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18 Aug

Our Responsible Packing List for More Sustainable Hiking and Outdoor Clothing

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Our editors have curated a head-to-toe list of more sustainable outdoor brands so that you can go on your next hike respecting the folks, critters, and environment you encounter along the way.

Strap your boots on for better hiking brands

There’s not a doubt in our minds that if we made a poll, there would be a clear split between those who prefer to lay on the sand sunbathing at the beach, and those who are more likely to put a backpack on and go hiking in the mountains or a forest. But did you know you can do both with conscious clothing on? With the right more sustainable outdoor and hiking brands, responsible hiking is more than possible.

You may think it’s easier for those who love the seaside (read: you’re almost naked at the beach, so there are far fewer garments to account for), and you might be right. But our curated selection of independently rated “Good” and “Great” brands is here to help you find inspo. Mountain and forest lovers, this one is a head-to-toe list of more sustainable outdoor and hiking brands made just for you—so that you can go on your next hike respecting the folks, critters, and environment you encounter, while rocking gear that is better for people, animals, and the planet in its production phase, too.

Head

Whether it’s from the sun or the evening breeze, when hiking it’s always a good idea to protect your noggin. You certainly don’t want your eyes and nose to be too exposed to the high altitudes’ UV-rays (extra tip: do not forget to cover your face with sunscreen, even if it’s overcast), but you’ll also want to keep your ears warm when the temperature drops.

Happy Earth

Rated: Good
A yellow and cream sunrise print hat by Happy Earth.

Mountain Sunrise Hat – Ships internationally from the US

Happy Earth Apparel is a US organic clothing brand that is inspired by nature and dedicated to preserving it. Through its partnerships with non-profits and Happy Earth ambassadors, it's planting trees, fighting climate change, and cleaning up trash.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Happy Earth.

bleed

Rated: Good
A forest green cotton beanie responsibly-made by bleed.

Ecoknit Skate Beanie Green – Ships internationally from Germany

bleed was founded in 2008 by German skateboarder Michael Spitzbarth. bleed's mission is to inspire a sustainable lifestyle that excites and easily integrates into our daily life, by creating ecological, vegan, and fairly produced sports and streetwear.

See the rating.

Shop bleed.

Face and neck

You never know what you’ll find when you get to the top of the mountain. That’s why the first rule when going on a hike is: be prepared and protect yourself.

Not all the neck gaiters are the same, it’s the fabric that makes the difference in protecting you from sun and wind, and in controlling your body temperature.
Try by wearing one of éclipse’s buffs, the perfect response to all conscious hikers’ needs.

éclipse

Rated: Great
fluro orange gaiter by Eclipse

Adjustable Size Neck Gaiter – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sunsafe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly.

Products are stocked in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

Top

For your core, there’s just a few simple rules to follow.
First, dress yourself in layers—again, you never know what the weather conditions will be at different altitudes.

Second, add a pop of colour. It’s not just a matter of trends, it’s for safety: fluro colours are way more visible, and in case of emergencies it’ll be easier for you to be seen if you’re not wearing black or military green.

And last but not least, make sure to keep yourself warm and dry. Bringing a backup tee is a good idea, but you can also prevent excessive sweating by choosing to wrap your body in the right fabrics.

Napapijri (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start

Pre-owned Napapijri coats – Ships internationally

Napapijri was born in 1987 in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, where an Italian manufacturer of travel bags gave outdoor apparel a new meaning by combining innovative materials and close attention to style. The brand has made a public commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and uses a few more responsible materials.

See the rating.

Shop Napapijri Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Bottom

While it depends on where you’re going, when on a hike your legs are usually the part of your body that is most exposed to small injuries and scratches. Remember that first rule for hikers? Be prepared and protect yourself. So, here we go with the perfect hiking pants made from a light, stretchy softshell that will last for years of hard use. The brand also sells shorts in the same vein so you’re prepared no matter the weather.

Houdini

Rated: Good
Someone wearing a pair of responsibly-made menswear hiking pants made by Houdini.

M’s Motion Top Pants – Ships within Europe from Sweden

Houdini is a functional sustainable outdoor clothing label for men, women, and kids. It uses a medium proportion of eco-friendly materials in its range, including recycled materials. Find the range in sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Houdini.

Shop Houdini @ Cerqular.

