I found 15 sustainable apparel gifts for those who love the outdoors
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Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.
If you're looking to gift outdoor apparel this holiday season, there are a number of brands who make gear that's not only functional and fashionable, but also use sustainable or recycled materials. After all, you won't be able to enjoy the outdoors if there's no more outdoors left. Here are 15 items that will make great gifts.
The Vermont Glove is made of 100% full-grain goat leather, which is hand-sewn in a net-zero factory in Vermont that's powered by solar and wood pellets. And, if your gloves wear out, the company will repair them for you.
Made from 76% ZQ+ 17.5-micron Merino wool, these leggings make for a great baselayer if you're out skiing or hiking in colder temperatures. All of the wool is sourced from farmers who use regenerative farming techniques, and all of the company's products are certified forever chemical, BPA, and PFA-s free.
The frames of these sunglasses are made from recycled water bottles and bio-based polarized lenses. The storage/cleaning microfiber bag is also made from recycled materials. They come in black, gray/green, and brown.
The outer shell of Stio's Azura vest is made from 100% recycled materials; inside is 60g PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation, which is both light and warm. The Azura is available for both men and women in multiple colors, and comes as a vest or jacket.
Keep your head warm with this beanie, made with recycled fleece lining, and a recycled polyester and acrylic outer. The hat comes in several colors, but each is slightly different.
This sock is made of 44% Merino wool, which is sourced exclusively from sheep raised on American farms and is knit in Mount Airy, North Carolina. This hiking sock comes in several colors, and has extra padding and ventilation in key areas.
This ultra-soft hoodie is made of 76% viscose from bamboo (basically, bamboo pulp), and Free Fly is a Certified B Corp., meaning it adheres to strict environmental policies. The hoodie comes in a variety of colors, and comes in women's sizes, too.
This hoodie is made from 65% Royal Alpaca Fiber and 35% Recycled Nylon; the fiber is sourced from free-roaming alpaca hers in Peru, dyed in the mountains of Arequipa, and hand-signed by the woman artisan who wove it in Cusco. Paka employs over 100 Quechua (keCHwa) women weavers pays them a wage that’s 4x the living wage in Peru.
This backpack has a dual-use 17” laptop compartment/ hydration pocket, and its clamshell opening, breathable 3D mesh back panel makes it well suited for the outdoors.
Keep your feet cozy after a day hiking or on the slopes. These Cabin Mules, Smartwool's first recovery footwear, are made with pre-consumer Merino wool scraps taken from Smartwool’s Second Cut Fleece program. They also have a recycled‑Merino lined foam insole.
Need a bag to haul all your gear? This Thule tote has a waterproof molded EVA base, a zippered lid, and removable divider panel and interior pockets, so you can customize it to fit your needs. The bag can hold up to 55L, weighs 4.6 pounds, and comes in black or khaki. All the exterior and interior fabrics, webbings, and mesh are made with 100% recycled materials.
Shred some gnar with this jacket made from 100% recycled polyester. It also has mesh goggle pockets, a brushed tricot pocket lining, a pocket for your phone, and a quick stash shoulder pocket for your lift ticket. We also like the inner skirt to keep the snow out.
Looking for a comfy, yet functional pair of overalls for the outdoors? This pair, which is made of 94% recycled polyester, is moisture-wicking, has seven pockets, two-way stretch fabric, and a side zip so you get out of them easily for bathroom breaks.
This versatile belt has a contoured, low-profile high-density plastic buckle that's designed to hold up to abuse, yet latches securely and releases easily. It's machine-washable, travel-friendly, and the webbing is made with 85% post-consumer recycled polyester. You can get it in a variety of colors, too.
This boot is made with over 95% natural and recycled materials, including from marine plastic, PET bottles and old car dashboards. It also uses recycled nylon and foam, as well as vegan glue. And, it comes in a wide range of fun colors.