Great companie for those who love the planet & also people, & those who wear clothing

[deano]

Because March is disabilities awareness month, I just got an email from a company I love, Toad & Company (full disclosure, I have bought so many pairs of pants from them they once gave me a gift card for participating in their market research - my wife had a field day with that because of what a creature of habit I am, literally only buying pants from one company).

Anyway, I decided a long time ago I was only going to buy organic and sustainable materials (soudns posh and $$$ but not too bad, actually ... I have a paired down wardrobe anyway. Fair amount of Patagucci, but mostly it's Toad & Co., who I understand uses a pretty similar supply chain to Pata and others who are doing sustainability well these days. Anyway, my favorite part is they employ primarily those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their warehouse and contribute a lot for these folks to whom our culture often turns a cold shoulder (ahem looking esp. at you, Wal-Mart, this week ahem). It's a good thing Toad does - very close to my values atmo.

Anyway, cool company. I have posted elsewhere but their pants make the best "commute" type clothes (for me with short trips to campus or cafes aroudn town) ...if you don't need technical apparel to ride to work in. I bet I am a characteristic Salonista - drop and doing 20 pushups from my desk, riding bikez everywhere etc. Their stuff rules for active living.

I don't believe in "ethical" consumerism or "ethical capitalism" - ain't nothing ethical under the sun, plus that's boring. But what are companies you like that take good care of people and mother Earth?

[Too Tall]

What a great tip. Thanks.

[AngryScientist]

Well, the OP already mentioned them, but what i thought of immediately when i opened the thread was Patagonia, specifically what they do for families @ their world HQ with on-site childcare. Brilliant.

i never really thought of it before i had kids myself, but so many companies (and industries really) force people (women mostly) to choose between career and parenting, or villianize folks who put any priority on their family, that it's refreshing to hear Pata's take on the matter.

On-Site Childcare Is a Win for Everyone. Just Ask Patagonia. | Outside Online

[false_aesthetic]

Our Story | Thousand
Beyond what's listed there they donate $1000 on behalf of new employees to whatever non-profit they chose.
I know a bunch of the team in RL and they're 100% invested in being a "good" company. By all accounts Gloria is a effin fantastic leader

[SlowPokePete]

Big patagonia fan here, going on 35+ years now.


check out their "worn wear" site...

Worn Wear - Used Patagonia Clothing & Gear

SPP

[deano]

Love me some Pata. I want to try their MTB shorts in a big way. I live in Pata fleeces and organic cotton button downs, short and long sleeve a lot of the year. I have found their shorts and pants don't work as well for me, though - in order to get the thighs and butt to fit my big ol quads and gluties, I feel like i have to size up such that I need to cinch the waist with a rope or something. Love my patagonia baggies especially, but when I buy the right size for my waist, they pull across the crotch and pockets. I dig Toad pants for that reason ... even the slim ones work for blokes w/ big butts and legs... I buy 32s and they work all the way up and down. Have branched out to some of their tops as well and have been impressed. Just like Pata, the cut can be boxy if you don't get the slim or fitted fit, if that's what you're after, but once I figured that out it was smooth sailing.

I'm just thankful companies have demonstrated it's possible to have a reasonably decent supply chain with an eye on the environment and make nice things that people want. Now, fast fashion needs to go away.

[mimion1]

Hi, longtime lurker and infrequent poster in any forum, but as a lifelong surfer, Kelly Slater's company outer known fits the bill. They use recycled fishing nets and nylon in their clothing, and according to their website focus on the people in their supply chain as well. Bear in mind it isn't cut for cyclists, especially bulkier ones, but I've been a KS fan since I was a kid.
Not in any way affiliated to the company, apart from buying a jersey of theirs. It's a company that seems to fit the brief, and ocean lovers can feel good about pulling harmful stuff out of the ocean to repurpose.

[fmbp]

I'm a big fan of Patagonia and Toad and Co too. In fact, wearing a pair of Toad and Co pants right now. I remain sad that Ibex no longer exists.

[Bob Ross]

I remain sad that Ibex no longer exists.

We can hang.

[j44ke]

Patagonia is great but I wish they would hang with designs that are good for more than a couple cycles. Used to be you could count on a pair of pants being around for a while, but lately they are changing some designs as quickly as once every 6 months. I can pretty much guarantee that anything that fits me will be discontinued within 6-8 months.

[Moke]

I think Patagonia is doing like the major running shoe companies, changing models and designs twice a year just to keep you paying attention. Filson has done that as well but slower. The problem with both those companies other than socks their stuff doesn't wear out very fast. I still have several Patagonia and Filson shirts that are 20 plus years old and still in the rotation.

[zachateseverything]

Where is this clothing made?

[72gmc]

Patagonia is great but I wish they would hang with designs that are good for more than a couple cycles. Used to be you could count on a pair of pants being around for a while, but lately they are changing some designs as quickly as once every 6 months. I can pretty much guarantee that anything that fits me will be discontinued within 6-8 months.

It's my probably grumpy opinion that this practice--or a variation on it--bit Ibex in the butt and probably some other brands too. Patagonia seems to keep a line of classic pieces going and then experiment outside of that core set. Ibex didn't do that and lost both me and my wife as customers, even though we really would have preferred to put more Ibex in our closet.

(typed while wearing an Ibex Ace button down that is finally starting to show its age)

[j44ke]

I think Patagonia is doing like the major running shoe companies, changing models and designs twice a year just to keep you paying attention. Filson has done that as well but slower. The problem with both those companies other than socks their stuff doesn't wear out very fast. I still have several Patagonia and Filson shirts that are 20 plus years old and still in the rotation.

Yeah I just saw that Filson brought back their 6.5oz Chino shirt. Must be a seasonal thing. That's a great shirt. I can dive into a thorn bush to cut it at the base and come back out in one piece. Really tough material.

[Todd Amunrud]

ibex outdoor clothing

I’m patiently waiting to hear back. I may have pushed their demise. 90+% of my purchases were at a decent discount.