for the outdoor active lifestyle

Buying outdoor kit? Spend consciously this Earth Day. Here are our eco heroes …
by <a href="https://springpr.com/author/stephanie/" target="_self">Stephanie Briggs</a>

by Stephanie Briggs

15 February, 2021

On 22nd April more than 193 countries will celebrate Earth Day.  Earth Day was established in 1970 and was set aside to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  Getting outdoors is trending.  Trekitt, the outdoor retailer, saw a 99% rise in subscribers to its informative outdoor YouTube Channel in 2020.  More people are taking to the outdoors. Here’s their list of eco-conscious products to look for this spring and summer.

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket:

Rab, has really nailed its colours to the mast with its latest range of environmentally friendly outdoor clothing.  The all-time favourite Microlight Jacket has been given an eco-facelift making it one of the most sustainable down jackets on the market.  The fabric outer and inner is made from a recycled version of Pertex Quantum fabric and the all-important down fill has come from old quilts, pillows and bedding.  Washed and sterilised, the down has been treated with water-based Nikwax which means it absorbs less water, dries faster and lofts better than an untreated alternative.  In a nutshell, this awesome piece of kit made from recycled content will keep you warm and will perform better than untreated down in our often damp weather.  Stockist:  Trekitt; Review here; SRP:  £195.00

Rab Downpour ECO jacket

If you’re planning a full-on foray into the rain then as the name suggests, Rab’s Downpour ECO jacket is for you.  Many waterproof jackets rely on a membrane to keep the wearer dry but all too often this membrane is made from virgin ingredients.  Rab’s Downpour ECO entry-level jacket uses Pertex Shield membrane made from recycled content.  The outer fabric is recycled as is the jacket’s inner.  Available for men and women, this jacket really is a game-changer.  Stockist:  Trekitt; SRP:  £110.00

Nikwax Tech Wash & TX.Direct:

Of course, the best solution of all is to look after what you have already and not buy new.  Nikwax aftercare products are water-based and PFC free, they come in recycled bottles that are also recyclable.  Nikwax has won multiple environmental awards and is so easy to use too, just add to your normal machine wash.  Tech Wash will cleanse your outdoor kit without adding brighteners or bleaches that off-the-shelf domestic cleaners will and so hindering the breathability of a garment.  Follow with TX.Direct to refresh the durable water repellency of your jacket/trousers and watch the water bead off next time you’re out.  Stockist:  Trekitt; SRP:  £11.75

Osprey Talon (M) and Tempest (W) Packs

This range of packs has been perennially popular since its launch back in 2007.  The whole range has been reworked in recycled, PFC-free fabrics and will hit the shelves this March.  A fantastic update on a popular classic, the Talon/Tempest is an all-rounder and ticks all the boxes whatever your outdoor pursuit: Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, LidLock bike helmet toggle, stretchy front pocket.  The list goes on.  Available in a range of sizes.  Stockist:  Trekitt; SRP:  £120.00 (for Talon 22/Tempest 20)

Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Pro Jacket

If you’re feeling flush this is a jacket that’s going to last the distance.  The big goal right now is to produce gear that is kind to the environment, products that are built to last and don’t need replacing.   Using a ground-breaking three-layer polypropylene fabric Helly Hansen’s top end jacket will keep you dry despite not having a durable water-repellent treatment (DWR).  This is a world first and with it comes limited colour options – grey – but this is truly ground-breaking.  What’s more, it won’t need to be reproofed – ever (water will always bead off the jacket’s surface).  Stockist:  Trekitt; SRP:  £600.00

Mark Trepte, Commercial Director, Trekitt said “Trekitt is playing its part too.  We have now trialled and are soon going to be using paper and card packaging for all our online customers.  Everything is FSC certified, re-usable, recyclable and printed with water-based inks. We’re using cardboard boxes and paper tape.  More importantly, our packing will all be made in the UK, slightly more expensive but it means we aren’t ‘importing’ paper products and therefore ‘greenwashing’ the impact.  We are also talking to our key suppliers about how we can minimise plastic use from products bagged in plastic, coming from the factories.”

Download high res images and press release here.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More from The Great Indoors

Walk on the Wild Side this National Walking Month

Walk on the Wild Side this National Walking Month

Happy National Walking Month! It goes without saying that we Springers love spending time in the great outdoors. To celebrate, we wanted to share with you our favourite countryside strolls. Our boots have been re-proofed (with Nikwax, of course), Darn Tough socks are...

OTS 2022 Catch-Up!

OTS 2022 Catch-Up!

What a show! Well, if the year wasn’t flying by fast enough already, it feels crazy to think OTS 2022 has now been and gone. The Spring Team headed up to Liverpool to attend the show on Tuesday and Wednesday. We got to catch up with some of...

The family feel you get from AKU

The family feel you get from AKU

Where did we go? We’re back fully Italian-ised from our first sales meeting for a very long time.  The good guys at AKU Footwear extended an invitation to the Spring team. We bit their hand off, naturally.  Well, when you’re flying into Venice en route to Val Gardena,...