Jeez Louise. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
Tags: Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard
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Jeez Louise. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.
Tags: Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard
Mad Blog Media 
September 14, 2022 at 4:04 pm |
Yeah, saw that. Why can’t all billionaires be that thoughtful?
September 14, 2022 at 4:12 pm |
September 14, 2022 at 4:20 pm |
He figured out how to do it. Hey Wall Street, kiss my used to be billionaire ass. And, his kids aren’t greedy either. Makes the rest of our billionaires look pretty lame.
September 14, 2022 at 5:12 pm |
Even ate the taxes and everything. “It’s only money, boys. I’m off to play with my stuff.”
September 15, 2022 at 8:10 am |
Yep, millions of dollars in taxes. Not only would I like to meet him and hear his stories, I would like to meet his family too. Refreshing to see folks who know they have enough. His water is clear.
September 14, 2022 at 4:44 pm |
Chouinard was way ahead of his time in terms of meeting the avid alpinist’s needs; building and creating better equipment and clothing; turning profit into action that supported local and global causes; promoting sustainable farming/fishing; and always ensuring the heart and conscience of his company came before the bottom line.
I might also point out that Patagonia is an independent, private company. There’s a moral and free enterprise/capitalism lesson there perhaps?
September 14, 2022 at 5:15 pm |
I’ve always liked their gear. When Herself was in the outdoor-retail biz we could afford it, too. I have some Patagucci stuff so old the label says “Made in USA.”
September 14, 2022 at 5:23 pm |
I sold Patagonia in my shop back in their early days. They were totally unreliable and quirky as hell to deal with. We cut them quickly from our vendor que. “Never make it” we said. It’s both surprising and gratifying many years later to see what Yvon did with the business. I only own a few scant pieces of Patagucci but can tell you if I needed any more clothing I would try to steer their direction. Keep an eye on Billy Ford…he’s gonna right some wrongs in the car biz before he hangs up his cleats.
September 14, 2022 at 7:07 pm |
Herself scored our collection from either Grand West Outfitters or Eagles Nest in B-burg, in those halcyon days of yesteryear when we never paid retail for nothin’.
I still have (and wear) a Patagonia fleece jacket and two Capilene long-sleeves, one a lightweight henley and the other a heavy duty short-zip model. In recent years I’ve gotten good service from their hiking pants and shorts as well as their lightweight T-shirts and dressier items.
Full retail, though. Sigh.
September 14, 2022 at 10:21 pm |
I know this because I got married 24 years ago: I have their OG Capilene™️ boxer shorts that are 25+ years old.
Funny thing is, the latest models are no longer that original poly blend, and they don’t last as long. I’ve had to replace some of the replacements faster than the originals.
It was the REI dividend that hooked me. I had some leftover dividend money, burning a hole in my pocket. Saw the $29 boxers for $14, grabbed two pair. Wore them to REFORGER and Team Spirit/ Ulchi Focus Lens, couldn’t believe how they held up. So every time they were on sale, grabbed a couple.
And they’re always on sale. Price went up to $39, sale priced at $19. New colors come out, gotta move last year’s inventory. Yvon might be the anti-capitalist, but some retail habits die hard. And at that point, I knew they’d last at least ten years.
They definitely changed the formula a while back. Doubting I’ll get 25 years out of all of them. But im pretty sure I was still in Hotlanta last time I bought a pair, so the “new” ones will be getting their learners permits this year.
September 14, 2022 at 10:33 pm |
Their Backstep shirt is another that’s never failed me. Weird thing is, almost nothing else fits me. I did a modified Steve Jobs on my wardrobe. (Not having a real job allows me that luxury.) I can get by with jeans, Carhartt khakis, and work shirts. I have maybe ten of their Backstep shirts, cotton + hemp. They seem to be fairly indestructible.
Could definitely get cheaper shopping elsewhere. But when you know you’re going to get 15+ years out of the item … provided you’re the kind of person who can wear the same thing that long.
September 15, 2022 at 2:59 pm |
I always take the Nineties-era Made-in-USA shirts and fleece jacket with me when I camp. Plenty warm enough for three seasons, though the jacket is pilled up a bit and the lightweight henley sports a few scars from cats who climb in closets.
The newer bits I have are mostly from Vietnam, and one has faded quickly under the New Mexican sun (it’s my go-to running shirt). I’ll be curious to see how the others bear up.
Damn it, now I feel like buying some Patagonia. See how cagey these billionaires are?
September 14, 2022 at 7:56 pm |
Sandy has a Patagonia fleece vest. I am a Filson guy when it comes to vests.
September 15, 2022 at 1:36 am |
What the hell. How many ice axes can you own anyway. But I think he steered his company as well as anybody can steer a super tanker in the ocean of capitalists.
I own a few apparel bits of their gear. A shirt here, a couple of jackets there, some fleece and over pants somewhere down there. But all of it is Made in the USA. Most of it I scrounged from thrift stores. Yvon would be proud of my acquisitions.
September 15, 2022 at 12:21 pm |
The story is now on NPR, AP, and Reuters.
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/15/1123104499/patagonia-founder-climate-change
September 16, 2022 at 9:01 am |
I bought a shelled synchilla jacket in 1987 I donated it to Salvati0n Army in 2017. Plus if Patagonia stuff gets damaged, they will replace it or fix the damage, a good company. Yeah it is pricey but it lasts for years. I am in the process of buying a down sweater from Worn Wear a place that sells reconditioned and returned Patagonia goods. Have a down jacket from them for about half the price. not new but old color and in good shape Mi Espousa has a bunch of Patagonia stuff and refuses to get rid of it.