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.
You know us. We love sustainable products and gear. And we’re always looking for the best innovative new brands and clothing to support (and to support our own excursions into the outdoors). During that search, we found sustainable brand Coalatree Eco-Minded Goods. So we reached out to ask some questions and learn more about the brand. Wanna know what this eco-minded company is all about? Check it.
Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t: It’s lyocell (also known as Tencel, Newcell or Excel if you’re talking brand names), and it’s one of the newer sustainable fabrics …
More and more clothing manufacturers are releasing products made from hemp. And that’s a win. But why? What’s the deal with hemp? Why is it a better material than, say, …
The fashion industry (which includes outdoor apparel and footwear) accounts for over 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (those are the harmful gases mucking up our climate). According to …
Plastic bags are a scourge on the environment. Often considered a necessary evil, they take 500 years to break down, are difficult to recycle, and often end up in a …
Becoming certified as carbon neutral is one way for sustainable outdoor companies to commit to doing good and let conscious customers know they are dedicated to walking the eco walk …