Quechua is a brand I’ve always liked. Founded in 1997 in an apartment in Sallanches, it grew quickly to become one of the top ten mountain gear brands within just six years. 
How? Well, distribution via Decathlon as their official mountain wear brand helped. But the key lies in the three tenets of the Quechua philosophy. All products should be:
– innovative
– eco-friendly
– at the best price possible
So while The North Face or Patagonia might give you more kudos (and a more technical garment), Quechua leaves you more money in your pocket, but still with a quality, sustainable product.
I was at their HQ near Chamonix recently and liked this sign (pictured below), which I felt captured the company spirit. Even in the head office, you feel like you are in the mountains (the sign is the same as found on the walking trails in the Chamonix valley).
If an outdoors brand can capture that feeling, you know they have done their job well.
In the mountains in head office
3 comments
misplacedperson says:
Jun 2, 2011
They can capture as many feelings as they like, but the fact remains that their kit really isn’t all that great. OK for mid-layer fleeces and the odd hiking sock, and a good place to kit out kids or beginners, but I wouldn’t bother otherwise.
iain says:
Jun 2, 2011
I guess we have to agree to differ on that one. I’ve bought loads of kits from them and happy with it all. Where do you go to for non-marque gear?
ruth says:
Jun 3, 2011
I have to say that most mountain folk i know out here in Chamonix are Quechua fans (even if they adorn some other Mountain-Gucci brand. Quality of kit is never really an issue – it always seems to do a good job.