About Cotopaxi: Where Adventure Meets Rugged, Purposeful Gear

For anyone who’s ever felt the thrill of a morning hike’s first light, the comfort of a campsite under the stars, or the pride of reaching a trail’s summit—Cotopaxi is built for you. We’re not just a brand selling outdoor products; we’re a community of adventurers who believe the outdoors is a place to connect, challenge yourself, and find joy in the wild. Founded on the idea that great outdoor gear shouldn’t just work—it should work for your journey, your values, and the planet—Cotopaxi has grown from a small team’s passion project to a go-to for hikers, campers, climbers, and wanderers everywhere.

Our Story: Born From a Love of the Wild (and a Frustration With “One-Size-Fits-All” Gear)

The Cotopaxi story starts with a group of friends who spent every weekend chasing outdoor adventures—from backpacking through the Rockies to kayaking remote rivers. But time and again, we hit the same roadblock: gear that didn’t keep up. Either it was flimsy (ripping after one tough trail), overcomplicated (with features we never used), or so expensive it felt like a luxury only a few could afford. We wanted something different: gear that was tough enough for backcountry trips, simple enough for casual outings, and accessible enough for anyone who wanted to step outside.

Named after Ecuador’s iconic Cotopaxi Volcano—a symbol of strength, resilience, and the raw beauty of the outdoors—our brand launched with a single goal: to make outdoor gear that serves you, not the other way around. Our first product? A backpack designed to hold all your essentials (water, snacks, a first-aid kit) without weighing you down, stitched with durable fabric that could handle scrapes against rocks or sudden rain. It was a hit not just because it worked, but because it felt like it was made by people who actually knew the outdoors.

Today, we’ve expanded to a full line of outdoor essentials—waterproof jackets that stand up to mountain storms, insulated sleeping bags that keep you warm on cold nights, hiking boots that grip slippery trails, and tents that set up in minutes (even for first-timers). But our core remains the same: we build gear for the adventures you actually take, not the ones you see in ads.

What Makes Cotopaxi Different: Gear With Purpose

Every product we design is guided by three principles—because when you’re out in the wild, your gear needs to be reliable, responsible, and right for your journey:

1. Rugged Durability That Keeps Up With You

Outdoor adventures don’t go easy on gear—and neither do we. Before any Cotopaxi product hits our site, it’s put through rigorous testing: we drag backpacks over rocky terrain, pour gallons of water on jackets, and subject sleeping bags to freezing temperatures. We use materials that are built to last: reinforced nylon for backpacks, waterproof-breathable membranes for outerwear, and anti-slip rubber for boot soles. This isn’t “throwaway gear”—it’s gear you’ll take on your first hike, your tenth camping trip, and every adventure after that.

2. Designed for Real Outdoor Lives

We don’t design gear for “perfect” adventures—we design it for yours. That means:

• Jackets with pockets big enough for your phone and trail map (no more fumbling to find your keys).
• Backpacks with adjustable straps that fit all body types (from teens to tall adults).
• Tents that set up in 5 minutes flat (even if you’re doing it alone, in the dark).
• Apparel that’s quick-drying (so you don’t stay soggy after a river crossing) and lightweight (so you don’t feel weighed down on long hikes).

We also listen to our community: every year, we survey thousands of Cotopaxi users to tweak our designs—adding a zipper here, reinforcing a seam there—because the best gear comes from people who use it.

3. Sustainability: Protecting the Outdoors We Love

The outdoors gives us so much—so we’re committed to giving back. We believe you shouldn’t have to choose between great gear and a healthy planet. That’s why:

• Over 90% of our products use recycled or responsibly sourced materials (like plastic bottles turned into jacket fabric, or wool from farms that follow animal welfare standards).
• We avoid harmful chemicals (no PFAS in our waterproof gear, no toxic dyes in our apparel) that can harm the environment or your skin.
• Our packaging is 100% recyclable or compostable—no plastic wrap, no unnecessary boxes.

We’re also on track to be carbon-neutral by 2026: we offset emissions from manufacturing and shipping, and we partner with organizations that plant trees in areas affected by deforestation. Because the last thing we want is to leave a footprint on the places we love to explore.

Join the Cotopaxi Community

Adventure is better when you share it. At Cotopaxi, we’re more than a brand—we’re a group of people who swap trail tips, post photos of their latest hikes (tag us @Cotopaxi!), and help each other out (like sharing gear hacks for new campers). We also host annual “Cotopaxi Adventures”—group hikes, camping trips, and volunteer days where we clean up trails or plant trees—because the outdoors is for everyone, and we want to build a community that cares for it together.

Have a question about a product? Want to share your adventure story? Need help picking the right gear for your next trip? Our team is here for you—email us anytime at [email protected]. We’re not just customer service; we’re fellow adventurers, and we love helping you plan your next journey.

Our Promise to You

When you buy Cotopaxi, you’re not just buying gear—you’re buying a promise: that your jacket will keep you dry, your backpack won’t break, and your purchase will help protect the outdoors. We stand behind every product we make: if something doesn’t work as it should, let us know, and we’ll fix it or replace it—no questions asked.

Thank you for choosing Cotopaxi. Whether you’re heading out for a day hike in your local park or a multi-day backpacking trip in the mountains, we’re honored to be part of your adventure. Now grab your gear, step outside, and make some memories—we’ll be right there with you.