Who says high-altitude adventures can’t be low-impact? There’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors (eco-guilt-free) than with sustainable outdoor clothing brands that put people and the planet first.

But before you grab and air out that old tent and squeeze everything into your sustainable backpack, consider what you’re bringing into Momma Earth’s house. While conventional outdoor clothing is made for the, well…outdoors, ironically it is anything but outdoor-friendly.

So to responsibly enjoy nature without adding to its environmental woes, we’ve rounded up our favorite brands that make hiking pants to sweatshirts that won’t sweat the planet. And these brands don’t just use low-impact fabrics and materials, but also transparent supply chains and fair labor.

We’ll also soon be rolling out our new Brand Rating System to get the whole panoramic picture of a brand’s eco-performance by assessing them against a much broader range of factors, like climate impact, chemical and water use and green business practices. You can learn more about it here.

We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.

Our Favorite Ethical Outdoor Clothing

We love wearing tentree’s functional, low-impact clothing. They get an (alpen)glowing review for supply chain transparency, eco-friendly materials, and stellar tree planting efforts.

We’ve worn their clothes for years, so it’s safe to say we’re big fans of Patagonia. From technical to hobbyist, they stick to regenerative organic cotton and mostly recycled synthetics in their adventure-ready collection.

Index: Sustainable Outdoor Clothing

  1. Outerknown Jump to brand
  2. tentree Jump to brand
  3. Toad&Co Jump to brand
  4. Patagonia Jump to brand
  5. Arms Of Andes Jump to brand
  6. Coalatree Jump to brand
  7. prAna Jump to brand

Outerknown

Outerknown has not been rated.

About Outerknown

Price Range: $14–$348

Outerknown is certainly known to us. Founded by World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, swimwear is obviously in range, but they cover all your outdoor gear needs with outerwear, sweatpants, tanks, tees, sweaters, shirts, and shorts, too.

Outerknown’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

You can sweat sustainably in tees and shirts made from organic and/or Regenerative Organic Certified®️ cotton, sweatshirts made from a hemp blend, sweaters made with recycled cashmere, and winter jackets filled with RDS-certified down.

You’ll find recycled polyester in their sustainable swimwear, and some styles use spandex for added stretch.

Supply chain & labor practices:

As a Fair Trade USA partner, Outerknown supports workers with Fairtrade Premiums.

They share the details of their suppliers, all of which adhere to the brand’s Code of Conduct based on Fair Labor Association (FLA) standards.

Factories and mills are also bluesign®-approved, ensuring responsible chemical use across the supply chain.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

From developing circular models to switching to renewable energy, Outerknown walks the talk with its sustainable actions. Their preloved platform, Outerworn, helps keep items in circulation longer, and orders ship in USA-made recycled paper packaging.

Inclusivity:

Sizes vary but are generally XS-XL for women and S-XXL for men.

My Personal Review of Outerknown’s Blanket Shirt:

“I had no idea a flannel shirt could feel this cozy, but Outerknown has totally nailed it with their Blanket Shirt. Made from ultra-thick 100% organic cotton (very breathable which is helpful when I’m riding or hiking), it’s 100% biodegradable right down to the corozo nut buttons. I love it so much that I now own three of them and wear them every day. They are super durable too and I think look great. Definitely recommend as an outerlayer for hikes and the like where you also want to look pretty good.”

Review by Christopher Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester

My Personal Review of Outerknown’s Cloud Joggers:

“I own a pair of OK’s Cloud Joggers. They’re super comfortable sweats that don’t leave you sweaty. They’re made from a blend of organic cotton and TENCEL that gives a silky-soft, lightweight feel. I love that they have a relaxed fit without being overly baggy, and they’re ideal for summer mornings when it’s still a bit on the chilly side but too warm for anything thicker.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

tentree

tentree has not been rated.

About tentree

Price Range: $30–$328

tentree is one of our favorite organic clothing brands thanks to its luxury-feeling loungewear and “earth-first apparel”.

