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About Fair Trade Products

A woman paddles in a canoe with Patagonia gear

When you buy Fair Trade Certified™ products, you’re choosing quality gear made the right way. Fair Trade Certification supports fair pay, safer workplaces, and stronger communities while promoting responsible environmental practices. Our Experts outline what you need to know about Fair Trade products and how to identify them when you’re shopping.

What is Fair Trade Certification?

Fair Trade Certification is built on the following core principles:

  1. Empowering Workers: Fair Trade supports small-scale farmers and workers by ensuring fair pay, safe working conditions, and a stronger voice in their communities.

  2. Sustainable Development: Fair Trade Certified™ products follow strict environmental standards that help preserve natural resources and biodiversity.

  3. Fair Pricing: Producers earn a fair price for their goods, plus a Fair Trade Premium that’s reinvested into projects like education, healthcare, and community development.

  4. Transparency and Accountability: Every Fair Trade product meets rigorous certification standards to ensure honesty, traceability, and responsible practices from start to finish.

Earning the Fair Trade Certified™ label isn’t easy. Each product goes through a detailed review to ensure fair pay, safe working conditions, and responsible environmental practices. Independent audits verify that every item meets these high standards.

How to Shop Fair Trade Certified™ Products

Shopping Fair Trade Certified™ products is an easy way to support people and the planet while finding quality gear you love.

You’ll find Fair Trade Certified™ clothing from brands like:

  • Patagonia: Patagonia proudly pays a premium for over 90% of its apparel line to be made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.

  • prAna: prAna has committed to a goal of producing 100% of its products in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory by 2028. Since 210, they've converted 11 of their factories.

  • Arc'teryx: By the end of 2025, Arc'teryx aims to have 80% of its products be Fair Trade Certified™.

  • Cotopaxi: Select Cotopaxi logo wear is made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.

Because Fair Trade Certification can apply to specific factories or individual items within a collection, not every product from a brand will carry the certification. To confirm your purchase is certified, look for the Fair Trade Certified™ logo on the product’s hang tag in-store or the words “Fair Trade Certified™” in the item’s description online.

When you shop Fair Trade Certified™ products at SCHEELS, you’re choosing quality gear that supports workers and communities around the world. Visit your local SCHEELS to explore our full selection of sustainable brands and speak with a Clothing Expert.