Is Patagonia REALLY Sustainable? 

In the end, Patagonia is JUST a clothing manufacturer. You cannot expect them to revolutionize the fossil fuel or logistics industry just by themselves. What they can do (and they are doing it) is use their resources to push for reform while doing the best they can within their industry (ie sustainable cotton).

I love that they repair stuff from other brands. Before I knew more about all of these companies I bought a pretty expensive hardshell jacket from the north face. After a couple of weeks a zipper broke and I sent it to the norh face. Then I waited 8 weeks just to get my jacket back in the exact same condition as I sent it to them. The only thing I got was a note saying that zippers aren't covered by the warranty and that I could get a 10% discount on my next order. Then I heard about patagonias policy and boom, my jacket is fixed. I just wish I had bought from patagonia in the first place 😉

A video on their military ties would be an interesting one

I am part of a clean energy campaign for my local school district and Patagonia actually shared our petition on Twitter. Might not seem like a big deal but brands almost never will do that especially with something as small and grassroots as we are

The fact that they have kept themselves as private company gives them more leeway to live their values. Others brands go public or get acquired by public corporations (looking at you North Face), and then everything is about shareholders value.

If there are problems to be solved in the industry, I imagine BEING part of said industry is the first step. In this regard, I prefer that Patagonia stick around and keep showing that businesses can be profitable while at the same time trying to reduce, minimize or even reverse their impact on the environment

The transition from the Patagonia logo into a talk about fossil fuels was pretty cool 👏

"At least people will be buying from them and not a competitor without the same kind of corporate backbone" Agreed. Tho honestly, if all companies followed patagonia's example, a lot of problems would be so much less worse. Although I'd say: "just dont buy what you dont need, and buy whay you do need conciously". If patagonia is the most sustainable option out there (but not perfect), I guess you should go for that (while also pushing them to be better).

I think it just comes down to whether the presence of Patagonia is creating new induced demand for products or if are they moving people into buying their products instead of from other companies'.

A video on Patagonia’s new decision with their shares as well as military ties would be really interesting.

Well sheet, I think it's about time I get myself SOMETHING from Patagonia - I like the honesty A LOT.

Awesome video! Would like to see a similar take on Apple and their sustainability & carbon neutrality marketing

I would be very interested to hear about Patagonia's involvement with the military. This is the first I've heard of it, but it would make sense. The military wants quality outdoor clothing and gear.

Who else is sat watching this whilst wearing at least one item of Patagonia clothing?

Love your videos man! Keep killing it. The quality and inward looking element to your content is respectable at the bare minimum. I really appreciate the perspective you have on consumerism and your efforts to share and inform folks in areas we may not pay enough attention to. Side note, impressed you can still put out the same quality content while on the road! Safe travels 🙌🏻

I've been wearing Patagonia clothes for about 30 years, what's more, right now I'm wearing a Capilene shirt that's about 20 years old. I live in Patagonia, in the south of Argentina. Here I put all the Patagonia clothing I bought to the test. In my opinion, Yvon Chouinard did a very good thing with his company. Surely, there are more things to improve in Patagonia, but I think the path is the right one, so that we all have a better world.

It's definitely a valid point that at the end of the day Patagonia sells things that take away from the planet, hence they can't be "sustainable", but I also find it interesting to think about the fact that we need industry leaders and presences like theirs in all industries. In the end, I will always buy secondhand, but Patagonia is definitely better than buying from many competitors of theirs.

Super awesome to see you examine your own beliefs and biases, hopefully it spurs others to do the same Also, the tie to the military would be really cool to explore and I'd watch the video

I’d love a video about Patagonia’s history with supplying the military! I didn’t know about that

Sustainability is how they market things. Seems like they do as much as feasible while still being able to be a company.

Opposing the Keystone pipeline just means that 18-wheelers and tanker trucks will haul the petroleum instead of a safer, less-energy-intensive pipeline. Embarrassingly stupid position for Patagonia to take. Reduce petroleum? Sure. But until it can be replaced, let it be transported in the safest, most environmentally protected way. Also, companies don't have feelings. People do. Don't attribute psychological ideas to a business entity. Companies don't love, care, commit, or feel. Just greenwashing.

