Show HN: Cotopaxi – Gear for Good

Disclaimer: I am ecuadorean. Unless you are the same company as these guys: <a href="https://www.equiposcotopaxi.com.ec/mobile/" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.equiposcotopaxi.com.ec&#x2F;mobile&#x2F;</a> then your social good cause will lose ground on the fact that you would be damaging a local industry by using an established brand. Now, please allow some criticism to your logo. I am sure you were after a cool name like Patagonia, and el Cotopaxi is indeed super cool, it is the highest active volcano in the world, a perfect cone covered with snow all year round, located in a magnificent valley (el páramo) and surrounded by other beautiful ancient mountains and lakes. A must-add destination for anyone&#x27;s bucket list. Wild life includes the mighty condor (biggest flying bird on the planet), andean fox, deer, falcons, mustangs and bulls (both introduced by humans); and exactly zero llamas ;) Okay, maybe there are five or six at the tourist area brought in by a local entreprenuer to sell la foto to los gringos. So, I advice you scratch the andean camel off your logo and use the superb volcano instead (assuming you can legally use the brand that is).<p><a href="http://kantoborgy.com/leonardo_salvador_vivar_ayora/2012/antisana/20121206/lsva_micatambo_morurco_cotopaxi.jpg" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;kantoborgy.com&#x2F;leonardo_salvador_vivar_ayora&#x2F;2012&#x2F;ant...</a>

This is a really crowded space, what sets you apart?<p>Patagonia, GoLite, Nau and others all have social commitments and are doing rally cool things in terms of supply chain transparency or you can buy from a small cottage maker like nw alpine, cilogear or westcomb (all made in the usa or candada). Are you a B-corp like some of the others mentioned?<p>Do you have any connection to the culture you appropriated for your name? Sherpa Adventure Gear is at least owned made and tested by sherpas...<p>Looking at this stuff as an experienced climber&#x2F;hiker&#x2F;mountaineer&#x2F;skier it looks poorly thought out or poorly described. Ie either the designes were thrown together or the guy who wrote the description wasn&#x27;t aware of the purpose and has no experience layering for the outdoors.<p>Focusing on the Pacaya coat for example, Polartech alpha is a really cool breathable puffy coat fabric released in the last couple of years but you don&#x27;t mention that or if the face fabric you use complements that (ie the westcomb tango similar to your pacaya uses pertex equilibrium. See also the rab strata, marmot isotherm, and new patagonia nano air (non alpha but similar fabric) all of which make a big deal of the increased breathability of these new fabrics) or even list a denier for it...it could be some pu coated nylon that breathes like a ziplock.<p>You mention polartech power stretch which is a specific fabric but don&#x27;t mention where it is used or why you would want to add a breathable fleece panel to an already breathable alpha jacket.<p>And what the hell is a scuba hood? Does it go under or over a helmet? And how much does this thing weigh? This is the single most important piece of information most serious outdoor people will look for.<p>Some of the pieces seem technical and some are made from waxed cotton with buttons...as a young brand i&#x27;d suggest focusing either on pieces that actually work in the outdoors or stylish ones but not trying to do both until you develop a following.<p>I can&#x27;t tell what is up with the packs. I&#x27;m ignoring the cotton&#x2F;leather ones and the luzon does look okay (similar to athe popular rei flash) but the rest have tons of zippers in strange places and there is a hugh gap in your line in the &quot;actually useful for serious outdoor pursuits ranging from 1-3 day trips&quot; 30-55 liter size.<p>My suggestion would be that, if you want to market yourself as an outdoor company focus on making quality pieces that fill outdoors peoples needs and be better about listing specs to help people decided if what you have is better then what else is out there. Being &quot;for good&quot; is not particularly unique in this industry.<p>If you want to do fashion do fashion.

Thanks HN! I am one of the founders of Cotopaxi. We are a direct-to-consumer outdoor brand focused on humanity, ie. each product contributes to various social causes. Having worked in non-profit and built e-commerce businesses before, my co-founders and I are eager to find a way to give back more sustainably. We would love your questions and feedback! Thanks!

Looks really awesome. Will definitely have to look around and recommend to others.<p>Is the ambassador model similar to the &quot;jewelry parties&quot; or Pampered Chef? Are you a non profit?<p>My wife just started working with Noonday Collection [1] which seems somewhat similar but for women&#x27;s jewelry.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.noondaycollection.com/" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.noondaycollection.com&#x2F;</a>

Homerun team. I&#x27;d love for everything I buy in the future to be direct to consumer goods.

@jacoste: I&#x27;m a good guy so I only wear black tees. :) any plan for something in that color? I&#x27;ll probably break my own rules for your products since you guys support water accessibility in poor countries, a cause near and dear to me.

The VOLTA roll top is amazing!...coming from someone who works at Cotopaxi and has been testing a prototype. It fit my 70m climbing rope, quickdraws, shoes, harness, water, and chalk bag....and goes to a great cause.

Very cool. As you expand your product line, I doubt it will be too long before Backcountry (also based in Utah) takes notice.

Would love to see more info about the factories, average wages, ages, etc. Looks great otherwise!

Great name. Are you from Ecuador or have you been there?

Love the designs and approach!

two bricks in a school from an $89 satchel? Might one not do better there?

Love it!