If you’re hitting the slopes this winter, protect yourself from the cold in ski wear that is both stylish and ethical.
You’ve got your organic basics, your ethical coat and your investment wool jumper – but will they cut it on the snowy mountains? Performance and extreme weather clothing comes with a long list of requirements to ensure that it keeps you warm and dry while remaining breathable and functional, and these can sometimes be at odds with sustainable materials and values. That said, today more and more brands are utilising new innovative fabrics, natural fibres and recycled materials to create warm winter sports clothing that is designed with both performance and the planet in mind.
Here are some of our favourite ethical skiwear basics to invest in this winter:
Funi Hats & Headbands
Funi’s chunky hats & headbands are hand-knitted in the north east of England by a talented group of women that you can read all about on the Funi site. This stripey headband is made of 100% merino anti tickle wool, to keep your ears snug and warm against the cold.
Fjallraven Kanken Recycled Lappland Fleece Scarf
Wrap up with this soft and warm 100% SpinDye® recycled polyester fleece scarf from Fjallraven Kanken. This lightweight scarf can easily be foldeed away in your backpack or pocket when it is not being used. The fleece fabric is made using an environmentally friendly process that both dyes and spins the fibres at the same time. This leads to much lower levels of water and energy consumption compared to traditional dyeing techniques.
Finisterre Base Layers
When you’re 2,000m up, Finisterre‘s base layers – tops, long johns and leggings for men and women – will keep you cool whilst you’re exerting energy, and warm when you’re not. Made using a Merino wool / Tencel® blend, they are lightweight, soft and warm, with no synthetic fibres.
Picture Organic Clothing Mid Layers
Layer up with Picture Organic Clothing‘s 100% recycled polyester mid layers, made of post-consumer plastic bottles.
Lucy & Yak Polar Fleece
This Lucy & Yak Oversized Fleece is perfect for lounging around in after a long day on the slopes. Made of 100% recycled plastic bottle polyster, it is soft and cosy to keep your warm on snowy winter days.
Patagonia Jacket
Built with a 100% recycled polyester GORE-TEX® face fabric, Patagonia‘s Powder Bowl Jacket provides tough, long-wearing waterproof, breathable and windproof protection for skiers and boarders on the mountains.
Picture Organic Clothing Jacket
Since 2008, Picture Organic has been creating organic, recycled & bio-sourced products for snowboarding, skiing, surfing and the outdoors, considering the approach to recyclability, second life and end of life right from outset of the design process. This Seen jacket is made of 64% recycled polyester from used plastic bottles, features a recyclable DRYPLAY 20K/15K membrane for maximum waterproof-breathability, and boasts a PFC-free water repellent treatment.
Picture Organic Clothing Trousers
Made using recycled polyester and PFC free water repellent treatments, Picture Organic Clothing‘s range of snow pants for men, women, and children will keep you warm and dry on the slopes.
For more ethical winter warmers, see our winter knitwear guide for women, our men’s jumpers, hats and scarves edit and kids bobble hats and beanies.