Patagonia is synonymous with outdoor adventures and sports. The brand creates clothing and gear “for the silent sports,” focusing on surfing, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, and trail running.
A Patagonia retail storefront showcases the brand’s signature mountain logo and eco-conscious identity with dual signage on a historic stone building (Credit: Urban Images / Shutterstock)
Its activewear is a favorite among athletes, celebrities, and influencers. No closet is complete without a Patagonia jacket for your next adventure. The brand has evolved with changing values to become a sustainable outdoor clothing brand.
Lena Dunham has admired Patagonia, highlighting the brand’s jackets in a 2018 New Yorker piece about her friendship with Nora Ephron. Ephron favored Patagonia jackets on set for their practical yet stylish design, described as “thinner than a sweater but warmer than a parka.”
Lena Dunham keeps it casual and cozy in a black Patagonia puffer jacket, dark skinny jeans, and velvet smoking slippers while heading to The Late Show With David Letterman on January 10, 2013 (Credit: Bill Davila / Startraksphoto)
We’re sharing everything you need to know about the brand and how to spot fake Patagonia clothing and jackets.
Patagonia Brand Overview: History, Values, and Iconic Products
Patagonia is a brand for those who love to experience life outdoors in sustainable clothing. The company was launched in California by Yvon Chouinard in 1973. It’s expanded internationally with stores in over ten countries and factories in over a dozen.
Yvon Chouinard, a rock climber, environmentalist, and philanthropist, founded Patagonia in 1973 (Credit: Terry Straehley / Shutterstock)
The brand began with a focus on creating hand-forged mountain climbing gear inspired by the adventures of Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard. It gradually expanded beyond hiking gear to include more outdoor sports, surfing, and related products.
Patagonia’s fleece vests are amongst their most recognizable and best-selling products.
Patagonia is known for its cozy fleece vests and performance-driven down jackets, offering stylish and sustainable warmth for every adventure
As an outdoor brand, Patagonia has grown a legion of loyal customers and built a reputation for itself as a leader in corporate governance, environmental, and social issues.
In 2022, Chouinard announced that the ownership of the Patagonia brand would be donated to a trust, the Patagonia Purpose Trust. The company’s profits will be used to tackle issues related to climate change and protect undeveloped land worldwide.
Patagonia is a brand you’ll be at home with if you’re shopping for sustainable outdoor activewear that will take you from hiking mountains to catching waves.
How Patagonia Champions Sustainability: Worn Wear, ReCrafted, and Carbon Neutral Goals
Clothing has a shorter lifespan than ever before, and fast fashion means that most clothing is destined for the landfill.
Patagonia encourages its customers to give their old clothing a second life with its Worn Wear website. Customers can send good-quality clothing to be repaired, cleaned, and sold again.
Patagonia is giving customers’ old clothing a second life by repairing, cleaning, and reselling it to extend the life of gear
The success of Worn Wear led to the launch of ReCrafted in 2019, which creates and sells clothing using scrap fabric from used Patagonia clothing and jackets.
Patagonia turns scraps into new gear with its ReCrafted process, making clothes from repurposed materials
Patagonia is actively working toward becoming carbon neutral by 2025, integrating a circular economy approach into every stage of its product design.
Once a go-to for branded corporate workwear, Patagonia made a pivotal decision in 2021 to stop adding company logos to its garments. The move was intended to extend each item’s lifespan, reducing waste and encouraging long-term use beyond the workplace.
Where Patagonia Clothes Are Made: Factory Locations and Manufacturing Transparency
Unlike other American brands, Patagonia doesn’t claim to be a ‘Made in America’ company. Patagonia has always sourced at least half of its products outside the United States, and the percentage of American-made products has continued to decrease over time as the manufacturing landscape has changed.
Patagonia has factories worldwide, with three located in the United States, specifically in Los Angeles, Texas, and North Carolina. Its fishing crampons are made in California, close to the company’s headquarters.
Patagonia sources at least half of its products outside the United States, with three factories across the US and 13 in China (Credit: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock)
Over 40 factories manufacture Patagonia products, 13 of which are in China. Although a ‘Made in China’ label can attract criticism, Patagonia is transparent about its production process.
Patagonia clothing and jackets can be made in any company’s factories, from Thailand to Portugal and Sri Lanka. You can check where your Patagonia clothing and jackets are made by reading the product description on the official Patagonia website. Each listing includes information on how the garment is made and which factories it’s made in.
How Warm Are Patagonia Jackets? Understanding Layers and Insulation
Outdoor clothing brands that cater to hiking and extreme sports are famous for making bold claims. Many of these brands will guide the temperature ratings of their clothing.
Patagonia doesn’t provide a temperature rating on their clothing because warmth is determined by the thickness and layers
Patagonia is an exception to the rule. It doesn’t provide a temperature rating as it’s too subjective. Factories and conditions such as humidity and clouds will affect how cold a temperature feels. Another consideration is how your body acclimatizes to different temperatures and climates.
