Utah outdoor gear company claims to make a sweater that will never stink


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SALT LAKE CITY — For those who dream of wearing the same sweater for months without smelling bad, your dream has become a reality, thanks to a Utah-based outdoor gear company and— that’s right— llama fiber.

Davis Smith, the CEO of two-year-old outdoor gear company, Cotopaxi, grew up in Latin America and spent two years in Bolivia as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I’ve always had a real interest in that part of the world,” Smith said. “I’ve always looked for ways I could go back and help.”

Cotopaxi is built around the idea that businesses have the responsibility to do good in the world and to give back, Smith said. The Utah-based company does so by using profits to support poverty alleviation, employing refugees in Utah and helping people through their supply chain.

The company recently started a Kickstarter campaign for their newest product, The Libre Sweater, which uses llama fibers from a remote community in Bolivia. The Kickstarter’s goal of $20,000 was surpassed after a day and a half, when backers pledged nearly $50,000.

“It’s just a really unique way that we’re able to support this really rural, remote community in Bolivia that are farming llamas,” he said. “It’s just been a great and really fun story to be a part of.”

The sweater is unique in many ways, Smith said. Not only does it have a retro style with a soft feel to it, but the llama fibers insulate very well and do not retain odor, which is perfect for the outdoors.

Smith said that Cotopaxi has created a 61-day challenge, which entails wearing the Libre Sweater for 61 days. He said that the challenge is 61 days long because 61 years is the average lifespan of those who live in the underdeveloped world.

“It’s just a reminder that we’re lucky here in Utah and in the United States,” Smith said.

One of the Cotopaxi team members has been wearing the sweater for about 40 days without taking it off and has reported that there is no odor that would normally be there with a cotton sweater.

The team member has hiked, biked, spent time in the mountains and even slept while wearing this sweater.

“It’s kind of disgusting when I think about it, but at the same time, it doesn’t retain odor,” Smith said.

The Libre Sweater is currently only available on Kickstarter, but Smith said the product will eventually be available on the company’s website. Backers who pledge certain amounts will receive a sweater in the mail this December before Christmas or early 2017.

Cotopaxi/Chris Brinlee Jr.
Cotopaxi/Chris Brinlee Jr.

Smith said Cotopaxi is fully expecting to run out of the product, but that it will be restocked early next year.

For more information on Cotopaxi and their Libre Sweater Kickstarter campaign, visit their website or Kickstarter homepage.

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Lindsey Johnson

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