- Gas growler refillable camping gas container that reduces waste, from Ignik Outdoors.
- Plastic packaging reduction from NRS
- Carbon NEGATIVITY from Biolite Stoves
- Wetsuits made from limestone instead of petroleum from Level Six
- Solar-powered factories from Thule
- Recycling efforts and wind power from Trailtopia adventure food
- Nontoxic ingredients and packaging reduction from Redbudsuds
- Waste-to-farm from Bending Branches paddles
- Non-toxic manufacturing processes from Lendal paddles
- Hemp and vegan water shoes from Astral
The biggest paddling event around was held in Madison, WI recently after a pandemic hiatus. I roamed the aisles in search of real world examples of what companies are doing when it comes to sustainability. Featured in this video:
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![]() Here is a breakdown of what I’ve found to be the most sustainable ski manufacturers for the 2021-22 season. While there are a number of the industry’s largest players that have made admirable sustainability commitments, these folks have it in their DNA. WNDR Alpine Some folks pull from a quiver, some invent a crossbow. This crew is taking sustainability to the next level by not just incorporating available eco-friendly technologies, but going to the lab and creating their skis from plastic grown from algae. Yes, friggin’ algae. As we’ve all seen beer cups made from corn plastic, it’s known that plastic can be made from more than just petroleum. WNDR is actually the consumer brand of materials lab Checkerspot, which is developing new eco-friendly products throughout the industry.
In full transparency, I purchased a pair of the Vital 100 skis last year after visiting their facility in Salt Lake City, then took them up on their offer of a group intro to backcountry avalanche safety course they included for free with the purchase. They’re an amazing group of folks who are passionate about what they do, and I absolutely love my skis. To purchase visit their website here: https://wndr-alpine.com/collections/shop
Find a local shop here: https://wndr-alpine.com/apps/store-locator Lib Tech Lib Tech skis from Mervin Manufacturing in Washington starts off their environmental statement with something that gets lost in the eco-friendly talk about materials and its effect on the planet: “Mervin uses better manufacturing practices that both protect the health of the Kraftsmen, but also that of the planet, leaving zero hazardous waste behind in production.” People always talk about how toxic materials have an effect on the environment, but we forget that there’s actually people working in factories all over the world producing the products we buy that breathe in nasty chemicals every day they go to work.
To purchase visit their website here: https://www.lib-tech.com/ski Find a local shop here: https://www.lib-tech.com/find-a-dealer Meier Skis Started in Glenwood Springs, CO and transitioned to Denver, Meier Skis was founded on using local wood and beetle-kill trees that have become all too common in the mountain west. And instead of just opening a standard factory, they’ve combined their production facility with a brewery into what they call a “craft skiery” where you can grab a beer and watch skis be made by hand.
To purchase visit their website here: https://meierskis.com/collections/2021-skis Find a local shop here: https://meierskis.com/pages/buy-or-demo-meier-skis ![]() Plastic is everywhere, and it's hard to get rid of. It's cheap and protects its contents. But bags are especially hard to recycle, and recycling isn't a great solution anyways. Petroleum-based plastics stay in our environment for upwards of 1,000 years, contain toxic chemicals, and break down into microplastics that get into our water and our bodies. These companies are working to eliminate plastic polybags from their products, along with the Outdoor Industry's Plastic Impact Alliance:
![]() Some people daydream about winning the lottery, starring in a movie, or scoring the winning touchdown. For those of us whose thoughts wander to hiking up a mountain or skiing through knee-deep fresh powder we can get caught up in the feedback loop of moments lived in extreme, awe-inspiring locations. But not everyone lives in the mountains. As a biology major in college in Minnesota, Eric Larsen and his friends would make up challenges with the terrain that was readily available. They would say “Hey, let’s paddle across this lake, then bike to this city and back again and see how fast we can do it. Actually, let’s make it harder by doing it at night.” There were no sharp granite peaks or sub-zero temperatures, but it was a challenge, out in the fresh air, enjoying the peacefulness of nature around them. These seemingly random self-imposed challenges would lead to Eric becoming the first human being to reach the North Pole, South Pole and the top of Mount Everest in one year. Not bad for a midwestern kid from Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Growing up, his dad was the beloved director of Riveredge Nature Center, so an environmental ethic and an appreciation for nature were just an automatic part of daily life. He recently returned home from Colorado to do a self-imposed “WisconsATHON” challenge where he hiked, biked and kayaked for 9 days across the state to raise money for children's’ programs at Riveredge. As someone who grew up going there on school field trips, I reached out to Eric and we had the opportunity to grab a coffee and talk about sustainability in the outdoor industry. One of Eric’s goals with his