Cotopaxi Review: Sustainable, Ethically-Made Outdoor Gear That Gives Back
Have you heard of Cotopaxi? This incredible outdoor brand is shaking up the industry with its sustainable, poverty-fighting business model and wildly colorful gear. If you love exploring the great outdoors and want to support companies doing good in the world, you need to know about Cotopaxi.
In this comprehensive Cotopaxi review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on the brand‘s background, mission, best-selling products, customer experiences, and more to help you decide if their eye-catching gear is right for your next adventure. Let‘s dive in!
About Cotopaxi: Gear for Good
Founded in 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cotopaxi is an outdoor apparel and gear brand with a unique social mission. Through its Gear for Good program, Cotopaxi donates 1% of its total revenue to nonprofit organizations fighting to alleviate poverty in the U.S. and Latin America.
To date, Cotopaxi has awarded 42 grants in six countries that support causes like refugee assistance, community development, and providing quality education in disadvantaged areas. So when you buy Cotopaxi gear, you know part of your purchase is going towards making the world a little bit better.
Cotopaxi‘s focus on doing good stems from its founder and CEO, Davis Smith. Davis grew up in Latin America, where he witnessed heartbreaking poverty that drove him to want to make a difference. He named the brand after an active volcano in Ecuador where he spent time exploring and camping in the surrounding national park.
Today, Cotopaxi‘s motto is "Do Good," which applies to every aspect of the business, from its poverty-fighting grants to the sustainable, responsible way it makes its products. Cotopaxi partners with ethical factories that adhere to strict codes of conduct and fair labor practices. It also uses eco-friendly materials like responsibly-sourced llama wool and recycled fabrics in its products.
The brand‘s colorful, hip designs have caught the attention of major media outlets like Forbes, Gear Junkie and Shape. Its Instagram page has amassed over 233,000 followers who love the eye-popping product photos and inspiring adventure shots.
So Cotopaxi definitely has a cool factor, but it‘s the "Gear for Good" mission that really sets this brand apart. If you want to get decked out for your outdoor excursions and feel awesome knowing your gear is making a positive impact, Cotopaxi is about to become your new favorite brand.
Cotopaxi‘s Best-Selling Outdoor Gear
Alright, now that you know why Cotopaxi is such a stand-out brand, let‘s talk about the gear! Cotopaxi‘s collection includes everything you need for camping, hiking, traveling and everyday adventures, from vibrant backpacks to cozy jackets.
One thing to note is that most of Cotopaxi‘s products come in a crazy array of bright, multicolored designs. That‘s because the employees at Cotopaxi‘s factories in the Philippines, China, India, Cambodia and Bolivia get to choose the color combinations themselves, resulting in one-of-a-kind, kaleidoscopic creations. How cool is that?
I‘ll highlight some of Cotopaxi‘s top-rated, best-selling gear, so you know exactly what to add to your outdoor arsenal.
Allpa Travel Packs
Cotopaxi‘s Allpa travel backpacks are hugely popular for their ultra-durable, water-resistant build, comfortable harness systems, and tons of smartly-designed pockets. The Allpa comes in 28L, 35L, 42L and extra-large 70L sizes to fit any packing need.
The carry-on compatible 35L is the most common size and retails for $200. It opens like a suitcase for easy access and has a padded laptop sleeve, cavernous main compartment, and handy mesh dividers to keep your stuff organized on the go.
Reviewers rave about the Allpa‘s comfort and packability. One Amazon reviewer said, "The best part is how much I can fit inside the pack! There are many pockets, therefore you don‘t need packing cubes to sort your belongings. Another plus is that it fits under a seat on an airplane [even though] I had it packed full!"
If you need a trusty travel backpack for all your worldly adventures, you can‘t go wrong with the Allpa. Plus, it comes in seven attractive color options!
Luzon Del Día Backpack
Cotopaxi‘s Luzon Del Día backpack adds a pop of fun, vibrant color to your day-to-day adventures. Like all of Cotopaxi‘s Del Día (meaning "of the day") items, each Luzon backpack features a totally unique color combo thanks to the employees who design them.
