Ethical Consumer

Hi folks,

We are currently researching a buyers' guide on oudoor gear for the July/August issue of Ethical Consumer.

The buyers' guide will include 6 separate score tables for:

Tents
Sleeping bags
Rucksacks
Walking boots
Waterproof jackets
and Fleeces

We'd like to include some customer reviews of these products, as we suspect that quality might vary quite drastically between the various brands...

So please share your experiences!

Post them on this forum before the end of April and we'll hope to include some of this information in the buyers' guide.

Thanks and happy posting!

Bryony

Live feather plucking

Ethical Consumer have been contacted recently by fourpaws.org and asked to help with their live feather plucking campaign.
http://www.fourpaws.org.uk/website/output.php?id=1240&language=1

This could be question systematically asked of the sleeping bag manufacturers...because at the high end they certainly are users of down

I notice greenfibres do an organic cotton fleece..my guess is that some more of the super-ethicals may be doing this kind og thing too?

Quality - very much an issue, and very much depends on what you want to use it for. Something that is ideal for a couple of hours on sunday afternoon, isn't necessarily sutable for 2 weeks in the Alps, and vice versa. Be careful not to compare apples with oranges.

feathers - certainly worth asking sleeping bag (and jacket) manufacturers, although they're very much high end products. I only know of the RAB company that makes them. Alternatives are various hollow fill plastic fibre products.

Waterproofs. Fabric linings - gortex and competitors, vs cheaper coating based materials. Gortex is very much the field leader in being actually waterproof and mostly breathable. But expensive, and not always necessary.

I have a Millet (very much note this is not the highstreet chain store MilletS) Rucksack. Superb. Large, adjustable back, very rugged construction, compfortable, adjustable, waterproof, sensible pockets. Expensive, and the straps slip occasionally, are the only downsides. Ideal for long weekends away and carrying caving gear.

Scapa full leather boots. Probably worthy of an article in it's own rights, many forum discussions over what's best. Again differnt options for different terrain. Gortex and similar fabric lined boots may be more waterproof (certainly need less care) but only last a couple of years. Full leather needs lots of looking after and regular waxing but lasts for a decade.

Lowe Alpine - triple point waterproof jacket. Does what I need it to at 1/3 the price of Gtex. Always been happy with this as I don't go on expeditions that much.

tents - again very much purpose specific. Size vs weight vs rain/wind strength vs ease of pitching. pretty much always nylon flysheet with CarbonFibre or aluminium poles. I love the one I've got, and will post a more detailed review when I can remember the name!

Not exactly a review, more a request...

I like to see some of the canvas tent companies like Bell Tent UK and Soul Pad included in the review.
Bell Tent UK: http://www.belltent.co.uk
Soul Pad: http://soulpad.co.uk

I'd also really like to see Howies products considered:
http://www.howies.co.uk
Howies clothes are designed for all sorts of outdoor activities. I have lots of Howies products and I'm very pleased with them all, the Merino products are particularly good as they wick moisture and regulate temperature, and are a made from completely natural material - wool: http://www.howies.co.uk/section.php/16/0

I too like Howies stuff but wonder about the ture ethnicity of the company. I understand they sold out to Catapillar but make no reference to this anywhere and have stopped suppling small shops such as the one I use to buy from. Also how ethical is the processing of marino?

I was looking for ethical walking boots and have just bought a pair of Aku boots, the Souiterra Micro GTX. They seem well made, but I've not road (or hill) tested them yet. However, they are completely vegan, and are made by a small family firm with a workshop in the heart of boot-making Italy, Montebelluna near Venice. They also have about 200 employees in Cluj, Romania.

As some merino wool comes from Australian farms with allegedly low animal welfare standards, I'd be wary about buying this. I'm hoping to try out Coolmax socks, which are synthetic, but get a good write-up for performance. Also, bamboo walking socks will be worth trying as a natural, absorbent, non-animal fibre.

I like Rohan, I don't know how ethical they are, but as a fairly small British company, with an environmental and an ethical policy they seem committed to. But the main reason I would recommend them is the quality, stuff lasts so long and is well made! Which reduces the need to "consume" another item!

Merino wool can also come from New Zealand company "ice breaker" which includes a "baa code" enabling you to trace the sheep who grew the wool in your garment (similar to FSC for wood / paper etc). Their website also includes information about animal welfare.

Happy to give thoughts on any further products, my other half is vegan so we have a pair of non-leather walking boots on the go at the moment from "vegetarian shoes" website based in Brighton. New Balance (their walking trainers) are also a good option - made in UK I think, lightweight, all leather free (the company normally makes trainers for runners so weight matters) and so much choice!! Factory shops in Cumbria.

Hi all

You should always check out second-hand shops for gear too. I got a perfect Regatta windproof/waterproof jacket for €12 which I can honestly say is the best weatherproof jacket I have ever used.

David

Hi David,

Thanks for your post. Do you know of any second hand shops that specialise in outdoors gear, or was your Regatta jacket a chance purchase? I can imagine hunting for specific performance gear in charity shops might be somewhat hit and miss...

Bryony

Hi Bryony

It was a random chance, yes.

I think the real point I'm making is, be patient - visit your second-hand shops regularly. What you want will turn up eventually. That's basically what we do: decide what we want and then wait till it turns up!

Unfortunately we live in a 'must have it NOW!' culture.

David