As an outdoor lover, choosing sustainable clothing brands is important to me. Here are my top picks for gear that does good.
Did you know that the apparel and fashion industry is one of the largest global polluters and contributors to climate change? It accounts for over 10% of global carbon emissions¹! Furthermore, 85% of textiles go to landfills every year², which is a huge waste.
Learning these stats was a big eye-opener for me. I love outdoor gear as much as anyone, but contributing to this cycle is not acceptable to me. I want to do my part to make sure my outdoor gear purchases have as small of an impact as possible.
Choosing the often higher-priced sustainable option might not be as easy as shopping for low-priced gear, but I like to think of that eco-friendly jacket as an investment for myself and the planet.
Want to do your part? Here are 10 sustainable outdoor clothing brands to consider for your next gear purchases.
What makes an outdoor brand sustainable?
Here are a few ways brands can practice sustainability:
ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS – Instead of relying on fossil fuel-heavy fabrics, sustainable brands incorporate eco-friendly materials like bamboo, modal, and organic cotton.
RECYCLED MATERIALS – Reusing fabrics and materials is one of the best ways to make outdoor clothing eco-friendly.
COMPANY ETHOS – Brands like Patagonia and REI (among many others) have sustainability and stewardship built into their company culture and often support grassroots movements.
FAIR LABOR PRACTICES – Treating warehouse and factory workers fairly and humanely is also part of a sustainable brand.
GEAR REPAIR PROGRAM – Instead of throwing away gear because it has a hole or the zipper is broken, many environmentally conscious outdoor brands offer gear repair services.
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Certifications to look for
One of the best ways to determine whether a brand is actually ‘walking the talk’ is to check what eco-friendly certifications they have. Here are a few to look out for:
1% For the Planet: a global organization where members pledge to donate 1% of their annual sales or income to environmental nonprofits.
Climate Neutral: a nonprofit that certifies companies offsetting and reducing their carbon emissions.
Responsible Down Standard: a certification that ensures down and feathers used in products come from animals that have been treated humanely. It guarantees ethical sourcing and promotes animal welfare throughout the supply chain.
Certified B Corporation: a certification awarded to businesses that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. These companies strive to balance profit with purpose.
Bluesign Approved: a certification for textiles that meet high standards of environmental health and safety throughout their production.
Fairtrade: a program that ensures products meet rigorous social, economic, and environmental standards. This certification supports fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices for farmers and workers in developing countries.
Global Organic Textile Standard: a certification for textiles that ensures they meet strict environmental and social criteria from harvesting to manufacturing. It guarantees organic status and sustainable production processes.
FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization that certifies forests and forest products as being responsibly managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic standards.
Masters of Linen: a certification for European linen products that guarantees they are sustainably produced, from field to fabric, within Europe.
1. Picture Organic
Picture Organic is a sustainable outdoor clothing brand based in France, but you can find their gear on Backcountry and at REI. Their commitment to climate action and transparency has set them apart from other outdoor brands.
Why Picture Organic made our list:
Picture Organic is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, an organization that works to improve workplace conditions for employees in the garment industry.
They are B-Corp Certified, which is the highest distinction for brands committed to environmental and social responsibility.
Picture Organic uses bio-sourced and recycled materials to help minimize the impact on the environment.
They have a lifetime gear repair program, which is great for your wallet and the planet!
They have a gear rental service (see their FAQs page for info on where their rental service is available)
Their company culture walks the talk with a green headquarters, employee climate change training, encouraging social activism, and more.
2. Patagonia
You’ve most likely heard of Patagonia and are aware that they have taken a stance on social and environmental responsibility. But do you what this iconic California brand has accomplished and what they are continuing to work on?
Why Patagonia made our list:
Patagonia co-founded 1% for the Planet, an alliance that allows brands to pledge 1% of their profits to environmental organizations.
The Worn Wear Program allows consumers like me and you to resell Patagonia gear. This helps keep it out of landfills!
Patagonia has invested heavily in sustainable materials and has even developed new sustainable fabrics like Yulex natural rubber, an alternative to petroleum-based neoprene.
Patagonia Action Works is a great resource to help connect the public with environmental and social causes and events around the world.
Patagonia has a gear repair program so you can keep your gear going longer.
Based in Burlington, Vermont, Skida outfits East Coasters and New Englanders living the mountain lifestyle. Started as a humble mother-daughter team, Skida has now grown tenfold. They make handmade headwear, neck warmers, and cold-weather accessories.
Why Skida made our list:
The Skida [+1] program donates hats to cancer patients who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.
Made in Vermont. Skida’s signature line of head and neckwear is sewn by local seamstresses in Vermont’s rural Northeast Kingdom.
Skida is proud of having less than 1% of fabric waste. No two Skida hats or neckwear are the same because they prioritize minimizing fabric waste over producing exact product replicas.
4. Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi has made a name for itself as one of the best sustainable outdoor clothing brands in the biz. They’re also one of the most recognized brands with their brightly colored jackets and packs. I’ve owned a few different pieces of Cotopaxi gear and I can attest to their quality (particularly their luggage). I also love Cotopaxi’s mission and dedication to ‘doing good’.
