Most outdoor brands talk about sustainability. Cotopaxi was built around it from day one. Founded in 2014, the company was incorporated as a Benefit Corporation from the start — the first outdoor brand to do so while raising venture capital. They donate 1% of revenue (not profits — revenue) to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which funds nonprofits tackling extreme poverty through healthcare, education and livelihoods.
We've included Cotopaxi on Ethical Supply because they combine genuinely thoughtful product design with a humanitarian mission that's more than a footnote on their website. Over $6 million donated and 4.75 million people reached so far.
Why Cotopaxi is on Ethical Supply
Cotopaxi's founder Davis Smith grew up across Latin America, including in the foothills of the Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador. That childhood shaped his ambition to build a company that could fight poverty at scale — not through charity alone, but through a business model where social impact is baked in from the ground up.
They're a certified B Corp with a score of 125.6, well above the 50.9 median. They're a signatory of The Climate Pledge, committing to net-zero carbon emissions. And they partner with Fair Trade USA — around 35% of their products are made in Fair Trade Certified factories, ensuring fair wages, safe conditions, and sustainable resource management.
What sets them apart from other ethical outdoor brands is the Del Día line. Every Del Día product is made from 100% repurposed deadstock fabric — leftover materials from other manufacturers that would otherwise go to waste. Each item is handcrafted in the Philippines by an artisan who has total creative control over the colour combination, meaning every single product is one of a kind. In 2025 alone, Cotopaxi diverted over 840,000 yards of remnant fabric through this programme.
Over 96% of all Cotopaxi products now contain materials that are repurposed, recycled, or responsibly certified. That's not an aspiration — they hit that target in 2024.
What Cotopaxi makes
Cotopaxi's range covers outdoor gear, travel bags, and everyday apparel. Everything is colourful, well-made, and designed to last.
Backpacks and bags
The Allpa travel pack is their flagship — available in 20L, 28L, 35L, and 42L sizes, built for durability and organisation. The Del Día versions use repurposed fabric, so no two look the same. The Batac daypack series (16L and 24L) is lighter and more casual, good for day hikes or commuting. Hip packs, duffels, and tote bags round out the range.
Jackets and fleeces
The Teca fleece line is made from repurposed Polartec Micro Fleece — soft, warm, and each one unique in its colour blocking. The Capa insulated jacket uses recycled materials and packs down small for travel. There are also windbreakers and rain shells across the range, all built with recycled or responsibly sourced fabrics.
Activewear and layers
Base layers, t-shirts, and shorts made from recycled and organic materials. Designed for hiking, running, and travel, with the same colourful aesthetic that runs through everything Cotopaxi makes.
The bigger picture
The outdoor industry has a significant environmental footprint — from virgin polyester and nylon production to the energy-intensive supply chains behind technical fabrics. Cotopaxi's approach tackles this through material choices: using what already exists before making anything new.
A product made from deadstock fabric has an estimated 30% smaller carbon footprint than one made from new materials. Multiply that across hundreds of thousands of products and the numbers start to matter. Cotopaxi's transparent impact reporting breaks this down at the product level, so you can see exactly what went into what you're buying.
The poverty-fighting mission runs alongside this, funded by that 1% of revenue commitment. The Cotopaxi Foundation works with partners including the International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps, focusing on communities experiencing extreme poverty. It's not an add-on — it's the reason the company exists.
Who Cotopaxi is good for
Cotopaxi is a great fit if you want outdoor gear that performs well, looks distinctive, and comes from a company whose values go beyond marketing. The Del Día line is particularly appealing if you like the idea of owning something genuinely unique — no two products are the same, and the colourful patchwork style stands out.
They're also worth a look if you're shopping for travel bags. The Allpa range is well-regarded for durability and thoughtful design, and it competes directly with mainstream travel brands on quality.
Cotopaxi ships to the UK and prices are competitive with other premium outdoor brands like Patagonia and The North Face. The gear is built to last, backed by a solid warranty, and you know that 1% of what you spend is going directly to poverty alleviation.