Craghoppers vs. Patagonia: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

Craghoppers is a British outdoor brand that delivers practical, budget-friendly gear for travelers and casual hikers, focusing on features like insect resistance. In contrast, Patagonia is an American brand celebrated for its premium, high-performance apparel and deep-rooted commitment to environmental sustainability, operating at a much higher price point.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right outdoor brand for your adventures.

Craghoppers: The Practical & Affordable Adventurer

Craghoppers is a well-regarded British brand designed for adventurers who prioritize function and value. Their target customer is the practical traveler and outdoor enthusiast who needs reliable, durable clothing for hiking, trekking, and exploration without paying premium prices. The brand is particularly known for its innovative technologies, like built-in insect repellent and sun protection.

• Product mix: A comprehensive range of outdoor jackets, trousers, shirts, and base layers. They are best known for their adventure travel clothing with features designed for comfort and protection in various climates.
• Price point: Very affordable. Waterproof jackets typically range from $80 to $150, and their popular insect-repellent trousers are priced between $50 and $100, offering excellent value for the money.
• Quality: Craghoppers gear is designed to be durable and functional for regular use. They use a mix of synthetic and recycled fabrics that are lightweight and quick-drying, though they are generally less technical than those used by premium competitors.
• Sizing/Fit: Garments generally fit true to size with a relaxed, comfortable cut designed to allow for movement and layering. Sizing typically runs from XS to XXL.
• Sustainability: The company incorporates recycled materials and participates in the Bluesign certification for sustainable manufacturing, reflecting a growing commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Craghoppers is the go-to choice for reliable, no-frills gear that offers great features for an accessible price, making it ideal for family adventures, global travel, and casual hiking.

Shop Craghoppers: craghoppers.com

Patagonia: The Leader in Sustainability & Performance

Patagonia is an American outdoor brand that has built its entire identity around environmental activism and creating high-performance, long-lasting gear. Their customer is an eco-conscious adventurer who engages in serious outdoor activities like climbing, skiing, and surfing and is willing to invest in premium apparel that aligns with their values. Durability and timeless design are core to their philosophy.

• Product mix: Offers everything from technical hard shells and insulated jackets to iconic fleeces, base layers, and swimwear. Their products are designed for specialized activities and are equally popular for everyday wear.
• Price point: Premium. Jackets often start around $200 and can easily exceed $500, with t-shirts and base layers priced from $50 upward. The high cost reflects the investment in sustainable materials and ethical production.
• Quality: World-class. Patagonia uses innovative, proprietary fabrics like H2No waterproof membranes and Capilene base layers. Their focus on durable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton is backed by rigorous testing and a commitment to repairability.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is consistent with an athletic and modern fit that accommodates layering. They offer an excellent range of sizes, including tall and petite options, to fit diverse body types.
• Sustainability: An industry pioneer. Patagonia is a certified B Corp that uses Fair Trade-certified manufacturing and widely promotes its Worn Wear program for repairing and reselling used gear. The company donates 1% of sales to environmental causes.

Patagonia is for the consumer who views their purchase as a long-term investment in performance, durability, and environmental responsibility.

Shop Patagonia: patagonia.com

Craghoppers vs. Patagonia Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Craghoppers is firmly planted in the affordable-to-mid-range category. You can build a complete hiking outfit - trousers, shirt, and jacket - for the price of a single high-end Patagonia jacket.

Patagonia’s premium pricing is a direct reflection of its investment in sustainable innovation, ethical manufacturing, and highest-quality materials. While the initial cost is high, their products are designed to last a lifetime, and the brand's Ironclad Guarantee and repair program add long-term value. Craghoppers is about immediate value, while Patagonia is about lifelong value.

Quality & Materials

Patagonia holds the clear advantage in materials and technical construction. Their use of advanced proprietary fabrics like the H2No waterproof/breathable membrane provides superior weather protection and durability for extreme conditions. They lead the industry in using recycled and regenerative organic materials.

Craghoppers focuses on practical quality. Their materials are tough and dependable for general outdoor use, with unique treatments like their NosiLife permanent insect repellent. While perfectly sufficient for most hiking and travel, their fabrics may not offer the same level of technical performance, waterproofness, or longevity under harsh use as Patagonia's gear.

