Patagonia's Terravia Sacoche is the sort of bag you might sling on for a mooch around town on the bike, a day out in a strange city or a flight to somewhere exotic – it’s small enough not to get in the way, but with just enough space for phone, wallet, keys, passport and a few other bits. The 3-litre capacity is split between a zipped main compartment and two front stretch-mesh drop-in pockets, which are perfect for things you need to grab quickly. It’s a versatile little beggar too – the adjustable strap (attached with cord rather than webbing) lets you wear it crossbody or up front, and you can also attach it to a bigger bag or even use it as a packing cube. When you're done with it, the whole thing stuffs down into its own pocket and weighs just 111g. Made in ripstop nylon, it’s quick-drying and weather-resistant, plus it’s Patagonia so the materials and manufacture are Fair Trade Certified, bluesign-approved, etc. etc.
Patagonia is the brand that other gear companies want to be when they grow up. In 2022, the company's founder, Yvon Chouinard, famously gave the company to the planet. It’s now jointly controlled by a charitable trust and a not-for-profit dedicated to fighting the climate crisis, and all post-operating profits go to environmental causes.
But in some ways that’s the tip of the (melting) iceberg. For nearly half a century, Patagonia has been an experiment in responsible business. From the farms that grow their cotton to the factories that make their goods and everything in-between, they’ve tried incredibly hard to set the gold standard in terms of ethics, transparency and social responsibility. Not only that, but their gear is made to last – to take hard use and repairs, and to maintain its performance through thick and thin.
All of which is even more extraordinary when you consider that Yvon Chouinard started out blacksmithing climbing gear for his mates in his parents' backyard, using a forge and anvil that he bought from a junkyard.
At WildBounds we don’t usually tend to go for the big-name brands, but this was one we simply couldn’t resist. Quite apart from their amazing ethical and environmental credentials, they just make great gear. We’ve used it and loved it for years, and you will too.