Made from algae
Merrell Hydro Moc Sandals
$74.95
Bloom foam is made of 10% algae biomass and transforms green water into clean water too.
Sustainability Standouts
Everything we make or sell has an impact on the planet, so our team of buyers is tasked with a big job: bring you gear we’re proud to stand behind from a sustainability viewpoint.
To round up these highlights, Kristin, Kiomi and Katherine from our products team, along with Laura from our sustainability crew, put their heads together. Fun fact: over the years, these MEC groups have helped other brands we carry change the way some of their gear is made too.
Favourite lower-impact materials of 2023
Creative ways to source materials can keep waste out of the landfill and reduce emissions in the process (plus you get to tell people your sandals are made of algae).
Made to cut out waste
MEC Mountain Blanket
$69.95
Made with leftover fabric from sleeping bag production, so nothing goes to waste.
Made with remnant material
Cotopaxi Bataan 3L Fanny Pack
$44.95
One-of-a-kind packs created from scraps to keep unused material out of landfills.
Made from fishing nets
Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket - Men's
$349.00
The NetPlus® fabric is made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution.
Made from foam scraps
Nemo Chipper Seat
$29.95
Puts all the foam scraps from other pads to great use. Portable, super useful (check the reviews).
Made of recycled rope
Edelrid Neo 3R 9.8mm Rope
$319.95
The first climbing rope made of 50% recycled ropes, with the same safety and performance as non-recycled.
Made from sugarcane
Big Agnes Twistercane Bio Foam Hiking Seat
$32.95
Derived from 60% sugarcane biomass in a process that removes carbon from the atmosphere.
Made from pack extras
MEC Waste-Less Tote Bag 20L
$19.95
Cuts out single-use bags and made from salvaged fabric leftover from backpack production.
Top triple-whammy products of 2023
Each of these products has not just one, but three ways to improve materials and lower the environmental impact.
Best value
MEC Fair Trade Tee Graphic - Children
$19.95
Organic cotton that’s also bluesign®-approved and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
Best for shoulder season
MEC Boundary Light Down Jacket - Men's
$229.95
700-fill-power Certified Responsible Down. Recycled and bluesign®-approved fabric too.
Best for everyday
Patagonia Cap Cool Daily Graphic Hoody - Women's
$85.00
You’ll use it tons – and it’s Fair Trade Certified, recycled content and bluesign®-approved.
Best for sun sessions
Kathmandu Sun-Scape UPF Short Sleeve Shirt - Women's
$99.95
Bluesign®-approved blend of organic cotton and Tencel™ (made from sustainably sourced wood).
Best ways to make gear last longer in 2023
The most sustainable gear out there? The stuff you already own. Patch holes, re-waterproof jackets, and keep your bike rolling smoothly.
Best to keep you dry
Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct Kit
$31.95
Your rain jackets and pants will thank you and keep you drier for years to come.
Most versatile
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Gear Patches
$12.95
Patch small rips on jackets, backpacks, sleeping bags and lots more. Super cute shapes too.
Best for commuting
MEC Bio-Cycle 4L Chain Cleaner
$34.95
A heavy-duty biodegradable, water-soluble solution to give your chain some TLC.
Best for sparkly bikes
WPL Bio Bike Wash 946ml
$17.95
Make an old bike look like new again. Tough on dirt, biodegradable, VOC- and phosphate-free.
Favourite PFC-free gear of 2023
To make things water-repellent, many manufacturers use PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals). But PFCs are bad news for the environment and people – so brands are finding alternatives.
Best value
MEC Aquanator Rain Jacket - Men's
$129.95
VarioShell technology means it’s waterproof-breathable and PFC-free at a solid price.
Best for climbers
Edelrid Tommy Caldwell Eco ColorTec 9.3mm Dry Rope
$399.95 - $449.95
The EcoDry finish makes it water-repellent and dirt-resistant without the use of PFCs.
Best for rainy days
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L City Coat - Women's
$315.00
Stay dry in heavy downpours, no PFCs needed. Patagonia’s goal is 100% PFC-free by 2024.
Best for campers
Nemo Hornet OSMO 2-Person Tent
$579.95
This ripstop fabric doesn't sag when wet and gives you long-lasting PFC-free weather protection.
Best choices that aren’t things
Want to skip new stuff entirely? Love it. Check out a few of our much-loved ways to enjoy the outdoors without adding to your gear closet.
Best for active transport
Bike tune-up
Keep your two-wheeled machine rolling smoothly for trips to work, school, errands or fun places.
Most empowering
DIY gear repair
“Thanks, I fixed it myself.” When you keep gear in action, it feels good. It’s easier than you think too.
Best way to give back
Volunteer for the outdoors
Find out how to build trails, look after wild places, protect nature and help more folks get outside.
Best problem-solvers of 2023
Sometimes you don’t even realize there’s a problem to fix, until some brilliant person invents a solution and leads the way.
Best for bio-fuel
Primus SIP Power Gas 220g
$9.95
A step to more sustainable fuel: each one is offset by the support of bio-based fuel production.
Best ocean power
Midnight Lightning Chunky Seawater Sourced Chalk 275g
$22.95
Super grippy. Not mined. Solar evaporation. Plant-based package. Byproduct of the salt industry. Boom.
Best for summit snacks
Stasher Reusable Sandwich Bag
$16.95
Seals easily, uses food-grade silicone and is dishwasher safe. People absolutely love ‘em.
Best recycling tool
Jetboil CrunchIt Fuel Canister Recycling Tool
$10.95
Safely vent and puncture LPG fuel canisters so you can toss them in the recycling bin.
More sustainability standouts
What the heck is bluesign®?
It’s nerdy, it’s complicated, and we love it. Discover the team of science detectives with a serious interest in safe chemicals.
What the heck is bluesign®?
It’s nerdy, it’s complicated, and we love it. Discover the team of science detectives with a serious interest in safe chemicals.
More Buyer’s Guides
Top tents. Best waterproof jackets. Toughest gear for trails. It’s all here.
More Buyer’s Guides
Top tents. Best waterproof jackets. Toughest gear for trails. It’s all here.