Patagonia introduces Traceable Down for AW14‏

Patagonia introduces Traceable Down for AW14‏

When it comes to selecting winter jackets, a popular choice will be to choose one with down stuffing as it’s regarded for its heat retention qualities. They also remain soft and hold their shape over time, which is the same reason they’re used for premium pillows. The methods and sources that the down materials gathered is something most brands won’t make public and most consumers will be unaware of. That is until Patagonia reassessed their processes and introduced 100% Traceable Down for their AW14 collection.

In 2010 they were called out and shamed for incidents of animal cruelty in their supply chain with the use of down material. Rather than hiding or sweeping it under the covers from public view, they held their hands up, met the criticism and took a deep look in to their failings. They openly discussed their mistakes and went out rectifying them with transparency. After pouring resources into turning things around, they now proudly boast the highest standards for animal welfare in the business and encourage other companies to follow their lead.

Patagonia products now contain only 100% Traceable Down, which can be tracked back to birds that were never force-fed, live plucked and don’t mix them with blended down. Similarly to how now all wood products are checked that they’re from a safe and sustainable source, Patagonia have set a standard that all down is also traceable that other companies can match. For this season Patagonia have a selection of down filled products including sweater jackets, scarves, vest, plus hooded and Gortex™ jackets.

Text: Professor B