Choosing to use a natural yoga mat can help you stay in unison with your personal values, while enjoying many of yoga’s other benefits. There are several things to consider when looking for a more eco-friendly yoga mat. Greener yoga mats are often more expensive than plastic mats. Which makes sense, when you think about it. Production costs associated with pumping out PVC laden mats are much lower than working with natural materials. Also, because these mats are made from natural materials, they can break down more readily than the PVC mat competition, however technology and improved manufacturing methods have made this more of a mute point. In addition, some eco-friendly mats will emit a natural odor, but in most cases this can be solved by airing out your mat for an hour or so before its first use. Keep reading →

When the weather turns warmer, it often turns wetter. A waterproof, breathable shell can keep you dry inside and out. The days of sweaty rubber rain gear are gone, as new technologies allow fabrics to release heat, by allowing moist air to pass through the material, but only moving inside to out. So body moisture escapes, and rain water beads and rolls off the shell. This way, you stay comfortable and dry, on the inside, and outside of the jacket. Technology has also allowed manufacturers to make rain gear more environmentally friendly with less toxic water repellent coatings, and fabrics made from recycled materials. These versatile and green hard shells work great as backpacking companions, lightweight ski jackets, or everyday wear. Keep reading →

So, you have decided to kick that nasty bottled water habit? Good for you! I’m sure you already know about the huge environmental impact of the bottled water industry, like the more than 1.5 million barrels of oil that are used to make bottled water each year. Or maybe that 90% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills, instead of being recycled. But, have you also heard some of the many benefits of drinking tap water? Most tap water in the U.S. is as safe or safer than bottled water, which makes sense considering that 40% of all bottled water is just filtered tap water! Haven’t you ever wondered what the “Municipal Source” or “Community Water System” labels mean on your bottled water? Yup, filtered tap water. So what if I told you that you could make this same bottled water, at your home or on the go, save money, and drastically decrease your environmental footprint? Here are some of my favorites that use high-end carbon water filters to clean tap water of chlorine, iodine and other bad tasting chemicals while you drink! Keep reading →

With the close of the Winter Olympics yesterday, I wanted to draw your attention to one of the coolest style stories that I learned about during the Games.

Roots is a clothing company that’s based firmly in Canada. It’s not an official sponsor of the games this year, although it has been in the past. There’s been a bit of controversy over the fact that the company has promoted patriotic athletic wear over the last few months, apparently in an attempt to conduct ambush marketing, but that’s all by-the-by in this story.

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While snowboarding may not be the most eco-friendly sport out there – especially the lift-served, made-snow variety – there are some snowboard companies going all out to make a difference. Companies are raising awareness of the threat that climate change is posing to our winter wonderlands, helping riders find the resorts that are putting some green towards being green, and working to make their products as sustainable as possible.  After all, it’s in their interest to keep the snow falling!

In 2007, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, formed Protect our Winters (POW); an organization aimed at bringing the winter sports community together to focus on initiatives that will have a direct impact on the climate change that has become such a threat to our mountains and glaciers. In other words, to prevent the official rise of grassboarding as a sport. Our options are becoming more limited, as smaller resorts that rely on only natural snow are being forced to close. Beyond the future of the sport, in many places snow pack is a natural storage system for water used to irrigate agricultural lands, come snow melt in spring. As glaciers recede, and snow accumulations lessen, many people who depend on them for food and water are threatened. Keep reading →

Mountainsmith is pulling off the gloves and proving that materials, otherwise headed for the trash pile, can be recycled to make durable, high-performance products.  Mountainsmith is truly setting the example for the industry, and has put in the extra umph to close the loop.  Instead of providing only goods that are recyclable, Mountainsmith’s products are actually made with other recycled materials.  Each Mountainsmith pack reduces green house gas emissions by 40% when compared to a pack of a similar size, made with run-of-the-mill materials and processes.

As an innovative outdoor pack, camera bag, and luggage manufacturer based in Golden, CO, Mountainsmith is no newbie to environmental responsibility.  In 2006 they were the first company to bring recycled fabric technology to high-perfomance outdoor packs. Then in 2008, their Phoenix pack won the coveted Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Green Award. This year Mountainsmith will release 11 new bags that will bring 35% of their product line under the “made of recycled materials” tag. Keep reading →

Sometimes even when you’re out in touch with nature, out on a hike or a bird watching adventure, it can be hard to detach yourself from the modern world and leave your plethora of gadgets behind, but without access to a place to plug in and keep your gadgets charged it can be hard to maintain your addiction.

The Voltaic Solar Daypack is perfect for a day hike in the woods so you can get in touch with nature and bring your favorite companions along; your Blackberry, iPod, iPhone, GPS and whatever else you just can’t stand to leave at home. The backpack is solar powered, so as you carry your water, a lunch, and your camera, you can also use the solar pack’s pockets and wire channels to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. It’s a green option that allows you to conserve electricity without being left chained to your home when your personal gadgets are out of batteries. Keep reading →

For many of us, summer means many outdoor activities and overnight adventures. Whether you are heading to a music festival or family camping trip, “roughing it” out in the woods may never be the same again!   The Orange Solar Concept Tent won’t be your average run-of-the mill tent.  This tech-savvy tent is sure to be a camper’s dream-come-true.

As the name suggests, the tent is solar.  The energy from the sun will provide heating, lighting, recharging and communication to the tent.  Instead of using traditional solar panels to capture the sun’s energy, the tent is fitted with a revolutionary material.  The photovoltaic fabric is made by weaving specially coated solar threads into an outer fabric.  The three glides can be easily adjusted and rotated to capture the most sunlight and maximize efficiency. Keep reading →

We’ve gathered up some of the finest examples of backpacks made from recycled materials.  So dig into the selection for and of your upcoming adventures – and by adventures, we mean anything from hut jumping in the Alps to grabbing the Green Line to Back Bay, and everything in between.

Osprey Packs React Daypack

Made from 76% recycled materials and choc full of helpful everyday features like a padded laptop sleeve, lots of stow-away pockets and a wide-mouthed opening, you won’t go wrong with the Osprey React.  And of the React isn’t quite what you need, Osprey two additional daypacks in their ReSource Series of recycled materials packs – so check them out to find the one that’s just-right for you and your back. Keep reading →