Yvon Chouinard established Patagonia as an outdoor-clothing company in 1973.
Chouinard was an accomplished climber and began making climbing equipment in the late 1950s. His business first operated under the name Chouinard Equipment, producing tools such as pitons. Concern about the environmental damage caused by pitons helped encourage the company to develop removable aluminum chocks.
Patagonia began as a clothing business in the early 1970s. The name referred to the Patagonia region of South America, whose landscapes matched the adventurous image Chouinard wanted for the brand. The company became known for technical outdoor apparel and strong environmental commitments.
In 2022, Chouinard transferred ownership of Patagonia to a purpose structure designed to direct profits toward fighting the climate crisis. This later ownership arrangement does not change the company’s founding date or founder.