Support sustainable, socially responsible, environmentally conscious gear — and get a great deal!
We celebrate a lot of things in October, from festivities like Halloween to health initiatives like Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In the outdoor industry, October is for celebrating National Fair Trade Month. Fair Trade Certified means companies use only approved materials and abide by stringent cutting and sewing practices.
Fair Trade USA is the governing body that sets the standards for worker and community well-being, transparent supply chains, and environmental stewardship. The certification can apply to all sorts of products, from individual farmed goods (like coffee or cotton) to apparel.
In celebration of fair trade, here are three companies that are putting certified products forward this month. And even better, here are some awesome Fair Trade products on sale.
prAna
In 2010, TransFair USA changed its name to Fair Trade USA. Together with prAna, it released the first Fair Trade Certified apparel products in North America that year.
Nine years later, the company’s latest fall styles are still all Fair Trade made. Check out a host of Fair Trade apparel now, including the Women’s Cozy Up Henley Dress ($39) and Men’s Broderick Long Sleeve ($52).
United By Blue
United By Blue is putting its Fair Trade certification front and center with its new Responsible Flannel line. This awesome Fair Trade product has everything from recycled cotton to biodegradable buttons.
And on sale now (pictured below) are the Women’s Parkside 3/4 Sleeve Pocket Tee ($40) and Men’s Printed Pocket Tee ($35). Plus, for every product sold, United By Blue also removes a pound of trash from our planet’s oceans or waterways.
Patagonia
Last week, Patagonia announced that its entire line of shells — from rain jackets to ski shells — will be made with recycled materials and Fair Trade sewing.
In addition to the Shell Yeah collection, featuring more than 60 shells and waterproof products, the Fair Trade Certified Men’s Tough Puff Shirt ($119) and Women’s Woolie Fleece Pullover ($75) and are both 40-50 percent off.
