The Future of Outdoor Gear: Recycled Fabric and Materials

With more and more consumers becoming more environmentally conscious, the demand for recycled fabric for different applications has increased in recent years. Though previously many consumers have doubted the efficiency of recycled materials, companies have put numerous efforts into making them as effective and even more durable than their raw counterparts.

Today many outdoor gear manufacturers are advocating for a greener production that has won the hearts of consumers. They have managed to produce recycled materials that can be made into different types of outdoor equipment like tents, backpacks, and even outerwear. The ingenuity and innovation behind these recycled materials lie within the technologies that they have developed throughout the years.

How Outdoor Companies Are Paving the Way to a Greener Future

The way most outdoor companies make recycled fabric has come a long way in terms of performance capabilities. Most of the recycled materials that are used for these products can compete and even surpass in terms of insulation, durability, and comfort. Companies have also prioritized the way they can be disposed of without causing detrimental effects to the environment.

Recycled insulation materials can also prevent animal cruelty to produce quality-standard products. The benefits of using recycled fabric are now outweighing that of its counterparts all thanks to the combined efforts of outdoor companies for a greener future.

In this article, we’re going to discuss all the breakthroughs that were made in the industry in the past few years. We’re also going to briefly talk about the environmental benefits of using products that are made from recycled materials.

No to PFC

PFC or perfluorocarbons are environmentally harmful chemicals that are used to create outdoor products that are waterproof or water-repellent. PFC is also used to treat down to make them more efficient insulators.

Well-established outdoor gear companies nowadays, however, are doing their best to combat the usage of PFC in production while at the same time advocating for the use of recycled fabric. These groundbreaking milestones have allowed companies to make outerwear and gear without the need to use PFC for a more environmentally friendly production.

An Industry Free of Animal-Cruelty

Since Down is a necessary part of the insulation in the outerwear industry, large companies have taken action to initiate a cruelty-free movement for designing Down jackets. The Responsible Down Standard or RDS has been prevalent within the outdoor industry to issue certifications that center around traceability and animal welfare.

Apart from utilizing recycled fabric and materials, outdoor companies have been complying with standards that put more emphasis on how Down is manufactured for products such as clothing, bedding, and sleeping bags. About 90 brands have also taken part in the Track My Down program which serves as an educational medium for consumers about their insulated outdoor gear purchases.

Higher Performance Capabilities

A previous setback that most outdoor gear made from recycled fabric had was the inability to absorb moisture. Thankfully, with modern breakthroughs in fabric technology, there is no need to worry about this disadvantage anymore. Today, modern outerwear can be worn without consumers overheating.

Some companies are also doing their best to extract plastic bottles from landfills to create more sustainable products with less carbon footprint. Though there is still plenty of room to grow with this aspect of the industry, many outdoor companies are doing their best to come up with more ways to incorporate recycled fabric and materials for a greener future.

Ulani Uriah

Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.

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