Skip to main content

Cotopaxi: Ethically Awesome Daypacks

cotopaxi luzon bags
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cotopaxi isn’t your average outdoor retailer: it is a certified B Corporation, meaning Cotopaxi “meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.” Cotopaxi believes that through travel and adventure, we all grow and become interconnected. It’s this love of the world as a whole that drives Cotopaxi to invest in it. And this investment takes of the form of  quality-made, stylish equipment, that also ensures quality of life for Cotopaxi employees. Their goods help you, the consumer, to get out and connect with the world–even the people who made your bag.

Most, if not all, Cotopaxi products are made elsewhere in the world, despite being a Delaware Public Benefit Company (PBC)–and that’s deliberate. As a PBC, Cotopaxi is designated, rather uniquely, as a for-profit company that “…is intended to produce public benefits and to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.” The founders clearly take this mandate to heart.

They wanted find ways to truly help solve major global problems like healthcare, education, and economic growth. They found one way to do this is to invigorate foreign communities by bringing in Cotopaxi opportunities. It’s a very deliberate, well-researched decision to outsource. The company will only use factories that have been audited for health and safety and that have also agreed to health and safety concessions. But Cotopaxi takes it a step further. Not only does Cotopaxi personally inspect any proposed factory, but it also hires local journalists to interview employees to get the real skinny on working conditions. This is done partly to ensure their products are ethically made and are actually benefiting communities. But, a lot of it has to do with wanting to forge real, positive relationships with their employees.

Take their Luzon Del Día daypack. The factory behind these brightly colored, repurposed nylon backpacks is located in, you guessed it, Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. The bag itself is already awesome: it’s easy to pack, the straps are breathable mesh, and there’s an internal hydration sleeve. But that’s not what makes it amazing. What does make it amazing is that each employee of the Luzon factory has complete color design control over the bags he or she makes. Not only does this freedom make your bag truly one-of-a-kind, but it forms a connection between you and the person who created it–you know, that whole interconnectivity thing. Plus, it means that these employees are given the freedom to be creative craftsman rather than just sewing-machine drones. All this functionality, creativity, interconnectivity, and economic sustainability, all for the low price of $49.95.

Elizabeth Dahl
Elizabeth Dahl is a southern girl in the heart of Los Angeles who lived far too long before learning what an incredible food…
Make winter sports stress-free: Visit these phenomenal all-inclusive ski resorts
These are the best all-inclusive ski resorts for you this winter
Skiiers shred slopes

All-inclusive vacations can be a great way to save money and relieve stress when planning a trip. The resort handles the logistics of buying lift tickets, renting ski gear, booking lessons, cooking meals, and even supplying drinks. All you have to do is show up and enjoy yourself. If you're the type of person — or family — who enjoys the ease of taking cruises in the warmer months, an all-inclusive ski vacation might be just the thing for you.

While we appreciate that not every all-inclusive will suit everyone — perhaps you've got your perfect ski setup already and don't want to pay for a rental package you won't use. But with such a variety of packages on offer, isn't it time that you took the stress out of your ski holiday and found yourself an idyllic ski resort that not only catered to all of your skiing needs but also where you had your meals and drinks and everything else sorted before you arrive? Well, check out these 10 all-inclusive ski resorts because it's time to get booking.

Read more
Apple just gave hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders a great reason to use Apple Maps and ditch Google Maps
Go anywhere and never get lost
Apple Maps update press release photo

Google Maps has long been a dominant player in navigation, known for its comprehensive data and ease of use. However, with the release of iOS 17, Apple has introduced a game-changing feature that's set to make Apple Maps the go-to choice for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Apple is finally introducing offline maps, and it's a feature that will revolutionize the way hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders navigate the great outdoors.
iOS 17 unveils offline maps for Apple Maps
Apple Maps has come a long way since its initial launch, and it's continually striving to offer users a more robust and feature-rich experience. With the launch of iOS 17 on September 18, 2023, Apple is introducing offline maps, a feature that will be a game-changer for those who love outdoor activities.

Offline maps allow users to select specific areas to download to their phones. Once downloaded, these maps can be accessed and used without an internet connection. This makes it possible to enjoy turn-by-turn navigation and conduct searches even in remote areas where internet connectivity may be unreliable or nonexistent. It works similarly to Google Maps in the sense that you do need a WiFi connection to download the maps, but after that, you're good to go off the grid.
The perfect companion for outdoor adventures
For outdoor enthusiasts, this feature is a dream come true. Whether you're hiking in the wilderness, camping in a remote location, skiing down the slopes, or snowboarding in the mountains, having access to offline maps can be a lifesaver. Here's how this feature can benefit different adventure seekers:

Read more
You can mountain bike into Death Valley and watch the next solar eclipse on October 14
Death valley and a solar eclipse? How delightfully dystopian!
A picture showing the beautiful landscape and clear skies of Death Valley

I don’t think we need to say more than a mountain bike trip into Death Valley to watch the upcoming solar eclipse. But if that is where we left it that wouldn’t be doing justice to the incredible five-day excursion being put on by Escape Adventures. 

Celebrating over 30 years of planning, prepping, and leading adventure travel vacations, Escape Adventures has it all covered. From avid cyclists to beginners bringing along their families, Escape Adventures has a vacation for everybody.

Read more