5 Eco-Friendly Fabrics Changing Outdoor Apparel

The outdoor community knows better than most that the planet we play on needs protecting. And while technical performance and durability still matter, today’s adventurers are also asking: “How was this made?”

Enter the rise of eco-friendly fabrics—high-performance materials designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising comfort, breathability, or strength. These innovative textiles are helping to reshape the outdoor apparel industry and drive a more sustainable future for the gear we wear on the trail, the mountain, or the campsite.

In this post, we’re spotlighting 5 eco-friendly fabrics that are making a difference—and why you might want them in your next jacket, base layer, or hiking pant.

🌱 1. Recycled Polyester (rPET)

Best for: Jackets, fleece, hiking pants, tees
Why it matters: Gives plastic bottles a second life

Recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic waste—most often PET bottles. By converting trash into technical textiles, rPET dramatically reduces the need for virgin petroleum, lowers energy use, and helps keep plastic out of landfills and oceans.

Pros:

• Strong and durable
• Moisture-wicking and quick-drying
• Lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester

🧥 Look for it in: Performance outerwear, insulating midlayers, and trail running shirts.

🐑 2. Merino Wool

Best for: Base layers, socks, thermal tops
Why it matters: Natural, renewable, and biodegradable

Merino wool is a powerhouse natural fiber that regulates temperature, wicks sweat, resists odors, and feels incredibly soft on the skin. Unlike synthetic fibers, merino breaks down in soil and returns to the earth without leaving a trace.

Pros:

• Naturally odor-resistant
• Excellent insulation without bulk
• Biodegradable and renewable

🐑 Pro tip: Choose merino sourced from ethical, cruelty-free farms and processed with non-toxic dyes.

🍃 3. TENCEL™ (Lyocell)

Best for: Travel wear, lightweight shirts, everyday layers
Why it matters: Made from responsibly sourced wood pulp

TENCEL™ Lyocell is derived from trees—usually eucalyptus—harvested from sustainably managed forests. The production uses a closed-loop system that recycles water and solvents, making it one of the most eco-friendly processes in the textile world.

Pros:

• Soft, smooth feel against skin
• Naturally breathable
• Biodegradable and gentle on the planet

👕 Look for it in: Travel-friendly tops, urban outdoor wear, and hybrid lifestyle pieces.

♻️ 4. Recycled Nylon

Best for: Shell jackets, rain gear, backpacks
Why it matters: Cuts down on petroleum use and industrial waste

Like recycled polyester, recycled nylon repurposes post-industrial and post-consumer materials—often from fishing nets, fabric scraps, or carpet fiber—to make high-performance gear. It’s tough, abrasion-resistant, and ready for rugged conditions.

Pros:

• Just as strong as virgin nylon
• Significantly lower environmental impact
• Water- and wind-resistant when treated

🎒 Watch for it in: Technical shells, durable trail shorts, and water-resistant daypacks.

🌾 5. Hemp

Best for: T-shirts, hiking shirts, casual layers
Why it matters: One of the most sustainable crops on the planet

Hemp grows quickly with minimal water, no pesticides, and actually improves soil health. As a fabric, it’s breathable, antimicrobial, and gets softer with every wash.

Pros:

• Super low-impact crop
• Long-lasting and naturally UV-resistant
• Biodegradable and compostable

🌞 Perfect for: Breathable summer apparel and tough trail basics.

♻️ Why Fabric Choice Matters

The apparel industry is one of the world’s largest polluters. But switching to eco-friendly materials can:

• Reduce water and energy use
• Minimize microplastic pollution
• Decrease greenhouse gas emissions
• Support ethical sourcing and labor practices

By choosing brands and products that prioritize sustainable fabric innovation, you’re helping to build a more responsible outdoor culture—one that gives back to the wild places we love.

🧭 At HDO Sport, We’re All In

We believe the gear you wear should perform in the outdoors—and protect it. That’s why we’re committed to offering apparel made with recycled, renewable, and low-impact materials that align with your values and lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

Eco-friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing performance. In fact, today’s most advanced outdoor gear is often built from materials that are smarter for the planet and stronger for your adventures.

So next time you shop for a jacket, base layer, or trail shirt, flip the tag. See what it’s made from—and how far it’s come.

The future of outdoor apparel is sustainable. And it looks really, really good.