Best Selling Patagonia Sweatshirts [Eco Friendly Gear]

WHAT TYPES OF MATERIALS DOES PATAGONIA USE IN THEIR BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS?

Some of the eco-friendly fabrics used in Patagonia sweatshirts include the following:

1 – RECYCLED POLYESTER

This fabric allows the brand to make lightweight materials that are easy to dry and have different applications. It also blends perfectly with natural fabrics, for example, organic cotton. Recycled polyester is often used in Patagonia sweatshirts.

Making virgin polyester has detrimental effects on the environment, so recycled polyester is a better and eco-friendly option. It reduces the dependence on petroleum and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.

2 – ORGANIC COTTON

Cotton is one of the best fabrics, but conventional farming methods remove its purity. To make more pure and certified organic cotton, this brand grows its organic cotton using organic farming methods that exclude the uses of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and GMO seeds.

They started using 100% organic cotton in 1996, which has allowed them to make some of the best quality clothes while still being sustainable. Organic cotton is another popular fabric that is commonly used in Patagonia sweatshirts.

3 – HEMP

Hemp is comfortable, breathable, and durable, and cultivating it has minimal effects on the environment. It requires less fertilizer plus little to no irrigation.

4 – GLOBAL TRACEABLE DOWN STANDARD

Down is clusters and feathers obtained from soft under-plumage of ducks and geese. The virgin down used by Patagonia is responsibly sourced to ensure that the birds that supply it are not live-plucked or force-fed.

All of the virgin down is traced from parent farms to the final fiber processing facilities. The down used in Patagonia sweatshirts is also NSF International-certified.

5 – FLUORINATE DWR (DURABLE WATER RESISTANCE)

Fluorinated durable water repellant finish on Patagonia sweatshirts helps keep the fabric dry. However, it contains harmful chemicals like PFCs. This brand is in the process of making PFAS-free Fluorinate DWR from 2024 in the whole product line to make it better for the environment.

6 – BLUESIGN APPROVED TEXTILES

All the textiles in Patagonia sweatshirts are created using different manufacturing processes, making it hard for them to evaluate the raw materials. BlueSign System, based in Switzerland, helps approve products safe for the workers, customers, and environment.

They work at every manufacturing process to approve processes, chemicals, products, and materials in the textile supply chain.

7 – FAIR TRADE SEWN FABRICS

While Patagonia does not own any of the factories making their products, fair trade has enabled them to offer tangible benefits to the workers that create their products. Patagonia sweatshirts are Fair Trade sewn. Patagonia pays a premium for all fair trade sewn clothing items, and this money gets distributed as bonus payments to Fair Trade worker organizations..

The brand has been making clothing since 2014 after partnering with Fair Trade USA. Today, they have more fair trade clothing items than any clothing brand. All the extra money they pay for fair trade clothing goes directly to the people who make the clothes.

About Patagonia Company history

Founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia is an American fast fashion brand that makes and sells outdoor clothing. The brand has factories in 16 countries and stores in over ten countries globally.

The company’s founder was an accomplished rock climber who started selling handmade mountain climbing gear via Chouinard Equipment in 1957. In 1965, he partnered with Tom Frost to address the increasing demand and improve his products.

In 1970, he got Scotland rugby t-shirts that made mountain climbing more comfortable because their collar prevented the climbing sling from bruising his neck.

Yvon opened his first store in 1973 in Ventura called Great Pacific Iron Works. In 1981, he incorporated Chouinard Equipment and Patagonia within the store, and in 1984, he changed the name of the store to Lost Arrow Corporation.

Besides mountain climbing gear, the brand has included apparel for other sports like surfing. They also offer backpacks, athletic equipment, camping food, and sleeping bags.

The brand is changing fast fashion by offering ethical fashion using eco-friendly and sustainable materials. According to research, the fashion industry contributes to around 10% of the pollution that has affected the climate, which is why vegan fashion is quickly becoming a thing.

That is through the fabrics they use that are non-recyclable and non-biodegradable, plus harmful chemicals in their manufacturing process.

Patagonia, however, uses eco-friendly recycled or organic fabric like certified organic cotton, recycled fish nets, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled spandex, polyester, wool, recycled wool, and recycled down.

Patagonia has also created programs to minimize harm and make a positive benefit for apparel workers like fair trade clothing.

The brand also has an ironclad guarantee and return policy that allows customers to return clothes that do not match their expectations. The brand either repairs, refunds, or replaces the returned items. However, if the damage is from wear and tear, the customer must pay a fee.

Patagonia prides itself on making high-quality products, which are designed to last for years. Furthering their commitment to sustainability, Patagonia offers a trade-in for credit programs. You can bring your old Patagonia gear and exchange them for store credit that you can apply to new clothes and gear.

Patagonia also offers customers a robust warranty policy. Items can be brought to the store it was purchased or to Patagonia for repair at any point. If the repair is a defect it will be done free of charge. If the product is damaged because of normal wear and tear, Patagonia will fix it at a nominal charge.

The brand, since 1985, has dedicated 1% of its sales to the restoration and preservation of the natural environment.

Is Patagonia a sustainable company?

Patagonia is a leader in sustainability and started using plastic water bottles to make recycled polyester in 1993. They were the first the outdoor clothing company to convert rubbish into clothing fabric. In 2021, 87% of their fabrics were created from recycled materials.

A large majority of their sustainable clothing are sewn in Fair Trade Certified™ factories, empowering workers all over the world to safe, regulated workplaces and be paid a living wage. This serves to benefit people all along the supply chain who help us build quality products.

Is Patagonia a Fair Trade Company?

Patagonia supports a wide array of social, environmental and animal welfare projects. They are also completely transparent about their entire supply chain and disclose a complete list of their factory locations around the world. Many large clothing manufacturers do not disclose this type of information, thus Patagonia is a notable leader in fair trade transparency.