Bike clothing with a green soul

Triple 2

Triple2 creates sustainable functional clothing from old fishing nets, PET bottles, merino and organic cotton. The Munich-based company was founded a good ten years ago by former BIKE editor Matthias Dreuw (see interview) and produces in Croatia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania - ensuring short delivery routes and high social standards. The label has everything for bikers, from socks to jackets. Such as the SMUDD-nul jacket: 279.95 euros, 160 grams light, waterproof and breathable >> available here.

Patagonia

More than half recycled materials, cotton only from organic cultivation, more than 80 per cent of products with the Fairtrade seal. Nevertheless, Patagonia recognises this: It needs to do even better. It therefore discloses its supply chains, invests one per cent of its total turnover in environmental protection and openly rejects the concept of sustainable economic growth. The climbing brand also has something for bikers in its programme, such as the Dirt Roamer Liner Bib with storage pockets on the back and Fairtrade seal for 190 euros >> available here.

Urge

Chin straps made from recycled PET, helmet shells made from recycled polystyrene, even visors and chin bars are partly made from recycled materials by French manufacturer Urge. In this way, the French company manages to minimise the ecological footprint of a product that is actually complex because it is made up of many materials. One example: the Gringo de la Pampa, which only contains a proportion of non-recycled material in the removable chin guard. Cost of the helmet: 159 euros.

Shred

Unfortunately, glasses are rarely really environmentally friendly. The US company Shred is at least making an effort to improve its carbon footprint. The strap of the Nastify-Mtb+Goggle (84.95 euros) is therefore largely made from recycled plastic - around two old bottles provide the raw material. The company is also part of the One Percent for the Planet initiative >> available here.

Endura

The Scottish clothing brand Endura has set itself the goal of being CO2-negative by 2024. To achieve this, trees are being diligently planted in Mozambique and Scotland and recycled materials are being used. After all, Endura partly produces in the United Kingdom, offers a repair service and does not use environmentally harmful materials such as PFC or PTFE. Here are the Singletrack Lite Shorts (79.95 euros), lightweight but sturdy trousers for the summer months >> here or available here.

Vaude

Vaude was one of the first major producers of outdoor textiles to commit to high environmental standards and fair working conditions. Although production still takes place in Asia, Vaude relies on long-term partnerships with the factories and regular monitoring of standards by the independent Fair Wear Foundation. The repair service is strong, meaning that particularly high-quality and poorly recyclable products such as the eBracket 28 battery backpack (160 euros) can be used for a long time >> available here.

Five Ten

You wouldn't expect much from the global player Adidas, to which Five Ten belongs, when it comes to sustainability. But Adidas wants to do more than just set an example. The company already sources 60 per cent of the polyester it uses from recycled PET, is making efforts to use plant-based leather and aims to have already reduced its ecological footprint by 50 per cent compared to 2015. One result of these efforts: the Freerider Pro Primeblue with recycled PET for 140 euros >> available here.

Osprey

The backpack specialists have set themselves the goal of becoming the most progressive and sustainable brand in the sector. Entire product ranges are already made from 100 per cent recycled materials. In addition, Osprey operates an intensive repair service to extend the service life of its products and also takes back old rucksacks, which are then passed on to new customers after being refurbished. Interesting for bikers: for example, the Talon 22 made from recycled nylon for 130 euros >> available here.

Spoonbill

A low-key product in terms of sustainability. However, production in Austria alone ensures a high standard of environmental protection and occupational safety. Even when it comes to raw materials, Löffler achieves what many consider impossible: 70 per cent of the fabrics come from the company's own knitting mill and the yarn comes entirely from Europe. This results in sustainable and high-quality functional clothing such as the Light Hybrid wind jacket for 129.99 euros >> available here.

Interview with Matthias Dreuw, founder of the outdoor label Triple2

EMTB: Short product cycles, one new collection per year. Clothes and sustainability, isn't that a contradiction?

Matthias Dreuw: Yes, even if we are fortunately a long way away from the classic fashion industry with four collections a year in the outdoor sector. The art is to design as timelessly as possible and to make products that are as durable as possible. The two go hand in hand. It's no use if our clothes last a long time but nobody wears them for as long as they could.

What is important for a jacket or trousers to last a long time?

Even the quality of the raw materials plays a role. And production must be very high quality and precise. For example: the smaller the seam spacing, the higher the production costs, but the better the durability. A repair service helps if something breaks before its time.

Is that economical? In the end, sustainable companies also have to make a profit.

In the high-end segment, you can also do well if the customer doesn't buy something new every year, but is prepared to pay a little more for sustainability. In the end, it's also up to the consumer. Only what is in demand will prevail.