctant businessman”; a nature-lover who found himself at the helm of a popular and burgeoning business without really intending to.
Much like the beginning days of mountain biking, when an absence of quality off-road bikes inspired riders to make their own, Chouinard began making climbing gear when, in the ’50s and ’60s, he couldn’t find the gear he needed. He began welding his own tools, using them to scale Yosemite’s granite faces.
His well-made tools became popular with others climbers and he eventually founded Chouinard Equipment, located in Ventura, California. Gear was soon followed by clothing. At a time when most outdoor enthusiasts were wearing wool, cotton, and anything they could get their hands on, Chouinard and his wife began experimenting with new fibers and synthetics that would stand up to the elements. Born were the outrageously popular fleece pullovers and a new company, Patagonia.
Chouinard’s love of the outdoors has inspired new gear but has also made him a steward of the outdoors. Patagonia co-founded The Conservation Alliance in 1989, to encourage outdoor companies to support environmental organizations. Patagonia has a grants program that has given more than $27 million to more than 1,000 organizations since its inception. Perhaps most notably, Chouinard founded 1% for the Planet, a group of businesses that donate 1 percent (at least) of their annual net revenue to global environmental organizations.
