Get To Know: Cotopaxi
Inspired by the power of adventure, Cotopaxi is a brand built to fuel outdoor experiences whilst tackling worldwide issues and helping communities in need. The latest drop at UO is a part of their designing ethos ‘Gear for Good’ with a mission to create fits for both people and planet. Get kitted out in a range of adventure-ready styles made for exploring the world including long-wearing outerwear and accessories crafted from recycled, repurposed or otherwise responsible materials. As a certified B Corporation, Cotopaxi makes products that support social, environmental and economic issues. With this in mind Cotopaxi and Urban Outfitters are supporting the International Rescue Committee with donations to help people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Read on to find out more.
Who Is The IRC?
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. They deliver lasting impact by providing healthcare, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls.
Where Do They Work?
The IRC is a leading humanitarian aid organisation that works in over 40 crisis-affected countries as well as communities throughout Europe and the Americas.
In 2022, the IRC responded to more than 24 crises, including the flooding in Pakistan, the war in Ukraine and the hunger crisis in Somalia. In addition, the IRC is responding to help communities in Türkiye and Syria affected by the devastating earthquake.
What’s Their Impact?
In the world today there are over 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes - this is more than any time since World War ll.
The IRC helps crisis-affected people in all contexts: in the midst of crisis, while displaced and when being resettled.
In 2021, the IRC and its partners assisted over 31.5 million people in countries affected by crises.
In 2021, its impact included providing 2.7 million people with access to clean water, reaching 1.2 million people with cash assistance, treating 155,528 children under 5 for severe acute malnutrition and enrolling 370,771 children and youth in learning programs.
In the U.S. in 2021, the IRC served nearly 35,000 people across 28 cities with asylum and protection programmes, and assisted 2,697 people to become new U.S. citizens.
How You Can Help
Learn more about the IRC’s work responding to humanitarian crises and get involved at Rescue.org/UO or check instagram @rescue_UK and @rescueorg.
Read 10 reasons why you should give and support here
Donate here
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. They deliver lasting impact by providing healthcare, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant, always with a focus on the unique needs of women and girls.
Where Do They Work?
The IRC is a leading humanitarian aid organisation that works in over 40 crisis-affected countries as well as communities throughout Europe and the Americas.
In 2022, the IRC responded to more than 24 crises, including the flooding in Pakistan, the war in Ukraine and the hunger crisis in Somalia. In addition, the IRC is responding to help communities in Türkiye and Syria affected by the devastating earthquake.
What’s Their Impact?
In the world today there are over 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes - this is more than any time since World War ll.
The IRC helps crisis-affected people in all contexts: in the midst of crisis, while displaced and when being resettled.
In 2021, the IRC and its partners assisted over 31.5 million people in countries affected by crises.
In 2021, its impact included providing 2.7 million people with access to clean water, reaching 1.2 million people with cash assistance, treating 155,528 children under 5 for severe acute malnutrition and enrolling 370,771 children and youth in learning programs.
In the U.S. in 2021, the IRC served nearly 35,000 people across 28 cities with asylum and protection programmes, and assisted 2,697 people to become new U.S. citizens.
How You Can Help
Learn more about the IRC’s work responding to humanitarian crises and get involved at Rescue.org/UO or check instagram @rescue_UK and @rescueorg.
Read 10 reasons why you should give and support here
Donate here
Meet The Community
United through a shared love of travel and outdoor experiences, we spoke with Luke and Amber from the Cotopaxi community to find out more about the brand and the people involved.
Luke @oi.lukey
I’m a London-based Advertising Creative and for the last couple years, have been making outdoor-fashion content on the side. Like a lot of people, the pandemic completely changed my perspective on the outdoors. Pre-lockdown, my girlfriend and I had just started going up mountains together. We loved it, but didn't have much in the way of gear or experience. Once we were stuck inside, all I could think about was getting back to nature and wide, open spaces and I used that time to invest in the proper kit. By then, a bit of a movement was happening on Instagram: a new outdoor community was coming up and I got stuck in, probably more enthusiastically than anything I'd done before. It's not an exaggeration to say it changed my life.
