{"id":1675,"date":"2023-02-27T12:50:54","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T11:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecochain.com\/blogs\/3-sustainability-trends-among-outerwear-brands\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T10:23:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T10:23:02","slug":"3-sustainability-trends-among-outerwear-brands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecochain.com\/nl\/blog\/3-sustainability-trends-among-outerwear-brands\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Sustainability Trends Among Outerwear Brands"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outerwear fit to fight climate change<\/span><\/h2>\n

When it comes to fighting climate change, every piece of clothing has a part to play. We switch up our normal clothing every day \u2013 and buy according to new trends. But that doesn\u2019t count for outerwear.<\/span><\/p>\n

People often own 3-4 coats and jackets, maybe 2 pairs of great sports pants, a pair of walking shoes \u2013 and these simply have to <\/span>do the job<\/span><\/i>. Outerwear needs to be <\/span>durable<\/b> and <\/span>comfortable<\/b>. Protecting <\/span>people<\/b> from the elements (we love a solid raincoat or windstopper here in The Netherlands).<\/span><\/p>\n

But how can outerwear brands help <\/span>protect<\/b> the elements\u2026from us?<\/span><\/p>\n

We did the research for you. And analyzed 8 booming outerwear brands to see what they\u2019re doing \u2013 to preserve the planet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brands:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Vaude<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Patagonia (B corp)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Cotopaxi (B corp)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Decathlon<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Tentree (B corp)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Northface<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Jack Wolfskin<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Napapijri<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We found 3 main trends. Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Trend #1. Responsible materials<\/span><\/h2>\n

    All the brands we analyzed \u2013 focus on using responsible materials and suppliers for their products. \u2018Responsible\u2019 stands for socially and environmentally sustainable materials. Which choices stand out?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Ethical sourcing\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Working conditions and social issues are a big problem in apparel. All brands commit to <\/span>social responsibility<\/b> in their supply chain \u2013 and transparently show how. Both Jack Wolfskin and <\/span>Vaude<\/span><\/a> commit to safety & fair living wages for all their workers, with their production sites frequently audited by <\/span>Fair Wear<\/span><\/a>. But there\u2019s care about ethics for the animal kingdom too. <\/span>Napaprij<\/span><\/a> completely removed all fur and down from its products in 2016 ( animal products often have a large environmental impact too). And for the brands that haven\u2019t \u2013 at least all have strict animal welfare policies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Another way to ensure ethical sourcing \u2013 is knowing <\/span>everything<\/b> that goes on in your supply chain (preferably this includes environmental data and social efforts). And using the information to improve material sourcing and collaboration with suppliers. Napaprij created <\/span>traceability maps<\/span><\/a> on their products\u2019 supply chains for <\/span>exactly that purpose<\/span><\/i>. We do love a transparent supply chain.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Napaprij_Sourcemap\"
    Napaprij\u2019s traceability maps in sourcemap. Source: <\/i>vfc.com<\/i><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Low impact-materials<\/span><\/h3>\n

    All brands on our list claim to use low-impact materials and\/or \u2018sustainable\u2019 materials like organic cotton (even though not all of them show the data behind these claims\u2026). We see two main trends in materials:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n