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Fall is coming!! I don’t know about you, but here in Northern Utah we’re already experiencing a break in the heat, refreshingly cool evenings, and the promise that changing leaves will be here before we know it! But fall also means it’s time to start rotating the apparel and gear closet! Layers are in, tank tops are out, it’s time to swap kayak trips for cool-weather campouts, and (gasp) time to start thinking about holiday travel. So we rounded up some of our favorite sustainable outdoor gear and apparel for fall so you can kick off the season right and well-prepared for all the outdoor adventures to come.
And yes, we have tested and tried all of these items, so you can trust that we think they’re all pretty rad.
Fall Gear Guide
1. United By Blue (R)evolution 25L Convertible Carry-All
If there’s one piece of gear that’s been painfully absent from our travel bag setup, it’s a quality tote. But not just any tote; we have plain ol’ tote bags in spades. What we’ve been missing is a feature-rich, functional, laptop-friendly tote. Here’s why: When we travel, especially by air, we often travel with nothing more than a carry-on, which is usually a backpack of some sort or another. But that means if we also need or want a personal item, another backpack is a tricky thing to carry (one on the front, one on the back only works so well…). Enter a padded tote bag, which keeps our laptop safe, snacks accessible, water bottles at the ready, and it all fits under the seat in front of us. Bonus: there are also padded shoulder strap that stow away when not in use for multi-functional carry.
How it’s sustainable: It’s made entirely of recycled plastic bottles and United By Blue cleans up one pound of trash from waterways for every purchase.
2. HeadPeace Fleece-Lined Headband
Fall typically means temps start falling fast, especially in the mornings and evenings. And if that’s when you like to get outside and run/walk/ride/hike/paddle, having some way to keep your ears and forehead warm is a plus. Personally, it’s more than a plus, it’s necessary: I have sensitive little ear holes. For that, we love the sustainably-made fleece-lined headband from HeadPeace. The fabric is soft, the fleece cozy, the patterns and colors lively, and it has a smaller (and warmer) profile than your typical neck gaiter, meaning it’ll fit better over your ball cap or under your helmet. The brand also makes fabric headbands.
How it’s sustainable: HeadPeace products are ethically made in Nepal by marginalized individuals and survivors of exploitation, which offers them a way to make a living and get a fresh start.
3. Patagonia R1 Air Zip Neck
We’ve tested a Patagonia jacket with the brand’s unique R1 Air zig-zag fleece before, and frankly, we dig it. We’re just as taken with the zip-neck version, which serves as a great mid-layer on cold days or outer layer on cool ones. It’s soft, super stretchy, dumps heat effectively on tough hikes in cool weather, and looks good doing it. There’s even a zippered check pocket, though neither the men’s (pictured above in XS) or women’s is large enough to fit an iPhone 14 Pro. Bonus: we love that it comes in both fun colors and neutrals.
How it’s sustainable: This fleece is made of 100% recycled materials and is Bluesign approved.
4. Nocs Binoculars 8×25
We don’t love it when we have to baby our gear. Especially if we already have to be careful with cameras, we don’t also want to have to worry about scratching or splashing water on a pair of binoculars, too. Thankfully, the Nocs binoculars are built for the outdoors. They’re waterproof and fog-proof, the exterior can take a beating and not miss a beat, and they’re nice and grippy so they won’t slip out of your hands in the rain (even if you’re wearing gloves). Each eyepiece also has an individual diopter so you can customize the lenses for your eyes, and they’re available in a super fun range of colors. You can also personalize your pair with a bright strap. They’re not designed for activities like whale watching on Greenland cruises or other super long-range viewing activities, but birding from a kayak? Spotting seals from park in Oregon? You betcha.
How it’s sustainable: Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, 1% for the Planet member, utilizes recyclable packaging with no single-use plastic.
5. Topo Designs Mountain Hydro Hip Pack
We’ve tested plenty of hip packs, including options from Topo Designs, and our main problem with most outdoor-geared hip packs is that there’s no place to put a water bottle. So when Topo Designs released their Mountain Hydro Hip Pack, you know we had to take a look. It’s 4.4L (but feels bigger), plus has a water bottle pocket on each side so you can bring snacks, extra layers AND a way to hydrate, all while staying hands-free. If you have a smaller body, it may feel a bit bulky and oversized for you, but if not, it’s a happy medium between too small to be useful and too large so it might as well be a backpack. Plus, it carries just as well as a cross-body sling and there are multiple colors available.
