Our Story
Our Story
About us
Adventure inspires us to explore and improve the world. That's why we create responsibly produced outdoor gear that offers performance, color, and fun to everyone, helping us build a movement in support of communities around the globe.
About Cotopaxi
We make high-quality outdoor gear to make a difference in the world. Our social impact strategy is focused on reducing poverty globally, and we strive to implement responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices throughout our supply chain. Our impact revolves around sustainability, equity, and ending extreme poverty. These pillars are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, as climate change and social inequality contribute to structural poverty.
100% sustainable materials
100% sustainable materials
Using only recycled, reused, or certified sustainable materials.
Making a difference
Giving is central to our model. We tie our revenues to impact by allocating 1% of our annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation. Through our foundation, we provide multi-year grants to outstanding non-profit partners such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mercy Corps, and Nothing But Nets—organizations carefully selected for their track record of improving the human condition. We focus on health, education, and livelihoods—areas with the greatest potential to address systemic poverty.
More than 4.5 million people
More than 4.5 million people
who are directly helped by our 1% of sales donations.
Ethics and Sustainability
Environmental impact starts at the design stage. When designing products, our team makes every effort to use non-virgin and alternative fabrics that are better for the environment. We set ourselves the goal of manufacturing all our products from recycled, reused or otherwise responsible materials by 2025, and we have already achieved this goal in 2024.
Carbon Conscious
Carbon Conscious
We strive for the lowest possible carbon footprint per product.
The Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi (koh-toh-PAHK-see) in Ecuador, one of the world's highest active volcanoes, played a significant role in our founder's youth. The mountain's glacier-fed streams, wild llamas, and numerous hiking trails inspired him to start an outdoor gear company.
We are 100% PFAS-free
We are 100% PFAS-free
We have completely removed 'forever chemicals' from our product range.
Why llamas?
These quirky herd animals live in some of the most rugged areas of the Andes. They are strong, social, incredibly loyal, curious, and headstrong – a little like us.