In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
The market for bike accessories is overflowing like a pot of hot pasta water, and yet a trend can be recognised in all product categories in 2021. From helmets to shoes, from rucksacks to bike shorts, it's all about sustainability. It seems that no innovation can be presented without an ecological marketing strategy. The Scots from Endura not only produce clothing, but also plant a million trees every year to offset their ecological footprint. Adidas is manufacturing the legendary Five Ten Freerider 2021 from recycled plastic according to its own Primeblue standard for the first time. Backpack manufacturer Osprey relies on 100 per cent recycled and PFC-free materials for its 2021 spring collection. When it comes to sustainability, Löffler and Alpina pull an environmental joker out of their sleeves with their local production facilities in Austria and Germany. Deuter has been countering the throwaway society for some time now with a lifetime repair service, impressively emphasising the trust placed in its products, even beyond the warranty period. Vaude has even made the careful treatment of the environment an overriding corporate culture and also offers an in-house repair service. Numerous "green" certifications are of course also part and parcel of this.
The supporters of Fridays for Future should be delighted with such an environmentally conscious industry. The industry and bikers could actually be satisfied with the clear trend towards more sustainable accessories. However, Michael Braungrat, a process engineer with a doctorate in chemistry and founding member of the Green Party, can only smile at the endeavours. Together with the American William McDonough, Braungrat invented the cradle-to-cradle concept and basically says: "If you do the wrong thing less wrong, you are still not doing the right thing."
He believes that shoes made from recycled plastic are, at best, just an intermediate step towards a sustainable world. The most important thing is that the freshly produced shoe itself can be 100 per cent recycled. The design would therefore have to allow the shoe to be completely dismantled into its individual parts without any loss of material quality. And above all, the manufacturer of the shoe would have to take care of recycling itself. They would therefore have to give a guarantee that they will take the shoe back at the end of its life. Once you have internalised the cradle-to-cradle concept, you realise that eco-certifications become superfluous in such a circular society. With its latest product innovations, the accessories industry has demonstrated the right awareness of the issue of sustainability and can take the next step in the direction set by Braungrat. Consumption does not have to be demonised in general.
Shoes: e.g. Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch SPD touring shoe for platform pedals made from recycled Cordura material that is designed to dry quickly. The low-abrasion Vibram Ecostep outsole ensures sufficient grip on alpine passages.
Backpacks: e.g. Vaude Moab Pro 16 II The new backpack from Vaude has an integrated Sas-Tec back protector and is made predominantly from recycled material. The hip belt is height-adjustable and can therefore be adjusted to individual back lengths. The 16 litre volume is sufficient for extended day tours, including an integrated compartment for the hydration bladder. The outer shell of the rucksack is water-repellent.
Example helmet: e.g. Urge Alltrail - Former world champion Fabien Barel is also working on his green footprint. With his helmet brand Urge, he presents a 290 gram trail helmet that is made from 80 per cent recycled material.
Example electronics: e.g. Garmin Edge 130 Plus GPS speedometer market leader - This summer, Garmin launched a minimalist Edge 130 Plus for 200 euros. The device with a black and white display concentrates on the core tasks of a speedometer. Including navigation, the Garmin weighs just 33 grams and has a battery life of twelve hours.
