A complete guide to finding the right ethical outdoor clothing and making your time outside more sustainable

It’s no secret that the clothing industry has a pretty shocking impact on the environment. But, did you know, it’s actually the second largest polluter in the world, only being topped by oil? In terms of carbon emissions, as an industry, it actually causes more harm than both international flying and maritime shipping combined. Pretty crazy to think, right?

Altogether this means, with outdoor pursuits and lifestyles requiring lots of equipment and clothing, it can all have a big impact. Your time outside absorbed in beautiful natural locations might actually be more damaging than you realise…

We’re not saying you should limit your time outside, HELL NO, far from it.

It’s our firm belief that embracing ethical adventures and learning to appreciate your surroundings is one of the most powerful steps in protecting this fantastic world we all call home.

Instead, we think you should dive straight into the outdoors realm and become as absorbed as possible – just do it with ethical outdoors gear.

There are plenty of tips and tactics you can easily adopt to make sure there isn’t a hidden price to your clothing and equipment. And, it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg either – in most cases, it’ll actually save you money, help you find better products and get you more involved in the outdoors. To top it off, your equipment will be helping to protect these fantastic places you’re exploring.

Keep reading this article to find out:

What is ethical outdoor clothing?

How can outdoor gear impact the environment?

Considerations before buying

Eco tips for buying new outdoor gear

Ethical outdoor brands to look out for

Sustainable certifications to keep your eyes on

Gear TLC, repairs and recycling

Become an eco investigator

What is ethical outdoor clothing?

In our eyes, ethical outdoor clothing brands or products are ones that put an emphasis on environmental, animal and human welfare. It’s pretty difficult to be perfect in every aspect but it’s our aim to highlight gear which comes as close as possible, and, most importantly, can deal with everything you throw at it in the wild.

If you’re looking for vegan outdoor clothing or sustainable equipment, you might want check out our gear reviews and guides here!

To us, this is the perfect outdoors equipment!

How does outdoors clothing impact the environment?

It’s sometimes shocking when you find out the impact even small items of clothing can have – but it’s always important to be aware. Remember, responsible gear is the solution, not cutting down on adventure!

Synthetic materials (polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylics etc)

Synthetics are used in almost all outdoor clothing and can be damaging in a number of ways:

Synthetic fibres require huge quantities of water to create, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (contributing to global warming) and sometimes nitrous oxide, which is significantly more harmful than CO2. Synthetics are naturally not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. Synthetics create massive problems with microplastics, which accumulate in nature, harm our environment and impact our drinking water .

Waterproofing

Waterproof clothing or items with a durable water repellent finish (DWR) often contain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) or PTFEs. Both are toxic but are now being found in air, water, natural ecosystems and even human beings because of the fashion industry.

Leather production

Rearing cows is extremely water-intensive, a leading cause of deforestation and the tanning process uses toxic chemicals which pollute water sources all around the world.

Water Issues

Clothing uses almost unbelievable quantities of water in production: one cotton t-shirt is estimated to use 2,500 litres! Fast fashion significantly contributes to worldwide droughts and water shortages whilst clothing factories poison water sources with chemical byproducts and waste.

Waste

Unfortunately, most clothing doesn’t finish life with style: nearly 75% of clothing isn’t recycled and due to the increased amount of synthetic materials will likely sit in a landfill for hundreds of years.

Human welfare

To turn the biggest profit often means clothes are produced in the cheapest means possible. Unfortunately, these supply chains are a huge driving force behind sweatshops, modern-day slavery and unethical working conditions, often leading to health implications after exposure to toxic chemicals.

Animal Welfare

Whilst there are lots of other issues which can cause harm, the main culprits are leather (used primarily for footwear), feathers and wool (used for insulation) and to a lesser extent fur (may be used to line coats or hoods). Sometimes this is a byproduct, sometimes it’s not. Either way, annually it contributes to the unnecessary suffering of millions of animals.

Before heading off on your next adventure, check out these 9 zero waste tips for the outdoors to help make your trip a little greener

The more time spent in the natural world, the more you feel compelled to protect it

4 Simple thoughts before you buy outdoor gear new

1. Do you really need it?

As Yvon Chouinard famously said: “don’t buy this jacket”. Whilst this marketing campaign may have actually increased sales, its essence remains true: as consumers, we need to think twice before buying gear.

