In our minds, it's kind of weird if outdoor brands don't prioritize sustainability when they manufacture their gear. That's doubly true for snow gear - climate change is more real than ever, and we see the effects every winter as our snow season becomes shorter and shorter. Luckily, there are a ton of brands out there making a big impact - pioneering new materials, pushing for more sustainable manufacturing, and using the power of their brand to effect change on the market as a whole.
RECYCLED MATERIALS ft. PATAGONIA
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. This year, 98% of their apparel is made with recycled materials and 88% is Fair Trade certified.
WARRANTIES & REPAIRS FT. PICTURE
Repairs increase a product’s longevity, diminishing its overall impact on the environment. To provide this service, Picture has worked with repair centers since 2008. They do their best to repair the rips, tears, and other damages a product incurs when used, all for free.
FAIR TRADE MANUFACTURING ft. RAB
Rab has sustainability in its DNA: they became carbon neutral in 2020 and will be net zero by 2030. They use recycled face fabrics, recycled synthetic insulation, and RDS Certified recycled down. But what we're most impressed by is their certification by Fair Wear for equal rights and working conditions: not all brands remember that being sustainable also means treating your workers to fair pay, safe working conditions and all the worker's right they deserve.
RENEWABLE MATERIALS FT. ARBOR
Arbor was founded in 1995 to focus on the environment in the construction of the most mindfully crafted snowboards possible. For over 25 years, they've have used sustainable forest products to achieve this objective. Along the way, they select the most responsible processes and components possible.
Since day one, they have used proceeds from the sale of their line to fund the preservation of indigenous forests - giving back much more than they responsibly take out.
B-CORP CERTIFIED FT. FACTION
Many brands tout their Certified B Corp status, which is a huge accomplishment - you need to earn at least 80 points on their scale to qualify. Faction far exceeded that requirement by reaching 93 points! Among other things, they harvest sustainable wood cores and use bio-resins, and produce their skis in a 100% renewable energy factory, cutting the carbon emissions of each ski by 50%+. We're thrilled to be selling Faction skis at Sports Basement this year!
THE GREENEST OPTION: RENTALS!
We've seen recycle, we've seen reuse, but where's reduce? The easiest way to stay 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.