RIDING THE GREEN WAVE: OUR FAVOURITE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS

For us, the mountains are everything. Work, play, our DNA. In short, we’d be lost without them. That’s why this season and for seasons to come, we’re focussing on what we can do to protect them, from the gear we wear to the way we ski. It’s no secret that your average ski holiday isn’t the most sustainable of vacays, but there are things you can do to reduce your impact, and your gear is a good place to start.  

It’s time to make more sustainable choices when gearing up to hit the slopes. Think recycled fabrics, transparent supply chains, chemical-free processes and organic production. Think making the right choice and buying gear that lasts, or better still, is versatile enough take you from street to piste. Think looking after your gear to make it last longer and recycling it to keep it out of landfill. Think you can’t do all that? Think again.  

Here are a few of our favourite brands doing their bit for the planet, producing sustainable gear that delivers peak performance and a stand-out look in a versatile package. And check out our sustainable in-store services, Repair & Care and Recycle my Gear, to help keep your gear in tip-top condition and give it a new life when you’re done with it.   

Patagonia have been leading the way when it comes to sustainable gear since 1971. They’re ‘in business to save our home planet’, building the best product without causing any unnecessary harm. Their love of wild and beautiful places demands participation in the fight to save them, which is why they donate time, services and 1% of sales to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups all over the world who work to help reverse the tide. Focussing on function, repairability and durability, they make gear designed to last for generations, using recycled and recyclable materials. 

Patagonia’s skiwear is no different. Made for those who want practical performance and ultimate durability, their heritage look is instantly recognisable and undeniably versatile. All their gear uses some form of eco-friendly materials, including 100% traceable down, and 82% of it is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn too. Everything about their gear just works, and you can expect exceptional comfort and performance from every piece they produce. All of this from one of the most iconic outdoor brands on the planet: what more could you ask for?  

Though not strictly a snowsports brand, we couldn’t talk sustainability without name-dropping these guys. They’re on a mission to protect the world we play in, empowering people to do their best when it comes to the environment, encouraging them to do any small thing they can, and offering sustainably-made products in the process. A certified B-Corp, tentree are aiming to plant 1 billion trees by 2021, in the hope of drastically reducing climate change. How? By planting 10 trees for every purchase. Pretty cool, right?  

So, if you’re looking for sustainable styles to take you from the chalet to the city, tentree have what you’re after. Expect super soft, versatile, good-looking gear, perfect for chilling out off the hill, made using the most eco-friendly materials possible including TENCEL™, recycled polyester and hemp. What’s not to love about Canadian-born comfort and style that looks after the planet in more ways than one? 

It's fair to say you're unlikely to spend any length of time outdoors without seeing Rab gear. The Mountain People are synonymous with unrivalled insulation and quality gear that's built to last - but they're also packing a serious sustainable punch. They've been certified Climate Neutral by South Pole and are committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2030, as well as working towards 100% recycled plastic in their orders and introducing ever more recycled materials in their gear.

icebreaker believe there is a better way, and that nature has the answers. Sustainability isn’t just a feature of their products, it’s in the values and design of their business. For over 23 years, the New Zealand-based brand have been creating natural performance alternatives to synthetic based gear to create a healthier more sustainable future for our species and the planet. Now, they continue to challenge the status quo while championing natural, transparent and sustainable ways to do business.  

icebreaker create gear that will live in your wardrobe season after season. Focussing on principles including simplicity, longevity and versatility, their range is made with purpose using almost 90% natural fibres. The result? High-performing, durable comfortable gear to take you from street to peak. Choosing icebreaker means choosing nature and helping to preserve our planet for future generations. It’s a yes from us. 

Inspired by the environment and passionate about protecting it, Fjӓllrӓven’s rugged and timeless designs are instantly recognisable and loved the world over. Fjӓllrӓven is probably best known for its innovative and adaptable G-1000® fabric, a hardwearing blend of polyester and cotton which can be adapted and life-extended almost indefinitely with the brand’s own Greenland Wax. But that’s not all. Fjӓllrӓven is always looking for new ways to reduce its environmental impact; from its innovative, PFC-free Eco-Shell fabric to its highly ethical and fully traceable Down-sourcing programme.

The new Archeon and Arcane packs from Osprey welcome a new era of planet-loving packs. 100% recycled fabrics and a PFC-free DWR coating are sustainable upgrades to the hardwearing Osprey fabrics we all love, while metal componentry ensures a long life on the trails. All this combined with the usual high-spec Osprey credentials – close-fitting adjustable back system and all the straps, pockets and attachments you could wish for – make for a serious pack that does good too.

