Nachhaltigkeit

The market for outdoor clothing is booming. This is understandable, as our equipment accompanies us on many mountain adventures. However, this is precisely why it is worth taking a sober look at the origin of the materials, how they are produced and what impact they have. Issues such as animal welfare, resource conservation and climate protection should not be "fun brakes", but are part of a responsible approach to our environment. Sustainability does not mean doing without, but making conscious choices. If you are out and about in the mountains, you can also make sustainable choices when buying. And no, this is not about doing without and pointing fingers, this is about buying and using wisely!

Perfect gliding on the slopes - but ski wax containing fluorine leaves invisible traces: fluorinated chemicals accumulate in the environment and in the blood and are harmful to health. How these "forever chemicals" work and why they are so problematic.

The 25th edition of the Prowinter trade fair - the central meeting point for manufacturers, retailers and brands in the winter sports and outdoor industry in the European Alpine region - will open its doors in Bolzano from January 11th to 13th, 2026. From clothing and equipment to safety-relevant and sustainable, innovative technologies, there will be plenty of new products and trends to discover. PowderGuide will be there for you to report.

As established in the two previous articles – recycling skis isn’t easy or, in many cases, not yet possible. But what other options exist for avoiding the landfill? Or at least for extending the lifetime of our equipment? Circular production can be divided into 9 Rs, with recycling way down at the bottom together with incineration of materials, as the two least circular options. Before the two there’s rethinking, reducing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing and repurposing (upcycling). These are actions that we as individual consumers can take to slow down resource loops, extend product life and reuse products. At the same time, companies can contribute to closing and narrowing resource loops by capturing value from waste through recycling, as well as through product design and resource efficiency.

The second article of the series takes a look into the struggles of choosing materials for more circular skis and snowboards, as well as the recycling of equipment at the end of it‘s lifespan.

This article is the first in a three-part series diving into the current state of circularity in the industry, the challenges of recycling skis, and innovative possibilities for the future. But before we get into all that, let’s start things off with a quick guide to circular economy and what it means for snow gear.

Outdoor and mountain sports fans know that the right equipment can make or break the success and safety of a tour. But do you really have to buy every piece of equipment needed for a particular adventure? We posed this question to the Alpine Club a few months ago. Today we present Eddy's Adventure, who have a clear answer: No! Because with its rental model, the company offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for anyone who enjoys being out in nature.

The Scott Re-Source is part of the sustainable Re-Source product line from Scott. This means that, depending on the weight, more than 50% of the ski touring boot is made from sustainable materials. The strap is made from 100% recycled material, the shell is made from 90% bio-based upper material and the liner is also partially recycled. Scott says it combines sustainability, versatility and lightness and promises nothing less than "one of the best ski touring boots on the market".

During last year's ISPO 2024 in Munich, over 180 industry experts gathered at the second Ski Industry Climate Summit to work together on solutions for a more sustainable future for the winter sports industry. The event, largely organised by Atomic, was an impressive demonstration of how collaboration and innovation can drive climate protection forward. With a 25% increase in participants compared to the premiere in 2023, the summit proves that sustainability has become a key part for the industry.

Martin is a member of POW and from time to time publishes articles on PowderGuide that deal with sustainability issues. After dealing with the contradiction between structural problem solving and the individual responsibility of skiers last winter, he is now focussing on the concept of the economy for the common good. Can this vision of a sustainable economy change our approach to nature and mountain sports forever and, above all, how does it actually work?

Namuk has long since made a name for itself beyond Switzerland's borders as an innovative and sustainable company when it comes to outdoor clothing for children. To avoid additional waste, Namuk is launching a collection made from fabric remnants left over from production. In this test report, we have the honour of taking a closer look at the unique and limited edition upcycled items.

Today's GotW introduces the well-known but sometimes forgotten sewing machine. An important function of a sewing machine in the outdoor sector is to repair items of clothing and equipment in order to extend the life of your favourite items or even redefine their intended use.