Why Cotopaxi made our list:
Cotopaxi is a Certified B Corporation. This means that Cotopaxi as a company does more good than harm. They use recycled scraps as material, empower impoverished factory workers with fair wages, and provide equal employment opportunities, among other things.
The Guaranteed for Good program promises that Cotopaxi will either “repair it, replace it, or credit your return”.
The Cotopaxi Más Vida program allows you to trade in Cotopaxi gear and/or shop for discounted items.
The Cotopaxi Foundation provides grants to nonprofits working to help communities facing extreme poverty.
They are part of the 1% For the Planet Program, so they donate 1% of their profits to environmental organizations.
Cotopaxi offers generous Do Good and Live Well employee benefits
5. Toad&Co
Toad&Co was one of the first outdoor clothing brands to make a splash in the sustainability world. Their lifestyle-inspired clothing is functional and fashionable while enacting minimal environmental impact.
Why Toad&Co made our list:
They prioritize sustainable fibers. The majority of Toad&Co clothing are made with sustainable fibers like hemp, organic cotton, and recycled wool.
Toad&Co uses reusable and recyclable packaging. Packaging has a huge impact on carbon emissions and waste. Toad&Co is lowering its packaging impact by committing to remove all plastic packaging by 2026.
Toad Again is their resale program that allows you to trade in Toad&Co and/or shop for gently used items.
Part of 1% For the Planet
6. PrAna
PrAna has been a long-time player in the industry as a sustainable outdoor clothing brand. Truthfully, I don’t love prAna as much as I used to because their focus seems to have shifted from outdoor, active apparel (that I loved) to more fashion and appearance-focused. But, if you’re looking for stylish clothing that you can take from the trail to town, prAna is a great option.
Why prAna made our list:
PrAna prioritizes sustainable fibers like hemp and organic cotton.
The company spearheaded the Fair Trade Certified Factories movement for apparel to improve working conditions in factories.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the name TenTree gives it all away: for every purchase, TenTree plants 10 trees. Their mission is to “regenerate ecosystems, capture carbon, and provide planting jobs in communities around the world.” How cool is that?
I’ve tested out a few TenTree items and the Juniper Hoodie is one of my favorite hoodies I’ve owned.
Why TenTree made our list:
TenTree plants trees for every purchase.
The company has a ‘People and Planet-First approach’, which drives their manufacturing and business decisions.
They use only recycled or organic materials and 98% of products are eco-friendly.
TenTree is a Certified B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified
Wearing my cozy TenTree sweatshirt in a road trip in California
8. Wild Rye
Wild Rye is a women’s outdoor clothing brand made by women for women who love the outdoors. Their apparel appeals to mountain bikers, hikers, skiers, and everything else-ers who want clothes that fit real women’s bodies (and look good, too!)
Bearfoot Theory team member, Becky, is a big fan of Wile Rye’s Freel bike shorts. They come in fun patterns and are actually designed to fit women’s strong mountain biking legs!
Why Wild Rye made our list:
Wild Rye uses Bluesisgn-certified fabrics whenever possible, which are the gold standard for eco-friendly fabrics
Their Wild Rye (redux) program allows you to sell and buy gently used Wild Rye apparel
Wild Rye is Certified Carbon Neutral and a Certified B-Corporation
Bearfoot Theory team member wearing her Wild Rye Freel shorts while coaching a mountain bike clinic
9. Coalatree
Coalatree is a brand that I discovered in the last couple of years and have come to love. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah (my home!), they partner with local organizations to maintain hiking and biking trails, remove trash, and help at-risk youth access the wilderness and the healing powers of nature.
Why Coalatree made our list:
Coalatree clothing is made from recycled and repurposed materials like plastic bottles and even coffee grounds.
Their factory partners use sustainable energy and water-saving technologies as well as non-toxic production methods.
Bonus: Secondhand gear!
One of the best ways you can reduce your impact on the environment is to purchase used outdoor gear. There are a lot of online stores and local shops that sell gently used outdoor gear from rainjackets to hiking boots and everything in between. Not only does shopping for used gear keep these items out of landfills, but it also helps keep money in your wallet! Used gear is much cheaper than buying brand-new pieces.
REI’s used gear selection has some great finds or this discounted gear post has more options on where to shop for used items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most sustainable materials for clothing?
The most sustainable materials for clothing include natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and bamboo. Recycled materials like polyester and nylon are also great choices. Tencel is a newer and innovative material made from sustainably sourced wood pulp.
How can I tell if a brand is using sustainable methods?
A good way to tell if a brand is eco-friendly and sustainable is to check what certifications they have and whether they are a member of any initiatives like 1% for the Planet or Fairtrade.
Why does sustainable clothing cost more?
Buying good-quality clothing and gear that is sustainable does cost more. But these costs are for good reason. Sustainable materials are often more expensive to source than fossil fuel-based fabrics. Sustainable brands also pay more to ensure ethical labor practices, environmentally friendly production practices, and supply chain transparency, among other considerations.
With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.
