Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. And brands are responding to that by introducing greater sustainability into product design, manufacturing and sales. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the outdoor sector. By seeking to minimize environmental impact, sustainable hiking clothing is changing the way we think about outdoor clothing and forcing brands to innovate with new processes, approaches and technologies. And Polygiene is playing a crucial role in that.
Sustainable hiking gear refers to clothing and footwear that are produced in ways that minimize environmental impact and are designed for use in outdoor activities and settings. As a result, it is typically performance-oriented, with a focus on comfort, freedom of movement and durability. It may also benefit from waterproofing technologies or other similar solutions. Minimizing a product’s environmental impact requires manufacturers to consider several factors.
Sustainability emphasizes ethical manufacturing processes, such as safe working conditions, water conservation, energy efficiency and a fair wage.
Clothes and footwear that are more durable and last longer are more sustainable.
Sustainable hiking shoes and clothing will often reduce environmental impact by incorporating performance-enhancing additives, such as antibacterial and anti-odor technologies.
Limiting the amount of packaging and using eco-friendly and recyclable materials improve sustainability.
Hiking gear manufacturers can improve sustainability by implementing circular economy initiatives, such as recycling and upcycling programs.
For consumers, the benefits of sustainable outdoor clothing are clear:
Consumers can support ethical working conditions and practices by purchasing sustainable clothing.
Clothes that last longer need replacing less frequently, saving consumers money.
Odor control additives keep clothes smell-free for longer, reducing the need for frequent washing and saving energy, water, time and money.
Polygiene technology helps clothing and footwear manufacturers develop more sustainable products by supplying eco-friendly textile additives. Polygiene StayFresh™ is a powerful antibacterial solution that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria, keeping fabrics fresher for longer. Polygiene OdorCrunch™ tackles environmental odors, such as cooking smells, smoke and body odor, attracting the molecules responsible for those smells, breaking them down and removing them.
By keeping clothes and footwear fresher for longer, Polygiene solutions reduce the need for frequent washing. This benefits consumers by:
Less washing means you spend less time on laundry. That translates into significant time and money savings.
Knowing you don’t have to worry about unpleasant odors is liberating. It leads to greater self-confidence and allows you to focus on the things that really matter.
All this translates to a considerable reduction in a product’s environmental footprint. A recent Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on a Polygiene-treated T-shirt showed that, by enabling consumers to skip every other wash, the technology reduced the T-shirt’s overall environmental impact by a third.
BASE LAYERSYou will find Polygiene technology in base layers from several well-known outdoor brands. The Montane Women’s Dart Zip Neck T-Shirt, MPG Achieve Mesh Panel T-Shirt with Chest Pocket and Forloh Men’s SolAir Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt are all excellent examples. Adidas also utilizes Polygiene anti-odor technology in its Adidas Graphic Short Sleeve Polygiene T-Shirt.
HOODIESTwo of the most iconic names in the outdoor industry – climber’s favorite, La Sportiva, and the gorpcore brand of choice, Arc’teryx – both utilize Polygiene technology. And it can be found in hoodies from both of these outdoor giants – the La Sportiva Existence Hoody and the Arc’teryx RHO LT Hoody. Our solutions are also incorporated into the Montane Men’s Protium Lite Hooded Fleece Jacket and the Kathmandu Men’s ULT-Hike Crew Pullover.
BOTTOMSPolygiene technology is prevalent in pants and shorts, too. The La Sportiva Technique Pant and La Sportiva Technique Short are fantastic examples of sustainable technical bottoms that utilize Polygiene solutions, while the Montane – Women’s Ineo Lite Pants, Mammut – Taiss Softshell Pants and Mountain Designs Women’s Bellarine Short also fit the bill.
As you can see, Polygiene is helping brands across the outdoor sector to make their products more sustainable, resulting in clothing that performs better and offers greater value for money to consumers. Effective, long-lasting and easy to incorporate into manufacturing processes, our solutions are changing the way brands and consumers think about sustainability.
Learn more about Polygiene anti-odor clothing technology.
