Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. There is no additional cost to you whatsoever.
In order to fund EcoCult’s analysis and writing, the manufacturers listed under might have paid a small charge to be featured on this submit and it could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. As at all times, EcoCult solely options manufacturers we consider are making the world a greater place. Support EcoCult editorial by supporting them!
A Dutch spring is the toughest season to decorate for. The whimsical weather appears to by no means be capable of make up its thoughts: One minute I’m biking cheerfully alongside the canals, bathed in superb sunshine, and the following I’m soaked in a bathe. And the wind appears to at all times blow within the unsuitable route, rendering umbrellas ineffective. A correct rain jacket and rain boots are the reply.
So right here’s what to search for in eco-friendly rainwear:
Safe Waterproofing
The mostly used water repellents are what are alternately generally known as PFCs, PTFE, or the commonest designation that we’ll use: PFAS. They are a bunch of poisonous “ceaselessly chemical substances” that don’t break down and bioaccumulate in our physique and the surroundings. Overwhelming scientific evidence has proved that when these chemical substances leach into the air, soil, and drinking water, they’ll have devastating results on the human liver, brain, and immune system.
Many aware manufacturers are switching to different waterproof membranes which might be free from PFAS, just like the recently-reformulated coating Gore-Tex. Unfortunately, they could be switching to a equally harmful however much less studied chemical within the same family, so advocates are pushing to ban the entire class of PFAS chemicals. Until we now have extra analysis, we’re going to say these alternate options are higher than the unique, however not good.
I like to recommend selecting merchandise which might be free from PFAS, PFC, or PTFE. If you’ll be able to’t discover that, search for merchandise that include an OEKO-TEX or bluesign label. If the model has membership in ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), that’s an indication they’re addressing the problem, but it surely’s not a assure it’s PFAS-free.
Sustainable Materials
Most rain jackets and rain boots are produced from petroleum and chlorine. More sustainable variations use recycled or renewable supplies like recycled polyester, recycled nylon, waxed natural cotton, Tencel, or sustainably harvested rubber. Look for manufacturers that may substantiate their claims with third-party verifications corresponding to Global Recycled Standard (GRS), which verifies recycled content material.
Take Back and Repair Programs
Rainwear is often produced from multi-layer supplies or finishes to steadiness water safety and breathability, which makes recycling notably tough. So I like to recommend prioritizing manufacturers that provide take-back or restore applications to maximise the helpful lifetime of your rain jackets or rain boots.
The following is a listing of rainwear manufacturers that swap out toxic supplies and substances with sustainable ones. Many additionally try to make sure moral manufacturing and provides again to the neighborhood:
RAIN BOOTS
Nisolo’s commuter assortment is a nice-looking different to typical waterproof boots. It encompasses a water resistant leather-based higher and waterproof rubber soles that maintain you in type even in moist commutes. (The pointed toe form provides the boots a slim match, so the corporate recommends ordering a half measurement up for those who plan to put on thick socks.)
Nisolo is an authorized B Corp that meets the very best verified normal for moral and sustainable manufacturing and is well-known for its basic, comfy, high-quality leather-based footwear and equipment. Nisolo sources 95% of the leather-based from tanneries licensed by Leather Working Group, and has taken on prolonged producer duty by establishing a Shoe Reclamation Program, which incentivizes shoppers to deliver again used sneakers for upcycling and recycling. Nisolo has additionally partnered with Ecosphere+ to implement a carbon “insetting” program, which protects the Amazon Basin and mitigates carbon emissions inside its personal worth chain. So far it has offset 100% of its carbon emission, overlaying uncooked supplies use, manufacturing, and transport, verified by Climate Neutral Certification.
On the social aspect, Nisolo ensures 100% of the individuals working in its manufacturing facility and all through the remainder of its provide chain is paid a dwelling wage. The model additionally companions with third events corresponding to WageIndicator and ACCOUNTABLE to judge its wage and dealing circumstances. For instance, the bottom wage of its Peruvian employees is 47% higher than what they earned previous to becoming a member of Nisolo.
I acquired a pair of waterproof Chelsea boots from Will’s Vegan final winter and so they have stored my toes heat and dry by way of the heavy bathe and snow within the Netherlands. Switching thick wool socks with skinny cotton ones, I can easily glide into the moist spring season with the identical boots with out worrying about strolling into puddles. The boots are produced from plant-based vegan leather-based that meets OEKO-TEX requirements and the corporate has change into carbon-neutral at each the product and firm stage.
Kamik is a family-owned Canadian footwear firm with over 120 years of historical past. The firm has developed RubberHe, a proprietary materials that provides superior traction and suppleness, and is light-weight and 100% recyclable. Kamik produces rain boots from recycled rubber and has established a take-back program to recycle previous rain boots. The firm additionally recycles 90% of the cooling water utilized by its Canadian manufacturing facility and strives to cut back carbon emissions in manufacturing and packaging.
The Alice and Whittles ankle rain boot is produced from pure rubber from sustainably managed forests in Sri Lanka and is licensed by the Fair Rubber Association. It’s light-weight and makes use of 80% much less power to supply. The boots have a slim match, so that you would possibly wish to order a measurement up for those who plan to put on them with thick socks within the winter.
RAIN JACKETS
MAIUM was based within the wet, bike-loving metropolis of Amsterdam. The rain jackets all have stylish, basic silhouettes, with aspect zippers that simply convert the jackets into bike ponchos.
MAIUM makes use of recycled PET bottles, natural cotton, and PU coating for waterproof safety. The firm claims that all materials used of their merchandise are free from PFC and different dangerous substances, with certification from OEKO-TEX and GRS.
This teca half-zip windbreaker from Cotopaxi makes use of leftover material panels from different firm’s productions, so every colorway is restricted version. The windbreaker is produced from water resistant polyester taffeta, and is full of useful pockets for all functions, like a kangaroo pocket, a entrance flap pocket, and an inside telephone pocket that doubles as a stuff sack for if you end up not carrying it. The firm has additionally launched a restore venture that employs refugee sewers to restore used merchandise from clients. Cotopaxi is an authorized B Corp and donates 1% of its annual revenues to nonprofit organizations that work on poverty alleviation.
AEANCE is a German useful attire model that focuses on simplicity, technical efficiency, and sustainability. This designer raincoat is produced from recycled polyester from Sympatex with PTFE-free membrane and PFC-free water repellent coating which might be licensed by bluesign and OEKO-TEX. Ninety p.c of the material is produced from recycled plastic bottles (GRS licensed) and might be absolutely recyclable. Not solely does the corporate disclose the full composition of supplies used for various elements of the jacket, but in addition lists sourcing international locations of the primary material, pockets, and closing meeting.
Ecoalf was the primary B corp licensed trend firm in Spain. It is legendary for making fashionable, versatile, high-quality clothes from principally recycled supplies. I notably love this outsized trench-style raincoat. The jacket makes use of recycled nylon produced from discarded fishing nets, scrapped carpeting, and pre-consumer nylon waste. It is water-repellent, PFC-free, and bluesign certified.
It’s not prepared for shops but, however the firm has established an “Upcycling the Oceans” venture, working with greater than 3,200 fishermen to gather marine particles. So far, Ecoalf has recycled over 600 tons of waste from the ocean, corresponding to plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets, and is working with the mills to rework ocean plastic into high-quality yarn. The firm additionally collaborates with companions to make use of post-consumer coffee-grounds end that make the clothes fast-drying, odor-minimizing, and defend towards the UV rays, which in any other case would require chemical therapy. (Read our rationalization of coffee ground fabric.)
