14 Sustainable Outdoor Apparel Brands For The Nature Enthusiast

Cotopaxi is a B Corp-certified brand with a goal to help others, and not only by creating high-quality, sustainable products. One percent of its revenue goes to poor communities and people in need, while the company also helps promote organizations committed to the improvement of the standard of living.

Everything about Cotopaxi’s manufacturing process is sustainable and ethical – from the way it treats and pays employees in factories, to the recycled materials it uses for its products. Apart from simplicity and durability, people behind Cotopaxi are proud to highlight the innovative llama-fleece the company uses for insulation and the fact that scraps are never thrown away, but reused for new products.

Did you know PrAna was the first North American outdoor apparel brand to become Fair Trade Certified? It’s just one of its many sustainable and ethical practices.

PrAna founders and employees take their social and environmental responsibility seriously. By purchasing PrAna outdoor apparel products, you help farmers and factory workers who deserve to have humane working conditions and living wages.

You also help the environment because PrAna’s sustainable garments are made of organic cotton and recycled wool, which is beneficial both for consumers and for the planet. They are also free of harmful chemicals, and the Bluesign certification guarantees that.

The company managed to reduce its carbon footprint dramatically thanks to using organic, recyclable materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, Tencel™, Lenzing modal, polyester, and plant-based vegan fabrics.

Like many other sustainable outdoor apparel brands, Toad & Co. has Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification and is a part of the Bluesign system, which means its products are 100% free of toxic dyes. Reusable packaging is another plus for this brand, as the products are delivered to you in a water-proof vinyl bag.

TenTree is an affordable brand that makes outdoor apparel for all body types and uses all kinds of sustainable materials. Its main mission is to plant 1 billion trees by 2030 and contribute to saving the environment.

Some of the eco-friendly fabrics TenTree uses are Tencel™ (wood pulp fiber), recycled polyester, hemp, and organic cotton. By purchasing TenTree products, you support factories with reduced carbon footprint and well-treated employees that add even more value to this brand.

Besides natural merino sheep wool, Smartwool also uses recycled wool whenever possible. Most notably, its reclaimed ski socks feature recycled wool. The use of recycled wool decreases the amount of methane sheep produce.

Smartwool’s story is also about making ethical choices when it comes to recruitment, employment, and providing safe and hygienic working conditions for its employees. Animal welfare is no less important to Smartwool, so the wool used for its outdoor apparel is ethically sourced.

Before anything, the main goal of Arc’Teryx is to make outdoor apparel durable. These garments are meant mostly for sports, sometimes extreme ones, and they must be reliable and long-lasting, as well as well-made. Contrary to fast fashion, you can use this brand’s products over and over again.

Products with Arc’Teryx badge are made per the Bluesign system, and they’re free of harmful substances restricted by this system. Arc’Teryx also takes care of animal welfare by treating them humanely and using cruelty-free wool and leather.

Marmot is among the top sustainable outdoor apparel brands out there. It has a worldwide reputation and specializes in jackets, sweaters, and pants for cold conditions and extreme weather. The catalog is divided into five main categories – men, women, kids, equipment, and activity, each offering sustainable and high-quality clothes and outdoor gear.

This company’s creed can be summed up in three words – people, product, and planet. Thus, it strives to create fair working conditions for its employees, support multiculturality, and participate in noble social causes. Marmot also makes sure to increase the use of top-notch organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainable materials.

North Face needs very little introduction, as it’s been one of the quintessential sustainable outdoor apparel brands for years. Its catalog is completely dedicated to men, women, and children who lead active lifestyles and enjoy outdoor winter activities.

The catalog is huge and offers everything from jackets to pants, sweaters, and many other types of apparel. You can also shop for shoes, beanies, scarves, a wide range of camping, skiing, and snowboarding equipment.

North Face uses high-tech materials and is infusing more and more recycled and eco-friendly materials into its collections. Also, North Face also aims to empower and encourage people to explore the wilderness.

Nau is clear about its unwillingness to compromise and conform to the rules of the fast fashion industry. Instead, the brand takes the eco-friendly, sustainable road. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Nau offers high-quality women’s and men’s sweaters, pants, and jackets. Shirts, hoodies, scarves, and hats are also available.

Nau earned its spot among the top sustainable outdoor apparel brands with a combination of eco-friendly and natural materials, ethical business practices, extensive use of recycling, and its fierce attitude.

The company donates around 2% of its profits to various grassroots environmentalist movements and causes, as well as numerous charities.

United by blue is the living proof that a sustainability-oriented brand can thrive and have a wide and versatile catalog. Among many other things, United by Blue also offers sustainable outdoor apparel. If you want a guilt-free and lightweight jacket, then take a look at the BisonShield™ collection. On the other hand, the (R)evolution collection features sustainable backpacks, duffels, hip packs, and tote bags.

United by Blue is a certified B Corp company, meaning that it abides by the strict production and business ethics guidelines. Also, the company is committed to removing a pound of waste from the ocean for every item sold.

Though light on jackets and coats for extreme weather, Thought Clothing’s winter collection features a wide range of sweaters, jumpers, and hoodies. The best thing about them is that they’re made of sustainable materials. They’re also affordable, and made to last.

Thought Clothing uses a broad range of sustainable materials, including hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, Tencel, wool, and modal. If you decide to shop at Thought Clothing, you should know that the company only uses slow shipping, to minimize its carbon footprint.

Thought Clothing, true to its name, has a carefully thought-out supply chain. The company only partners with other ethical companies and individuals.

Columbia is one of the premier sportswear and activewear brands from South America. It is also among the top sustainable outdoor apparel brands worldwide. Parkas, insulated and down jackets, hiking pants, hoodies, beanies, and rain jackets, are featured in the catalog. It also contains ski and snowboarding, as well as hiking clothes and equipment for women, men, and kids.

Columbia’s sustainability story starts with the empowering the people who participate in the brand’s supply chain, especially women. The company also gives back to local communities through various charities and give-back programs. Finally, Columbia uses sustainable chemistry, renewable energy, and dyes its materials without water.

There’s no list of the best sustainable outdoor apparel brands without Patagonia. This brand has achieved its legendary status among the adventurers, alpinists, and hikers with an unwavering dedication to top-class product quality and great efforts in the sustainability and ethical conduct fields.

Patagonia’s sustainability story starts with safe and clean work spaces in all of its factories. Employees are paid fair and equal wages, regardless of their gender. Also, Patagonia makes sure that the companies that make up its supply chain adhere to the same values and promote sustainability and ethical business conduct.

Wild Rye offers cozy and well-made outdoor apparel. The brand focuses on natural, responsibly sourced merino wool. It also uses various other naturally sourced and recycled materials.

The Wild Rye catalog offers everything from tees and shorts to jackets, hoodies, and beanies. You can also find bike clothes and accessories in the Mountain Bike collection.

Wild Rye, founded and run by women, also features the unique Skida X Wild Rye collaboration that’s meant to empower and inspire women to start their own sustainable businesses and cooperate with Wild Rye.