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If you’re planning an outdoor excursion this winter, you might want to first make sure you have some elemental green gear that will help you survive the chilly wilds.
- Socks
A few pairs of high quality socks are a must for staying warm. Organic wool is a great option because it is a great insulator and can hold one third its weight in water before feeling moist. Some people, however, have allergies to wool and animal fibers, so other options like organic cotton are possibilities. Here is a list of five great options for eco-friendly socks. - Shoes
If your socks are going to work well at all they have to stay dry, and that means a great pair of winter boots, such as the The North Face Men's Four Shadows GTX boots or The North Face Women's Storm Peak Boot II These boots have high quality insulation made from 30% post consumer recycled fibers and a whole lot of features that keep your feet toasty. - Clothes
Greening your winter clothes means going natural and organic wherever possible. It also means trying to find clothing with a low carbon footprint. Patagonia is one option for greener winter shopping. The manufacturer has map of several of their items so you can get a feel for what kind of traveling the raw materials and finished products do before they arrive in your reusable shopping bag. Nau is another excellent option, employing green and ethical principles in their business. To make the smallest impact with your clothing, be sure to go for quality recycled and organic gear that will last you for years. - Sleeping Bag
A high quality sleeping bag is necessary if you want to get through a freezing winter night. But many sleeping bags can be ultra-ungreen in the materials they use. Show your appreciation for the environment you’re enjoying by bringing along a green sleeping bag. An excellent option is the Marmot Eco Pro 15. The bag is insulated with 80% CoCoNa fabric blend made from coconut husks, and the outer shell is from 100% recycled PET. More great options for green sleeping bags can be found at Green Your Sleeping bag. - Tent
Even a simple tent can be greened up. Of course, the greenest way to prepare a place to sleep out on the trail is to read up on how tents work. Create your own from materials you bring with you while you're on your excursion. But that isn't the easiest, most comfortable, or convenient option. So, for a greener way to camp with ease, check out recycled tents from Nemo Equipment , or a solar powered tent with LED lighting should you manage to camp during a spat of winter sunlight. - Flashlight
Because sunlight in winter is often weak or non-existent, a flashlight is necessary. And an especially green option is a wind-up version. There are a lot of these emergency flashlights on the market, and we recommend one that is not only wind-up but also uses LED bulbs. The Freeplay Sherpa LED flashlight has been tested out and we think it’s a great, affordable option to get you through dark winter nights without needing an electrical outlet. Another cool option that is both hand-crank and solar powered for those moments when the sun is out comes from Quake Kare. It can also charge up your cell phone for emergency calls if you get snowed in somewhere.
If you're thinking of giving the gift of the outdoors this holiday season, check out the Green Gift Guide for Outdoor Enthusiasts.
Be sure to check out our How to Go Green Guides for extra tips and resources. Especially relevant are our How to Go Green: Wardrobe and How to Go Green: Outdoor Sports
Travel the great outdoors far and near with hip eco-friendly gear and learn the lowest impact ways of getting to your destinations with Planet Green Travel & Outdoors.
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