How it’s sustainable: It’s made of 100% recycled fabrics and is Fair Wear certified.
6. Heat It Insect Bite Healer
Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean mosquitoes magically disappear. In fact, depending on where you live, they may still be thriving. And if there’s one thing we learned the hard way, it’s that heat is definitely the best medicine when it comes to eliminating the infuriating itch that accompanies a bite. But when you’re on the go or outdoors, you can’t always run your legs under a hot tap to ease the discomfort. Fortunately, the Heat It offers an easy-to-use and perfectly portable alternative. Just plug it into your phone (Appl or Android), which will open the Heat It app, select a heat setting, wait a few seconds, then apply the metal tip to the offending bite. Just like that, the heat massacres the itch! And yes, it’s safe to use on kids.
How it’s sustainable: Packaged in zero-waste packaging, plus the device is endlessly reusable and doesn’t require batteries.
7. Helinox Sunset Chair
If there’s any better time than fall to kick it around a campfire in a comfy chair, we can’t think of one. And one of our new favorite ultra-portable camp chairs is the Helinox Sunset Chair. It packs down small, just a bit bigger than your average backpacking chair, but much smaller than the ubiquitous folding camp chair, making it a great option for road trips, fall camping, and afternoons by the water or in the woods. We especially love the high back that makes it easier to lean into comfort and relax.
How it’s sustainable: Made of Recycled and Bluesign certified materials.
8. Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cubes
We’ve long been big fans of Peak Design gear. In the beginning, they mostly made camera bags and accessories we were instantly obsessed with. Then they started making travel bags and packing cubes as well as accessories for phones! And recently, they released a line of Ultralight Packing Cubes in various sizes and in ultralight fabric (pictured above) or mesh, that make for a surprisingly mutifunctional piece of gear. For example, in addition to keeping items like socks or clothing wrangled when traveling, we love using them to keep packaged snacks, electrolytes, or small gear organized in our daypacks on long hikes. Plus thanks to functional webbing loops on either end of these cubes (they’re more rectangular than they are square), we also rigged up the XXS version to act as an extra hip belt pocket on our backpack and when paired with PD’s Flat Hook Carry Straps or a camera strap. With the straps, the cubes can be fashioned as a sling, impromptu hip pack, or attached to the exterior of bags with compatible attachment points! So versatile. Plus they pack down so small you’ll barely know they’re there when empty.
How it’s sustainable: The waterproof cubes are 100% recycled, Bluesign approved, and PFAS-free, plus the brand is Climate Neutral Certified.
9. Astral Hemp Hoodie
You know we’re all about organic and plant-based fabrics here at Terradrift. And that includes when it comes to fall apparel. But cooler weather means cozier layers are required when playing outside. Enter the Sunrise (for women) and sunset (for men) Hemp Hoodie. These sustainbly-designed pullovers are cozy, breathable, super comfortable, functional, and stylish. The inside is an organic cotton terry so it never feels clingy, the kangaroo pockets have zippers, and the women’s has a drawstring in the hem. Plus they arrive at your door with that broken-in feeling built in. We’re never taking these off this season.
How it’s sustainable: Made of 100% hemp and organic cotton.
10. Otterbox Fre
I love a good autumn adventure on the water. Especially in places like Everglades National Park where fall and winter are the best times to paddle. But anyone who spends time on or near the water knows: you gotta protect your phone. I’ve used dry bags for that in the past, but nothing beats a waterproof case so your delicate device is protected whether you’re actively using it, it’s sitting in the splash zone in your lap, or you have a tendency to drop things in the drink. The Otterbox Fre will keep it safe. It’s worked for my phone! Plus, the touchscreen functionality is still on point, even with a fully protective cover.
How it’s sustainable: Made partially of recycled materials.
Bottom Line
Just because it’s fall doesn’t mean you need to go on a cool-weather shopping spree and fill your gear closet with things you don’t need. So shop responsibly this season and don’t over-consume. But if you do need to replace worn-out gear or you’re gearing up for a specific trip, we can recommend this stuff whole heartedly because we’ve tested it all. So enjoy the season and get outside and wander on.
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com