adventures is to raise awareness about climate change. He said most people don’t know that Antarctica isn’t just snow and ice, it’s a land mass that reaches an altitude of about 9,300 feet at the South Pole, and over 16,000 feet at its highest point at Mount Vinson. On the other hand, the North Pole contains no actual land, just shifting sheets of ice that doesn’t get much thicker than 3 or 4 feet. He has seen firsthand how our climate has been altered as the ice sheets get thinner and less predictable. He’s also a big believer in sustainability when it comes to products in the outdoor industry, since the manufacturing methods required to make our gear have an impact on the very environment we love to explore. So far it seems like the majority of innovations have been in creating better ways to make products that have the same level of performance. For instance, there have been ways to make synthetic down insulation more environmentally friendly, and there is the Responsible Down Standard to make sure the geese, whose feathers keep us warm, are treated humanely, but as of yet there isn’t an option that has been more sustainable AND performed better. For Eric, when it’s 50 degrees below zero in the Arctic he still relies on tried-and-true natural down to keep him alive and as comfortable as possible. Some of the companies that sponsor Eric are perfect examples of sustainability in action. For example:
Sustainability is also about consumption. It’s been said that the most sustainable product is the one that you don’t buy. For a guy whose life literally depends on the reliability of the clothing he wears, the quality of gear and how long it will last him is of utmost importance. Being in the industry for many years, he’s seen how the need to constantly push new products can lead to overconsumption. Some of the most sustainable gear is the clothing that can be repaired and continue to be used because it was constructed with quality materials and made to last. Eric Larsen is a man who has made a career out of putting himself in the middle of our planet’s most extreme environments. He’s not doing it to check it off a bucket list or get more instagram followers, he has a deep appreciation for nature and the solitude that can accompany it. Even on his trek across Wisconsin some of his favorite moments were when he was by himself and saw the various native wildlife that crossed his path. With parks in cities of every size, he believes that we all have the opportunity to get out into nature, and for him the power of adventure to connect with others is a force for making the world a better place. Eric Larsen's WisconsATHON featured 9 days of hiking, biking and kayaking across the state of Wisconsin.
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These days everyone talks about partnerships and collaborations, but it’s usually between complementary companies and organizations, where joining together benefits both because they aren’t competitors.
The Outdoor Industry Association has turned this idea on its head. I’ll admit, until I heard OIA’s Jennifer Pringle give a keynote address at the recent Marketing and Innovation Campsight event, I had never heard the term “pre-competitive.” As the trade association that advocates for the outdoor industry, OIA created the Sustainability Working Group, a sub-group of companies working together to share best practices and make sure that their products contain less chemicals, are more durable, treat animals well, pollute less, and are produced by employees earning a fair wage in respectable working conditions, all while making a profit for their owners or shareholders. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nikki Hodgson (pictured), OIA’s Sustainable Business Innovation Manager, someone who’s dedication is obvious. When I asked why she is passionate about sustainability, her response gets to the core of why these people are able to set competition to the side and come together for the greater good: “At its most basic, I believe sustainability is the practice of asking ourselves, “how do we do this better?” and that’s something I feel we should be asking ourselves personally and professionally every single day.” In coordination with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and using measurement tools from the likes of Patagonia, Walmart and Nike, the Higg Index was developed. The index is “a suite of tools that enables brands, retailers, and facilities of all sizes — at every stage in their sustainability journey — to accurately measure and score a company or product’s sustainability performance. The Higg Index delivers a holistic overview that empowers businesses to make meaningful improvements that protect the well-being of factory workers, local communities, and the environment.” This video gives a great overview of the what and the why when it comes to OIA’s work on the Higg Index:
In true circular-economy fashion, there are a number of tools available for various steps in the lifecycle of a product, from design to manufacturing, retailing and finally the consumer. This is a massive project, and up until now the index has been mainly focused on industry professionals within the supply chain, and primarily for soft goods like clothing and accessories. The next step is integrating a model that consumers can use to differentiate products, and expanding to hard goods like snowboards, bikes and tents. They’ve already accomplished an enormous feat with over 130 outdoor companies adopting the Higg Index, representing over 8,000 factories worldwide.
