If you love being outdoors, you probably love the environment and want to preserve it. Is your outdoor wear causing serious harm to the natural environment you enjoy?
Even as adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts, we can’t overlook that the fast fashion industry is the third-most polluting industry. While we can’t neutralize the environmental impact of the apparel industry, we can reduce the impact of the clothing we wear. One way to do this is to shop from brands that are working to reduce their negative impact on the environment.
These eight outdoor wear brands are doing just that by adhering to sustainable practices, using recycled and organic materials, and following healthy manufacturing practices. If you’re in the market for outdoor wear, you can shop from these sustainable brands and enjoy your summer adventures with a smaller impact on the environment.
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Patagonia Women’s Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T Pullover
This legendary outdoor brand sets a high bar for sustainability. At least 64% of the fabrics Patagonia uses are made with recycled materials, including recycled fishing nets, polyester, nylon, cashmere, wool, and polyethylene. Patagonia supports the fair trade movement, provides supply chain transparency, and follows employee-friendly practices.
Patagonia Women’s Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T Pullover is made of 100% soft organic cotton and recycled polyester for everyday warmth and comfort. It’s available in five colors and is an excellent pick for women who love spending time outdoors.
REI Co-op Swiftland Trail Run Vest – Women’s Plus Sizes
Outdoor outfitter REI uses organically grown cotton, recycled polyester, and bluesign-verified materials for all their products. Also, REI supports Fair Trade, animal welfare, reduced emissions, and water use, and is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
REI Co-op Swiftland Trail Run Vest is a must-have clothing item for plus-sized women. The vest is made from bluesign-approved Pertex ripstop nylon, making it lightweight, windproof, and breathable. It features zip hand pockets, internal mesh security pockets, and reflective trim to keep you visible. If you want to head outdoors and reduce your environmental footprint, this vest is for you.
Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket – Men’s
Cotopaxi uses organic cotton, recycled polyester, and fleece for their products. They allocate 1% of their annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which aims at improving the human condition and alleviating poverty. Cotopaxi is a Certified B Corporation that supports Fair Trade and favorable workplace standards. You can review their social and environmental impact before buying.
Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket is made from 100% repurposed fabric and insulated with 100% recycled polyester. This reversible jacket features two secure-zip hand pockets, two-way drop-in patch and hand pockets, and a chest pocket, making it an all-around excellent adventure jacket.
Outerknown Sur Zip Hoodie for Men
Outerknown uses 90% organic, recycled, and regenerated fibers. Founded by pro-surfer Kelly Slater, the company also offers ECONYL® clothing made by turning fishing nets into regenerative fibers. Outerknown is a part of the Fair Labor Association and ensures the highest international labor standards.
Outerknown Sur Zip Hoodie is a lightweight, durable, and flexible hoodie made from 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton. Outerknown’s version of the classic French terry-cloth hoodie is cozy with kangaroo pockets and a super sturdy zipper. It’s available in five colors and is an ideal pick for men who want to head outdoors in style and at the same time reduce their environmental impact.
Marmot Men’s PreCip Eco Print Jacket
Marmot uses PFC-free recycled materials, bluesign-certified eco-friendly fabrics, and PFC-free technologies to reduce their environmental impact. They offer product transparency and adhere to animal welfare policies, testing guidelines, chemical management specifications, and testing guidelines. Marmot also follows fair labor practices.
Marmot Men’s PreCip® Eco Print Jacket is a flexible and comfortable outdoor jacket made from NanoPro Eco and 100% recycled nylon ripstop. Marmot’s waterproof NanoPro material provides superior breathability along with wind protection to make this jacket a great pick to build your sustainable adventure wardrobe.
Columbia Women’s OutDry Ex Eco Tech Jacket
Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportwear has pursued corporate responsibility since its founding and is making some very sustainable clothing. It offers bluesign-certified products, including natural down and leather from the Leather Working Group. They reduce water consumption by using materials that are dyed without water. Columbia offers supply chain transparency and adheres to sustainable manufacturing practices. They also empower women and donate parts of their earnings to women-oriented charity foundations.
Columbia Women’s OutDry™ Ex Eco Tech Jacket is an eco-friendly jacket for women featuring a shell made from 100% recycled materials. With hand pockets and mesh lining, the waterproof and breathable jacket is ideal for keeping you warm and dry in rainy weather. If you want to start your sustainable wardrobe with something versatile, practical, and stylish, this jacket by Columbia is a perfect pick.
Kathmandu Stockton Men’s Rain Jacket
Kathmandu is a Certified B corporation that uses 100% sustainable cotton, wool, down, and recycled polyester to manufacture its clothing. Their stores are solar-powered to reduce carbon emissions. They’ve also adopted fair employment standards and promote community-based initiatives like disaster aid, fair trade, and workers’ rights.
Kathmandu Stockton Men’s Rain Jacket is made from 100% recycled polyester with a durable water repellant treatment and a bio-based membrane. This jacket is a perfect blend of performance and sustainability. If you’re looking for a smooth, sleek, and streamlined jacket to amp up your outdoor fashion, try this rain jacket by Kathmandu.
Picture Wailer Pullover Jacket
Picture uses organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other bio-sourced and reused materials for 100% of their products. They use cardboard boxes instead of petroleum-based materials for product packaging. Picture is a Certified B Corporation that provides supply chain transparency and follows optimum workplace standards and practices.
Picture Wailer pullover jacket is a 30D ultralight pullover windbreaker made from 100% recycled polyester. Made of strong ripstop fabric, it features a zippered pouch pocket, reflective details, and is easy to pack in its self-storing pocket. It’s available in two colors: Iceberg and Arctic Blue.
It’s Time for Sustainable Adventure
As outdoor lovers, we value nature and want to preserve it. But we often forget that the gear we buy to keep us comfortable can have a huge impact on the environment. By making informed decisions when we shop and choosing sustainable outdoor wear, we can enjoy our outdoor activities with a smaller environmental footprint.