How Sustainable is Outdoor Research?
Average Sustainability Score
Good
Outdoor Research has made efforts to reduce its environmental impact by designing products with Bluesign-approved materials, purchasing renewable energy certificates, and incorporating recycled materials into its packaging. Still, it lags behind some competitors in circularity initiatives such as resale, repair services, and garment recycling, marking a substantial gap in its sustainability efforts. Sustainability at Outdoor Research is a mixed bag, but we’re happy to say that the brand is trending in the right direction. Let’s dig in to evaluate the question: How sustainable is Outdoor Research, really?
This sustainability analysis evaluates both product- and brand-level initiatives to capture the full scope of Outdoor Research's efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Our research draws from Outdoor Research's published sustainability data, third-party certifications (a cornerstone of our process), and correspondence with brand representatives. We have independently researched over 25 Outdoor Research products to date and counting, giving us a broad understanding of the brand’s use of low-impact materials, chemistry, and manufacturing practices.
You can explore our analyses of other outdoor brands, or use our advanced search to find products that align with your sustainability values.
Outdoor Research receives a “Good” rating for transparency surrounding its sustainability practices. We appreciate that its product pages include clear sustainability information about recycled and Bluesign-approved materials, leaving little room for questions. Outdoor Research publishes a consumer-facing sustainability webpage with an overview of the brand’s practices, but compared to similar pages, it is sparse on concrete data. Additionally, the brand produced its first annual impact report in 2022 but has not released one since, leaving unanswered questions regarding its sustainability progress over the past several years. Still, Outdoor Research has been highly responsive to Better Trail’s inquiries, typically providing us with additional data that is not published on its website.
Compared to leading brands, Outdoor Research uses very few recycled materials in its products. Recycled fabrics have a much smaller carbon footprint than their virgin alternatives, making them a key component of many brands’ strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. According to its most recent data, published in 2022, 32% of Outdoor Research’s polyester and 13% of its nylon yardage were made from recycled materials. For comparison, brands like Patagonia, Fjallraven, and The North Face are nearing 100% recycled polyester by weight.
Still, we appreciate that the brand is working toward certifying its recycled materials to the Global Recycled Standard and Recycled Claims Standard to enhance traceability and transparency. Additionally, although its total yardage of recycled materials is somewhat low, over half of the Outdoor Research products we’ve researched incorporate these low-impact fabrics.
Outdoor Research has been a Bluesign System Partner for many years, demonstrating its commitment to low-impact chemistry and environmental impact management. Bluesign-approved materials are produced in accordance with high standards for chemical management, and System Partners—including Outdoor Research—are brands that commit to implementing the Bluesign System across their supply chain, from chemical manufacturers to finished goods factories. As of its most recent data, published in 2022, Outdoor Research uses 65% Bluesign-approved materials across its products. Among the Outdoor Research products we’ve researched, nearly 90% feature Bluesign-approved materials, positioning the brand as a leader in this area.
In 2023, Outdoor Research began working toward eliminating PFAS from its durable water-repellent (DWR) treatments and waterproof membrane materials. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were historically used to waterproof outdoor gear like rain jackets and ski outerwear, but unfortunately, they are extremely environmentally persistent. PFAS are also associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, leading states like California and New York to ban them from use in textiles in 2025.
Outdoor Research launched its first PFAS-free products in spring 2024, with 80% of its new products featuring PFAS-free chemistry. In spring 2025, it completed its PFAS phase-out in partnership with Nikwax, a long-time manufacturer of aftermarket, PFAS-free DWR treatments and technical garment detergents. Moving forward, all Outdoor Research products will be free from intentionally added PFAS. Outdoor Research was on par with most other outdoor brands in its PFAS phase-out timeline; still, leaders like Fjallraven were far ahead of the curve, phasing out PFAS from its products in 2015.
Outdoor Research has made respectable progress toward sourcing third-party-certified, responsibly sourced natural fibers such as down and wool. Gaps remain, though: Unlike other brands we’ve researched, Outdoor Research does not source leather in accordance with any third-party accreditation programs, such as the Leather Working Group (which ensures that leather comes from tanneries that manage waste and chemicals, reduce water and energy use, and more).
When it comes to down and wool, the brand has made much more significant progress. In 2016, it began sourcing only Responsible Down Standard-certified down, which ensures that ducks and geese are treated humanely. Additionally, all of its wool meets the criteria described by the Responsible Wool Standard, but unlike other brands we researched, Outdoor Research’s wool is not formally certified. In this area, the brand is on the right track but has room for improvement.
As an Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) member, Outdoor Research has adopted the OIA’s Fair Labor Code of Conduct for its manufacturing processes. The brand also utilizes the Social and Labor Convergence Program and the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module to assess working conditions at its factories. While these programs provide valuable insights into conditions at Outdoor Research’s suppliers, they do not issue certifications verifying that a brand has met specific manufacturing standards, unlike accreditation programs, such as Fair Trade Certified. To meet our responsible manufacturing criteria, we require that brands be accredited against standards set by a third-party responsible manufacturing program that results in a formal certification or factory rating. We also require that brands be audited on a regular basis to ensure compliance with standards over time.
