GREEN BUYS
Outdoor clothing and kit that minimises impact on the planet
1 Braemar Organic SV Smock,
Hilltrek, £260
A classic walker’s jacket. Handmade in the Highlands from super-tough, PFC-free Ventile fabric (woven from organic cotton) it is windproof, breathable and showerproof. For a fully waterproof jacket, upgrade to doublelayer Ventile (from £300). Repairs available. hilltrek.co.uk
2 Trail 22 Backpack, Deuter, £90
Free from harmful PFCs, this 22-litre daypack is designed for vigorous days out in the hills. Ventilated material on the belt, harness and back make the pack breathable. deutergb.co.uk
3 Selkirk Cabin Sock,
Tentree, £19.95
These thick unisex socks are made from 70% recycled polyester – equivalent to three plastic bottles. Not only that, but Tentree promises to plant 10 trees for every product it sells. tentree.com
4 Men’s Velez Jacket, Páramo, £300
Unlike most outdoor gear companies, Páramo has never used PFCs in its waterproof clothing. And its Nikwax Directional fabric is probably the most reliable waterproof fabric out there. This slim-fitting jacket is soft but durable, and the close-fitting hood is extremely effective. Páramo will make repairs, and a recycling scheme is available. paramo-clothing.com
5 Tare It Up Food Canisters, Klean Kanteen, £18.95 (small), £22.95 (large)
When your plastic food boxes wear out, consider replacing them with these stainless-steel containers. They should last a lifetime, and the leakproof top means you can carry wet food safely in your bag. kleankanteen.co.uk
6 Women’s Miskanti Fleece Jacket,
Vaude, £130
This wonderfully warm but low-profile fleece cuts plastic pollution thanks to its soft Tencel lining. Tencel is made from wood cellulose and its fibres biodegrade harmlessly. vaude.com
1 DO I NEED NEW?
Most of us love getting new stuff. But the fashion industry – of which outdoor gear is part – is, according to the UN Environment Programme, one of the most polluting in the world, responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. So before you buy, ask yourself: can your existing jacket be repaired instead, or reproofed to restore its water repellency? Can those boots be re-soled? If you’re not sure, try a specialist such as Lancashire Sports Repairs, lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk.
Bear in mind that some outdoor brands operate a repair service for their own products, including Patagonia and Páramo.
If your gear is beyond repair, it has never been easier to buy good quality secondhand kit, thanks to online marketplaces such as eBay. And while you’re at it, if you have some good-quality gear you no longer need, why not give it away or sell it on and let someone else make use of it, instead of throwing it out?
2 BUY TO LAST
If you have to buy, go for the best you can afford. Ask whether it seems durable enough to take years of wear.
Avoid this year’s hot colour, or you might be sick of it by next year. Instead, go for colours you’ve always loved, and probably always will. Or buy a neutral hue, and accessorise with on-trend colours.
Be conservative with your clothing size, not aspirational. That way something is likely to fit you for longer.
Check whether your object of desire can be repaired – especially zips. Can those shiny new hiking boots be re-soled in the future; can you reuse the uppers?
3 GO FOR GREEN MATERIALS
Polyester is made using fossil fuels, including petroleum and coal, and production requires a lot of energy; the CO2 emissions of a polyester shirt are about double that of cotton. To cut your carbon impact, look for fabrics made from recycled polyester – they have a 32% lower CO2 cost than virgin polyester. There’s a win. Also, look out for clothing with the Bluesign emblem, which is awarded to sustainably produced fabrics. It may be more expensive, but organic cotton also has a reduced impact on the planet; among other benefits, it’s produced without the use of pesticides.
Merino-wool base layers have natural antimicrobial properties and remain fresh-smelling even after wearing for days – as a result, you don’t have to wash these items so often, saving on water and electricity use. And they’re made from natural fibres that biodegrade.
4 CAN I REDUCE PLASTIC POLLUTION?
The yarn most commonly used in outdoor clothing – the aforementioned polyester – sheds microplastics into the environment in the form of tiny fibres, especially when washed. A single 6kg domestic wash has the potential to release as many as 700,000 fibres of all kinds.
To reduce the release of microfibres, consider washing your gear in a special bag to catch fibres, such as the Guppyfriend Washing Bag, before your machine pumps them into the drain and out into the ocean. en.guppyfriend.com
5 TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIT
Needless to say, you can extend the lifespan of your gear by looking after it. Walking boots should be kept clean. Dry leather ones slowly so they won’t crack.
Many waterproof jackets need regular washing in special cleaning fluids (techwash) and reproofing to restore the water-repellency. If you leave your jacket too long before doing this, it may never regain its effectiveness. Storm, Nikwax and Granger’s are among those selling PFC-free tech-wash and reproofer.
Researching the green credentials of outdoor gear requires a kind of methodical approach that doesn’t suit everyone – but you never know, you might actually find it quite satisfying. CF