Amber @ambrmcknzie
I’m originally from the midlands but I’ve lived in London for nearly 10 years. I’m currently a PhD student in mental health studies. Since 2019, I’ve been getting outdoors more, going on hikes and camp trips with my boyfriend. Through the online community, I’ve made lots of new mates to get outside with and had the opportunity to hike in amazing locations like Madeira and the Dolomites.
What does it mean to be a part of the Cotopaxi community?
Luke: Meeting like-minded people who see a connection to nature as vital to their mental health. There's a shared appreciation of design and quality, too, as well as the need to be more sustainable in our choices.
Amber: I enjoy meeting like-minded people who are keen to get outside. I’ve made some amazing friends through the outdoors community who I wouldn’t have met otherwise if we didn’t have a shared love for hiking, camping and all the gear that comes with it.
Advice you’d give to someone looking to explore the great outdoors…
L: Take it seriously, take the right kit. Not to get all DofE about it, but things can go left real quick up on the hills, so do your research, keep your wits about you and have a plan B. Don't be daunted, though! Getting out of your comfort zone is half the fun.
A: Just get outside! Don’t wait for someone to make plans with you or to find the most perfect hike. Find your local green space and go and explore it.
What’s your favourite piece from the Cotopaxi collection?
L: The bags are the trademark, you can spot them a mile off. And I love how no two colourways are the same. Personally though, I'm a fan of the fleeces. They're really well made and the earth-toned colourways pop without being in-your-face. In the outdoor wear space, it feels like most designs go either end of the spectrum: super loud and graphic, or muted and a bit bland. I feel like Cotopaxi sits in the sweet spot, somewhere in between.
A: The blue and green women’s fleece. I LOVE the colour combo and haven’t seen another like it. An aqua fantasy.
5 things everyone should pack for an adventure…
L: Bare minimum? Plenty of water. Navigation i.e. map and compass. Decent footwear. Waterproof shell.
A: Sweets! When your friend pulls out the Haribo mix three hours into the hike, you’ll be so grateful. A camera to capture those views. Nothing makes for a miserable hiker like soggy, wet clothes - always bring waterproofs in case of a sudden downpour. Plenty of water, especially for those summer hikes. Gloves - it’s always chilly at the top !
Where was your most memorable trip?
L: Memorable for the wrong reasons, but I was caught solo wild camping on private land while bikepacking the Ridgeway. Thought I was being dead stealthy, but a gamekeeper saw me with his thermal goggles - could've caught a stray bullet! After an earful he let me set up in the next field, out of harm's way.
A: The Italian Dolomites. Luke and I did this trip last summer and the scenery was straight from The Sound of Music. It was the most dreamy trip, hiking around the craziest mountains and finishing the day with some pasta and an affogato.
3 songs on your travel playlist…
L: The tracks I cut my Reels to always bring back good memories. Three of my faves: Be Calm (ft. Willaris. K) - Skin On Skin; I've Got Some Happiness - Leland; and Xtal - Aphex Twin.
A: The whole Beyoncé Renaissance album - I played it from start to finish in the car on our last camping trip. Where Love Lives - Alison Limerick - it will always remind me of the Scottish Highlands. Finally - Kings of Tomorrow.
Where is your next journey?
L: We're backpacking around the Swiss Alps in May, but we'll definitely get a few camping trips in before then.
A: My next UK trip is to see my friends in Yorkshire for a hike in the hills. My next big trip is with Luke to hike around the Swiss alps in the spring.
United through a shared love of travel and outdoor experiences, we spoke with Luke and Amber from the Cotopaxi community to find out more about the brand and the people involved.
