10 Jan

Hit the Trail in These Sustainable Outdoor Clothing Brands

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We went on the hunt to find sustainable outdoor clothing brands so you can leave nothing but footprints next time you hit the trail.

Doing your bit on the trails

I’m sure many of us have been there: you’re out enjoying the great outdoors, walking in nature, enjoying the sights, feeling the wind on your face and spotting a few animals. Suddenly, you stumble upon a single plastic water bottle lying on the ground. You come closer to pick it up, with the firm intention to throw it away in the next trashcan you see. Why do people do that? As you get up, you start spotting other items that have no business here: a crisp packet, a lonely glove, a lost beanie.

Whether you’re an outdoors fan or not, it’s heartbreaking to see trash in nature polluting the soil and waters, and it’s even more heartbreaking when you know that some of them can take thousands of years to break down.

So, what can we do beyond not leaving trash behind and doing our bit by picking up others’ trash when we can?

A good place to start is thinking about what we put on our bodies when we go out in nature. There are brands out there creating ethical and sustainable outdoor wear, so you can enjoy the great outdoors, knowing your gear isn’t contributing to the exploitation of our planet and its inhabitants.

With this list, you’ll be (sustainably) dressed from head-to-toe, with a light jacket from Girlfriend Collective (US), base layers by eclipse (US) and Houdini (Sweden), pants from bleed (Germany) and VAUDE (Germany), and some comfortable shoes by Wildling (Germany).

Patagonia

Rated: Good
Person wearing a grey sleeveless jacket by Patagonia.

Better Sweater® Fleece Vest – Ships internationally from the US

Patagonia is a brand that truly lives and breathes the great outdoors. It makes clothing for trail running, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding. Patagonia has strong labour rights and uses recycled, rather than virgin, polyester. It has also committed to reducing its energy use and emissions and stocks sizes XS-3XL. This warm, 100% recycled polyester sweater vest is dyed with a low-impact process that significantly reduces energy and water use compared to conventional dyeing methods.

See the rating.

Shop Patagonia @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Patagonia @ Labell-D.

Shop Patagonia.

Shop Patagonia Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Patagonia Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

éclipse

Rated: Great

EveryWear Tunic – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sun safe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly. This tunic is versatile enough to do the job of a long sleeve top and a tunic in your outdoor wardrobe: wear it on its own as a cover-up in the summer, or use it as a base layer in the winter. Products are stocked in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

bleed

Rated: Great
Close-up of a person wearing navy blue outdoor pants by bleed.

Econyl® Ultra Light Pants Ladies Dark Blue – 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. We all know what it’s like to wear a classic pair of outdoor trousers—you look and feel great, but as soon as you start sweating, the material clings uncomfortably to your skin. bleed’s ECONYL® Ultra Light Pants are a completely different experience. Elastic, breathable, and a ribbed structure makes them perfect for sweat-inducing activities. Find them in sizes XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop bleed.

Outerknown

Rated: Good
Person wearing checkered blanket shirt by Outerknown.

Blanket Shirt – Ships internationally from the US

Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a sustainable brand that aims to blend style and function with the protection of natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and has partnered with the Fair Labour Association. The Blanket Shirt is Outerknown’s all-time best-selling style, and it just might be the cosiest damn shirt ever made. Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Outerknown.

Shop Outerknown @ Wearwell.

Shop Outerknown @ Good.

 

tentree

Rated: Good
Close-up of a person wearing a burgundy sustainable rain jacket by tentree.

Nimbus Short Rain Jacket – Ships internationally from Canada

Offers

People in dresses by tentree.

tentree – Site-wide (US, CA)

Anything from more sustainable loungewear, to activewear, outerwear, and new summer products (dresses, jumpsuits, shorts and more). Up to 50% off site wide off. (Available in the US and Canada only) (Ends: 28 MAY)

Shop now

Made for coffee runs, rainy day walks, visits to the dog park or a national park, this sustainable women’s rain jacket is lightweight and waterproof. Made from 24 recycled plastic water bottles and recycled materials, tentree has thought of all the details, like a stowaway hood and reflective cuffs.

Canadian brand tentree believes big change starts small. Small as in bringing your reusable bag to the grocery store, making fewer, more thoughtful purchases, and choosing to purchase sustainably when you do. The brand plants ten trees for every item purchased to help regenerate ecosystems and provide planting jobs in communities around the world and has already planted over 65 million trees.

All tentree’s products are created with an Earth-First approach, meaning they’re made in fair, safe working conditions and constructed using only sustainably sourced and recycled materials. tentree’s super comfy fabrics and easy wardrobe staples are typically available from XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

Dedicated

Rated: Great
Close-up of green and white ethical socks by Dedicated.

Socks Sigtuna Trees 5-pack – Ships internationally from Sweden

Be one with the trees with these cute sustainable socks from Dedicated. If you love a great graphic print, Swedish label Dedicated has you covered. Dedicated is an ethical streetwear brand for men, women, and children. All cotton used in its pieces are 100% organic, and most are Fairtrade-certified, which means that you don’t have to sacrifice your ethics to dress in style. Find the clothes in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dedicated.

