Are you ready to join the outdoor revolution? According to Google trends, interest in activities like hiking, wild swimming, and good old camping has seen a significant increase in recent years.
Possibly because we were cooped up in our homes for so long thanks to a little global pandemic, or maybe it’s because the growing awareness of our planet’s climate crisis has encouraged us to spend more time outdoors.
Whatever the reason, more and more people are seeking to explore their natural environment, and need the gear to do so comfortably and safely. At the same time, awareness of the importance of choosing sustainable and ethically-made products is also on the rise (if we want to keep enjoying the beauty of nature, we need to make sure that we’re doing our part to protect it.)
With all that in mind, if you’re looking to invest in some quality pieces of outdoor gear that are both long-lasting and produced by companies that respect the environment, we’ve got you covered. So get your hiking boots on and join us as we explore some of the best sustainable outdoor brands.
Haglöfs
Haglöfs is a Swedish outdoor clothing and equipment brand, originally founded in 1914. Specialising in skiing and mountaineering gear, the brand is committed to sustainability and strives for their products to have a minimal impact on the environment.
Haglöfs has committed to reduce emissions by 50% over the next decade and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The company is working towards this goal by using renewable energy, sourcing lower-impact materials and production processes, and investing in forest protection schemes across the world.
The company also designs their products to last a lifetime, using high-quality materials and construction techniques. The Haglöfs Restored programme encourages customers to recycle their used garments, which are then restored and resold, and parts are available for making repairs too.
Royal Robbins
Founded by legendary Sierra Nevada climbers, Royal and Liz Robbins, outdoor brand Royal Robbins creates versatile, adventurous clothing that is designed to travel with you anywhere from the hiking trail to the restaurant table.
Part of a legendary group of climbers/philosophers that were responsible for coining and promoting the concept of ‘clean climbing’ – a method of summiting rock faces without doing lasting damage – Liz and Royal had a deep respect for the natural world and this transcends the company to this day.
Committed to the use of lower-impact materials such as recycled polyester, hemp, Tencel and organic cotton, in FW22 53% of Royal Robbins’ products were made using a main material made with 50% or more lower-impact materials. However, the company has ambitious goals to increase this significantly by 2025, as well as reducing its overall emissions by 40%.
Royal Robbins is part of the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and also carbon compensates any unavoidable emissions associated with its product production.
Arc’teryx
Arc’teryx is an outdoor apparel and equipment company that was founded in North Vancouver, Canada against the backdrop of the wild and majestic Coast Mountain range. The company’s mission is to design and manufacture outdoor gear that allows people to explore their environment with confidence, safety, and style.
Arc’teryx is dedicated to protecting the environment that inspired their products in the first place with their sustainability initiatives.
Firstly, Arc’teryx products are built to last, using superior construction techniques and the strongest materials. They run regular product care workshops to help customers learn how to maintain their gear, and used gear can be donated for repair and redistribution to worthy causes such as educational outdoor programs.
The company also uses Bluesign-certified materials, responsibly sourced down, and 100% organic cotton in their products. Their vision for the future is to move to a completely circular production system, eliminating waste and the need for virgin materials.
Patagonia
Patagonia has long been at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement, employing strategies like recycling and promoting organic cotton farming to reduce their environmental impact.
Much of the material used in their clothing and other products is recycled from pre-consumer waste including spandex, cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, down, and cashmere. The company has also invested in the development of innovative sustainable materials such as Infinna Infinna™ fibre made from recycled cotton, NetPlus® material made from recycled fishing nets, and biobased polyester made from sugarcane.
In addition to using sustainable materials, Patagonia has a fully transparent supply chain and employs policies to ensure its factories and production facilities are environmentally responsible and run under ethical working conditions.
Patagonia’s Worn Wear kit is designed to act like a first-aid kit for equipment. This handy field repair kit includes self-adhesive patches, tape, needles, and sewing thread so you can repair what you have instead of buying new.
The company has recently restructured with two group shareholders – the Holdfast Collective and the Patagonia Purpose Trust, designed to reinvest profits to both protect the company’s values and fight the environmental crisis.
Mountain Equipment
UK-based Mountain Equipment was founded in 1961 when outdoor climbing and exploration was becoming increasingly popular. The company is known for its dedication to ethics, quality and sustainability, with a focus on creating durable products that are built to last.
The company sources responsibly manufactured materials and down, aims to reduce carbon emissions by 6% every year, and established a Sustainability Working Group in 2021 to ensure their commitment to sustainability is met.
The brand also partners with organisations like The John Muir Trust to help protect wild places, and creates products that are designed to last, encouraging customers to repair, reuse, and recycle their gear.
