Sustainable snow wear that's hardworking, kind on people and the planet is here. Image Patagonia
- Fashion
Hit the slopes in these eco-friendly ski brands
Mindfully made outerwear to love
With the temperature set to take a dive and on the eve of the ski season we’re thinking all things snow. And while we’re far from blanketed in sustainable ski choices, there are brands out there committed to making a difference – like snowboards made from bamboo and hemp fibre skis, as well as established eco friendly outerwear brands. So whether your sights are set on an après outfit, sleek ski wear, or an iconic snowboarding ensemble, elevate your style, master your slalom and lighten your footprint in the snow with a little help from these sustainable ski brands.
Patagonia
The father of all eco-friendly adventure brands, Patagonia is on a mission to save the planet. With forty-plus years of business under its sustainable belt, Patagonia creates functional, repairable and long-lasting products. You see, durability is the key word for team Patagonia, their garments are made to last generations, and many can be recycled. Not only that, Patagonia pledge one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. And did we mention that their snow range offers extreme warmth for cold weather missions?
ERIN SNOW
Feminine fashion meets elevated function in Erin Snow’s elevated collection of fitted ski pants and tailored snow jackets. What we love most about Erin Snow is its circularity focussed, transparent approach to the design of their apparel. Their mission is clothing with a purpose, which means they aim to create beautiful, classic designs to last seasons, matched with a dedication to always put human and environmental impact at the heart of every decision made. From racer ski pants with suspenders to three-in-one jackets that take you from the slopes straight to apre ski, we are in love.
Pure Snow
This Aussie label has winter sports covered with its range of chill-proof outerwear for men, women and kids. All garments are 100 percent recyclable, made from recycled consumer products (here’s looking at you plastic bottles!) and free from environmentally harmful chemicals, Pure also offers a dedicated 10 per cent buy back option in which they then donate jackets to aid companies in cold climates. But it doesn’t end there, the life cycle of their jackets then continues via a collection and recycle program where they’re then made into new jackets for you to hit the slopes in. Genius.
PICTURE ORGANIC CLOTHING
It takes 50 recycled bottles for this French company to make one of their signature jackets. On a mission to fight climate change, their design cycle not only takes into consideration an overall look but also recyclability, second life and end of life journey. They re-use all their production scraps, use GOTS certified cotton and are completely transparent about their supply chain. Plus, their water repellent treatments are PFC – or perfluorocarbon – free.
Kathmandu
Choosing recycled materials where they can is part of the DNA at Kathmandu. In 2020 alone, they recycled 8 million plastic bottles into Kathmandu gear (and a whopping 30,423,221 plastic bottles since they started counting in 2015). Recycled polyester and cotton, responsibly sourced down, 5-star energy efficiency ratings, Fair Labour accreditation and a long-term vision for sustainability make this Kiwi company a good choice. And for those who prefer a natural fibre, they also offer a merino wool collection. Better yet, Kathmandu has all the warm gear for your little people, so you can kit out the whole family while you’re shopping for yourself.
