Ski Wear: How Sustainable Fabrics Changing the Industry

Learn about the recycled, bio-based, and natural materials clothing companies are using to create sustainable ski wear.

With increasing awareness around sustainability, more and more skiers and snowboarders are looking for eco-friendly gear options. The textile industry has historically had a large environmental footprint, but innovative manufacturers are now developing high-performance ski wear using recycled, bio-based, and natural fabrics. These materials reduce waste, emissions, and resource consumption compared to traditional performance fabrics.

Recycled Polyester for Ski Outerwear

One of the most widely used materials in sustainable ski wear is recycled polyester, also called rPET. To create rPET, plastic bottles and textile waste are cleaned, shredded, melted down, and re-spun into yarn. This recycled polyester retains the same performance properties that make virgin polyester so popular for ski gear: durability, water-resistance, quick drying, and sweat-wicking.

By transforming plastic waste into durable fabrics, manufacturers reduce the amount of virgin polyester made from petroleum. Recycling polyester has a much smaller carbon footprint than producing new polyester while providing the same benefits for ski outerwear. Expect recycled polyester ski wear to be just as breathable, weatherproof and warmth-retaining as gear made from brand new materials.

Recycled Nylon Outerwear

Nylon is another synthetic fabric that’s frequently recycled for ski and snowboard apparel. Old nylon clothes, fishing nets, carpets, and industrial waste containing nylon can be collected, processed into raw material, and spun into yarn again. This reclaimed nylon has the same performance properties as nylon newly made from petroleum, while requiring less crude oil and energy to produce.

Nylon’s natural water-resistance, abrasion-resistance, and stretch make it ideal for hardshell jackets and pants designed for stormy alpine conditions. Recycled nylon maintains these same traits while reducing environmental impact, making it a win-win for eco-conscious brands and consumers alike. The longevity and durability of nylon also makes it well-suited for recycling.

Bio-Based Polyester Ski Wear

Bio-based polyester comes from renewable plant sources instead of petroleum. The plant materials, like corn or sugar cane, are converted into a synthetic polymer that functions similarly to traditional polyester. This offers a more sustainable alternative to polyester made from fossil fuels.

Brands are using bio-based polyester in ski jackets, pants, and base layers. It provides the same performance benefits like moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and warmth as regular polyester. The sustainability upside comes from utilizing agricultural resources instead of oil. Considerations like responsible farming practices are important when evaluating brands using bio-based synthetics.

Natural Materials for Eco-Ski Wear

Along with recycled and bio-based synthetics, some manufacturers are incorporating eco-friendly natural materials into ski apparel:

• Organic cotton provides breathability and soft comfort in base layers and mid-layers without the pesticides used in conventional cotton farming.
• Sustainably-sourced merino wool from free-range sheep offers natural temperature regulation, odor resistance, and moisture management ideal for ski base layers and softshell apparel.
• Natural rubber tapped from trees can replace synthetic rubber made from petroleum in gloves and other gear.
• Fast-growing bamboo makes a durable, moisture-wicking fabric for base layers and shells using less water and pesticides than regular cotton.

These renewable materials integrate sustainability right from the agricultural source while offering performance features like temperature regulation, breathability, and comfort that skiers and riders demand.

The Future of Sustainable Ski Wear

With eco-consciousness on the rise, expect to see brands develop exciting new sustainable ski fabrics and manufacturing processes. Compostable shells, biodegradable base layers, and fabrics from agricultural waste biomass could be on the horizon. Advancements in dyeing technology and production methods to reduce water, chemicals, and energy use are also in development.

While technical performance is still crucial, sustainability is becoming an integral part of ski clothing. Both manufacturers and consumers seem invested in innovating eco-friendly gear that protects people and the planet. The growing interest in sustainable fabrics and apparel looks set to drive positive changes in the ski wear industry now and in the future.