I have Patagonia fleece (sweater, jacket, full zip pants) that are older than Levi which I still use. Although all have had minor repairs, these well designed products are as close to sustainable as possible. (BTW: these items have been mostly hand washed to increase life and minimize creation of micro plastic waste.) I have worn out a few pieces of Patagonia tech wear, but all served far more years than I originally anticipated.

Well looks like you’ve just convinced me to buy Pategonia anytime I need a new item. Still love thrifting- but they sound like an awesome company that I wouldn’t feel guilty giving my money to 🙂

Coumd you do a video about sustainable everyday wear? As someone in the climbing community, it seems that sustainability is trendy and common in outdoor wear but is lacking behind in thing like tshirts. Also, maybe touch on how vague measurements of sustainability that brands like zalando and Asos use persuades customers into thinking that they're buying sustainable products when that's not the case.

Try doing an episode on Asket a zero compromise garments with transparency based in Stockholm, Sweden.

I used to work for a Patagonia dealer. There is a lot of plastic trash they send with there products.

Could you talk about REI? How they are a “co-op” but it doesn’t really seem to be a co-op in the true communal sense…maybe it once was?

Something I was disappointed with in terms of Patagonia: I recently ordered a hat off their website and it came in a nice recycled cardboard box. Pretty standard, but then the hat was in a plastic bag in the box - this was a bummer. Especially when other brands I've ordered from such as Prana and Cotopaxi don't ship with any plastics. I wish Patagonia would do better in that aspect.

Would love to see a video about patagonia's partnership with the military!

Please do a video Patagonia supplying the military and the morality (or lack thereof) of such a choice. I understand that it would be controversial, but I feel like not enough people talk about it. I was aware of them trying to sever their ties with Wall St. a bit ago (in a rather public way, might I add) so it's interesting (and weird) that they are okay with supplying the military.

Known as Patagucci to me.

does anyone really give a rats hiney what PETA has to say about anything tho? great vid as always~

Not sure about other countries, but in Canada, patagonia almost never run any sales at all. When Black Friday or boxing day rolls around and every business is dangling these amazing limited time deals to get you to impulse buy, all you get from Patagonia is silence. I think they really do embody the "only come buy from us when you need something" to the best of their abilities.

All these brands are making me want to join a nudist colony

I'd love to see the military link idea in a video!

In this video you cite pushback on Patagonia by organizations such as PETA and Greenpeace but I honestly don’t understand beyond a surface level why that is relevant. You should do a video on these organizations so viewers can understand more deeply what these organizations are and what weight their opinions carry.

Can you do an episode on outdoor brands that also supply the military or have gun industry connections? I love alot of the Nemo gear I've had but have soured on them since I found out they supply tents for the military. I really want to be depressed about more of the gear I use.

Patagonia: We hate ourselves :( People: Awww don't be so hard on yourself *buy*

The components in your electric cars are made from fossil fuels. Plus electric cars require 3 times more resources to make than a standard gas powered car. Just give a gas powered car a 2nd life which is even better for the environment and my wallet

Everyone’s focused on what big companies are doing, but what are we doing ourselves to make the planter better. Calling awareness to issues is perhaps what they do best, then it’s up to the consumers to better their own practices.

This video needs an update…😅

I have to play devil/trump advocate here. Consider the toxic practices that happen in other people's countries so that those lands remain untouched. He isn't the one doing all the consuming. Patagonia is in at least pointing in the right direction. Transparency is absolutely crucial

I think that Patagonia is obviously not a utopian business, as none on Earth are, but choosing them over the boatload of non-sustainable fast fashion megaliths is definitely the better choice.

No talk stink about Patagonia!

I waited & found my Patagonia jacket at Savers for $15 👌🏽 That was a win/win price for me And yes a military video

Been waiting for you guys to make this video. Great job team!!

Patagonia is the best so far in terms of major clothing brand sustainability.

nice cope for consumerism :)

Good video Patagonia is a brand that I love, I'm looking at a Patagonia jacket but a few days ago I started looking at a Jack Wolfskin brand that is German and in their jackets they don't use GORETEX. Now if you could help me between Patagonia and Jack Wolfskin for a jacket for normal rain, not something intense, which is better quality

Businesses "take from who they can". Well spoken from someone who doesn't understand basic economics. Apple and McDonald's don't take my money. I give them my money in return for something I want more than the money. please please please start using your platform for good and not spreading lies. And if you don't understand what youre saying, I support you to do that. But please don't pretend to know what you're talking about, because clearly, YOU DO NOT.