Quite simply the most sustainable thing to do is to reduce consumption. We’re not suggesting heading into the wild Naked and Afraid-style, just honestly asking yourself whether it’s a necessity. The points below can also help.

2. Can it be repaired?

Unlike fast fashion items, outdoors clothing is built to last so think about getting them repaired before buying something new. With the increase in ethical consumerism, most outdoor brands now have impressive product warranties and repair services.

We’ve created this complete guide on how to repair and maintain your outdoor gear to make it last for years

3. Can you borrow or rent?

If it’s not going to be a regular activity then do you need to buy gear? Nowadays, for most outdoor pursuits you’ll find plenty of companies to rent gear from, like Outdoor Hire (UK) and Outdoors Geek (US). Failing this, you could even ask your adventure-loving friends to lend you things? This will help cut down on unnecessary purchases and save you some money!

4. Can you buy second hand or use a gear exchange?

You can find absolutely ace second-hand outdoor gear and this is one of the most environmentally friendly options. It can save you money and also help you meet like-minded people in the community. Awesome sources for this are:

Nowadays you can also buy used gear directly from the brands, like:

Know of any other handy places to find used outdoor gear? Tell us in the comments at the bottom!

Can’t beat woodland hikes in autumn

Tips and considerations for buying new ethical outdoors gear

Sometimes it’s unavoidable buying new gear or maybe it’s just the best option. If you are buying new, the tips below can help to make it more eco-friendly.

Do your research before and opt for sustainable products from brands that are closer to home (more info further down) Make sure you get the right size to make returning it less likely Take your time and invest in the best quality option that will last If you’re shopping in person, bring your own shopping bags to minimise plastic waste Try to travel to shops in the most sustainable means possible (cycling, public transport etc) If shopping online, avoid next day delivery and try to have items shipped together Choose minimal packaging for deliveries

Simple ways to find more ethical outdoor gear

Gear TLC, repairs and recycling

Whether you’ve bought second-hand or gone for new, now the best step is to give your gear a long life. Unlike fast-fashion clothing, adventure gear is built to last, so invest in the right products, give them some TLC and they can last a lifetime.

It’s by far the most sustainable thing to do, will save you money and you’ll develop prized items that have been with you for years!

1. Gear TLC and maintenance

Use it for its proper use (yes, that means taking off that beloved insulated jacket every now and again), clean them as described and make sure it’s stored properly when not being used. For things like tents and camping beds this is especially important, make sure you leave them to air and dry so they don’t get mould.

2. Repairs

Simple repairs can easily be done at home. You’ll be amazed at the things a sewing kit, super glue, ducktape and zip ties can fix. If your waterproof items are letting in moisture, you can use products like Nikwax which are environmentally-friendly and will give them a new lease of life. The awesome video series by REI below shows you how you can repair outdoor items yourself.

If it’s something a bit more complicated, most adventure clothing brands now have great repairs services and long product guarantees. Get in touch with them and they’ll hopefully be able to fix the issue, without you needing to buy anything new. You’ll find a list of links to brand websites at the bottom of the article.

3. Recycling

The last stage of the lifecycle, but one of the most important. When it’s time to get rid of your gear make sure to recycle it – what’s no longer needed for you could be used for new clothing or other people. Some recycling ideas are:

Donate it to a charity/second-hand shop or organisations like Gift Your Gear

Sell it on eBay, Gumtree or any of the other suggestions listed in the second-hand gear section above

Sell it back to the manufacturer: companies like Arc’teryx, Patagonia, REI, AlpKit North Face can reuse them

Find a clothes recycling point

Have any more recycling ideas? Share with us in the comments at the bottom!

8 Eco-friendly brands pioneering the way for sustainable outdoors gear

As we mentioned above, it’s really worth doing your research before and opting for more sustainable outdoor clothing brands. There are plenty of companies that are really paving the way for green adventures and to keep that happening it’s important to support them. If you’re buying new gear, these are some companies to check out!

1. Vaude

A german-based company who are trailblazing sustainable innovation for outdoor pursuits. Vaude have a huge range of vegan clothing, they’re completely transparent with their functioning and their Fare Wear Foundation ensures ethical working conditions.

Most impressively though is Vaude’s research into sustainable materials. Having developed the world’s first biodegradable fleece their Green Shape range features products made from recycled materials, created with less water, less chemicals and less CO2. On top of this, they’re working to minimise product packaging and are bluesign® approved (more info on bluesign® below).