Luke @oi.lukey
I’m a London-based Advertising Creative and for the last couple years, have been making outdoor-fashion content on the side. Like a lot of people, the pandemic completely changed my perspective on the outdoors. Pre-lockdown, my girlfriend and I had just started going up mountains together. We loved it, but didn't have much in the way of gear or experience. Once we were stuck inside, all I could think about was getting back to nature and wide, open spaces and I used that time to invest in the proper kit. By then, a bit of a movement was happening on Instagram: a new outdoor community was coming up and I got stuck in, probably more enthusiastically than anything I'd done before. It's not an exaggeration to say it changed my life.
Amber @ambrmcknzie
I’m originally from the midlands but I’ve lived in London for nearly 10 years. I’m currently a PhD student in mental health studies. Since 2019, I’ve been getting outdoors more, going on hikes and camp trips with my boyfriend. Through the online community, I’ve made lots of new mates to get outside with and had the opportunity to hike in amazing locations like Madeira and the Dolomites.
What does it mean to be a part of the Cotopaxi community?
Luke: Meeting like-minded people who see a connection to nature as vital to their mental health. There's a shared appreciation of design and quality, too, as well as the need to be more sustainable in our choices.
Amber: I enjoy meeting like-minded people who are keen to get outside. I’ve made some amazing friends through the outdoors community who I wouldn’t have met otherwise if we didn’t have a shared love for hiking, camping and all the gear that comes with it.
Advice you’d give to someone looking to explore the great outdoors…
L: Take it seriously, take the right kit. Not to get all DofE about it, but things can go left real quick up on the hills, so do your research, keep your wits about you and have a plan B. Don't be daunted, though! Getting out of your comfort zone is half the fun.
A: Just get outside! Don’t wait for someone to make plans with you or to find the most perfect hike. Find your local green space and go and explore it.
What’s your favourite piece from the Cotopaxi collection?
L: The bags are the trademark, you can spot them a mile off. And I love how no two colourways are the same. Personally though, I'm a fan of the fleeces. They're really well made and the earth-toned colourways pop without being in-your-face. In the outdoor wear space, it feels like most designs go either end of the spectrum: super loud and graphic, or muted and a bit bland. I feel like Cotopaxi sits in the sweet spot, somewhere in between.
A: The blue and green women’s fleece. I LOVE the colour combo and haven’t seen another like it. An aqua fantasy.
5 things everyone should pack for an adventure…
L: Bare minimum? Plenty of water. Navigation i.e. map and compass. Decent footwear. Waterproof shell.
A: Sweets! When your friend pulls out the Haribo mix three hours into the hike, you’ll be so grateful. A camera to capture those views. Nothing makes for a miserable hiker like soggy, wet clothes - always bring waterproofs in case of a sudden downpour. Plenty of water, especially for those summer hikes. Gloves - it’s always chilly at the top !
Where was your most memorable trip?
L: Memorable for the wrong reasons, but I was caught solo wild camping on private land while bikepacking the Ridgeway. Thought I was being dead stealthy, but a gamekeeper saw me with his thermal goggles - could've caught a stray bullet! After an earful he let me set up in the next field, out of harm's way.
A: The Italian Dolomites. Luke and I did this trip last summer and the scenery was straight from The Sound of Music. It was the most dreamy trip, hiking around the craziest mountains and finishing the day with some pasta and an affogato.
3 songs on your travel playlist…
L: The tracks I cut my Reels to always bring back good memories. Three of my faves: Be Calm (ft. Willaris. K) - Skin On Skin; I've Got Some Happiness - Leland; and Xtal - Aphex Twin.
A: The whole Beyoncé Renaissance album - I played it from start to finish in the car on our last camping trip. Where Love Lives - Alison Limerick - it will always remind me of the Scottish Highlands. Finally - Kings of Tomorrow.
Where is your next journey?
L: We're backpacking around the Swiss Alps in May, but we'll definitely get a few camping trips in before then.
A: My next UK trip is to see my friends in Yorkshire for a hike in the hills. My next big trip is with Luke to hike around the Swiss alps in the spring.