This lightweight, 18L pack is perfect for daily use or day hikes, with its spacious main compartment and drawstring closure. It‘s made from super-durable, water-resistant remnant nylon fabric, making it a sustainable choice.
At just $50, the Luzon Del Día is an affordable, eye-catching backpack that‘s sure to stand out on the trail or around town. You can either hand-pick your favorite color scheme or select "Surprise Me" at checkout to let Cotopaxi choose for you!
Teca Windbreaker
Meet your new favorite hiking and travel companion: the Teca Windbreaker. This unisex, packable jacket provides the perfect lightweight layer of protection from untimely gusts and raindrops. It‘s made from repurposed polyester taffeta with a DWR finish for wind and water resistance.
The Teca has an adjustable drawstring hood, a large front kangaroo pocket, an internal phone pocket, and elastic bindings at the hood and cuffs. It comes in eight bright, beautiful color combos and packs down into its own front pocket for easy transport.
Customers absolutely love the Teca for its functionality and cool, retro look. "Not only does this jacket look great with all the color options but it is so lightweight that it is perfect for an extra layer while out and about or traveling. Love the hidden pocket to stash my phone and keys," one reviewer wrote.
Retailing for $80, the Teca Windbreaker is an essential outer layer to add to your outdoor wardrobe. You‘ll bring a pop of color to dreary days and stay protected from the elements.
Libre Sweater
When the weather cools down, reach for Cotopaxi‘s best-selling Libre Sweater. This unisex sweater is made from soft, sustainably-sourced llama wool from the Bolivian Andes. It has a classic crew neck design with ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.
The Libre Sweater comes in six neutral color options and is perfect for everyday wear, cold-weather hikes, or as a mid layer under a jacket. Reviewers praise its super-soft feel, cozy warmth and attractive look.
One happy customer said, "Seriously, this might be the most comfortable, well fitting sweater I‘ve owned. Keeps me warm on cool days and surprisingly breathable when the temp rises."
For $140, the Libre Sweater is definitely an investment piece, but its versatile, timeless design and premium llama wool construction make it totally worth the splurge. You‘ll wear it for years to come!
What Customers Think About Cotopaxi
From trying out the gear myself and scouring reviews online, I can confidently say that Cotopaxi makes top-notch, durable products that look as great as they perform. The brand has glowing reviews from customers on its website, Amazon, and social media.
On Cotopaxi‘s site, the best-selling Allpa 35L Travel Pack has a 4.6-star rating from nearly 500 reviews. Customers love its durability, smart organization, and comfortable, adjustable harness system. Many reviewers are repeat Cotopaxi customers because they love the brand so much.
"I bought this as a travel backpack for international travel and it has exceeded my expectations," one reviewer said. "Extremely well made and durable with well thought out pockets. Cotopaxi is one of the only companies I know of that cares just as much about their social and sustainable impact as they do the quality of their products."
On Amazon, the Allpa has an impressive 4.8-star average rating. Reviewers rave about how comfortable the backpack is, even when fully loaded. One customer said, "Perfect size for a 5‘3 female. I don‘t look like a turtle wearing this pack!! And it‘s super comfortable even with a heavy load!"
Some reviewers noted that they wished the Allpa had a water bottle pocket or that the price point was lower, but overall the pack has fantastic reviews for its quality, features and comfort.
The Libre Sweater also gets top marks from customers, with a 4.5 average rating on Cotopaxi‘s website. Reviewers gush about the sweater‘s soft feel, versatility and attractive design. The only downside some note is that it can run small, so many recommend sizing up.
"Wore this for the first time today, and I‘m in love! Soft and warm (but not overly warm)…I might need this in a couple more colors," one happy customer said.
Cotopaxi has a whopping 4.9-star rating on Facebook, with customers praising the brand‘s mission and high-quality products. "Cotopaxi has quickly become my personal favorite brand. High quality products. A great story and belief system. I‘ve embraced the entire #DoGood movement in my personal life and have made it a priority to contribute to my local community…. I‘ve loved every item [and] I look forward to continuing to support Cotopaxi for a long time to come!" one enthusiastic reviewer wrote.
All in all, Cotopaxi gets rave reviews from customers online, both for its well-designed, durable gear and admirable social impact. If you want outdoor apparel that performs well and supports a great cause, Cotopaxi won‘t disappoint!
