The outdoor industry has a sustainability paradox: we buy gear to enjoy nature while contributing to environmental degradation through our purchases. Fortunately, increasing numbers of brands recognise this tension and are working toward more sustainable practices. This guide highlights jacket brands available in Australia that prioritise environmental responsibility without sacrificing performance.
Sustainability in outerwear encompasses multiple dimensions: material sourcing, manufacturing practices, product longevity, and end-of-life considerations. The most conscientious brands address all these areas while maintaining the performance standards outdoor enthusiasts require.
What Makes a Jacket Sustainable?
Before exploring specific brands, understanding what sustainability means in outerwear context helps evaluate marketing claims critically.
Recycled Materials
Many modern jackets incorporate recycled content, typically post-consumer plastic bottles transformed into polyester fabric. This diverts plastic from landfills and reduces virgin petroleum extraction. High-quality recycled polyester performs identically to virgin material—you sacrifice nothing by choosing it.
Recycled down from post-consumer sources (old jackets, bedding) represents another sustainable option. Properly cleaned and sorted, recycled down performs comparably to new, though supply limitations mean fewer products use it.
Responsible Sourcing
For products using new materials, sourcing practices matter significantly. Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification ensures down comes from humanely treated birds. Bluesign certification indicates fabrics produced with minimal chemical and environmental impact. Fair Trade certification addresses labour conditions in manufacturing.
Durability and Repairability
Perhaps the most sustainable jacket is one you keep for decades rather than replacing every few years. Brands emphasising durability, offering repair services, and designing for longevity reduce overall environmental impact even if their materials aren't explicitly "sustainable."
A high-quality conventional jacket worn for 10 years likely has less environmental impact than two "sustainable" jackets replaced after 5 years each. Durability is sustainability. Buy quality, buy once.
Leading Sustainable Brands in Australia
Several brands available through Australian retailers demonstrate genuine sustainability commitment. Here are standouts across different market segments.
Patagonia
Patagonia has led outdoor industry sustainability efforts for decades. Their commitment includes using recycled materials across most product lines, offering robust repair services through their Worn Wear program, and donating 1% of sales to environmental causes. Their transparency about supply chains and environmental impact sets industry standards.
Patagonia jackets come at premium prices, but exceptional durability and the company's repair commitment mean long product life. Their recycled polyester and responsibly sourced down are among the most carefully audited in the industry.
The North Face
The North Face has accelerated sustainability efforts recently, with ambitious goals for recycled materials and carbon reduction. Their Futurelight membrane technology uses recycled materials, and many products incorporate recycled polyester and responsibly sourced down.
Their Renewed program sells refurbished returned products at reduced prices, extending product life and keeping jackets from landfills. While not as holistically committed as Patagonia, The North Face's scale means their improvements have significant aggregate impact.
Kathmandu
As an Australian/New Zealand company, Kathmandu offers local relevance alongside sustainability credentials. They use recycled polyester, responsibly sourced down certified to RDS standards, and are B Corp certified—indicating verified social and environmental performance.
Kathmandu's price points are often more accessible than premium international brands, making sustainable options available to more consumers. Their Summit Club warranty demonstrates confidence in durability.
Fjallraven
Swedish brand Fjallraven takes a different approach, emphasising product longevity through heritage designs and exceptional durability. Their G-1000 fabric can be re-waxed repeatedly to maintain water resistance, extending product life indefinitely with minimal resource consumption.
Fjallraven products use recycled and organic materials where possible, and their timeless aesthetic means jackets don't become unfashionable. This longevity-focused approach represents a valid sustainability philosophy distinct from the recycled-materials emphasis of other brands.
Different brands approach sustainability differently. Patagonia emphasises recycled content and activism, Fjallraven prioritises durability and timeless design, while others focus on specific certifications. There's no single "right" approach—consider which philosophy aligns with your values.
Sustainable Material Innovations
Beyond brand selection, understanding sustainable material technologies helps identify genuinely eco-conscious products.
Recycled Synthetic Insulation
PrimaLoft Black Insulation Eco uses recycled content while maintaining performance. Several brands incorporate this or similar recycled synthetic insulations. Since synthetic insulation derives from petroleum, recycled versions significantly reduce environmental impact.
PFC-Free DWR
Traditional Durable Water Repellent treatments use perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) that persist in environments and organisms indefinitely. PFC-free alternatives now offer comparable performance without the ecological concerns. Look for "PFC-free" or "fluorocarbon-free" designations on waterproof jackets.
Recycled Nylon
Econyl and similar recycled nylon programs transform ocean plastics and fishing nets into high-performance fabric. Several brands use these materials in shell jackets and other applications. Performance matches virgin nylon while addressing ocean plastic pollution.
Natural and Bio-Based Materials
Some brands explore bio-based alternatives to petroleum synthetics. Plant-based insulations, castor oil-derived polymers, and other innovations show promise, though most remain early-stage. Watch this space—the next decade will likely bring significant advances.
Bluesign (responsible fabric production), RDS (responsible down), GOTS (organic textiles), Fair Trade, and B Corp status all indicate third-party verified sustainability practices. Certifications provide more assurance than brand marketing claims alone.
Extending Jacket Life
Regardless of what you buy, extending its useful life is the most impactful sustainability action.
Proper Care
Following care instructions preserves jacket performance and longevity. Washing correctly, reproofing DWR when needed, and storing properly all extend product life. See our jacket care guide for detailed instructions.
Repair Before Replace
Most jacket damage is repairable. Torn fabric can be patched, broken zippers replaced, and worn DWR restored. Many brands offer repair services; third-party outdoor gear repair specialists also exist. Repairing a $300 jacket for $50 beats buying a new one environmentally and economically.
Responsible End-of-Life
When a jacket truly reaches end of life, consider alternatives to landfill disposal. Patagonia accepts any brand's clothing for recycling. Some materials can be recycled through municipal programs. Natural materials like untreated wool compost. Even donation to thrift stores gives jackets additional use.
Balancing Performance and Sustainability
A common concern is whether sustainable jackets match conventional alternatives in performance. Modern sustainable options generally perform excellently—recycled polyester is chemically identical to virgin, and sustainable brands often lead in innovation.
For most uses, you'll notice no performance difference choosing sustainable options. In the most demanding applications, the absolute highest-performance materials might not yet have sustainable equivalents, but this gap narrows continuously.
Making Informed Choices
Navigating sustainability claims requires critical thinking. Consider these evaluation approaches:
- Look for specifics: Vague "eco-friendly" claims mean less than quantified recycled content percentages
- Verify certifications: Third-party certifications provide independent verification
- Consider the whole picture: A durable, repairable jacket might be more sustainable than one made from recycled materials but designed for short life
- Evaluate need: The most sustainable jacket is one you don't buy unnecessarily. Assess whether you truly need a new purchase before shopping
Sustainable consumption isn't about perfection—it's about making better choices where possible while meeting your genuine needs. The outdoor industry is moving toward sustainability, and consumer demand accelerates this transition. Every sustainable purchase signals market preference and encourages broader industry change.
By choosing brands committed to environmental responsibility, caring for your gear properly, and repairing rather than replacing when possible, you can enjoy outdoor adventures while minimising your environmental footprint.