Sustainability spotlight

We get stoked about sustainable outdoor clothing and gear from sustainable outdoor brands. After all, if the brands that outfit us for adventure don’t care about the environment they’re encouraging us to recreate in, then are they even worth our spending money?! But that’s why we love highlighting eco-conscious brands in these here Sustainability Spotlights: to introduce you to the cool, eco-friendly names and products we’ve come to know and love. Like Helly Hansen. Wanna know more? Sure ya do. Read on for our Q&A with Rebecca Johansson, Sustainability and R&D Manager at sustainable outdoor brand Helly Hansen.

We’re all about sustainable materials when it comes to clothing and gear, both on and off the trail. And there are few materials more sustainable than hemp. But finding quality, sustainable hemp clothing is easier said than done. So we sat down with Jungmaven to find out what makes the company tick, why they use hemp in all their sustainable fashions, and why choosing eco-friendly clothing is so dang important.

If there’s one thing that savvy climbers never buy used, it’s climbing rope. After all, a rope’s job is literally to save your life; you don’t want some weathered length of cord that might not be able to handle the shock of a fall or two. But most climbing rope, like harnesses, isn’t sustainable, so eco-conscious climbers may feel just a pang of guilt every time they have to buy another 60 meters of brand new rope (and what to do with the old one?!). Not anymore. Because these sustainable climbing ropes prove form, function and sustainability (uh, also safety) can go hand-in hand.

We love shining the spotlight on cool, sustainable brands here on Terradrift. And there aren’t too many brands more responsible than prAna. They’ve been leading the way in eco-friendly clothing manufacturing for decades now, and we were thrilled to get to learn a bit more about the brand and some of their dope clothing recently. Ready to learn more? Sure you are. Check out all the cool stuff the brand is up to and all about prAna clothing and how it contributes to positive change.

We’ve noticed a trend taking root recently. Maybe you have, too: Stark white gear. White sleeping bags and tents and backpacks and more. But if our mothers taught us anything, it’s that white gets filthy, and fast, right? And outdoor activities certainly aren’t free from filth. So why are gear manufacturers ignoring this fact and starting to offer stark white, undyed outdoor gear that will definitely get smudged and sullied their first time out? Because they respect the planet, that’s why.

When it comes to outdoor clothing and gear, there are lots of sustainability terms and definitions that can cause confusion. Two important acronyms that we’re going to tackle here and now: PFCs and DWR. Are DWR treatments sustainable? And what are PFCs, for crying out loud? We’re going to break down what they are, why they’re bad for the environment, and how to avoid them.

When it comes to sustainability certifications, definitions and terms in the apparel and outdoor industry, there are always a ton of claims about sustainability flying around that mean all sorts of things. But what do they mean, really? Let’s break down some of the more common sustainability terms you need to know and what they mean right here, right now so you can gear up with more sustainable outdoor gear and clothing.

We’re all about synthetic insulation here at Terradrift, which means we’re always on the lookout for more sustainable, packable, innovative options when it comes to the stuff that keeps us toasty in our puffy jackets and sleeping bags. And when it comes to innovation in the sustainable synthetic insulation game, PrimaLoft is at the forefront. We recently asked Senior Global Communications Manager Ken Fisk about the brand and what makes their newest products so dang sustainable.

PrimaLoft, Inc., the leader in advanced material technology, is partnering with more than 15 outdoor sports, fashion, lifestyle and home furnishing brands to introduce PrimaLoft® Bio™ to consumers this fall. PrimaLoft Bio is the first biodegradable*, 100% recycled synthetic insulation and performance fabric.

We’re all about sustainability, from the gear we adventure with to the clothing that keeps our delicate epidermis protected from the elements. And that includes the basey-ist of base layers: underwear. (Maybe you read our posts about the most sustainable men’s and women’s underwear?) Well, that led us to Knickey, who’s doing some pretty cool things with an everyday essential. So we connected with the brand to learn a bit more about Knickey, their line of organic women’s underwear, why organic cotton matters, and how they’ve created the first underwear recycling program on the planet. Read on to learn more!