They’re also one of the best sustainable outdoor clothing brands for adventure-ready clothing with tops, tees, tanks, shirts, sweaters, hoodies, outerwear, joggers, shorts, and pants for all the family—mini adventurers included.

Made from 100% regeneratively grown organic cotton, the Regenerative Extended Shoulder Tank is ideal for staying cool on sweaty summer hikes. It features a relaxed-fit boxy body and extended shoulders for sun protection.

tentree’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

tentree gets ten thumbs up for its use of recycled synthetics, lyocell, hemp, and organic cotton. Some garments have a small amount of elastane for added stretch.

Water-resistant fabrics are non-toxic thanks to a bluesign®-approved and PFC-free DWR finish.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Certified B Corp tentree’s transparency (try saying that five times fast) is undeniable.

Their factory ledger lists where all the products are made and what certifications pertain to each location (i.e., SA8000, BSCI, Fair Wear Foundation, Fair Trade, WRAP).

Carbon commitments & green practices:

tentree is Carbon Neutral-certified, and customers can purchase carbon offset packages via their website. Their roll-and-tie packaging method reduces the need for polybags, and orders ship in biodegradable and recyclable mailers.

Helping to keep outdoor wear out of landfills, tentree offers a recycling program and a secondhand buy/sell platform.

Inclusivity:

For women, XS-XL is available for most garments, and for men, S-XXL.

Community & charitable giving:

Ten trees are planted for every purchase, totaling over 100 million and counting.

My Personal Review of tentree’s Organic Hoodie:

“I’ve been wearing my tentree for about three years now, and I still find the combo of organic cotton and recycled synthetics buttery soft. Especially the inside of the hoodie, it has a slight texture to it which I found keeps you pretty warm, while the outside fabric is smooth to the touch. I would say it’s maybe a little larger than true to size and a little longer at the waist. However, I think my upper body is a bit shorter than average. I love the design of this one, and the little cork pieces attached to the hoodie drawstrings are a nice eco-touch. I’ve worn this inside and outside, cold and mild weather, hiking and just chilling on the couch. No sign of wear and tear and no piling (I only air dry FYI).”

Review by Lyall Mabin, SJ Co-founder

Toad&Co

Toad&Co has not been rated.

About Toad&Co

Price Range: $35–$325

We’re toad-ally obsessed with Toad&Co. They make clothing both stylish-enough-for-the-streets and technical-enough-for-the-peaks. Choose between men’s and women’s shirts, pants, t-shirts, shorts, jackets, layers, and underwear.

Toad&Co’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Toad&Co Uses a range of SJ-approved fabrics, including organic cotton, lyocell, hemp, RWS-certified wool, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and Lenzing modal. Many of their fabrics are bluesign® approved and OEKO-TEX-certified.

While avoidable, expect some virgin polyester and elastane added for stretch in some garments.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Manufacturing partners are chosen for their ethics and sustainable practices and must abide by the brand’s code of conduct. Toad&Co visits their partners annually. Outside Magazine ranks them as one of the best places to work.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Toad&Co’s Santa Barbara headquarters purchases carbon offsets in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates, uses energy-efficient LED bulbs, and is part of a composting program.

As a founding member of the Responsible Packaging Movement, they’re committed to removing plastic from product packaging by 2026. Products ship in 50% post-consumer recycled poly bags and reusable LimeLoop shipping bags.

Inclusivity:

Men, expect sizes S-XXL. Women, XS-XL.

Community & charitable giving:

Toad&Co gives back to environmental nonprofits through their 1% for the Planet membership and regularly participates in volunteer work days to support conservation efforts like those by the Yosemite Climbing Association. Having co-founded Search For Adventure, they also provide travel opportunities for adults with disabilities.