Shop Dedicated @ Curate.

Shop Dedicated @ Earthkind.

Happy Earth

Rated: Good
Person starting at mountains wearing a grey cap by Happy Earth.

Polar Bear Organic Hat – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

Someone in blue printed tee by Happy Earth.

Happy Earth – Site-wide

Nature-inspired graphic tees, tanks and more - all more sustainably and ethically made. Give back with every item! 25% off with code HELLOSUMMER. (Ends: 31 MAY)

Checkout code: HELLOSUMMER
Shop now

Make unsustainable headwear a thing of the past. 100% organic, 100% relaxed—this Earth-first dad hat isn’t just for dads. Happy Earth Apparel is a US organic clothing brand that works to give back, inspired by nature and dedicated to preserving it. This B Corporation certified brand makes the planet a better place with every purchase. Through its partnerships with nonprofits and Happy Earth ambassadors, it’s planting trees, fighting climate change, and cleaning up trash. Find most items in sizes XS to 2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Happy Earth.

Tripulse

Rated: Good
Person sporting ethical cycling shorts by Tripulse.

Made to Move Shorts – Ships internationally from Sweden

These shorts are your perfect and ultra-comfortable all-around sustainable workout and activity companion, and your skin and nature will thank you for them. Plus, they are Climate Neutral Certified. Tripulse is a Swedish activewear brand on a mission to create high-performing activewear that protects our planet and its people. The brand believes that physical and mental fitness is the foundation for a good and healthy life and gives people the courage to live the life they dreamed of, become their best selves, make bold moves, and change the world for the better. Find most items in sizes XS to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Tripulse.

Finisterre

Rated: Good
Person standing in front of the sea, wearing a navy outdoor hoodie by Finisterre.

Patron Hoodie – Ships internationally from the UK

Made from an incredibly durable recycled polyester fabric, the men’s Patron Hoodie is a warm fleece-lined hoodie built for coastal explorers. Featuring a super warm fleece pile inner fabric, it’s ideal for everything from winter walks to post-surf warmth. Born from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre is a pioneering, sustainable outdoor brand built to inspire a love of the sea and anchored in exceptional products. Find this hoodie in sizes XS to 2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Finisterre.

Houdini

Rated: Good
Person wearing a dark green merino wool t-shirt by Houdini.

M’s Desoli Tee – Ships internationally from Sweden

You can’t go wrong with a superfine merino non-mulesed wool t-shirt. The light fabric and athletic fit make Men’s Desoli Tee a perfect outdoor companion for everything from hiking or climbing to biking or training. 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.

VAUDE

Rated: Good
Close-up of a pair of black outdoor trousers by Vaude.

Strathcona Stretch Outdoor Trousers Men’s – Ships internationally from Germany

These robust pants are made almost entirely from recycled material and are very stretchy, making them ideal for your next hike or trekking expedition. 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.

Superstainable

Rated: Good
Person wearing navy half-zip knitted hoodie by Superstainable.

Bonita Knit – Ships internationally from Denmark

Stay warm on your next walk with Superstainable’s Bonita Knit, made from 100% mulesing-free merino wool under the best social standards on the market. It has a great shape and fits perfectly under your jacket or plain as it is, making it a perfect companion for colder times. Superstainable is an outdoor brand based in the outdoor capital of Denmark, Silkeborg, and made with the utmost respect for people and the planet. Its outdoor essentials rely on quality, consciousness, and transparency. All styles are made in organic or recycled materials. Find the pants in sizes XS to XL.

See the rating.

Shop Superstainable.

Girlfriend Collective

Rated: Good
Person wearing a pink lightweight puffer jacket by Girlfriend Collective.

Jam Hooded Packable Puffer – Ships internationally from the US

Meet the hooded lightweight puffer jacket for hikes and backpacking trips alike that conveniently packs into a built-in inside pocket. Girlfriend Collective creates minimal, luxury clothes made with certified fair labour, certified by the Social Accountability Standard International SA8000. The brand uses eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester as well as low-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 @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Girlfriend Collective @ thegreenlabels.

Shop Girlfriend Collective.

Cotopaxi

Rated: Good
Colourful day backpack by Cotopaxi.

Batac Del Dia – Ships internationally from the US

This stowable daypack is unstructured for added versatility. It’s excellent for fast-and-light day trips, hikes, and other spontaneous excursions. Cotopaxi is a clothing label that creates innovative outdoor products that help relieve poverty and move people to do good.

See the rating.

Shop Cotopaxi.

Wildling

Rated: Good
Close up of minimal and sustainable walking shoes by Wildling.

Grizzly – Ships internationally from Germany

Keep your feet toasty warm, all while supporting landscape conservation projects with these cute, minimal kicks. Wildling is a German footwear brand that encourages novice and experienced walkers alike to rediscover pleasant, natural walking. Find the shoes in EU sizes 36 to 48.

See the rating.

Shop Wildling.

We also recommend our guides to sustainable running clothes and ethical hiking gear

Editor's note

Feature image via Finisterre, 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. Use the directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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