The warmth of a Patagonia garment is determined by its thickness. If you’re hiking in low temperatures, shop for a thicker jacket.
Layers also often determine how warm Patagonia clothes feel. Most of Patagonia’s garments are designed to create a layering system with performance fabric to provide extra insulation.
How to Wash Patagonia Clothes: Care Instructions for Long-Lasting Wear
Patagonia clothing and jackets come with an extensive array of washing instructions. The specific washing instructions for your Patagonia garment are on the white tag inside your garment. Following these instructions will ensure that your garment has a long lifespan.
It’s typically recommended that your Patagonia clothes be washed in cold or warm water with mild, non-toxic, and biodegradable laundry soap. Dry your Patagonia garments on a line instead of using a tumble dryer.
None of Patagonia’s clothing requires dry cleaning. It’s low-maintenance clothing that can be cared for at home. Patagonia doesn’t recommend fabric conditioners, and most garments don’t need ironing.
You can find Patagonia’s extensive washing instructions and garment care at Patagonia.
How to Spot Fake Patagonia Clothing: Labels, Stitching, and Style Codes
The reputation of Patagonia for producing high-quality products means it’s another popular brand amongst counterfeiters. Its heritage also means it’s a brand you’ll commonly find on resale websites, including Depop, Vinted, Thrifted, and eBay.
You want to know how to identify Patagonia clothing before you start shopping for pre-loved Patagonia clothes and jackets.
You should find the unique five-digit style code printed on the white tag inside the clothing (Credit: iFixit)
Every Patagonia garment has a unique five-digit style number printed on the white tag inside the garment. ‘STY,’ ‘STYLE,’ or ‘ITEM’ will appear before the number.
This style number is typically followed by a seasonal code, such as “FA18” for Fall 2018 or “SP21” for Spring 2021. Together, they indicate when the item was released. You may see it written as “STY54321FA18” on the label.
Genuine Patagonia clothing will include RN51884 (Patagonia’s registered ID) and a PO (Purchase Order) number in addition to the style number. While the PO number doesn’t identify the style, Patagonia uses it for product tracking and customer service.
Examine the quality and stitching of your Patagonia jacket
The easiest way to spot a fake Patagonia jacket is by examining the quality. Counterfeit garments will typically be poorly stitched with uneven threads and colors that don’t match the brand’s seasonal shades. The most counterfeited Patagonia products are from its lifestyle range.
Avoiding Counterfeit Patagonia: Official Warnings and Tips
Patagonia warns that counterfeit clothing is often made with low-quality and potentially toxic materials. These items are frequently sold through unauthorized websites and marketplaces, including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Overstock. Patagonia does not allow authorized dealers to sell on these platforms.
If you find Patagonia gear on a questionable site, verify its authenticity through official channels. To report suspicious sellers or fake items, you can contact [email protected].
When shopping, use these tips and tricks to spot fake Patagonia clothing and jackets. Check the style identification code to identify your Patagonia clothing and compare it to the official Patagonia product listing information.
Spotting the Fakes: How to Identify Counterfeit Fashion Items
Counterfeit fashion items are increasingly sophisticated, making it essential to know how to identify genuine products. Here are some expert guides to help you distinguish real from fake:
Christian Louboutin: Identifying Authentic Red Soles
- Key Features: Genuine Louboutins have smooth red leather soles, evenly crafted insoles, and precise logo placement.
- Common Fakes: Look out for plastic soles, uneven stitching, and misaligned logos.
- Read more: How to Tell if Your Christian Louboutins Are Authentic
Tory Burch: Ensuring Your Shoes Are the Real Deal
- Packaging: Authentic Tory Burch shoes come in high-quality boxes with centered logos and may include a protective dust bag.
- Stitching and Materials: Check for tight, V-shaped stitching and genuine leather soles.
- See more: How to Spot Fake vs. Real Tory Burch Shoes
Dr. Martens: Verifying the Authenticity of Iconic Boots
- Box and Labels: Real Dr. Martens come in sturdy boxes with accurate labels matching the shoe details.
- Unique Features: Look for the signature yellow stitching, embossed outsoles, and high-quality leather.
- Discover more: Dr. Martens Authentication Guide: 6 Foolproof Tricks to Spot Fakes
The North Face: Detecting Counterfeit Outdoor Apparel
- Logos and Tags: Authentic jackets feature cleanly stitched logos and detailed product tags with accurate information.
- Material Quality: Genuine products use high-quality, durable fabrics and hardware.
- Learn more: Fake North Face Jackets: 7 Signs to Watch For Before You Buy
Barbour: Spotting Fake British Heritage Jackets
- Design Details: Real Barbour jackets have branded buttons, clean engraving, and a Royal Warrant label inside.
- Style Verification: Familiarize yourself with Barbour’s popular styles to identify unauthorized designs.
- Explore further: How to Spot a Real Barbour Jacket: 7 Expert Tips to Avoid Fakes
By paying close attention to these details, you can confidently authenticate your fashion purchases and avoid counterfeit products.