Add to your Outdoor Wardrobe with Eco-Friendly Clothing

Getting ready to hit the trails? Wanting to do some camping this summer? Outfit yourself with eco-friendly clothing that’s made from natural, renewable fibers that are less harmful to the planet. These textiles may also to help reduce odor and keep you cooler than conventional outdoor clothing options.

Cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop in the world. In fact, by weight a cotton T-shirt is 73 percent cotton and 27 percent chemicals and chemical residues! These pesticides flow into our waterways and wreak havoc on water ecosystems. They can create dead zones, which are areas in which nothing can grow, choking out all life. Growing cotton also requires heavy infusions of water—about 400 gallons per cotton T-shirt.

Synthetic fibers derived from petroleum byproducts (such as GORE-TEX, polyester, and lycra) are also unsustainable and non-renewable, given what they’re made from. They are also not biodegradable.

So, whether you’re in the market for a new T-shirt, looking for some hiking shorts, or in need of a good hat to protect you from the sun, there are greener alternatives. Here are some of the options available to outdoor enthusiasts:

• Bamboo is a relatively new kid on the textile block. A very large grass, bamboo can grow up to 30 inches in a single day, making it a “rapidly renewable” fiber and very sustainable. It doesn’t require pesticide support, doesn’t need to be irrigated, and is virtually infinitely renewable. Plus, it helps to shore soil against erosion, retains water, and creates habitat for other wildlife and plant species. It is also really soft and has an internal “bamboo kun” which helps to control odor-creating bacterial and lower moisture levels, making it a great fiber for active people.
• Hemp, used for decades by hippies and earth-conscious communities, is a great choice for many reasons. It produces more fiber per acre than cotton, requires little chemical support from pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides, and is natural like cotton. Hemp crops also help to boost the soil’s nutritional value and foster microbial life. It does, however, require a lot of water like cotton.
• Organic cotton should be chemical-free, although it doesn’t solve the water consumption issue. Just be sure your organic clothing is from a reputable company that reports on how their clothing was made.
• Soy, developed from the byproducts of the tofu, soybean oil, and soy milk industries (recycling!), soy fiber is another totally natural product. It has been called the vegetable cashmere because of its incredible softness, and it retains heat well and is easy to care for.
• Wool is completely renewable and a great choice if you’re going to colder regions. You will, however, want to look for organic wool to ensure that the animals were treated humanely (although this is not guaranteed).

In the landscape of green living choices, opting out of conventionally-grown cotton is one important step to take. Although cotton is a natural fiber, growing cotton is far from green.

Get geared up with this summer with sustainable clothing, and have a good time enjoying nature.