7 socially responsible outdoor companies that give back to the environment

Shop outdoor gear and apparel at Cotopaxi here

Host of the adventurous city scavenger hunt Questival, maker of one of our favorite carry-on bags, certified B Corp that leaves no stone unturned in fighting poverty around the world — that's relative newcomer Cotopaxi in a nutshell.

The company hones in on three pillars that are important for creating a sustainable path out of poverty — health, education, livelihoods — and selects high-impact organizations to collaborate with accordingly. On its website, you'll find clear Impact Reports that delineate how your Cotopaxi purchase helps someone in need.

Shop outdoor gear and apparel at REI here

Love trying different outdoor brands? REI plays host to all the top outdoor gear and clothing companies, as well as its own REI Co-op brand. Its unique co-op model means that more than 70% of its annual profits are given back to the outdoor community, in the form of dividends to more than 18 million members and investments in outdoors-related non-profits. Some more impressive numbers to chew on: In 2018, it invested $8.4 million in 431 non-profit partners and rallied 150,000 volunteers to impact more than 5,000 outdoor spaces nationwide.

Shop Hydro Flask bottles and other hydration accessories here: Hydro Flask | Amazon | REI

Hydro Flask specializes in insulated drinkware and coolers that are as useful on hikes and camping trips as in the office or home. Its Parks For All initiative specifically supports non-profits that build, maintain, restore, and provide better access to parks. In 2019, it has provided grants to organizations that empower members of underrepresented communities to pursue outdoor recreation, ensure drinkable and swimmable water in Miami, restore park trails in Pittsburgh while providing workforce development opportunities, and more.

Shop outdoor gear and apparel at United by Blue here

In addition to creating products like jackets and hiking boots from more sustainable materials like bison, United by Blue directly involves its customers and employees by hosting trash clean-ups. The model is simple and effective: for every product sold, it removes one pound of trash from the world's oceans and waterways. Since its founding in 2010, it has removed more than 1.7 million pounds of trash. You can join a cleanup near you here, or order a DIY Cleanup Kit.

Shop Patagonia outdoor gear and apparel here: Patagonia | Amazon | Nordstrom | REI

An all-around quality clothing and gear manufacturer, Patagonia is also one of the most active and vocal brands in the retail world today — not just among outdoor companies. The activist company donates 1% of sales to support environmental organizations around the world and focuses on providing funding at the grassroots level. It's also pushing shoppers to become more politically involved themselves, providing resources and event information about cause-based groups near you.

Shop The North Face outdoor gear and apparel here: Amazon | REI | Macy's

The North Face has dozens of partners participating in its Explore Fund, a program that revolves around the main themes of "Enabling Exploration" and "Loving Wild Places." Cool initiatives include "Walls Are Meant For Climbing," which helps build free, public climbing boulders, and "Protect Our Winters," which connects high school students with athletes to learn about climate change. It also recently created a filmmakers grant for women filmmakers to show their perspectives and experiences of outdoor exploration.