Patagonia apparel and equipment

Patagonia is a globally recognized American outdoor brand synonymous with environmental activism and high-performance gear. Founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard in Ventura, California, the company initially grew from Chouinard Equipment, a specialist shop for mountain climbing gear. Over the decades, it expanded into a wide array of outdoor apparel, activewear, and even a dedicated food division called Patagonia Provisions.

In a historic 2022 move, the Chouinard family transferred their entire ownership of the company to two unique entities to ensure its environmental mission remains permanent. The Patagonia Purpose Trust holds all voting stock to protect the brand's values, while the Holdfast Collective, a non-profit, owns all non-voting stock. This structure ensures that any profit not reinvested into the business is distributed as a dividend to fight climate change and protect nature, essentially making 'Earth' its only shareholder.

While headquartered and designed in the United States, Patagonia utilizes a global supply chain to leverage specialized technical expertise. Its manufacturing spans over 16 countries, with the majority of production occurring in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and China. Smaller percentages of goods are also produced in the USA, Mexico, Thailand, and several other locations, with the company maintaining high transparency regarding its factory partnerships through its Footprint Chronicles initiative.