Outdoor Insight

34 • Outdoor Insight • August 2018 outdoorinsightmag.com B eing eco-conscious is back, and it looks like it's here to stay. Along with a renewed proliferation of sustainably minded products and natural fibers, brands are continuing to seek out materials and sourcing that have less impact on the environment. And they are willing to promote it and talk about it, while in the previous few years sustainability had often been seen by some as a given that was left "unpromoted." "The future of performance apparel is focused on sustainability, adding recycled performance materials in conjunction with classic performance requirements such as stretch fabrics, waterproof/breathable treat- ments, and body mapping construction," says Greg Thomsen, managing director U.S. for Adidas Outdoor. "True performance products, and those individuals that need those products for their activities, are best made from materials that help sustain the environments where they are used." Polartec has upgraded its Polartec Power Fill insulation to be made from 100 percent post-consumer-recycled materials. Polartec has upcycled more than one billion post- consumer plastic bottles into hundreds of fabric styles and category-creating platforms. Polartec Power Fill is warmer for its weight, reduces cold spots and migrating fibers, and opens up design possibilities. Just a few more of many examples: PrimaLoft is introducing its first high- performing insulations made entirely from recycled water bottles. PrimaLoft Silver Insulation 100-percent PCR and PrimaLoft Black 100-percent PCR will offer the same performance characteristics that have made PrimaLoft a benchmark in comfort insulations. "We are striking an ideal balance between performance and sustainability, advanc- ing our products without sacrificing either characteristic," says president and CEO Mike Joyce. "This is only a start. We will continue to be Relentlessly Responsible in our pursuit of reducing our environmental footprint." Icebreaker is launching Cool-Lite apparel in its Sphere Series, a combination of Merino and Tencel, which naturally derived from the wood pulp of sustainably sourced eucalyptus trees, has a low water use. "We have always believed that nature provides the solutions and that there are more natural alternatives available to choosing synthetic-based prod- ucts," says Icebreaker chief brand and product officer Carla Murphy. "Our awareness of sustainability in the supply chain is ampli- fied even more with the recent release of our Transparency Report. Tencel, like Merino, is biodegradable so it will not clutter up oceans or landfills like microplastics can." Mountain Hardwear is launching a platform of waterproof/breathable technologies focus- ing on new sustainable materials pioneered by Gore. "To us, sustainability is an opportunity, not an obligation," says Steve Adams, senior product line manager, outerwear. "We're choosing to lead by environmental opti- mism through this program that incorporates Solution Dye, Recycled Nylon, C0 DWR and bluesign approved fabrics." "You'll begin seeing a trend back to natural fabrications," adds Jennifer Zollards, Mountain Hardwear senior product line manager, sports- wear. "With the idea of younger climbers living in their clothing, rather than switching in and out of active and lifestyle wear, it needs to be comfortable, stylish and it really needs to be able to move with them, literally. When talking to climbers, comfort and durability seem to go hand in hand. Add multiple day scenarios, and cotton, hemp or linen fabrics start to make even more sense." Reducing packaging waste and encouragig recycling and repairing apparel is also key. Apparel brand Mountain Khakis' CSR initia- tive includes a focus on packaging. One in five Mountain Khakis units shipped is either organic or recycled. Over half of the units are shipped in biodegradable polybags, with strides made each season to reduce waste altogether. On the "repair" side, The Renewal Workshop revives well-loved Mountain Khakis apparel by repairing flaws or repurposing them into a new life form (say, a chalk bag), or recycling items that are beyond repair back to the fibrous state. Q SUSTAINABILITY IS KING "True performance products, and those individuals that need those products for their activities, are best made from materials that help sustain the environments where they are used." Greg Thomsen, managing director U.S. for Adidas Outdoor Photo: Icebreaker Women's Exposure 2 jacket from Mountain Hardwear TRENDS

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