The 10 Best Sustainable Outdoor Clothing & Gear Brands

Whether you're a camper, a hiker, or anything in between, you understand the importance of choosing the right clothing and gear for your adventures in the great outdoors. Fortunately, there are many brands out there making sustainable outdoor clothing, shoes, accessories, gear, and more.

The 10 winners of this Green Matters Approved contest are listed below. Read more about our Green Matters Approved contests here.

Fully PFAS-free brand NEMO Equipment makes outdoor gear, including sleeping bags, tents and shelters, sleeping pads, and packs. NEMO has a line of fully recyclable sleeping bags and backpacks, which come with QR codes that lead customers to recycling guidance. The company designed the first-ever Bluesign-certified sleeping pad; its OSMO Fabric Tent line is made with OSMO, a poly-nylon fabric composed of 100 percent recycled materials; and it's launching a Bluesign-certified tent in March 2025. NEMO also offers gear trade-in and aims to cut its emissions in half by 2030.

Danish company Superstainable makes warm but sustainable outdoor clothing. Products are made from sustainable materials like recycled polyester and GOTS-certified organic cotton, though the company also uses wool. Some of Superstainable's products are Global Recycling Standard certified. Superstainable also works with the Fair Wear Foundation, Forest Stewardship Council, ECONYL, and Swan Mark.

Swiss brand Mammut makes outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment. The company's Dream Series sleeping bag is "the most resourceful sleeping bag" and is made of 98 percent recycled synthetic fibers and 83 percent recycled down filling. Mammut uses recycled polyester and GOTS-certified organic cotton, though the company also uses down, wool, and leather; it is important to remember that animal byproducts aren't the most sustainable option. Mammut is a Fair Wear member and utilizes ethical production practices.

Sweden's Houdini Sportswear makes outdoor clothing and gear for adults and juniors. Since 2018, all Houdini garments have been PFAS-free, and as of 2022, 40 percent of its materials are recycled. While Houdini does use polyester, it also uses recycled polyester, natural fibers, and organic DWR (durable water-repellent) materials. The company is a Bluesign member and complies with those chemical standards. Houdini has a secondhand collection called "Houdini Reuse."

Patagonia makes outdoor clothing and gear. The company uses responsible materials, including Regenerative Organic Certified Cotton, recycled nylon, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, NetPlus Recycled fishing nets, and more. However, some products are made with animal-based materials like down. Patagonia's climate goals are aligned with the Science-Based Target Initiative, the company is a 1% for the Planet member and a Fair Trade program member, and 90 percent of Patagonia's products are made in a Fair Trade-certified factory.

Kathmandu Outdoor sells outdoor clothing and gear, including packs and backpacks. The New Zealand brand is a Certified B Corp with Better Cotton and Bluesign partnerships, ensuring transparent sourcing and nontoxic clothing. The company uses materials such as recycled polyester, Pertex Quantum Eco from recycled yarns, and Q-CYCLE by Fulgar, which is recycled nylon. Kathmandu also uses some synthetic materials, as well as wool and duck down, which are not as sustainable as its recycled materials.

Italian company Save the Duck makes coats and other outdoor clothing. The fully vegan company is committed to being animal cruelty-free and prioritizes fabrics of "recycled, biodegradable and bio-based synthetic materials" per its Standards for Material Selection document. Save the Duck has an entire line of animal-free puffers made with recycled nylon. The company is a Certified B Corp and donates 1 percent of its income to support worldwide sustainability initiatives.

Bag brand Osprey makes day packs, duffles, and backpacks for the outdoors. The company is a Bluesign partner and has eliminated PFAS-based DWR in 100 percent of its textile products. Most of Osprey's products are made with 100 percent recycled nylon in the main and lining. However, it's important to note Osprey products do have the Proposition 65 warning label.

Tellus is a sustainable outdoor clothing and gear company based in Colorado. All Tellus products are made using recycled materials, to varying extents. Tellus's recycled materials include recycled polyester, as well as more innovative materials like Seawool. The company partners with the Nature Conservancy to protect coral reefs and has pledged to donate 100 percent of its net profits to organizations helping the planet.

The North Face makes outdoor clothing, gear, and footwear. While the company currently uses some recycled materials, it aims to make 100 percent of its top materials recycled, responsibly sourced, or regeneratively grown in 2025. However, The North Face does use animal-based materials like leather, wool, and down (though some is recycled down). The company aims to stop using single-use plastic, has a Circular Design line to minimize waste, and has a Renewed line of secondhand items.