Arms of Andes
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
Small US family company making alpaca wool outdoor clothing.
There's no proof Arms of Andes pays more than the legal minimum, which in Peru is well below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in Peru.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Arms of Andes says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Direct trade (self-reported)
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Arms of Andes is a small family company founded by Peruvian-American siblings Meli and Rensso Hinostroza, and every stage, from alpaca fleece to sewing, takes place in Peru. It says it buys fleece directly from small alpaca farmers at market rates and has its own production team and machinery in Lima, but spinning, knitting and dyeing are done by processing plants and workshops it does not name. It publishes nothing on wages or working conditions beyond an aim to ensure fair wages, and holds no fair trade or labour certification.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| World Fair Trade Organization | Not listed | No WFTO member result for Arms of Andes. View |
| Fairtrade (incl. FLOCERT and Fairtrade ANZ) | Unclear | The brand makes no Fair Trade certification claim, and none is named on its site or by retailers. View |
| B Corp directory | Unclear | The B Corp directory search did not return results; the brand makes no B Corp claim. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | Searches found no labour allegations against Arms of Andes; the BHRRC database itself was not checked. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Garage Grown Gear: Arms of Andes brand bio · search the archive · Founders Meli and Rensso Hinostroza; all sourcing, spinning, knitting, cutting, sewing and packing in Peru; company invested in its own machinery.
- Idealist: Arms of Andes (Villa El Salvador) · search the archive · Apparel production company based in Villa El Salvador, Lima, with its own production team.
Published by Arms of Andes or its owner
- Arms of Andes: homepage · search the archive · Made entirely in Peru, from fiber to finished garment; Australia available in the store's region selector with AUD pricing.
- Arms of Andes: Single Origin Supply Chain · search the archive · Fleece from small farms in southern Peru, processing plants, knitting in Lima, artisanal dyeing workshops; none named; no labour information.
- Arms of Andes: Our Values · search the archive · Buys raw fleece directly from alpaca farmers at market rate; aims to work towards fair wages; no certifications named.
- Arms of Andes: Our Story · search the archive · Founded by siblings born to Peruvian parents in Los Angeles; production kept in Peru.
- Arms of Andes: Shipping policy · search the archive · Ships worldwide, international orders in 10-20 business days; buyer pays duties.
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Arms of Andes ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/arms-of-andes, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded outdoor
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Arms of Andes.