Patagonia’s motto is to “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers. Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothes for climbing – as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, paddling and trail running.
Their values reflect those of a business started by a band of climbers and surfers, and the minimalist style they promoted. The approach that Patagonia take towards product design demonstrates a bias for simplicity and utility. For Patagonia, a love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them, and to help reverse the steep decline in the overall environmental health of our planet. Patagonia donates their time, services and at least 1% of their sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world who work to help reverse the tide.
They are aware that their business activity – from lighting stores to dyeing shirts – creates pollution as a by-product. So they work steadily to reduce those harms. Patagonia uses recycled polyester in many of their clothes and only organic, rather than pesticide-intensive, cotton.
Staying true to their core values during thirty-plus years in business has helped them create a company they’re proud to run and work for. And their focus on making the best products possible has brought them success in the marketplace.
Patagonia is strongly committed to sustainable practices and in 2005 they launched their Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, through which customers could return 
their worn out Capilene® Performance Baselayers to them for recycling. They have since been able to expand the list of recyclable garments to include worn out Patagonia® fleece, Polartec® fleece clothing (from any maker), Patagonia cotton T-shirts, and now some additional polyester and nylon 6 products that come with a Common Threads tag.
“Through Common Threads we can transform your unusable garments into new clothing, which gets us closer to a long-standing company goal of taking full responsibility for every product we make.”
Patagonia offers a full range of clothing and gear for men, women and children.
With the temperatures dropping and peak travel season rapidly approaching, we went on search for lightweight apparel for women that accentuates and flatters the female body, is stylish and ideal for travel whether you are headed out on an adventure vacation or braving the cold in the urban jungle this holiday season. Patagonia offers many versatile travel pieces that meet all of these requirements. Layering is key so that you can add or remove layers as needed. We received the Women’s R1 Flash Pullover and the Down with it Parka and with the cold weather that has swept the West Coast in the past few days, we had the perfect opportunity to test out these items.
Women’s R1 Flash Pullover 
Patagonia’s Women’s R1 Flash Pullover: A technical pullover designed as a base-layer or light mid-layer for a variety of alpine pursuits. If it did, the R1 Flash Pullover might be the only top you’d ever need. Its high/low grid interior stretches, breathes, moves moisture, and insulates whether worn next-to-skin, with a thin baselayer or as an insulating midlayer when November rolls around. Low-grid polyester stretch panels under the arms and at the wrists and hem decrease bulk and increase breathability. With an external mesh-lined chest pocket. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program.
The eco-friendly Women’s R1 Flash Pullover is a clear winner with its flattering design which hugs your body (form fitting) and will keep you warm and toasty this winter. The longer length provides extra coverage from the cold. This top is super soft and comfortable to wear, allowing freedom of movement with Capilene® 4 stretch panels under the arms. It extends through the neck protecting your neck from the cold. A chest pocket allows you to stash and retrieve essentials with ease (cellphone, keys or other small item). The top washes beautifully and dries overnight, making it perfect for travel. Weighing in at just 8 oz and The R1 Flash Pullover will take up hardly any room in your luggage, yet will provide the warmth and insulation of several non-insulated layers, making it a must have travel item. Available in several gorgeous and vibrant colors to brighten up any winters day. Stock up because you will want several!
Get down with winter’s coldest days. Insulated with 600-fill-power goose down, this knee-length parka has a two-way front zip and an adjustable, removable hood. The shell is 100% recycled polyester treated with a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Pockets: zippered on-seam hand warmers and a zippered interior chest pocket.
It is extremely difficult to find a high quality long length goose down jacket for women that doesn’t make you look like Humpy Dumpty. Patagonia has managed to design a flattering, down jacket with 600-fill-power goose down for insulation, which is cut especially for the female body. The unquilted side panels ensure for a feminine shape. The Shell and Lining are made from 100% recycled polyester which makes this jacket a great eco-pick. The durable water repellent on the jacket will protect you and keep you dry from downpours. This jacket has a removable hood to protect against the cold, wind and rain which adjusts with two draw cords. The knee length will provide additional protection from the elements and keep you toasty while the temperature drops. The two exterior pockets at the waist are perfect for keeping your hands warm and the interior pocket on the left is ideal for storing items out of sight. The Down with it Parka weighs in at just 27.2 oz and compresses easily for compact storage and travel. It is available in 3 colors to coordinate with your wardrobe.
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