Product Selection & Style

Craghoppers’ style is utilitarian and classic. Designs are functional, featuring neutral colors, a relaxed fit, and minimal branding. The focus is purely on outdoor performance and comfort rather than making a fashion statement.

Patagonia maintains a highly sought-after aesthetic that blends outdoor function with modern style. Their sleek cuts, broad color palettes, and iconic logo make their apparel popular in both mountain towns and city streets. Their gear is versatile, feeling just as appropriate on a technical climb as it does at a local coffee shop.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands offer generally consistent, true-to-size fits. Craghoppers leans toward a more relaxed, traditional cut that prioritizes comfort and easy layering. It's a forgiving fit suitable for a wide range of body types.

Patagonia offers more variety in its fits, ranging from slim and athletic to regular, allowing customers to choose based on their activity and preference. Their commitment to inclusive sizing, with tall and petite options available in many popular styles, gives them an edge for customers who need more specific sizing.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is where Patagonia truly stands apart. Sustainability isn't a marketing point for them, it's the core of their business mission. From transparent supply chains and Fair Trade Certified sewing to political activism and funding environmental groups, Patagonia is the undisputed industry leader.

Craghoppers has made admirable strides, using recycled materials in a large portion of its products and committing to sustainable manufacturing standards. However, its efforts are more aligned with corporate responsibility initiatives rather than the foundational activism that defines Patagonia.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer excellent outdoor gear, but they cater to very different priorities and budgets.

Choose Craghoppers if:

• You are on a budget and need reliable gear that won't break the bank.
• You need practical features for travel, like insect repellent or UPF protection.
• You are a casual hiker or camper who doesn't require top-tier technical performance.
• You prefer a classic, no-frills aesthetic focused purely on function.

Choose Patagonia if:

• Environmental impact and ethical manufacturing are your primary concerns.
• You need high-performance technical gear for demanding activities like climbing or backcountry skiing.
• You view your outdoor apparel as a long-term investment and value durability and repairability.
• You want versatile, stylish gear that looks great both on and off the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Craghoppers or Patagonia cheaper?

Craghoppers is significantly cheaper. Their jackets, trousers, and shirts are often less than half the price of comparable items from Patagonia, making it the superior choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Which has better quality, Craghoppers or Patagonia?

Patagonia offers superior quality in terms of raw materials, technical performance, and construction for extreme weather. Their products undergo rigorous testing and are built to last for decades. Craghoppers provides excellent functional quality and durability for its price point but is not intended to compete at the same high-performance level.

Which brand is better for hiking?

For casual day hikes, weekend camping, and general trail use, Craghoppers offers fantastic value and performance. For serious trekking, mountaineering, or hiking in extreme weather conditions, Patagonia's technically advanced gear provides better protection and durability.

What is Craghoppers known for?

Craghoppers is particularly known for its travel-oriented outdoor clothing, especially its NosiLife line, which features permanent, built-in insect repellent effective against mosquitoes and ticks.

Why is Patagonia so expensive?

Patagonia's prices are a result of their commitment to using sustainable and regenerative-farmed materials, research and development of innovative eco-friendly fabrics, ethical Fair Trade Certified manufacturing processes, and their robust lifetime repair guarantee.

How do Craghoppers and Patagonia compare on fit?

Both are generally true to size. Craghoppers typically offers a relaxed, classic outdoor fit. Patagonia provides a wider range of fits - from slim and athletic to regular - as well as more extensive sizing options like tall and petite models.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Patagonia is the clear leader and an activist brand in the sustainability space. Their entire business is structured around minimizing environmental impact and promoting responsible consumerism, whereas Craghoppers is a more traditional company that has been adding sustainable practices to its model.

Can I repair my gear from these brands?

Patagonia has a world-famous Worn Wear program dedicated to repairing gear - often for free or a small fee - to extend its lifespan and keep it out of landfills. While Craghoppers clothing is durable, the brand does not offer a formal, widely publicized repair program on the same scale.