Feet

Treating your feet right when on a hike is crucial to prevent dis-eases that can turn your adventure into a dis-aster. It’s not only about picking the right pair of shoes (go for ankle hiking boots if you feel like you need more stability, or leave your ankles free if you aim more for lightweight), it’s also about the right socks—cause you certainly don’t want your toes to be wet (and smell bad), and heel blisters are the worst.

Thesus (Alice + Whittles)

Rated: Good
sustainable weekend boots by Alice and Whittles

The Weekend Boots – Ships internationally from Canada

Thesus favours transparency, responsible manufacturing practices, and lower-impact materials as a means of creating long-lasting, positive change.

Find the boots in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop Thesus.

The Level Collective

Rated: Good
Red traditional style hiking boots made by The Level Collective.

Fracap Ripple Trail Boots – Ships internationally from the UK

The Level Collective creates organic clothing and backpacks in the UK by collaborating with artists and makers.

See the rating.

Shop The Level Collective.

BEDI

Rated: Good
Evergreen long merino wool cold weather socks made by BEDI.

VAZ Socks – Ships internationally from Canada

Canadian-brand BEDI creates handmade bags, knits, and outerwear driven by a creative ethos to wear a better tomorrow. It promotes circularity with its careful selection of lower-impact materials, from upcycled airline seat leather and fish nets, to vegan cactus leather and more sustainably grown cotton. Driven by a slow fashion ethos, its pieces are grounded in utility and constructed for life, intended for you and beyond.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop BEDI.

Underwear

When doing sports, whether it’s yoga or jogging or going on a hike, it is crucial to wear comfortable and breathable underwear. Keep it simple and go for something that supports you in all the right places while still staying fresh on top, and keeps you dry on the bottom.

Girlfriend Collective

Rated: Good
A black high impact adjustable back strap sports bra made by Girlfriend Collective.

Black Simone High Support Bra – Ships internationally from the US

Girlfriend Collective creates minimal, luxury clothes made with fair labour, certified by the Social Accountability Standard International SA8000. The brand uses lower-impact materials like recycled polyester as well as lower-impact, non-toxic dyes and is fully OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

Inclusively sized Girlfriend Collective offers products from 2XS-6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Girlfriend Collective @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Girlfriend Collective.

Woron

Rated: Good

Organic Cotton Panties – Ships internationally from Denmark

Copenhagen-based Woron was founded by two sisters, Arina and Anya Woron, driven by the desire to share their take on a responsibly designed lingerie line. The brand produces timeless vegan underwear made in a clean, transparent, and simple fashion to ensure a long lifespan. The range is made of GOTS certified organic cotton and Lenzing MODAL or ECONYL lace fibres, and is fully OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

Find most pieces in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Woron.

Boody

Rated: Good
everyday bamboo briefs for men by Boody

Men’s Everyday Briefs – Ships internationally from Australia

Founded in Australia by two best friends, Boody is a clothing brand with comfort, style, and health at its core. It creates comfortable, thoughtfully-made everyday essentials made from organically grown bamboo. It reduces waste through lower-waste cutting techniques and using a closed-loop system in its supply chain, supporting the green and ethical movement.

Find the range in sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boody.

Bags

Bringing your own water bottle as an alternative to single use plastic is a good start, but you can do more: even your backpack can be made by a more sustainable outdoor brand that takes care of people, animals, and the planet. Let’s have a look at these more conscious options for your hike—there’s one for each scenario, whether you’re carrying the world on your shoulders or you’re lucky enough to have a hiking companion who does that for you.

VAUDE

Rated: Good

Neyland Zip 20 backpack – Ships internationally from Germany

Vaude is a European family-run outdoor wear brand. It sustainably produces clothes and materials for the outdoors, using eco-friendly materials, like recycled fabrics. It is also a member of the Fair Wear Foundation and has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedom principles. Find the range in 2XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Vaude.

Cotopaxi

Rated: Good
A colourful one-of-a-kind 20L hiking backpack made responsibly by Cotopaxi.

Tarak 20L Backpack – Ships within the US

Cotopaxi is a US-based clothing label that creates innovative outdoor products that help relieve poverty and move people to do good.

Find pieces in sizes S-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Cotopaxi.

Ecoalf

Rated: Good

Daniela Cross Body Bag – Ships internationally from Spain

Thanks to recycled materials like rescued ocean plastic, Ecoalf creates more sustainable fashion with the same quality, design, and technical properties as the best non-recycled ones.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Ecoalf @ Farfetch.

Shop Ecoalf.

Editor's note

Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet and animals. We love to recommend some of the best more sustainable brands, rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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