Make your gear more eco-friendly

Every time we choose where, and how, to spend our money we’re also having an impact on our planet’s future. Here’s what you need to know to make informed decisions that might help preserve the hills we love for generations to come.

It’s a simple truth that when it comes to stuff, what most of us really need is less. Inconvenient as it might be for anyone who gets excited about the latest developments in outdoor kit, if we really care about the great outdoors it is a truth we need to take seriously. After all, the most sustainable gear is the gear you already own.

While many of the catastrophic results of human activity can be seen in the natural world around us, we are also learning daily about the effects of the climate crisis on our own health. Our future as a species depends entirely upon our actions – as individuals and governments – right now. The planet will continue to spin through space long after it has shrugged us off for our ill-conceived follies.

There is no doubt that having the right gear allows us to explore the outdoors safely and enjoyably. We have all read about – and many of us have experienced first-hand – the perils of venturing into a landscape whose demands exceed the limitations of our kit. If we’re lucky, we just get cold, wet, and a good lesson in being better prepared. So how can we balance our need for gear that keeps us warm, dry and safe when we’re out in wild places with the urgent need to protect them? We have seen many positive changes in the outdoor industry in the 15 or so years since we first met working in a climbing shop. Public awareness of the negative impact of the clothing industry has increased massively, driving forward the development of less harmful materials, practices and processes. Many brands now provide comprehensive corporate responsibility statements online, and this is a good place to look when deciding between similar products. When we review gear, we always look for transparency and responsibility throughout the entire production chain, from growing or rearing the raw materials right through to sewing and transport. And we always ask if we can’t easily find the answers.

Only a few years ago brands were awarded eco-friendly badges for including recycled content in their products. Today entire ranges are made from recycled materials; less toxic dyes and waterproofing treatments are common; and acceptable human and animal welfare standards are expected. But there’s still plenty to be done and, as customers we hold the power to demand better.

“HOW CAN WE BALANCE OUR NEED FOR GEAR THAT KEEPS US WARM DRY AND SAFE IN WILD SPACES, WITH THE URGENT NEED TO PROTECT THEM?”