Going on a hike? Perhaps, travel somewhere outdoor or just near a mountain?
To others, hiking and doing other outdoor activities soothe their nerves whenever they are stressed. Some would just stay at home and get their favorite book and start reading. Yet, some would just want to explore the world. They would travel to all sorts of places, try new things and learn through experience.
We crave for an adventure for a lifetime that is worth immortalizing or posting on your social accounts. Branding is a powerful tool even with yourself. We tend to curate our posts so we get noticed yet have you ever noticed the beauty that is just around the corner. Travel is not just about the distance you go but the irreplaceable experience of journeying and traveling itself.
Traveling may or may not involve bring stuff. We even tell ourselves to travel light yet we end up bring so many stuff that would last a week. Memes have surfaced that some have the difficulty in packing and end up packing more instead of packing light and would put them in heavy luggages that would weigh a ton!
Then, I saw Cotopaxi!
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is a company selling outdoor gear and bags that has been changing the lives of so many people from different parts of the world. Not only they sell outdoor gear and bags but they also help communities that are less fortunate. They strive people to do good and to ignite the adventurer in each of us.
They choose their partner factories where the backpacks are made carefully and with pride. One of which is located in Luzon which is the biggest island in the Philippines.
“We always use factories that have been audited and that signed onto certain agreements and safety accords; however, I don’t trust those alone”
says CJ Whittaker, Cotopaxi’s VP of Product
![]() |
Meeting in a factory in Bataan |
The materials (repurposed fabric so no two designs are alike) used for the bags are carefully chosen and even though the brand is foreign, the owners make a way to connect with the people who are sewing and putting together all the materials for the bag.
![]() |
Choosing the colors |
In every relationship, trust is always there. The employees bond with the people behind Cotopaxi thru games and the Cotopaxi staff gives back through giving credit to the Filipinos who created the bags. Tags in our language are seen inside the bags (well of course, there’s a translation for it) and it makes me proud for this!
![]() |
Bag tag |
What makes me admire Cotopaxi more is that their corporate social responsibility to give and share with the less fortunate people in the world. I hope their move would ignite other companies as well. There’s no harm in helping one another without losing anything.
![]() |
Hope this infographic helps. |
To the travellers there, I hope you buy from Cotopaxi because I strongly believe in the quality of their products and also with what their cause is. From just mere observation, traveling with them is like traveling and spreading the love at the same time.
For the people out there interested to buy some Cotopaxi goods, here’s something for you:
![]() |
Discount Code |
And if you have the luxury, visit this page and fill out the details and you can receive 15% discount from Cotopaxi and you get a free sticker!
Remember, Cotopaxi is a gear for good!
Photo credits: Cotopaxi
17 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I love traveling and meeting new people, seeing new things. Hiking, not so much. I think it is so awesome that there are companies with a conscience. I would definitely be moved to buy from them knowing that.
I have always thought about traveling to unknown places, but it is only now that I am expanding my wings and actually doing them. I find traveling lightly to be a bit of a problem, especially when you want to document and curate awesome photos and videos. I usually think: Cameras and chargers, or awesome OOTD clothes(because I like fashion ootds as well), and usually, Cameras and chargers win hands down. Hence, when you would see my photos, I’m wearing sweats and a shirt on my hiking and other travel photos…
I think supporting Cotopaxi’s cause is a great way to contribute to the goodness of humanity, all while snagging an awesome and durable bag at the same time. I would love to get a kid’s luzon 15L backpack for my kids when I bring them with me to hikes soon
I remember a move I just saw this weekend. The Descent. The cavers were all women and even though they look like they were just out to have fun, they have serious gears with them that helped them throughout their travel. If they had no gears or insufficient gears, they would not last half the time the movie aired. I am not an outdoorsy type person but I might consider Cotopaxi if ever we will go hiking.
My cousin, is a total outdoor nut. He’s hiked through a bunch of mountains in the Philippines and has even reached the summit of aconcagua. It’s always a dilemma whenever i buy him gifts because I’m not an outdoorsy person myself. Plus hiking gear is scandalously expensive! I would gladly spend on stuff that help bring livelihood to filipinos though. This is definitely in my xmas gift list. Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree with you on this one. “Travel is not just about the distance you go but the irreplaceable experience of journeying and traveling itself.” That is why, at times, I’m asking myself why I’m trying to be a travel blogger when I’m a traveler. A traveler who just savors the moment and fails to take photos, at times, of what’s in front of me.
Anyway, it’s good to know about Cotopaxi. I’m not an outdoorsy kind of person as I prefer traveling abroad with my luggage in tow. However, I’ll definitely recommend it to my best friend.
Good to know yet another brand of outdoor gears, but more than the brand itself is that it is made in the Philippines. We could all have more locally made products. The label is commendable… Made with pride in the Philippines. My pinoy friends, do you feel that?
Interesting bags! It’s great that they’re proudly Pinoy too! It’s interesting how Cotopaxi is a foreign brand but very proud of the Filipino heritage, whereas most Filipino shoppers prefer imported brands and shun local ones. Way to go!
http://postcardpretty.com
“It’s interesting how Cotopaxi is a foreign brand but very proud of the Filipino heritage, whereas most Filipino shoppers prefer imported brands and shun local ones.”
I so agree with you! 😀
Colonial mentality kasi eh. If only the local companies would be given a chance din.
I would like to add another insight. We need to have pride in products made here especially when we know these are good products and that the company behind is involved in social economic projects.
That is great to know about. I always like hearing about companies that treat their workers well. And I’m sure it makes people in the Philippines proud to see that label. I don’t go backpacking really, but if I did I’m sure I would be interesting in learning more about this brand.
That is so nice that they help others as well as have a good product. I like the colorful straps on the backpack! 🙂
Ohhh ill take note of this Brand Cotopaxi and I’m glad that its Filipino brand. The quality looks like can compete to international brand. I’ll highly recommend this brand to my friends and knowing that they have a good csr. We should support them 🙂
Yehey! Btw, if you click the link on my sidebar regarding Cotopaxi, you could join their sticker program. 🙂
I love traveling because for me it’s about learning about somebody and something else, it’s about broadening my mind and being more open to experiences & ideas. Wow! And I love a brand in outdoor gears that is made by Pinoys!
I must say that this company has a good vision not just to the product that they will produce but also to their people and the mass as well. I like the way they put their tags on the bag, it’s as if shouting that “hey I’m a proud Filipino” It is also nice of them to bond with their people. Will tell my backpacker friends about them.
Thanks for sharing this
I’m proud of this brand!
As a frequent traveler myself, my bag is a my life.
I’ll try to find this bag in Cebu, hopefully I can and I’ll give you a feedback.
This gives me another reason to be proud as a Pinoy.
I love lokal products and this one is not an exception.
cheers! http://www.masterryo.com
You may check their website for stores though I think they sell online for now. Not sure about physical stores. 😀