Is Patagonia or North Face more ethical?

With sustainability and ethical manufacturing becoming increasingly important to consumers, more and more people are looking closely at the brands they buy from. Two popular outdoor gear companies, Patagonia and The North Face, market themselves as being environmentally and socially responsible. But which one is truly more ethical? Here’s an in-depth look at how Patagonia and North Face compare when it comes to ethical and sustainable practices.

Materials and Manufacturing

When it comes to materials and manufacturing processes, Patagonia is widely regarded as a leader in ethical and sustainable practices. Some key facts:

• Patagonia uses traceable down insulation that comes from ducks and geese that are never force-fed or live-plucked. The North Face also uses traceable down but does not ban force-feeding practices.
• Patagonia focuses on using sustainable, recycled and regenerative materials including organic cotton, recycled polyester, hemp, and Yulex natural rubber. The North Face also uses some recycled materials but to a lesser degree than Patagonia.
• Patagonia is Bluesign certified for sustainable textile production practices. The North Face is not Bluesign certified.
• Patagonia aims to reduce water usage in denim production through innovative dyeing processes. The North Face does not use any special techniques to reduce water waste in denim production.

Based on these factors, Patagonia has a stronger focus than The North Face when it comes to sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing processes.

Working Conditions

Both Patagonia and The North Face have committed to ensuring fair working conditions in their supply chains. However, Patagonia goes further in terms of traceability and transparency around labor practices:

• Patagonia traces 99% of its entire supply chain. The North Face traces about 90% of its supply chain.
• Patagonia conducts regular audits and inspections of factories and publishes audit findings and corrective actions online. The North Face conducts audits but does not regularly publish findings.
• Patagonia provides living wages to sewers in its supply chain. The North Face has not made a living wage commitment.

So while both brands monitor and work to improve labor rights, Patagonia is more transparent and progressive when it comes to fair treatment of workers.

Environmental Impact

As outdoor brands, Patagonia and The North Face both aim to reduce their environmental footprints but Patagonia sets the bar higher in many regards. Some key environmental commitments from each brand:

Patagonia

• Achieved carbon neutrality in 2016 by reducing emissions and offsetting the remainder
• Committed to only using recycled polyester by 2025
• Grants 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits through 1% for the Planet
• Committed to achieving a circular business model to eliminate waste

The North Face

• Aims to reduce supply chain emissions 30% by 2030
• 75% of polyester was recycled in 2020
• Partners with the Renewal Workshop to recycle clothing

While both brands are working to reduce their environmental impacts, Patagonia has more ambitious, further-reaching goals around emissions reductions, materials innovation, and waste elimination.

Corporate Responsibility

Patagonia and The North Face have quite different business structures which impact their ethics and values:

• Patagonia is a private company that is also a certified B-Corp for high social and environmental standards. The North Face is owned by VF Corporation which is publicly traded.
• Patagonia donates 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits. The North Face does not have a similar donation program.
• Patagonia is fully transparent around its practices and supply chain. As a public company, The North Face discloses less supply chain information.

As a private B-Corp, Patagonia can prioritize social good in ways that a publicly traded company like The North Face may find more challenging. Patagonia also practices a higher level of transparency about its operations.

Product Quality and Guarantee

In terms of product quality and guarantees, both Patagonia and The North Face stand behind their gear but Patagonia has a stronger commitment to longevity:

• Patagonia has the famous Ironclad Guarantee – if a Patagonia product does not perform as promised or needs repairs, customers can return it for a refund, replacement or repair. The North Face has a more limited two year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
• Patagonia focuses on durable, long-lasting construction and easy repairability of gear. The North Face does not emphasize longevity and repairability to the same extent.
• Patagonia takes back used Patagonia gear for recycling and resale. The North Face also takes back used gear through Renewal Workshop but not directly.

Patagonia stands out with its Ironclad Guarantee and focus on making products that last and can be easily repaired and recycled. This commitment to quality and longevity is good for customers and the environment.

Activism and Advocacy

Both brands support environmental causes but Patagonia has activism woven into its DNA in a more forceful way:

• Patagonia is known for activism on issues like climate change and environmental destruction. Founder Yvon Chouinard views business as a way to fund activism.
• The North Face supports environmental nonprofits but takes a less activist approach to promoting causes.
• Patagonia frequently advocates politically for environmental policies. The North Face does not directly engage in political lobbying.
• Patagonia has sued the federal government over protection of public lands. The brand takes bold stances supporting environmentalism.

For customers who want to support a brand that takes forceful action to fight climate change and protect wild places, Patagonia offers a much stronger voice on the issues.

Conclusion

While The North Face has made strides when it comes to sustainability and ethical manufacturing, Patagonia goes significantly further across the board. With its ambitious environmental goals, transparent supply chain, commitment to quality and repair, and activism, Patagonia is widely regarded as the more ethical and sustainable outdoor gear brand. The North Face has room for improvement to reach Patagonia’s high bar for corporate responsibility and leadership on solving environmental problems. For shoppers who want to vote with their dollars to protect people and the planet, Patagonia remains the clear frontrunner in ethical outdoor apparel and gear.