Patagonia is an American clothing company based in Ventura, California that sells outdoor clothing marketed as sustainable. The company manufactures outdoor clothing, outdoor gear, and footwear for various outdoor sports like snowboarding, skiing, surfing, climbing, hiking, trail running, and more. Patagonia has expanded its product line to include apparel targeted towards other sports, such as surfing. In addition to clothing, they offer other products such as sleeping bags, athletic equipment, backpacks, and camping food.
In 1957 accomplished rock climber Yvon Chouinard began selling hand-forged mountain climbing gear through his company Chouinard Equipment. Tom Frost partnered with him in 1965 to help improve his products and solve his business's emerging supply and demand issue. Patagonia's first store, Great Pacific Iron Works, opened in 1973 in Santa Clara St. in Ventura, California. In 1981, Chouinard had Patagonia and Chouinard Equipment incorporated within Great Pacific Iron Works. The company made over $1 billion in sales in 2017, and as of 2021, has hundreds of stores in more than 10 countries and more than 2,400 employees.
