It was the summer of 1992, and my family needed paddle jackets for our upcoming annual white water rafting trip. Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, outdoor gear is second nature, and the Ventura-based Patagonia is a staple for good quality. Through a friend of a friend we got a hit on a Patagonia sale and we were able to score paddle jackets for all four of us, one small catch, they were all purple. This meant not only did my mom and me get purple, but my brother and dad also were outfitted in the lively color. That river trip was the best of them all, with a trademark photo of us standing on the river bed looking like a group of grapes. Those paddle jackets, they rocked that trip, and they still to this day do their job. That’s the thing about Patagonia, whether you are climbing Mount Everest, or grocery shopping at the Farmers market, their products stand up to the test.
Often teased by some as “Pata-Gucci” for its high price tag, the product costs include a guarantee for life. Whether your dog bites out the zipper of your El Cap Jacket, or your Capilene leggings get a hole in the knee, they will fix them all, for free or replace them, for the life of the product, guaranteed. This didn’t use to be a rarity. Back in the day when Levis started making their famous jeans for the goldminer, they guaranteed their quality. Now you can buy them for $29 bucks at Sears, and you are lucky if you are able to take them back when button that falls out. And don’t get me wrong, Levis are some of the best jeans out there and a great brand in their own right.
But times have changed, and rarely do companies stand behind their products, but Patagonia stands out for their commitment to quality. They also test each and every one of their products. From their belts to snowboarding jackets, you can be assured that they have taken that product through the ringer to ensure it meets their high standards. In a world where there is less and less guarantee, Patagonia is one of my favorite brands not only for its lifetime guarantee, but also for it’s innovative and effective products. Patagonia creates product that rock.
All images Patagonia