Montbell
Founded in Osaka, Japan in 1975, Montbell’s mission is to create products that allow people to explore the outdoors with comfort and confidence. The company designs technical outdoor clothing and products designed for adventure as well as supporting the people who work in agriculture, fishing, and forestry, providing disaster relief, and helping to prepare communities for natural disasters.
The company supports various nature conservation, outdoor education, eco-tourism and environmental protection initiatives, and has a commitment to sustainability through their products. The Montbell Club Fund offers financial support to organisations that are working to preserve the environment.
Timberland
The iconic American brand Timberland is well-known for its quality footwear and apparel. The company has pledged to make better choices for the environment such as using more recycled materials, sourcing responsible leather, and using organic and sustainably grown cotton.
Timberland now uses nearly 500,000 pounds of recycled rubber in its footwear each year and has recycled approximately 345 million plastic bottles into footwear and backpacks. The Earthkeepers® boot is the brand’s flagship eco-friendly model made with leather sourced from tanneries that meet the Leather Working Group’s environmental guidelines, recycled PET laces, and a fabric lining made from recycled plastic.
The brand also runs a recycling program for footwear, clothing, and accessories. Participants can print a free shipping label online to send their unwanted items to the company, which is then recycled or donated to those in need. Donated items can be tracked to see where they end up and anyone who donates receives a 10% off coupon for their next purchase.
Fjällräven
Sustainability has been part of Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven’s DNA since it was founded back in 1960. In fact, one of their guiding principles is to ‘act responsibly towards nature, animals and people’. How do they put this statement into practice? First up, the brand prides itself on designing and manufacturing items that have both functional and emotional longevity – created to be used and loved for many years rather than worn for a season or two and then disposed of.
It doesn’t stop there though. From a practical perspective, Fjällräven is committed to responsible production (constantly monitored by its internal sustainability team) and the use of eco-conscious materials and production methods.
Fluorocarbon coatings, common in outdoor garments, are banned, and materials are graded from excellent (recycled wool, organic hemp and Tencel) to OK (polyamide, cotton, and metal used in buttons). Fjällräven has also published a care and repair guide on its website to help customers keep using their gear for longer. It is a member of the Fair Labor Association, and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and has also committed to the UN Global Compact.
Rab
Rab is a British outdoor clothing brand that was founded in 1981. The company has long been committed to sustainability and is now taking steps to build on its ethical credentials and reduce the environmental impact of its products.
The brand has been certified as carbon-neutral for the last three years and has reduced carbon emissions by over 17% since 2019, with an aim of attaining NetZero emissions by 2030. Rab’s use of recycled plastics has increased from 46% in 2020 to 63% this year. Goals for the next few years include using 100% renewable electricity, eliminating all unnecessary fluorocarbons, and using only renewable or recyclable materials for packaging.
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is a leading manufacturer of extreme weather outerwear, and it takes its responsibility as a global brand seriously. The company has embraced sustainability initiatives such as sourcing Preferred Fibres and Materials (PFMs) including Kind fleece made from recycled wool, Tencel, and bio-based Sorona polymer; recycled nylon and polyester blends; and TerraCare ecological leather.
The collection of sustainable styles includes parkas, jackets, sweaters, and vests, all of of which feature the signature Canada Goose superior warmth and style in sustainable fabrics.
The company aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and repair services and warranties are offered to keep products out of landfills. Canada Goose supports the work of Polar Bears International to protect the Arctic.
Kathmandu is a leading outdoor and travel gear company based in New Zealand. The company’s commitment to sustainability takes several forms, including using responsible and recycled materials, choosing suppliers that are committed to sustainability, and supporting environmental projects in the communities where it operates.
The brand is a certified B Corporation, meaning it meets rigorous social and environmental standards. Kathmandu’s 2025 goal is to achieve a 100% circular economy to keep its products out of landfill and encourage reuse and recycling. The company also plans to become zero-carbon and operate zero-waste facilities by 2025.
CRAGHOPPERS
Founded in 1965, Craghoppers is a globally recognised outdoor and adventure travel brand. Sustainability is a pillar of the brand’s ethos and by this summer, they will have recycled over 100 million plastic bottles to help reduce its impact on the environment. Its work to reduce the environmental impact of its products has led to the brand offering a guarantee for life on products and has recently begun working with independent bodies like the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. Over 70% of Craghoppers’ products are made using recycled materials and the brand is continuing to focus on developing technology that is planet friendly.
Protecting the world you love to explore
These are just a few examples of how some companies in the outdoor apparel industry are taking sustainability seriously. By choosing to buy from brands that prioritise environmental protection, we can all make a positive impact on the world around us.
With more companies adapting their practices to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, it’s an exciting time for outdoor enthusiasts looking to do more than just enjoy the world – but also help protect it.