Great for: hiking, camping, cycling gear

2. Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi are one of the few major outdoor brands that are certified B-Corporations (a tiny percentage of business that do a whole lotta good, more info below).

Not only are many of their products made from recycled and eco-friendly materials, but a large portion of their profits also get reinvested into social enterprises and foundations.

On their products information, you’ll find details about the factory they were produced in, fair labour practices and about the work Cotopaxi are doing in the community.

Great for: colourful outdoors equipment and casual clothing

3. Patagonia

You couldn’t have an ethical outdoors guide without including Patagonia! This California-based outdoors company is largely behind the huge increase in environmental awareness within the outdoors industry today.

They’re striving to make their supply chain carbon neutral by 2025 and are a driving force behind sustainable materials, but it’s their mission for environmental responsibility which is having a big impact in the outdoors community. As a self-titled activist company, it’s inspiring adventure-lovers to have more of an active role in protecting the environment – awesome work Patagonia!

Great for: trendy outdoors clothing and adventure apparel

You don’t need down for cold conditions!

4. Save The Duck

An Italian brand that became known for helping Kuntal Joisher to become the first vegan to climb Everest with completely vegan apparel. All of their products are vegan with many using recycled materials for insulation and PFC-free waterproofing technology. Their website has great transparency and you can see exactly what is in all the outdoors technology they use.

In terms of ethical items, they really tick all the boxes, plus you’ll find a range of clothing from casual wear all the way to expedition-level equipment.

Great for: a completely vegan range of eco-conscious outdoor clothing

5. REI

Clothing brand, adventure retailer and a household name in the outdoors you need to know. REI clothing is bluesign® approved, with affordable options that really utilise vegan and eco-friendly materials.

As a retailer, REI stocks all of the best outdoor brands and makes it very clear and easy to find sustainable outdoor clothing options as well as having a used gear section online.

Most notably, REI does truly great work inspiring the outdoor community. You can find adventure workshops and training courses, as well as sessions to repair your own gear. They’re encouraging a new wave of eco-conscious explorers and make the outdoors accessible with detailed resources online, explaining everything from gear maintenance and sustainability tips, to camping hacks and hiking advice.

Great for: the Mecca for all US-based adventure gear and advice

6. Kathmandu

Another B-Corp outdoors brand hailing from New Zealand. In their words, they believe “they have an opportunity, and responsibility, to help create a better world” and are laden with environmental awards and acknowledgements.

Just some of their initiatives for 2019 involved huge tree replantation schemes, recycling 10 million plastic bottles into their clothing and big community projects in Nepal.

You’ll find a great selection of vegan clothes, plenty of ethically-sourced materials and high-quality gear for a wide range of outdoor pursuits.

Great for: everything from outdoor clothing and footwear to snow gear, camping and winter sports.

7. La Sportiva

If you’re looking for responsibly produced outdoor shoes, with a great vegan range, La Sportiva are top of the pile. They’re bluesign® approved, support 1% for the planet and are on track to making all their footwear PFC-free.

Another cool aspect of La Sportiva is that their staff dedicate time to local conservation projects and their factory uses 100% renewable energy!

Topping things off, their outdoor footwear is out of this world, with a huge range for vegans. My pair of Trango GTX hiking boots have kept me going for years!

Great for: the highest quality technical outdoor footwear

8. Prana

Prana are a cool activewear company which became the first North American apparel brand to produce Fairtrade outdoor clothing. Most of their products have switched to organic cotton and opt for PFC-free waterproofing whilst also have a big selection of cruelty-free options.

Great for: comfy casualwear, yoga clothing and chilled climbing gear

Showcasing the wonders of second-hand outdoors gear!

Where to find the best ethical outdoor clothing

You can shop directly with brands you know have ethical items (like the ones above), or go with outdoor suppliers which have eco products from a huge variety of outdoor companies. The ones suggested below all have search functions for sustainable materials and clearly show ethical certifications and vegan-friendly products:

How to tell if something is sustainable and certifications to look out for

It’s all well and good saying try and buy sustainable! but how can you actually tell? Nowadays, ‘eco-friendly’ has become a major selling point and the certifications listed below will normally be advertised with pride. If you’re shopping in-store the info might be on the clothes tags and online on the product description. These are things you can look for:

Recycled materials

Plenty of brands now use recycled materials in their gear and don’t be fooled, it doesn’t impact the quality at all. It might be made from recycled polyester or reused clothing, or even things like collected plastic rubbish, then it gets a second life in insulation, clothing, backpacks, shoes, tents, you name it. Recycled materials may also be called post-consumer materials or show a percentage of the recycled materials used.

