Patagonia wetsuits become Fair Trade Certified

Patagonia is determinated to change the surf industry: the entire wetsuits line now is Fair Trade Certified

This fall Patagonia took a major step forward the change of the surf industry by realizing an entire Fair Trade Certified line of wetsuits. By investing in the Fair Trade certification of SHEICO, the largest wetsuit factory, Patagonia has made it easier for other companies to join the initiative and support the collaborators who work on the realization of the products.

Working with the SHEICO wetsuit factory and with Yulex, a partner for natural rubber, Patagonia Yulex full wetsuits, without neoprene, are now lighter, more elastic, more comfortable and with a better fit. To further reduce the environmental impact, mass-dyed and water-based outer fabrics have also been incorporated.

The production of the first Fair Trade Certified wetsuits will allow people who work to produce goods to be treated with the respect they deserve. For each wetsuit produced, workers receive a premium that can be used as a social investment for the community or to improve their standard of living. The certification also ensures that the factory follows Fair Trade USA standards regarding safe working conditions.