Patagonia is also a pioneer for new more eco friendly materials, chemicals, etc. So that the industry as a whole can be driven to lower carbon footprints.

First of all, stop using the name Patagonia as a brand when you don’t have any link to the actual Patagonia. And second, there’s no sustainability in ANY company that makes his owner a billionaire. And no, its not better because their “activism”, it actually make it worst. The fake sensation of doing something makes you don’t ACTUALLY do nothing. Just buy any cheap jacket and focus in learning how republicans and democrats are the exact same crap.

Thrashing fossil fuel while being a big consumer of fossil fuel. So, it's not OK to drill and process oil here in the US where we actually have more waste/pollution regulations? But it's ok to buy oil produced from else where outside of our control, then waste more oil to have it shipped here? What are the viable form of affordable energies that can replace fossil fuel at this time? Is producing batteries clean? What do we do to dead batteries? What happen to solar panels and wind turbines when they reach their end of life? Let's face it, most big corps all use 'green' as marketing scam. Is it greener and cleaner having products produced in China or other 3rd world countries? How are 3rd world countries handle product manufacturing waste/pollution? Consumers are bombarded with ads to get the latest shiny items every year. Are products designed to have swappable/upgradable parts? Mostly no.

At the end of the day, Patagonia unlike some smaller companies, but even some on par with them, uses massive quantities of polyester, doesn't matter if it's recycled or 'circular'. They're also not even close to a leader in recycled goods. Alternative brands have managed to offer completely plastic free wares, but Patagonia is unable to and are somehow seen as an example. Of what exactly? The most succesful greenwashing campaign in history?

They're actually hardcore 💪

So I grew up near the old Patagonia HQ and Flag store. And one of things about them I found odd at the time was that there was a tiny shack of an outlet about a block away with a ton of Patagonia gear for comparatively cheap-called Cheap Sports funny enough. Not K-Mart prices but Sears level and had tons of camp equipment vs what clothes you'd see today. It was an outlet for the mistakes, the bad colour batches, wrong buttons whatever and was sent there as clearance. Not shocking when you look at the company but the reaction was how the people at the main store treated the cheap sports store/customer. People actively would send us to the mistakes outlet if they knew it had what we asked for, even if they had it on the shelves too, they actively seemed to look up to them as almost a more pure thing rather than something to be looked down on. If you were tolerant of them not being "perfect" they seemed to actively like you more. It was however a horrible place to norm my ideas of a clothing brand worked, misconceptions for life.

I used to buy into Patagonia's marketing but then I noticed- why does Patagonia make so much stuff with polyester which is a forever material that won't decompose though. If they keep making forever materials that stay in landfills forever, they are just virtue signaling like the rest of the outdoor industry.

Great video. I have the book you mention. Have rad it a number of times. Yvon says that there is no such thing as complete sustainability. He says to do as little harm to the environment as possible.

Levi we already have a sustainable way to stitch to a fossil fuel planet and better humanity. We can use hemp for basically everything we use fossil fuels for and more. A great book is The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer.

Ah. The answer is simple. Just federalize the fabrics industry as a whole. Then we can change the whole supply chain and increase quality. Easy peasy

Sad irony is Patagonia sells "sustainable" goods to one of the most wasteful customer type. Educated, entitled "the world is mine for me to take all I want and dominate!" type

"forever chemicals in goretex".... Little did they know, the ePE jackets were just round the corner lol

We will always need fossil fuel fired energy sources. The renewables just are not "always on." Natural gas is also many times more clean than coal and should not be lumped into the same box.

No entity for the purpose of financial profit will ever be sustainable. It's impossible. Patagonia is a responsible company.

please oopen that can of worms PLEASE!!!! I wanna know, no, I MUST KNOW!!!

they are unfortunately the only brand in America. That you can get hemp pants. Which i love. Except low style and color selection. But long lasting.

