What does sustainability really mean? The word "sustainable" isn't a regulated term; there's no strict definition. So it can be difficult to suss out which "sustainable" products are truly Earth-friendly and which are just talking the talk. We're here to help define the more impactful sustainable practices and highlight some of our favorite brands that are going above and beyond to protect the Earth we all cherish so much.
RECYCLED MATERIALS FT. RAB
Rab has had enough of greenwashing. Rather than hiding behind leaf-shaped icons or Earth-shaped symbols on their product information, they're spelling out the Materials Facts of each of their products, specifying the amount of recycled materials and fluorocarbon-containing materials in every part of each product, down to the last zipper. That way, you can make an informed choice about the gear. We're here for it.
RENEWABLE MATERIALS FT. ICEBREAKER
Using materials made from recycled plastics is great, but you could argue that the next step up would be avoiding using plastics at all - that's where brands like Icebreaker come in. They're known for their baselayers and other apparel made from merino wool: a completely natural and renewable resource that is extremely effective at wicking sweat and maintaining warmth. After all, it works great for sheep (and no, shearing wool from sheep doesn't hurt them in the slightest)!
WARRANTIES & REPAIRS FT. PATAGONIA
A less flashy but highly impactful way to support the planet is to create gear that doesn't need to be replaced - ever. Patagonia reigns supreme in that regard: their whole goal is to create long lasting gear and apparel that won’t fall apart. But if it does, you can turn it through their Worn Wear program. Patagonia is pretty much the gold standard for sustainable business practices in the outdoor industry: they’re a 1% for the Planet company, they're B Corp and Fair Trade certified, and they utilize organic cotton and recycled materials whenever possible.
B-CORP CERTIFIED FT. COTOPAXI
You might be noticing a steady rise in the number of brands touting their B Corp certified status. Yay! But what exactly does this mean? Brands like Cotopaxi embody sustainability through their entire product lifecycle, and exemplify what it means to be B Corp certified. In their own words “Certified B Corporations meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and responsibility.” Cotopaxi should be their poster child. They have transparency into their workforce and supply chain, donate back to the planet and their workforce in dollars and time, and genuinely live up to their tagline: “Gear for Good.”
BRAND INITIATIVES FT. PARKS PROJECT
Parks Project started as a volunteer effort and evolved to become a (really stylish) brand donates back to our National Parks with every purchase. They stick to their roots by leading volunteer efforts, like beach clean ups at Point Reyes, plus many other park-specific efforts. The basic formula is you buy an item and the corresponding park gets a perk. That adorable Yosemite shirt? Helps fund trail restoration. That Tahoe tank? Helps get kids outside to experience the beauty of nature first hand.
We've seen recycle, what about reuse?
It doesn't matter how much recycled, sustainably manufactured material is used to make your gear if it ends up in a landfill anyway. That's why we love the SB Pre-Loved Used Gear program - we help your gear find its way to the next loving family, so your gear can last as long as possible even after you don't need it anymore. Plus, you get store credit for qualifying trade-ins! Win-win-win.
THE GREENEST OPTION: RENTALS!
The simplest way to be green is to buy less, but gear is still important for enabling you to get outdoors and hug some trees. That's where Sports Basement's rentals come in! We rent durable, long-lasting gear for camping, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountaineering and even cycling! Your wallet will be happy, and so will your closet.