Is Cotopaxi Worth It?
After thoroughly researching Cotopaxi‘s background, products, and brand mission, my verdict is a resounding yes, Cotopaxi is absolutely worth it. Here‘s why:
First and foremost, Cotopaxi is a brand you can feel really good about supporting, thanks to its strong philanthropic and sustainability initiatives. As a certified B Corp, Cotopaxi meets the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. You can trust that Cotopaxi sources its materials ethically, treats its workers fairly, and thoughtfully donates to reputable nonprofits doing important work.
Secondly, Cotopaxi simply makes awesome outdoor gear. From the über-organized Allpa travel pack to the cozy Libre sweater, Cotopaxi‘s products are incredibly well-made using durable, premium materials. The brand‘s distinctive color-block designs make their gear fun to wear, and the quality construction means it will last for years of outdoor adventures.
Cotopaxi‘s prices are in line with or lower than comparable outdoor brands like Patagonia and The North Face. And remember, when you buy from Cotopaxi, part of your money is going towards grants to alleviate poverty, so you‘re getting a lot of philanthropic bang for your buck.
From my personal experience with the gear and customer reviews online, it‘s clear that Cotopaxi delivers on its promise of making high-performance, sustainably-made outdoor apparel and equipment to help you do good while exploring.
So if you want to invest in quality pieces for your hiking, camping and travel needs that make a positive impact on both people and the planet, Cotopaxi should definitely be your go-to. I know I‘ll continue to proudly rock my Cotopaxi backpack and sweater on all my upcoming adventures.
FAQ About Cotopaxi
Before we wrap up this Cotopaxi review, I‘ll answer some common questions about the brand so you have all the important details!
Is Cotopaxi a sustainable brand?
Yes, Cotopaxi is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical production. The company carefully chooses manufacturing partners that share its values and adhere to strict guidelines around sustainably sourcing materials, reducing waste and treating workers responsibly. Many of Cotopaxi‘s products are made with recycled fabrics or eco-friendly materials like llama wool. As a certified B Corp, Cotopaxi is legally required to consider its impact on people and the planet along with profit.
Where is Cotopaxi based?
Cotopaxi was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah and still has its headquarters there. The brand‘s name comes from an active volcano in Ecuador where founder Davis Smith spent time adventuring as a kid.
What is Cotopaxi‘s return policy?
Cotopaxi offers free returns for U.S. orders within 90 days of purchase. You can return items for a refund to the original payment method or store credit. Return shipping is free if you choose store credit or Cotopaxi will deduct $5.95 from your refund for return shipping costs. Final sale items are not eligible for returns.
Where can I buy Cotopaxi?
You can shop the full Cotopaxi collection on cotopaxi.com or at six flagship stores in San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. Select Cotopaxi gear is also sold at outdoor retailers like REI and Backcountry.com.
How do I contact Cotopaxi?
You can reach Cotopaxi‘s customer service team by phone at (844) 268-6729, online chat, or email at [email protected] between 9am-5pm MT Monday through Friday. The team is super friendly and responsive!
Does Cotopaxi ship internationally?
Cotopaxi ships to over 30 countries worldwide from its distribution center in Salt Lake City. You can view the full list of countries and shipping costs on Cotopaxi‘s website. Cotopaxi is not responsible for any customs, duties or VAT charges for international orders and all international sales are final (no returns or exchanges).
So there you have it, my complete Cotopaxi review. As you can see, Cotopaxi is an incredible brand making a real difference in the world through its sustainable outdoor gear. From vibrant backpacks to cozy sweaters, Cotopaxi‘s products are thoughtfully-designed, high-quality, and support nonprofits fighting poverty.
In my opinion, Cotopaxi is absolutely worth investing in for all your outdoor apparel and gear needs. You can adventure confidently knowing you‘re supporting an ethical, eco-friendly company that aligns with your values.
Cotopaxi‘s fun, colorful aesthetic is just the icing on the cake! So what are you waiting for? Gear up and get out there in your new favorite Cotopaxi pack, jacket or sweater. Have an amazing time exploring while doing a little bit of good for people and the planet. Isn‘t that what it‘s all about?
