The environmentalist’s choice; Patagonia takes conservation and corporate responsibility very seriously and has an extensive commitment to giving something back to the environment. Patagonia is committed to Freedom to Roam, 1% for the Planet and has a firm long-term commitment to the charity and environmental group, Argentinean Conservacion Patagonia, to help preserve the beautiful wilderness. What’s more, 10% of pre-tax profits get put back into the environment through their wide ranging environmental programmes.
What sets Patagonia attitude to corporate responsibility head and shoulders above the rest is the passion for the environment which is part of the very fabric of the company. An extremely generous donation of money and time is committed to environment causes. A grants program was set up to help smaller organisations take active steps towards conservation working at a grass roots level to target environmental destruction.
With the finger on the pulse of the environment you would expect such a company to be equally committed to providing the highest quality outdoor wear, and you will not be disappointed. The range of protective clothing supplied is geared to surviving the harsh Patagonian climate whilst offering incredible performance, durability and high quality craftsmanship.
Patagonia provides a wide range of performance footwear catering to hikers, trekkers, trail runners and the fly-fishing world, each model geared to the specific strains and stresses of each sport. More recently the line has been expanded to include travel shoes to help you get to the great outdoors in perfect comfort.
Options include boots, sandals, multisport trainers, water-proof shoes and a lifestyle range covering all of the bases for the great outdoors. Whilst the range of styles is not as extensive as many other brands, each shoe within the range is a perfect joining of form and function, with the latest technologies employed to keep the feet in perfect comfort no matter what the outdoor conditions.
The waterproof Release Gore-Tex® range for men and women are excellent trail running shoes for the wetter months, designed to keep the water out even when traversing fords and streams. These cotton lined shoes have a gasket system to create a waterproof seal, with a synthetic mesh upper designed to repel water and allow the feet to breathe. Inside an Ortholite® X-40 footbed wicks away moisture and counters odour. For the soles, the highest quality Vibram rubber gives the best possible traction.
The Men’s Riverwalker and Women’s Marwalker models are the best shoes around for getting a little more up close and personal with nature. They provide the excellent underwater traction required for fly-fishing and wading. Able to provide exceptional protection from underwater hazards, they are the epitome of comfort with the required rigidity for serious underwater support retaining flexibility for a natural foot movement.
For hardcore hiking the complimentary Men’s Huckleberry’s and Women’s Finn’s ranges are perfect hiking and approach shoes. For the men, a Perwanger leather finish provides an extremely abrasive-resistant upper, and a reinforced rand and external counter give the best possible purchase on crags. A synthetic cork footbed made from 70% recycled material absorbs moisture and has antimicrobial properties to combat foot odour. For the Women, the same High-Tec construction is available, with softer synthetic mesh uppers for maximum breathability and comfort.
For an environmentally sound shoe choice and extreme comfort in the harshest of conditions, Patagonia provides footwear which will keep you comfortable no matter what the Patagonian step has in store.