Our Favorite Recycled Gear

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You’re only human, so it's only natural that you crave the latest/greatest gear. But the creation of all that new gear takes a toll on the planet. The (partial) solution? Look for gear that uses recycled and upcycled materials. Here are five of our favorite pieces that can add a touch of sustainability to your gear closet.  

Sunski launched a line of sunglasses made from 100 percent recycled plastic earlier this summer. The Manresas add a bit of tortoise-shell charm to the “Risky Business” frames. They’re also polarized, and one percent of profits go to environmental non-profits.

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Patagonia has a reputation for making some of the most sustainable soft goods in the business, and these pants help lead the charge, blending recycled nylon with a touch of spandex. The result is a technical pant (four-way stretch/DWR finish/UPF 40 rating) that can take miles of abuse while going easy on the planet.

Men's Women's

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Cotopaxi takes an earth-friendly approach to outdoor gear, funding grant programs for third-world non-profits, and creating an expansive line of gear out of repurposed materials, using the leftover raw materials that end up on a manufacturer’s floor to build bomber packs and clothing. We like their funky Luzon Del Dia, which is a lightweight carry-all made from leftover Ripstop nylon that boasts an internal hydration sleeve and 18-liters of packable space.

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Columbia took sustainable manufacturing up a notch with this lightweight rain jacket, which is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. Even the labels and zippers are made from recycled content. The fabric is also dye-free, which saves 13.5-gallons of water per jacket.

Men's  Women's

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As seen on Shark Tank! Seriously, they were on Shark Tank, but don’t let that distract you from this bag, which is made from used vinyl billboards—a material that happens to be waterproof. So, you get a bomber duffel that can hold 53 liters of gear, and you’re helping to keep old billboards out of the landfill.

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