With Earth Day fast approaching (22nd April), the British outdoor retailer Trekitt is urging outdoor enthusiasts to check the green credentials of the products they are considering buying before they splash their cash, and have put together a useful list of products from brands they consider to be among the more environmentally friendly available.
Interest in the outdoors is at an all-time high, with more people than ever planning to take holidays in the British countryside this summer, and Trekitt has seen a 99% rise in subscribers to its informative outdoor YouTube Channel in 2020. As more people take to the outdoors, here’s their list of eco-conscious products to look for this spring summer.
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket: outdoor brand, Rab, has really nailed its colours to the mast with its latest range of environmentally friendly outdoor clothing. The Microlight Jacket – an all-time favourite – 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
As well as stocking environmentally-friendly products, Trekitt themselves are doing everything they can to run a more eco-conscious operation.
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.”
More info: www.trekitt.co.uk