My Personal Review of Toad&Co’s Butte Crew Sweater:

“To be honest, I was initially drawn to this sweater because my partner is from an old mining town called Butte, and we return to visit her family there often. It’s a rough and tough town, and I was thrilled to find this sweater was equally so. Not only is its recycled fiber construction comfortable and warm, but it is also super durable. I’ve been wearing it for nearly a year now, and it’s not showing signs of pilling and fuzzing like sweaters typically do.”

Review by Chris Ryan, SJ’s Menswear Tester

Patagonia

Patagonia has not been rated.

About Patagonia

Price Range: $19–$699

Would we even be talking about sustainable outdoor clothing if we didn’t mention Patagonia?

Whether it’s a new t-shirt, sweater, sustainable rain jacket, pair of leggings, quintessential Synchilla fleece, or backpack, you can expect quality, durability, practicality, and unmatched ethics from this OG ethical outdoor clothing brand.

Patagonia’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

You’ll find natural fibers like hemp, linen, and USA-grown organic cotton; RWS-certified merino wool and RDS-certified down; and recycled materials like nylon, polyester, and cashmere. In fact, Patagonia is one of the best brands for recycled outdoor clothing.

They’re replacing fluorinated DWR membranes and finishes with non-fluorinated alternatives, and many fabrics are bluesign® approved.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Over 75,000 workers are supported in Patagonia’s Fair Trade Certified factories. They’re a Certified B Corp and an accredited member of the Fair Labor Association.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Patagonia helped develop the Regenerative Organic Certified® program and aims to reach net zero by 2040 thanks to ambitious climate goals.

Their circular-minded Worn Wear resale program helps keep adventure clothes out of landfill, and orders are packaged and shipped using post-consumer waste or FSC and SFI-certified recycled materials.

Inclusivity:

All styles are available in XS-XXL and some in XXS-XXXL.

My Personal Review of Patagonia’s Nano Puff® Hoody:

“Of the many Patagonia pieces I own and have been wearing for years, the Nano Puff® Hoody is one of my absolute wardrobe favorites, no matter the season. Not only is this fully recycled synthetic puffer warm and wind-resistent, but it’s also super lightweight, packs into its own chest pocket, and the hood fits under a cycling or climbing helmet, making it the ideal outer or mid layer, for all kinds of outdoor pursuits”.

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

Arms Of Andes

Arms Of Andes has not been rated.

About Arms of Andes

Price Range: $20–$340

Sibling-operated brand Arms of Andes tells microplastics to take a hike by using Peruvian alpaca wool, an efficient material for all types of adventures—hot, cold, or something in between.

They make hoodies, bottoms, underwear, socks, sustainable leggings, and shirts.

Arms of Andes’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

We want sustainable hiking clothes made of a material that is ethically sourced, temperature regulating, and can be composted at the end of its life. Alpaca wool can do all this and more. Add the antibacterial, odor-resistant, high sweat-wicking, and UV-resistant properties, and you have a material that screams ‘wilderness backpacking adventure’.

Garments are dyed using natural (plant and insect) or OEKO-TEX-certified dyes.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Wool comes from free-roaming Andean alpacas, and every step of the supply chain takes place in Peru.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Sourced from family-run farms, Alpaca wool is biodegradable and has a super low carbon footprint. Keeping all the production in one country also helps keep emissions low.

Orders are packed in biodegradable polyethylene and shipped in compostable mailers.

Inclusivity:

S-XL sizes are available for men and XS-L for women.

My Personal Review of Arms of Andes’ Alpaca Wool Sweater:

“I absolutely love my Arms of Andes Alpaca Wool Sweater—it’s elegant and incredibly versatile, easily dressed up or down. The alpaca wool keeps me warm while still being breathable, though I do feel a slight itchiness when I first put it on. Luckily, my skin adjusts pretty quickly, and after that, it’s nothing but pure softness. It’s definitely one of my go-to pieces for layering!”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

Coalatree

Coalatree has not been rated.

About Coalatree

Price Range: $29–$159

Coalatree is committed to providing adventurers (like you) with something appropriate and ethical to wear.

