It shocks me somewhat that most of the clothing and equipment sold to our outdoor community today is basically made of nylon, or other synthetic fabric, and has usually been flown halfway around the world before it arrives at our local gear shop.

I am aware that there are a few manufacturers using recycled materials - Patagonia comes to mind, and I can see that Merino wool is a natural and renewable fabric.

I would dearly like to hear of any other conservation minded choices that we could all be making.

Many Thanks for reading this thread.



Sean

hi

the only problem with this is that most merino wool products ie icebreaker or smartwool are from new zealand and usa respectively.

and trekmates are made in china.

unfortunately its a global economy but if anyone knows a local merino wool garment producer i would be interested.

foothill produce wool socks in this country.

steve

ps hope that works as a pokey stick and gets everyone listing who does what etc

Ok. Norway isn't exactly local, but is it when you compare it to New Zealand or the U.S? There is a company called Janus who make outdoor clothing from Norwegian merino wool. Their products are available from The Norwegian Clothestore in Keswick near George Fisher. Janus is cheaper than Smartwool and Icebreaker products too. I think there is a British company (they advertise in the back pages of Trail/TGO sometimes) selling merino wool products at very competetive prices. I can't remember their name, or where they source the wool from though, but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Thankyou Jay & Steve.

I have just found some interesting and somewhat related posts under a thread regarding the 'ethical policies' of some of our major gear manufacturer in the gear section. Paramo, Patagonia, and Scarpa get a thumbs up. Some other manufacturers do not fare so well.

Thank you for the details you have provided of specific companies and specific products that can help us make some informed choices. I will try to get some web addresses for these companies.

ie Foothill for woollen socks and Janus of Norway via for merino products. Definately worthy of some further investigation.

Hope we can get some more ideas coming through.

Thanks again

Sean

I went on the Norwegian shop's website and they have some decent looking stuff but it says the catalogue is suspended

anyone any ideas why?

I have looked on the foothill site - www.foothill-sock.co.uk. The site explains that all foothill wool is sourced from within the EEC, and that all their packaging is recyclable & paperbased. ie no plastic.

Can't see any reviews of foothill socks in the gear review section.

i e-mailed foothill about the source of their production and they confirmed it is in the uk

Brilliant Steve. That's the socks sorted then. - I can see also the prices don't look bad either - and they post them out for free to us in the UK.

Looking farther afield - say at light weight outer Jackets:

The guardian did a piece on environmentally friendly jackets last month. In this article GoreTex is heavily criticised due to the chemicals used in its manufacture. (Is it now time for us all to look shamefully at our feet?).

On the upside, Paramo Nikwax clothing, along with Barbour get a real hero's write up. Not sure I would be seen carrying a 2KG Barbour in my dainty pack, - but I will have a really good look at Paramo - apparently made by nuns in Bogota in aid of their local community. Is someone pulling my leg?

It is still shipped an awful long way though - wonder if anyone is making nikwax garments a bit nearer home?

the article:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/11/outdoor-clothing-ethical-living

Regards

Sean

Sean, no-one is pulling your leg. From the Paramo website:

"Production started in Bogotá, Colombia in South America. Here Nick found a workshop employing some dozen ladies using two machines. The place was run by the Miquelina Foundation which, led by Sister Esther Castano, had been set up to help desperate women (most of whom, until then, had faced no alternative but to be prostitutes) learn trades and earn money. Nick's meeting with the Mother Superior was indeed fruitful. There are now more than twelve dozen women employed at the factory, making some 4000 garments every month, on 120 machines. There is a kindergarten, and there are lessons in literacy and formal training. Most employees have a formal qualification. The factory has even gained the coveted ISO 9002 Standard."

Nearer to home, maybe consider companies like Hilltrek who do made to measure clothing.

It's been impossible to buy through the Norwegian Shop's website for ages, but the shop is very much there on the ground. Suppose it might be worth a telephone call to see if they'll do stuff the old fashioned mail order way.
Ventile would be another ethical choice for waterproof/windproof clothing. It's certainly long lasting, and also very breathable. I think a few companies produce Ventile stuff in GB -- Hilltrek do for sure -- although the actual cotton comes from Egypt, I think. Just a pity it's so heavy.
Altberg, the Richmond-based boot firm, would score high on the low air miles front, and I don't suppose they employ any child labour.