Say hello to the Cotopaxi Del Día collection, where sustainability, practicality, and creativity come together in a kaleidoscope of colour and purpose.

 

Cotopaxi’s signature bright colours have been a well received breath of fresh air in the world of outdoor gear. Most of my packs and accessories are black, or muted greens and earthy colours. While I love those colours, not everyone does. Until Cotopaxi came along in 2014, there were precious few (if any?) brands making such bright statement pieces for the outdoors.

And there’s no better example of that than their Del Dia Collection. Not only is it colourful as, but it’s produced ethically and sustainably using upcycled fabrics. Despite being in production for seven years already, we’re still meeting people who don’t even know Cotopaxi exists – let alone Del Dia! – so we figured it was high time we spoke about it! 

The Del Dia collection embodies everything Cotopaxi stands for and as a fellow B-Corp and fans of gear that does good, we’re all for it.

This 1.5L hip pack is as versatile on the trail as it is off

What Makes the Cotopaxi Del Día Collection Different?

Each item in the Del Día range is as unique as the adventurer who carries it. Each pack, duffle, and hip bag is made from leftover fabric collected from other companies’ production runs. It’s part of Cotopaxi’s commitment to make Gear For Good by turning what could have been waste into rugged, completely unique gear that can be enjoyed for many more years to come. 

As a consumer this unpredictability is a fun aspect for some, (you don’t know if the pack you ordered will be bright pink or a dull forest green!), and a nightmare for others. However you view it, it sure is a unique approach to retail. 

When you purchase a Del Dia product you’re directly supporting the creativity of Cotopaxi’s factory workers in the Philippines. These skilled makers mix and match colours as they see fit on the day, infusing each product with their own style. 

It’s also where the name ‘Del Dia’ comes from, it’s Spanish for ‘Of the day’. Talk about synergy. 

Climbers are taken care of with a chalk bucket

Or a small chalk bag

Good for You, Good for the Planet

Whenever I hear that a product is made from recycled materials there’s a little voice in my head that questions how good the quality will be. Will a recycled fabric pack hold its own on a week-long hike compared to one made from brand-new materials?

We tested the Cotopaxi Del Dia Allpa-35 a few years back and it scored really highly on just about every criteria. For due diligence, we’ve lined up a few more reviews on different products from the Del Dia range and will be bringing those to you soon! 

Like We Are Explorers, Cotopaxi is a certified B-Corp, meeting high standards for social and environmental impact. Plus, they’re climate-neutral certified, so you know their efforts go beyond just talking the talk.

The Del Dia Batak 24L day pack is great for short trips

A Cause For Creativity

The inspiration for the Del Día range originated from a brainstorming session to give factory workers more opportunities to be creative. The idea to use recycled fabrics to create one-of-a-kind products that evolved as a result wasn’t just a win for the makers, but for the planet too.

Every piece in the Cotopaxi Del Día collection is a vibrant reminder that sustainability isn’t just about being ‘green’. If doing good is as easy as giving up a bit of control over gear color choices so that, halfway across the world, a factory worker’s day can be a little brighter and more creative, then I’m in.

More Sustainability in the Outdoors

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