Patagonia announces wetsuit repair tour, all brands welcome

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Jun 7, 2018

Patagonia's newest activation for its refurbished clothing and gear program, Worn Wear, takes the form of a tour offering free repairs of any brand of wetsuit, in an attempt to encourage reduced consumption of new products and reuse of functional goods.

While this is not Worn Wear's first road tour, it is the first time the repairs tour has included service on any brand. Previously customers were invited to have their used Patagonia goods repaired on site at the tour events. This time, as long as the wetsuit is dry, Patagonia will repair it for free.

Worn Wear started in 2013 as part of Patagonia's mission to change the consumer relationship with goods. Patagonia's goal with the program is to encourage reuse, recycling and reduction of landfill and environmental waste at the end of the garment's life-cycle.

"The single best thing we can do for the planet is keep our gear in use longer and cut down on consumption," the brand explains in a release. 

Other companies have begun modeling refurbished programs on Patagonia's Worn Wear, a testament to the shift in consumer preference to second-hand and used clothing. Most recently, The North Face launched a pilot program selling used product at reduced prices.

Patagonia's Worn Wear wetsuit tour kicks off at the Long Beach Surf Shop in Tofino, BC on June 16th and 17th. It heads down the US West Coast making stops in Washington, Oregon and California along the way.

Repairs are offered for free, first come first served. Patagonia will also be repairing clothing as well as wetsuits at the tour stops as part of its routine Worn Wear services.