Sustainability

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 love sustainable brands who care about the environment and we love introducing them with you. So we recently chatted with sustainable brand Picture Organic Clothing–a brand that designs dope outerwear for all your winter adventures (and more)–to find out about who they are, what makes them tick, and a bit about their most sustainable products and practices. Read on for our Q&A!

Fleece. It’s everybody’s favorite outdoorsy (and pseudo outdoorsy) material. We love our fleece blankets and zip-ups and sleeping bag liners for how cozy and cuddly and water resistant they are. Fleece hoodies and jackets and gloves are an outdoor staple because they wick sweat and are breathable and fast-drying. But since fleece is typically made out of PET (a type of plastic), and studies show it contributes to micro plastics in our waterways, is fleece all it’s cracked up to be? And is there such a thing as sustainable fleece?

We recently got to chat with Shelby from Authenteco Travel about one of our favorite subjects: sustainable travel. But not just any sustainable travel: fully customized, eco-luxury travel for those who want to treat themselves, but do so responsibly. And that’s exactly what Authenteco specializes in. So buckle up, and let’s chat about what sustainable travel actually looks like, how to tell the difference between authentically sustainable experiences and greenwashing, and then, you know, how to call on Authenteco to treat yo’self when you’re ready for the experience of a lifetime.

Let’s talk about underwear. It’s not weird. We all wear them. Well, most of us wear them. If that’s not you, well, feel free to totally disregard this article. But for the rest of us, underwear is a necessity that many of us don’t give a second thought to when it comes to sustainability. But if you’re seeking out the most eco-friendly sleeping bag insulation, organic cotton jackets, recycled polyester bags, and Bluesign Approved hiking pants, doesn’t it make sense to gird your loins in eco-friendly undies, too? Well, luckily for you, we’ve rounded up 3 of the most comfortable and sustainable underwear for men that you’ll ever own so you can reduce your footprint, all while you keep what needs supporting, well, supported. You know, without all the constant adjusting and itchy fabric and chafing and what not…

While it’s true that most of us aren’t traveling extensively right now, many of us are still tooling around our respective states in our trusty road-trip-mobiles, camping at nearby state parks, or playing outside in our own (sometimes literal) backyards. And it’s probably safe to say that most of us are looking forward to the day in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future when we can hop on a plane and enjoy some proper adventure travel again. Either way, it’s always a good time to talk about sustainable travel. So whether you’re just milling around town, road tripping across the state, or flying off for an international itinerary (one day…), here are some sustainable travel tips for more eco-friendly adventures, wherever they might be.

When it comes to sustainable outdoor gear and clothing, we love companies who care about the materials they use and the footprints they leave. Brands like Patagonia, BioLite, Toad&Co and Cotopaxi. But while buying new gear from brands who care about the planet is an excellent choice, there’s another option that’s even more eco-friendly (and cost-effective): buying used gear and clothing. Here’s why (and how).

Leather is everywhere in the outdoor industry: boots, bags, climbing shoes, even decals and zipper pulls on backpacks and jackets. But why? For ages, leather has been the material of choice for sturdy, “natural,” durable gear that lasts. But now that other materials are available, do we really need leather? And is leather sustainable? While many in the industry would say yes, citing that it came from nature and will eventually biodegrade back to nature, leather is far from natural and neither sustainable nor environmentally responsible. But how does it stack up against competitors and substitutes like synthetic materials and faux leather? We’ll break it down and take a look at why you might want to ditch leather.

Lots of brands tout organic cotton as better for the environment than conventional cotton. But what’s the difference? Is organic cotton really that much more sustainable than conventionally grown cotton? We investigated so we could all make better choices when it comes to sustainable apparel. So check out our comparison of conventional cotton vs organic cotton and see for yourself which comes out on top.