Green Trails: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Hiking Gear and Avoiding Greenwashing

The dirty little secret of the outdoor industry is that the very products we use to recreate outside have a negative impact on the environment outdoor enthusiasts love so dearly. Eco-friendly and sustainable hiking gear have been at the forefront of industry news and conversation, but even in the outdoors, change is slow.

Although great strides have been made over the last decade to clean up our hiking apparel and gear, there’s also a lot of greenwashing going on—so it’s important while shopping for sustainable options to be able to see past the greenwashed veneer of many brands on the market. I'm here to help.

Although many brands are phoning it in when it comes to producing eco-friendly goods, some brands are doing it right—and in this article, I’ll explain the importance of environmentally-friendly gear, who’s making it, how you can care for it and how to identify truly sustainable outdoor clothing and gear.

The Importance of Eco-friendly Hiking Gear

Our hiking gear and outdoor clothing doesn’t just impact our wallets — the goods we buy also affect our well-being, and that of the planet. Eco-friendly and sustainable apparel and gear help to keep chemicals out of waterways, waste out of landfills and re-use and reduce consumption. Through responsible manufacturing processes and material choices, brands can make a real impact on how their production impacts the planet. And by wearing hiking apparel and packing hiking gear that is made without “forever chemicals”, toxic materials and unethical labor, you’re investing in both your physical and mental well-being.

Top Sustainable Brands for outdoor apparel and gear

When it comes to sustainability, some brands wear their earth-friendly attributes on their sleeves, while others quietly make changes to existing or new product launches with much fanare. Well-known sustainability stalwarts include Patagonia, Tentree, Cotopaxi and Picture Organic. Prana, Outerknown, Houdini, and Smartwool each have sustainability initiative as well.

How to identity eco-friendly hiking products

There are a few reliable methods to picking truly eco-friendly hiking products and sustainable outdoor clothing, the first being to familiarize yourself with sustainable certifications to look for while shopping. Some of these include 1 Percent For the Planet, Climate Neutral, Certified B Corps, Bluesign Approved, Fair Trade Certified and more. Brands that earn any of these badges for their products or supply chains have to go through rigorous third-party vetting to be approved, and looking for these badges while you shop is a helpful eBay to determine if a product is made sustainably.

Another method to determine if a piece of outdoor hiking apparel is eco-friendly is to look at the list of materials used to construct it; oftentimes, truly sustainable brands will have each material listed out, and some brands go so far as to link to where those individual materials are sourced. Finding truly eco-friendly outdoor equipment takes time, but it’s worth the effort for you and the planet.

Benefits of choosing sustainable hiking gear

As I’ve mentioned above, there are plenty of benefits to choosing sustainable hiking gear over other options. Because we live in a capitalist society, we all consume goods in one way or another. If you care about the environment, purchasing eco-friendly outdoor gear and maintaining it helps keep waste out of the landfill. Sustainable outdoor clothing and gear sometimes comes at a higher price point than competitors, but oftentimes, it’s also of higher quality—particularly from a materials point of view. Using less water, ensuring safer working conditions, reducing your carbon footprint and saving money in the long-run are just a few other benefits to opting for eco-friendly hiking gear and apparel.

Eco-friendly maintenance and care tips for hiking gear

You’ve researched your piece of eco-friendly hiking gear. You’ve bought it, used it and now you’ll need to learn some eco-friendly maintenance tips to continue your sustainability streak. Our first piece of advice is to always use non-toxic and biodegradable soaps to wash your sustainable hiking apparel and gear.

My first pick is Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, but there are lots of options on the market. If you can, let your washed apparel and gear air dry, and cut down on energy costs and electricity. (I realize this is more of a summer tip, but it’s still useful to keep in mind.) Rather than replacing outdoor gear or apparel that has a hole or rip, use a patch to repair it and continue to use your sustainable outdoor gear. Keeping outdoor equipment out of the landfill, even if it’s sustainable, makes a difference. And finally, use washes like Nikwax to re-impregnate your waterproof garments so that they have a longer life span.

Innovations in eco-friendly outdoor equipment

Sustainable and recycled material—like synthetic down insulation made from recycled plastic—are just one slice of the pie when it comes to eco-friendly innovations in outdoor equipment. As the sustainability movement continues to gain more traction, brands are offering more eco-friendly options to their customers, including clothing and camping gear made with renewable energy, carbon emissions offset programs, ethical outdoor clothing manufacturing and fair trade practices, and the replacement of toxic components with more earth-friendly ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you be an ecofriendly hiker?

Want to be an eco-friendly hiker? Here are a few tips: Purchase sustainably-made hiking gear and apparel. Follow the Leave No Trace principles while out on the trail or camping. Be respectful of wildlife and stay on trail while you hike. Re-use and repair hiking apparel and outdoor gear you already own. Make your own food at home, and cut down on plastic packaging from pre-made snacks at the store.

What is the best natural material for hiking?

The best natural material for hiking is undoubtedly wool, and specifically, merino wool. Because it is naturally antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial and breathable, wool can perform in any temperature, requires little upkeep and will last for years if properly maintained.

How can you tell if an outdoor brand or product really is sustainable?

There are a few key giveaways to help determine if a product or brand is truly sustainable. If a brand has a mission statement, “about” page or blog that details how its products are made, where its materials are sourced and how it brings a product to market, you can determine whether it is really sustainable. If a brand offers a lifetime warranty or a repair program for its products, that’s a sign the company is committed to keeping products in the field and out of the landfill. And finally, verified third-party certifications are a great way to tell if a brand is truly sustainable or merely greenwashing.