- Finisterre Bowmont Shirt
Not for running in, but
fantastic for windproof
cosiness when keeping warm
before and after a run. The
Cornish brand revived an
almost extinct flock of British
Bowmont merino sheep to
make this shirt.
£175, finisterre.com - BAM Bamboo Leggings
Made from a bamboo/organic
cotton mix, these leggings are
perfect for winter running.
Bamboo is biodegradable and
naturally antimicrobial; it also
grows faster and needs less
water than cotton.
£34-£44 bambooclothing.
co.uk - Adidas Parley
Climacool socks
Comfort for your feet and
conscience via Econyl yarn,
made from recycled fishing
nets and other waste nylon.
£10, prodirectrunning.com - Adidas Ultra Boost Parley
Made from plastic waste
collected from coastal
communities; sales from this
eco-friendlier version of the
Ultraboost shoe go towards
community projects.
£149.95, adidas.co.uk - Patagonia Airchaser Shirt
This T-shirt is Fairtrade-sewn,
made with recycled polyester
and treated with recycled
coffee grounds for natural
odour and UV protection.
£55, eu.patagonia.com
ANTIMICROBIAL TREATMENTS: As
odour-causing bacteria grow
better in synthetic fabrics than in
natural fabrics, many brands treat
their synthetics with anti-odour
agents. This means more wears
between washes and can also extend
the wearable life of your kit, but
research by the Swedish Chemical
Agency found up to 50 per cent of
antimicrobial treatments rinsed out
after just 10 washes. These silver
nanoparticles are then absorbed by
marine life and, while long-term
consequences aren’t yet known, the
indications are it may become an
issue in the future. Look for natural
antimicrobial treatments such as
S.Café – used by Asics, Vaude, Helly
Hansen and New Balance – which is
made using recycled coffee grounds,
and is long-lasting, too. When your
kit reaches the limits of social
acceptability, Nikwax Basewash and
Basefresh are eco-friendly, wash-in
cleaning and deodorising agents that
may give it a new lease of life.PRINTING AND DYEING: Textiles go
through various stages of printing
and dyeing, from base colours to logos
and ref lective details. Look for The
Soil Association’s Global Organic
Textile Standard (GOTS) and
Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex to
guarantee environmental and social
standards. Garment printing often
uses PVC-based Plastisol, covering
your technical fabrics in unbreathable
plastic that often peels off after a few
washes. Water-based inks are just as
vivid, often more durable, but they
are biodegradable, breathable and
non-toxic. Look for GOTS and
Oeko-Tex certification in organic
clothing from brands such as Howies
and Finisterre.warmth-to-weight ratio, down
is sourced from ducks and geese.
The Responsible Down Standard
safeguards the welfare of the birds,
and there are also now some great
synthetic alternatives available,
including Primaloft Eco, which
contains 60 per cent recycled
materials, and Cornwall-based
Finisterre’s innovative new synthetic
Engineered Insulation S-form fill,
containing 92 per cent recycled
polyester. Recycled down and wool
are also being used by companies
such as Patagonia and Smartwool.WHAT ABOUT
THE PROCESS?
COATING, TREATMENTS, printing
and dyeing at various stages of the
manufacturing process can all have
an environmental impact. Here are a
few key things to look out for:PFCS: Many brands use PFCs
(f luorocarbons) to add a durable
water-repellent (DWR) coating
to the outside of garments, but
these chemicals have been found
in recent studies to harm health
and the environment, including
increasing cancer incidence and
damaging children’s immune
systems. Thankfully PFC-free
alternatives are becoming more
common. French brand Picture
and UK-based Paramo’s ranges are
100 per cent PFC-free, as are most
of Vaude’s products. Greenpeace’s
Detox Outdoor campaign (detox-
outdoor.org) lists the brands that are
performing well – and not so well –
in the fight against PFCs.Bluesign A system
for sustainable
textile production,
eliminating harmful
substances and
setting standards for
environmentally
friendly and safe
manufacturing.Soil Association
GOTS certification:
Though it is best
known for certifying
food products, the Soil
Association also
certifies textileproducts that are
produced to strict
environmental and
social standards.Fair Wear Foundation
Works with brands to
improve working
conditions.Fairtrade Foundation
Ensures a fair deal for
over 1.65 million
farmers and workers
in 1,411 producer
organisations across
the Fairtrade system.OEKO-TEX The
Standard 100 by
Oeko-Tex is a
worldwide
independent testing
and certification
system for harmful
substances involved in
all stages of textile
manufacture.Responsible Down
Standard Works to
safeguard the welfare
of geese and ducks
that provide down
and feathers.B Corp Certifies
rigorous standards
of social and
environmental
performance,
accountability and
transparency.1% For The Planet
A global network of
businesses, non-profit-
making organisations
and individuals
donating at least one
per cent of their sales
to environmental
projects.KNOW
LOGO
Check labels for
these key logos
before you buyPH
OT
OG
RA
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S:
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MAY 2019 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK 067ETHICAL KIT