clothing
Greener winter wear
As the stakes get higher for the hardest climb or most exhilarating ride, we spend more money on outdoor wear than ever before. We'd like to know if all these products can ever be good to the environment. Here we’ll look at some of the latest outdoor wear products and companies to find out how they rate on the e
co-score card.
Patagonia
The US outdoor wear company, Patagonia, has set the standard for commitment to the environment. The company’s passion for wild and beautiful places around the world backed up with its iconic photography has resulted in their support for environmental causes across the globe. In fact Patagonia pledges at least 1% of sales to preservation projects and produces clothes that are made with recycled, recyclable and eco-friendly fabrics like organically grown cotton, chlorine-free wood, hemp or recycled polyester.
Product review
Baselayer: Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip Neck
The Capilene baselayer (right) is made from 64% recycled polyester. Accrding to the blurb it'll keep you dry and warm for use in a range of activity levels and temperatures. Worn out Patagonia Capilene baselayers are recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Programme. This means that when baselayers are worn through, they can be dropped off or sent to a Patagonia store for recycling.
Verdict: Our man in the mountains, Andrew, says: "So far, so good with this one. It's light, and, crucially, warm in below zero temperatures. It's also good for wearing out during apres ski sessions and the fact that it's made from recycled materials is a real plus."
Other green Patagonia products to try:
Down Sweater: for men and women
The super compressible Down Sweater is both wind-proof and water-repellent. It’s made with 50% recycled polyester and filled with European goose down.
Maniitok Parka: for men
This smart parka is stuffed to the brim with 650-fill-power goose down and provides full coverage on blustery days. It’s made from an impressive 100% recycled dobby-woven polyester with a fleece trim. It works wonders in wind, rain and snow.
Further information:
Learn about Patagonia’s environmentally friendly materials at www.patagonia.com/euro/e-fibers
