Cotopaxi’s creed, Do Good, touches every aspect of our company. From our giving model to our company culture and sustainable product design, we see our business as a vehicle to make an impact.

As a certified B Corporation, we put 1% of our revenue toward addressing poverty and supporting community development. Through our grant program, we promote organizations successfully improving the human condition. To date, we’ve awarded 42 grants in six focus countries. Learn more about our impact here. 

Impact starts with how we operate. That means taking into account ethics during every phase of a product’s lifecycle—from its design to its manufacture and sale. We’re into funky; we’re into recycled; we’re into treating those who sew our products with respect. To ensure that anyone who touches our products is well-treated, we work with suppliers to uphold a rigorous code of conduct.

The old standard is, well, getting old. By empowering the people who make our gear, building lasting relationships, and ensuring our products come to life under fair, sustainable working conditions, we’re changing the supply chain for the better. Our products are built to last. If there’s a problem with your product, we’ll gladly work with you to repair the item, exchange it, or get you a replacement.

OUR STORY

Cotopaxi (kōtōpä´ksē) is an active stratovolcano in the Ecuadorian region of the Andes. The volcano is an important part of the local culture and is held sacred by nearby Andean indigenous communities. It’s also our namesake.

Our founder

Davis Smith, grew up in Latin America and lived for several years in Ecuador. When he wasn’t in school, Davis was exploring and camping in Cotopaxi National Park. It was here that he developed a lifelong reverence for the strong, hard-working people of the Andes. His time in Latin America also showed him the plight of those in abject poverty.