The brand started as an organic farm in Colorado and now brings sustainable practices to its clothing line, including jackets, hoodies, sweatshirts, shorts, pants, tops, and eco-friendly camping gear like blankets and hammocks.

Coalatree’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

Most garments are made from recycled materials like recycled nylon, recycled spandex, recycled organic cotton, and recycled coffee. Recycled coffee?!

In a super cool process, they gather recycled coffee grounds from local coffee shops, grind them into nano-sized particles, and mix them with recycled plastic water bottles. Voila—you get morning brew turned into an odor-resistant fiber.

Most clothes are also coated in a non-toxic DWR (AKA Durable Water Repellent) finish.

Supply chain & labor practices:

Garments are designed in Salt Lake City, Utah before being made in ethical and eco-friendly factories around the globe. All of Coalatree’s overseas partners are bluesign® approved.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

Their factory partners are progressing towards zero emissions by using renewables, efficient machinery, and low-impact ventilation.

Coalatree uses tree-friendly packaging (made from post-consumer recycled paper) and waterless dyeing for many of their garments, which saves thousands of gallons.

Inclusivity:

Sizes XS-XXL are available in most styles.

Community & charitable giving:

From turning surplus fabric into warm blankets for people experiencing homelessness to helping maintain local hiking and biking trails, Coalatree gives back locally. They also partner with local and global organizations like the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program and the Anasazi Foundation youth wilderness therapy program.

My Personal Review of Coalatree’s Trailhead Pants & Baseline Midlayer:

“My Coalatree Trailhead Pants have quickly become my go-to for outdoor adventures. They’re lightweight, durable, and super comfortable, with just the right amount of stretch for hiking or lounging. The fact that they’re water-resistant and feature a fabric that’s pretty rip-resistant (no holes so far) means I can confidently wear them out on even rough-and-tumble adventures without worrying about ruining yet another pair of hiking pants.

I also own the Baseline Midlayer, made from recycled coffee grounds which is versatile, lightweight, antimicrobial, stain resistant, and packs into its own pocket. I like its slick, layer-able outer and fuzzy grid fleece lining, which makes it warm without the bulk, as well as breathable for high-output activities.”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content

prAna

prAna has not been rated.

About prAna

Price Range: $16–$370

prAna puts the… well, prana in our daily yoga routines.

While they carry sustainable yoga clothes galore (leggings, yoga pants, sports bras, and tanks), they also offer plenty of clothing for off the yoga mat, including swimwear, hiking clothes, climbing clothes, and travel wear.

prAna’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices

Materials:

You’ll find organic cotton, recycled polyester, TENCEL lyocell, hemp, sustainably sourced wool, RDS-certified down, recycled synthetics, and some virgin synthetics, which can be avoided.

35% of styles use bluesign® approved fabrics, and they’re aiming for 80% by 2030. Their DWR coating is PFAS-free.

Supply chain & labor practices:

This Textile Exchange and Fair Labor Association (FLA) member prioritizes Fair Trade factories, supporting more than 26,000 workers with Fairtrade Premiums.

They’ve helped 11 factories become Fair Trade Certified and share details of all manufacturing partners on their Transparency Map. All partners are audited against the brand’s Code Of Conduct.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

prAna is a founding member of OIA Climate Action Corps, aims to cut their manufacturing emissions by 30% before 2030, co-founded the Responsible Packaging Movement, use plastic-free packaging, and divert clothing from landfill via the Renewal Workshop.

Inclusivity:

XS-XXL is available in some garments, and they also have a (very small) plus size range. Men’s sizes run XS–XXL.

My Personal Review of prAna’s Chakara™ Crop Top:

“I tried the Chakara™ Crop Top and love that it’s supportive and performance-minded (even for higher impact activities like running) while also remaining shaping and super flattering. Seriously, the cups are actually shaping and even give me a little lift there. Plus, with a buttery soft fabric and simple design, it’s the perfect understated layering piece for yoga classes, hikes, or just day-to-day wear!”

Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content