Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia's founder, started climbing in 1953 and began making pitons in 1957 after going to a junkyard and buying a used coal-fired forge, an anvil, some tongs and hammers, and teaching himself the art of blacksmithing. By 1970, Chouinard Equipment had become the largest supplier of climbing hardware in the USA. It had also become an environmental villain because its pegs were damaging the rock. After an ascent of the degraded Nose route on El Capitan, which had been pristine a few summers earlier, it was decided to phase out of the piton business. Fortunately, there was an alternative: aluminium chocks that could be wedged by hand rather than hammered in and out of cracks. They were introduced in the first Chouinard Equipment catalogue in 1972. Chouinard Equipment later became Black Diamond. The clothing business started small with a few rugby shirts imported from the UK. The name Patagonia was chosen as it was decided the range should not be exclusively for climbers and Patagonia was pretty much unknown territory for everyone in those days. Fleece clothing (then used by fishermen) soon followed and then new materials such as polyester for base layers began to be used. During the '80s bright colours were introduced into a world previously dominated by greens, browns and blues. In the late '80s Patagonia started using recycled material to make some of its clothing, a process that has accelerated in recent years, and also decided to donate 1% of its sales to ecological good causes, which has done ever since, most notably by buying up vast swathes of wild land in South America and then donating them back to the country concerned as national parks. Patagonia make brilliant outdoor clothing and equipment but there are some other very good reasons to support them as a company which are partly why Needle Sports has such a major stockist of their range for so long.
46" - 48" 117cm - 122cm
33½"85cm
35½"90cm
36½"93cm
37½"95cm
38½"98cm
Waist
28½"72cm
Inseam(no options)
Designed for long approaches, lightweight trips and technical alpinism.
A sling bag that combines the support of a daypack with the hands-free convenience of a courier bag.
A zipped 14 litre bag designed to organise bits and bobs.
A zipped 3 litre bag designed to organise bits and bobs.
A zipped 6 litre bag designed to organise bits and bobs.
The largest Patagonia duffel, for extended expeditions into remote and wild places.
The 40 Litre Black Hole Duffel is perfect for small loads or long weekends.
A superb lightweight but water-resistant durable duffel bag which will swallow copious amounts of gear.
This 70 litre Black Hole® Duffel easily swallows a week's worth of stuff.
A tough water resistant daypack for the commute or the hill. 25 litres.
A tough water resistant daypack.
This general 5 litre waist pack has ample storage for use in town or country.
Sun protection and instant shade for full days outside.
A classic cuff beanie made with a recycled wool/recycled nylon blend.
Jack-of-all-trades 5 litre bumbag that can be worn in two ways.
28 litre rucksack for walking and general day to day use.
A soft, skin-friendly, everyday warm beanie.
Light and supple, the low-profile Friction Belt keeps your trousers where you want them.
A low-profile, waterproof jacket which will keep you dry for all sorts of outdoor pursuits.
A technical tee made for use in the fells or on the lakes.
This long sleeve T-shirt is rubbish! It is made from 100% recycled material.
An ultra breathable hooded jacket for cool, high-output days.
Strider Pro Shorts carry what you need for a full day of fell running.
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