Instead of virgin packaging, Outdoor Research uses recycled poly bags in its product packaging. Although packaging typically accounts for only a small percentage of a brand’s emissions, it can account for a substantial share of the waste associated with its supply chain. Unfortunately, we have yet to confirm what other packaging materials and reductions Outdoor Research has made.
Unlike most leading outdoor brands, Outdoor Research does not offer repair services for its products, including those covered under warranty. Repair services help customers keep their outdoor gear in use longer, reducing waste by extending its lifespan. Brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Cotopaxi, and Fjallraven offer free and low-cost repair services to ensure that minor issues, like broken zippers, don’t consign your favorite jacket to the landfill.
Outdoor Research replaces warrantied products under its Infinite Guarantee, which covers manufacturer defects for the lifetime of the product. When you send a defective product back to the brand, Outdoor Research donates it to organizations working in areas struck by disaster and community organizations serving those who don’t have access to outdoor gear. Still, we hope to see the brand launch a repair program in the future.
While Outdoor Research operates an outlet shop for samples and factory seconds at its warehouse in Des Moines, Washington, the brand does not offer a used gear resale platform or recycling service. We consider these programs to be essential components of a circular business model: Resale platforms, like Patagonia’s Worn Wear, allow customers to buy and sell used gear rather than buying new (thereby decreasing emissions associated with manufacturing a new product), while recycling programs address textile waste, turning heavily used products into new materials. Unfortunately, Outdoor Research has not announced plans to launch either of these programs, putting it a step behind in circularity when compared to similar brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Fjallraven, and Cotopaxi.
Outdoor Research has been using Higg Index tools to track its greenhouse gas emissions since 2021. The brand committed to reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 48% per unit of value added compared to its 2021 baseline, but unfortunately, unlike many other leading brands, Outdoor Research’s target is not verified with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which ensures that climate goals are aligned with limiting warming to 1.5 °C. Still, Outdoor Research states that its target aligns with SBTi criteria. While we appreciate that the brand has a Scope 3 reduction goal, we consider absolute reduction goals the gold standard because they decouple emissions from business growth.
Outdoor Research’s target is an economic intensity target, which allows total emissions to increase (while requiring the carbon intensity per unit to decrease). In 2023, Outdoor Research emitted just under 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), up from its 2021 baseline measurement of 15,724 tCO2e. The brand has yet to report on its 2024 emissions. Still, its total market-based carbon footprint is smaller than that of many brands in the industry (including brands of similar size). Notably, Outdoor Research purchases renewable energy certificates from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation equivalent to its total North American energy usage. In 2022, the brand purchased 1,000 MWh of renewable energy certificates to meet its Scope 2 net-zero emissions target.
In 2023, Outdoor Research published its inaugural annual impact report, detailing its 2022 sustainability progress. The report was relatively comprehensive, but unfortunately, the brand has not published a report since. It planned to publish a 2024 report in 2025, but as of the end of 2025, it has yet to be published. Brands use annual impact reports to document sustainability goals, report on progress toward initiatives, and improve transparency into their practices. While Outdoor Research’s 2022 report offers detailed baseline emissions and material use data, we have limited information detailing its progress over the past several years, marking a gap in transparency. Despite its short length, the brand’s initial impact report was thorough and data-driven compared to those of similar brands. We hope to see an update on the brand’s progress in the near future.
Outdoor Research is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps, a group of brands working toward decreasing the outdoor industry’s total emissions by 50% by 2030, with the aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The group also helps brands measure and reduce their carbon footprints through industry collaboration. Additionally, in 2024 (the most recent year reported on), Outdoor Research donated $120,000 to partner organizations supporting conservation, education, and other causes. Partners included the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the Access Fund, the Conservation Alliance, Big City Mountaineers, and many others.
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Our Sustainability Ratings Explained
These products are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They often meet 80% or more of our sustainability criteria for their category.
These products are solid, middle-of-the-pack options for sustainability. In general, they meet at least half of our sustainability criteria for their category.
These products are among the least sustainable in their product category and have significant room for improvement. Most meet about 25% or less of our sustainability criteria.
Better Trail Certified Process
The world of sustainability can be murky, but Better Trail is here to help bring clarity. We’ve exhaustively researched thousands of outdoor gear products, communicated with brands, and created a detailed and rigorous ratings system to bring it all together for you. At the pinnacle is Better Trail Certified.
Better Trail Certified products score 4 out of 5 or higher in our sustainability ratings and generally meet around 80% or more of our criteria. While it’s true that no product is 100% sustainable—all take resources to create and arrive at your doorstep—these products are industry leaders and among the most sustainable on the market.
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