This is a smart biz strategy... if not for their philosophy. There is not much difference between well made clothes (how could that be so different?). But with this mission behind, it will stand out and differentiate. Thanks for the nice sharing. I would buy more Patagonia from now on....

they literally have black people picking cotton in their advertisement

I am a huge worn wear fan for these reasons

Would love to see a video dissecting the tentree apparel company!

I don't think it makes sense to use the comparison of Patagonia with other brands as an argument. It should be looked at from the perspective of the planet, not "well, at least they're better than these other brands". I know a lot of people love Patagonia but it really is no different than any other large company that contributes to climate change in a significant way. B Corps are flawed because they still rely on growth and like mentioned in the video, any statement from the company talking about not buying a jacket or whatever else is just marketing that leads to even more growth. I wish people were not only more informed about things like this but also more willing to reduce their consumption because companies like Patagonia are absolutely contributing to the consequences of rampant capitalism, regardless of what they tell you.

Currently at 7:28 and I don't think you've truly dived into the topic yet. Is this whole video an intro?

My Patagonia clothes need 0 mantainance, looks brand new after 100 washes.

Could yoy please be in nebula?

Why don’t they have anything to say about the recent chemical spills across the country

patagonia is a cheerleader not a material leader unfortunately elon musk > yvon chnard

NO, no it is not. Their marketing makes people believe they are, though.

This might be a odd question but intelligent people tend to read a lot but what if someone substitutes books for documentaries documentaries sports and stand up comedy are about the only things I watch big Hollywood products I just don't get into

Definitely trying to hear about their MARS line

Hell yeah I wanna hear about military shenanigans 😂

I have to much clothes to buy Patagonias stuff but i love there efforts.

I there not my time watching this video would be a waste.🇺🇸🐻

Is it right patagonia produce uniforms for the US military?

Also show me a photo of earth that isn't CGI, good luck with that 👍

The only purchase that is good for the environment is the one that is not made

Patagonia may not be perfect but at least they are doing something about their convictions.

yes, please dive into their Military business!

I'll never buy anything from Patagonia again for life.

I have a Patagonia long underwear that is almost 20 years old. It lasts!

Did you say ‘Cancerous Goretex material’ ?

No company is sustainable. They can only be more sustainable than others. And this only helps if people buy Patagonia products instead of other brands (not if they buy Patagonia products because of an ad and if they otherwise had bought nothing at all). But that is a problem caused by consumer behaviour rather than the brand. On a free market, any brand has to offer reasons why to buy them. I.e., they have to do some advertisement to tell people the reason behind thy they charge 5 times the price you'd pay for a similar product at Walmart. Unfortunately, we live in this ultimate capitalist society where you not only buy products but you buy your identity and your public image, packaged within some brand logo on your shirt. Under these conditions, I'd argue it is not sustainable to buy Patagonia products but most alternatives are even less sustainable. So, I'd suggest you buy their products if you really need to buy something new but else, you keep wearing what you already own.

Def make a video abt patagonia and army

All apparel companies are rip-offs.....depending on debt slavery obscene profits[...]

This is what "no ethical consumption under capitalism" means. Do your best. It doesn't give you permission to work at Lockheed Martin guilt free. Patagonia's charitability is stolen wages, but at least they're not union busting.

Naturally and logically, they do have an impact in the environment. And, even so, it's so beneficial they exsit because if they didn't, all those customers would have to buy from another company...and I'm sure other companies wouldn't do so much to try to help the environment and lessen their impact.

You should join Nebula! Great content!

It's just another clothing company

But is it possible for a company of that size to not use Fossil Fuels at all?!!! Complaining that they still do is like listening to people complain that Greta sometimes has to take a plane or use tech, while complaining about them. It is impossible for any one to not consume the very things they complain about it. For me, instead, (like you say in your video) it has to end up being about how someone offset the damage and things the things they do, while actively being vocal about how they are aware on the contradiction.

How do y’all like $5.00 gas now that we’re not energy independent? Without fossil fuels, we’re going back to the dark ages😂

Aside from Gortex I'd say patagonia is a good company for the planet. I'm not sure though if that is simply because it makes people love them as a brand or because Chouinard actually means what he says.