PFC-Free and PTFE-Free

Normally this is to show that materials have been made waterproof or DWR without the use of PFCs or PTFEs, two chemicals which both have big environmental impacts.

B Corporation companies (B-Corps)

B Corp certification is reserved for the most environmentally responsible outdoor clothing companies. These companies “meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose“. The transparency aspect is very noticeable and you’ll be able to find extensive information about the companies materials, processes and functions online.

Vegan-Friendly

This might not always be an official certification but will hopefully be seen in the product information. These items will be free from animal cruelty and a definite strong point for ethical outdoor gear.

Bluesign ® certified

The bluesign® certification is a strict criterion used for businesses who put a strong emphasis on people, the environment and resources. It works at all stages of the production and supply chain to make sure the processes, chemicals and materials are safe for the environment, workers and for the end customers. It’s sometimes called bluesign® approved or bluesign® certified.

Wearing my favourite vegan insulated jacket from Arc’teryx

Fair Trade Certified™

Generally, Fair Trade certification is given to brands for notable human welfare standards, particularly in developing parts of the world. This might include workers’ rights, fair wages, community development or local funding and initiatives.

Organic Materials

Most often, this is used to talk about cotton and means it’s created with less of an environmental impact, free from so many pesticides or chemicals. Other organic materials that are becoming popular, particularly with t-shirts, are hemp and also bamboo.

Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC)

Not so common with outdoors clothing but with other outdoor equipment you might see an FSC approval. This is to show that any timber-based products were produced with the highest environmental standards throughout their supply chain.

Animal-based product certifications

Whilst we don’t promote the use of products that cause animal cruelty, if you are going to use them there are some certifications to look out for. Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and Leather Working Group (LWG) are all given to companies that stick to certain animal welfare and environmental standards.

Fair Wear Foundation

An ethical certification for brands who focus on labour standards within the clothing industry, improving working conditions and employee welfare

1% for the planet

Given to companies who commit at least 1% of profits into trusted environmental organisations, charities and non-profit groups.

Be careful of greenwashing!

‘Eco-friendly’ has become a major selling point so be careful of greenwashing (trying to sell something as environmentally friendly when it’s not).

When brands add general ‘eco’ terms to clothing, e.g eco-friendly hiking boots, eco insulated jacket, green insulation, ethical sleeping bag, sustainable materials, natural materials etc. you should be vigilant – the product might have nothing intentionally sustainable about it but the term is just added for a selling point.

Check the product information for any of the certifications listed above to be sure!

“Oh, the possibilities!”

Other ways you can make your time outside more sustainable

There are plenty of other ways you can make your adventures more eco-friendly, gear is just the tip of the iceberg. Some ideas you could explore are:

Trying to go as plastic-free as possible, using water filters can help

Travelling to and from your adventures sustainably

Picking alternative destinations

Opting for eco-friendly food options without unnecessary waste

You’ll plenty more tips, ideas and tactics in our Guide to Sustainable Hiking and Eco Camping Tips.

Become your own sustainable outdoor clothing detective

To really make sure you’re supporting the right brands and buying ethical products, it’s best to become your own eco detective. Bluesign and B Corp both have lists of brands who are doing the right thing, whilst the Higg Index and Rankabrand both have ratings for outdoor brand eco-efficiency.

Alternately, you can look directly to the brands and find out their sustainable policies and goals. Here are some useful links below…

Got any questions about finding the best outdoor clothing, or have some tips of your own? Tell us in the comments!

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The Ultimate Guide to Ethical Outdoor Clothing and Sustainable Gear

We said it before and we’ll say it again: the answer to a lot of the environmental issues of today is getting outside and learning to appreciate your surroundings. Outdoor pursuits are the perfect way to do that, just doing it with the right gear and equipment.

Brands like Patagonia, Vaude and REI are making this all possible, creating clothing which is cruelty-free, better for the environment and is produced in an ethical way. By supporting these companies and initiatives, more brands will develop greener practices, leading to a greener future – a future most definitely filled with adventure!

Keep exploring…

Here’s How Ethical Adventures Can Save the World

Eco-Friendly Gifts for Hikers

Vegan Hiking Boots and Buyer’s Guide

How to Plan an Adventure – the Complete Guide