GEAR GOES GREEN

Because the outdoor industry sells to people who like being outside in nature, it has a much closer focus on environmentally-friendly materials than most of the clothing industry. That’s not to say all outdoor gear is ‘green’ (there are particular concerns about the microplastics released into the sea when fleece goes through a washing machine), but the industry does its best to help the planet. You’ll find a lot of products that use recycled materials, and brands that seek to reduce their carbon footprint across their supply chain and manufacturing processes, including reduced water consumption. The real pioneers in ecologically-sound gear include Patagonia, Jack Wolfskin, Vaude, Sherpa, Rohan, Fjällräven and Páramo, but most of the brands we review now take at least some steps to make things better.

Find out more about green gear in our Tread Lightly special, on sale May 26th.