Think about this. In most industries players keep their cards close to their chest, keeping secret any new technology they’ve developed in order to get a competitive advantage. But here we have straight up direct competitors, literally sitting down at the same table and sharing what they are doing in an effort to be, well, GOOD HUMAN BEINGS. In an age of division and confrontation, these people are setting aside their own interests for the interests of all. It is truly a unique situation in the business world, an attitude that we could benefit from and I applaud them for doing what they can to make the world a better place. ![]() When my lovely lady Elizabeth and I took a road trip to Asheville, NC for our anniversary I knew we had to visit a company called Astral. The core of their business has been PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices, or life jackets), but in recent years they’ve expanded into footwear. Their most unique products are basically water shoes that look like...well, shoes. Most paddlers are used to the standard issue footwear being something like a pair of Keens, Chacos or Tevas, and though they are great, Astral throws them for a loop by making essentially a shoe that drains and is meant to get soaked. We've done quite a bit of paddling this summer, and our Astrals have been perfect for walking on rocky bottoms, dragging the canoe to the put in, and walking around town after. What’s the most surprising aspect of their sustainability? Well, first of all they’re vegan. Yes, there is such a thing as a vegan shoe. Basically, almost every shoe out there connects the upper to the sole using glue, and if you’re unaware, glue is made with animal products. So Astral has begun stitching their shoes together, harming no animals in the process. Their PFDs also use a cool new filler that’s starting to really gain some traction, Kapok foam. The Kapok tree produces these crazy little pods that are filled with seeds and soft fibers, which can be turned into everything from fabric to foam. Since they are harvested after they naturally fall off trees there’s no harm done to the environment, and no toxic chemicals involved. They also use hemp as a material for some of their uppers, a plant that grows fast and dense, is resistant to many herbicides and pesticides, and is great for soil health. Astral definitely likes to re-use leftover materials, since their LE9 jacket is made from scrap fabric, and their dog beds are made from extra pieces of foam. And aside from composting, recycling and managing water usage in their operations, they promote a love of the outdoors and the environment with #NatureFirst. ![]() So a few weeks ago I did a post about a pair of socks I bought, and based around the information I was able to gather it looked like there were a number of positive aspects to the sustainability efforts of Farm to Feet socks, but there were some unanswered questions. Well, my post was found by the company, and Farm to Feet’s sustainability manager provided some great information to fill in the gaps.. So here it is: Animal Welfare/Mulesing They do not address mulesing because the wool they use comes from American sheep, and the practice is not used here since the fly that causes flystrike does not exist in North America. Nylon & Spandex The raw materials unfortunately do come from virgin resources, but they are making an effort to work with suppliers to find more sustainable alternatives. Paperboard & Ink For their packaging they have now switched to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified paper. (Side note, if you’re wondering about the history of FSC, here is a link to an article from Greenpeace, who is a founding member) Farm to Feet has also reduced the size of their packaging, which is a win-win since it both reduced their shipping costs and associated transportation emissions. Their packaging suppliers also use vegetable-based inks. Dyeing Farm to Feet ensures that their suppliers are compliant with bluesign, a process and certification for sustainable textile production that eliminates harmful substances from the supply chain. Higg Index Farm to Feet’s parent company, Nester Hosiery, was the first sock manufacturer to complete the Higg Index, and are a member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Sustainability Working Group. I’d like to thank Farm to Feet for reaching out and putting the time in to address these issues. On my end, as I explore these topics I hope to share what I can with the world and take you on this journey with me. I have now added Farm to Feet to the Buying Guide, you can find them on the Clothing, Hike, Snow and Footwear pages. ![]() Recently I took a snowboarding trip to Utah and needed to do a little pre-trip shopping. For someone with such an interest in outdoor gear I’m not one of those people with a garage full of goodies. The most sustainable piece of outdoor gear is the one you DON’T buy. But the couple pair I had were so stretched out from years of use that it was finally time to bite the bullet. So I went to REI and picked up a pair of Farm to Feet socks. The sustainability story at Farm to Feet is overwhelmingly focused on Made in the United States. Sustainability is such a fluid concept with very few absolutes about which strategy is better than another in the inevitable give-and-take world of business, and I think this company brings up some interesting topics.
The story of Econyl recycled nylon is one of beauty. It comes full circle by taking old fishing nets that are polluting the ocean and trapping sea life and turning them into yarn that becomes swimwear. Brands like Loka and pro surfing legend Kelly Slater’s Outerknown are using this fabric to make sure their impact on the environment is as minimal as possible.
Along with other pre- and post-consumer waste, they partner with organizations like Healthy Seas and Net-Works to reclaim the fishing nets from oceans. Closed-loop recycling means taking less from the earth and using more of what we already have. Well played Econyl! Here’s a short video that explains the process:
Think water can make snowboards? Well, Capita has built one of the most innovative, environmentally-friendly factories not just in snowboarding, but in the world. The video below shows how they take water from a river in Austria, use it to heat and cool their building and run the snowboard presses, then return it to the river without doing any harm. The MOTHERSHIP is 100% Hydro Powered! The science is ridiculous, and I think every physics teacher needs to use this to get kids stoked on learning!
On top of that they use water-based inks, plant-based resins to hold the boards together, and finishes with no solvents to gunk up your lungs with toxic chemicals! This is a perfect example of taking a product normally made using traditional sources of energy and crazy chemicals that's now manufactured with free energy from the earth and pieced together with materials from nature. And this is all without sacrificing performance or affordability. Please support their mission by buying your next board through either their website or through your favorite online retailers by clicking on the following links: |
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