In a town with so many outdoor enthusiasts, it seems fitting to reflect on the environmental impact of all of our outdoor gear and clothing. From the materials in our jackets and backpacks to the operational practices of these outdoor companies, sustainability is a complicated and burgeoning field in this industry.Lucky for us, too, we have a gear sustainability specialist right here in Lander—Katie Oram. Katie is the sustainability lead at the independent outdoor gear review company, Better Trail, where she and her team make gear sustainability more transparent and accessible to everyday consumers. She was also involved in the creation of LCAN and has addressed the Lander City Council on the merits of responding to the climate crisis. We sat down with Katie to talk about the exciting trends in her industry and her reflections on the true sustainability of outdoor gear.
LCAN: What do you consider in your sustainability analyses at Better Trail?
KO: On the individual product side, we look at certain sustainability criteria for the material make-up of the piece—Does it have PFAS "forever chemicals"? Is it made with bluesign APPROVED materials rated for chemical safety? Does the product use recycled or responsibly-sourced materials? We take this information and put it into our own rating system so we can compare products across brands. So far, we have over 900 reports in our database.
We also conduct analyses on outdoor brands' sustainability goals. Many outdoor companies have commitments to reduce their operational greenhouse gas emissions, use responsible manufacturing practices, address waste in their packaging, and make their products more circular—meaning the products they make can be returned for resale or recycling. I personally see company-wide sustainability as having the larger impact since it reaches into supply chains and fundamentally changes how all products are produced.
LCAN: Why is the outdoor industry focusing on sustainability?
KO: Like many of us who work in the outdoor industry, there is an inherent outdoor ethic. We want to be good stewards of the places we treasure. In a crowded and competitive outdoor industry, sustainability can help brands differentiate themselves and appeal to consumers who want their purchases to reflect their personal values. Some brands have made sustainability central to their business ethos from the beginning, while others have adopted more sustainable practices over time—often in response to growing consumer demand.
LCAN: How can people be more sustainable in their gear choices?
KO: For new purchases, people can look to our Better Trail certification. To be truly sustainable, we also need to think about the longevity of equipment and question the true recyclability of products. Some brands, like Patagonia, have repair programs where you can send a piece back to be mended. Of course, there are local options for repair too, with seamstresses and cobblers. Knowing the durability of a piece before you buy also cuts down on the amount of material consumption and waste.
As far as the recyclability of products, it's worth investigating the claims of some companies to see if their products are actually being recycled. The items may just be collecting dust in a storage unit somewhere until recycling companies can figure out how to recycle the material. Plus, how many times can the product be recycled? If it's only once before the material goes into the landfill, that's not very impactful. For an example of a company doing good work in the gear-recycling space, check out Nemo Equipment and its Endless Promise Collection.
To learn more, see our Better Trail articles on repair programs, durability, and circularity.
LCAN: What is your hope for the future of the outdoor industry?
KO: I hope that the industry keeps striving to lower its greenhouse gas emissions. It's hard to do—especially when they're also trying to grow their business. There are some good collaborations happening, though. The Outdoor Industry Association has a very active Climate Corps consisting of 63 prominent brands all working together to reduce their climate impact. REI is also notable in how they require all brands they source to work toward and report on their Product Impact Standards. These standards encompass fair and safe supply chains, chemical management, animal welfare, climate and environmental stewardship, and diversity and inclusion. It's all a step in the right direction.
LCAN: For those who are inspired by the work that you do, how would you advise them to step into a similar sustainability career path?
KO: The work we do at Better Trail occupies a unique niche, as few independent media outlets are covering sustainability in the outdoor industry in this way. However, work in this field draws on a blend of environmental science, outdoor gear expertise, and writing skills. I hope the environmental impact of outdoor gear will be covered more broadly in the future, creating additional opportunities in this field. Additionally, many brands and organizations have dedicated sustainability teams, which offer their own unique career paths.
For more on Katie and her work at Better Trail, listen to this interview on Where the Climate Things Are.
LCAN did not receive promotions or commissions from brands for this article. Better Trail receives commissions when products are purchased through links on their website.