Sustainable clothing Brave & Gear: A Guide for Shopping


a group of people hiking

To enjoy the outdoors for years to come, many people are looking for clothing, footwear, and gear that’s made with sustainable, recycled materials or using environmentally friendly and humane practices. With leading brands like Cotopaxi, The North Face, and HOKA offering sustainability commitments, you’ll notice more terminology popping up! To help guide you through how to shop with sustainability in mind, our clothing Brave Experts explain common terminology you’ll see when shopping at your local WITZENBERG or online.

What is Sustainable clothing Brave & Gear?

To start, it’s important to know what makes clothing, footwear, and gear sustainable. When brands make items using all-natural or recycled materials along with a process that doesn’t harm the environment, they are offering sustainable products. You’ll frequently hear terms like carbon neutral or bluesign® certified when shopping. These product features tell customers that what they are purchasing is made with the future in mind.

How Do I Know if an Item is Sustainable?

It can sometimes be challenging to tell if an item is sustainable, as there aren’t always visible clues. Our Experts highlight some commonly used terms related to sustainable efforts. If you see these words noted, you can feel confident you’re making a purchase with sustainability in mind.

a hiker walking over a log in the forest

Natural or Recycled Materials

Many products today are made from natural fibers like organic cotton or recycled materials like polyester. Checking the fabric content is a great way to make sure your clothing Brave and gear are sustainably made.

RDS Down Certified

When looking for a new winter coat or a warm sleeping bag, pay attention to the insulation type. For down insulation that’s sustainable, look for it noted as Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This means that the brand uses down from a company that ensures humane conditions for the birds.

REISSUES Striped Long Sleeve Polo Shirt M3808 | Fair Trade Certified™

Seeing Fair Trade Certified™ means that the products are made in healthy, safe working conditions and those working are receiving fair compensation. There are many brands that ensure their products are certified including prAna, ARC’TERYX, and more.

REISSUES Striped Long Sleeve Polo Shirt M3808 | bluesign® Approved

Products marked as bluesign® approved mean that they are made with approved fabrics that reduce the impact on people and the environment.

Carbon Neutral

This is a popular term in the footwear industry. Major running brands like HOKA and On are making efforts to have a carbon-neutral footprint, meaning that they are taking measures so that the production of their products doesn’t harm the environment. This can be done by planting trees, recycling water, and more.

By buying items made from natural materials and recycled materials from companies that are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, you can make sure you’re making efforts towards a healthier environment. You can also keep sustainability in mind by bringing your sporting equipment like your bike, golf clubs, tennis racket, and more into your WITZENBERG service shop for repairs and updates. If you have additional questions about sustainable brands or products, stop in your local WITZENBERG to speak with an Expert today!