Reusable bottles are top of every eco-warrior’s list of their favourite kit, and a trip to the mountains often isn’t complete without seeing a brightly coloured Hydro Flash in someone’s hands. Cold water for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks for up to 12, it’s your companion for that all-important warmth and hydration in the mountains.

Hydro Flask's bottles are BPA-free and 100% recyclable, and the brand supports charitable organisations through its grant-giving programme, Parks For All, which supports the development, maintenance and accessibility of public green spaces around the world. So far, over $1.5 million have been donated, along with 26,000 bottles across 92 non-profits. We think that's pretty cool.

Developing the next generation of vegan climbing shoes, and proudly offering a resole service here in the UK and in their homeland of Italy, Scarpa are leading the way on keeping shoes on your feet - and out of landfill.

Ride, Protect and Share. These three words reflect exactly what Picture is: a brand of snowboard, ski, surf and outdoor clothing that, without taking itself too seriously, wants to move the lines. Their mission: fighting climate change. As a certified B-Corp, they believe in using their business for good by limiting their impact and maintaining sustainable growth, not using conventional manufacturing models, and promoting and encouraging responsible consumption. 

100% of Picture's products are eco-designed from natural, recycled or bio-sourced materials, and are made to last as long as possible, with a highly sustainable and transparent production process and supply chain. And as for their gear, expect bold colours and print, utility cuts and standout styles, all in a seriously technical and functional package. Gear that looks and does this much good is a win-win from where we’re standing.  

Dewerstone are commited to protecting the environment their brand is founded upon. How do they do that? Measure. Offset. Reduce. They measure all of their greenhouse gas emissions - from manufacturing products, to delivering them through your door - and offset their entire foot print every year by purchasing Gold standard verified carbon credits. And they're always striving to reduce future emissions by planning effectively and implementing a carbon reduction plan. Climate Neutral certified Dewerstone are part of the solution, doing their bit and then some.

True to their roots, for every Passenger product sold they plant a tree, now and always. To date they’ve put over 136,511 varied native species in the ground all over the globe - a direct and simple way to give back to our greatest playground. Passenger are also patrons of The Rainforest Trust, joining their Conservation Circle dedicated to saving rainforests, wildlife and indigenous communities all over the world. As original partners of The Plastic Project and affiliates of Surfers Against Sewage, Passenger are also focused on reducing single use plastics and cleaning up our oceans. They've got boardshorts made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and their outbound packaging contains zero non recycled or recyclable materials. Pretty cool huh? 

New kids on the block (or at least, new to Snow+Rock), FW Apparel are committed to progressive design and functional minimalism while striving for sustainability in everything they do. Born in the wilds above Lake Annecy, they design high-performance apparel with new-school style, and develop everything with the goal of encouraging outdoor living everywhere.  

So, what can we expect from this little-known brand with big dreams? Up to 100% recycled fabrics, insulation made from post-consumer waste, and moderns cuts to suit even the most discerning snowsports lover. Think freestyle expression meets premium technicality, with retro inspiration and a modern, urban aesthetic blended with top notch technicality and performance. Plus, like Patagonia, they donate 1% of their sales to NGOs acting against climate change.  

The first exclusively female action sports brand, Roxy specialises in the development and design of trend-leading, technically innovative, lifestyle and performance gear inspired by the mountains. Their aim? To kick-start an on-hill revolution with cutting-edge style for the powder-hungry and style-conscious slope slayer, by bucking trends and empowering women to challenge the status quo in the mountains and elsewhere too.  

This season’s range includes organic and recycled materials, so you can keep it stylish and sustainable. But these eco-friendly pieces also pack a punch when it comes to performance too, with impressive insulation and waterproofing technologies.  All of this is wrapped up in a fiercely feminine package, with bold prints, classic faux fur hoods and active silhouettes.  

Rider-owned brand Planks was born in the French Alps, built on the basis of having as much fun as possible, both on and off the mountain, with functionality at the forefront of everything they do. But that doesn’t mean that looking good and doing good aren’t on the cards too. Their vison is to nurture a global community and make skiing better for the planet and the people, driven by the belief that enjoyment and a sense of adventure – together with a steadfast commitment to the earth - should be evident in everything they produce. 

 The result is a range of seriously cool gear with serious sustainability credentials. With extensive use of organic and recycled materials including REPREVE® and bluesign® approved fabrics, their bibs, jackets, pants and accessories help you to look after the mountains you love, and look after you out there too, thanks to innovative, do-it-all designs that offer great comfort and urban-inspired style.