How Sustainable is Outdoor Research?
Average Sustainability Score
Good
Updated:
Jul 07, 2026Outdoor Research has made meaningful progress in reducing its environmental impact by incorporating recycled and Bluesign-approved materials, purchasing renewable energy certificates, and using recycled packaging. Still, it lags behind some competitors when it comes to circularity initiatives such as resale, repair services, and garment recycling. While the brand has room to grow these efforts, we’re happy to say it's trending in the right direction. Let's take a closer look at how sustainable Outdoor Research really is.
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 its transparency. We appreciate that its product pages clearly identify recycled and Bluesign-approved materials. The brand also publishes a consumer-facing sustainability webpage that provides a helpful overview of its initiatives, although it includes relatively little supporting data compared with similar pages from other brands. Outdoor Research published its first annual impact report in 2022, followed by its next report in 2025, creating an extended reporting gap. However, we appreciate the depth of information included in its most recent report. The brand has also been highly responsive to Better Trail's inquiries, often providing additional information that is not available on its website.
Outdoor Research is quickly catching up to industry leaders in its use of recycled materials. Because recycled fabrics generally have a much smaller carbon footprint than their virgin counterparts, they play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the brand’s most recent data, just under 70% of its styles featured recycled content in the primary fabric in 2025. This represents a substantial improvement from 2022, when 32% of its polyester and 13% of its nylon yardage came from recycled sources. For comparison, leading brands such as Patagonia, Fjallraven, and The North Face are quickly approaching 100% recycled polyester. While Outdoor Research still trails those leaders, it has made significant progress in recent years. We also appreciate that the brand is working toward certifying its recycled materials to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), which improves material traceability and transparency.
Outdoor Research has been a Bluesign System Partner for many years, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to responsible chemical management throughout its supply chain. manufactured according to strict standards for chemical safety and environmental performance, while System Partners commit to implementing the Bluesign System across their supply chains, from chemical manufacturers to finished goods factories. In 2025 (the most recent available data), 75% of the fabric that Outdoor Research purchased was Bluesign-approved, up from 65% in 2022. That's an impressive figure among outdoor brands and places Outdoor Research among the industry leaders in adopting Bluesign-approved materials.
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. Since 2022, it has exclusively sourced Responsible Down Standard-certified down, which ensures that ducks and geese are treated humanely. Notably, all of its down comes from Allied Feather and Down, which produces Bluesign-approved and Oeko-Tex-certified down. Additionally, Outdoor Research states that all of its wool meets the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) criteria, although it is not formally RWS certified.
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 used the Higg Index tools to track its greenhouse gas emissions since 2021. The brand has committed to achieving net-zero Scope 2 (purchased electricity) emissions and reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 48% per unit of value added compared to its 2021 baseline. Unfortunately, unlike many leading brands, Outdoor Research’s targets are not verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which assesses whether corporate climate goals align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Still, the brand states that its targets are aligned with SBTi criteria despite not seeking formal validation. 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. By contrast, intensity goals allow total emissions to increase as long as emissions per unit decline.
In 2024, Outdoor Research emitted just under 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), roughly unchanged from 2023 and about 21% higher than its 2021 baseline. The brand has yet to report on its 2025 emissions. Still, its total market-based carbon footprint is smaller than that of many brands in the industry (including brands of similar size). To meet its Scope 2 net-zero emissions target, Outdoor Research purchases renewable energy certificates from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation equivalent to its total North American energy usage.
Outdoor Research published its first annual impact report in 2023, covering its 2022 sustainability progress. Unfortunately, it did not publish another report until 2026 (detailing its 2025 progress), creating a three-year reporting gap. Brands use annual impact reports to document sustainability goals, report on progress toward initiatives, and improve transparency. Despite the reporting gap, both reports are thorough and data-driven. The 2022 report provides detailed baseline emissions and material-use data, and the 2025 report provides an update on progress across several areas of our sustainability criteria. However, the latest report lacks emissions data or updates on its progress toward reducing its carbon footprint. It also provides only limited updates on circularity initiatives.
Outdoor Research is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association Climate Action Corps, a coalition working to reduce the outdoor industry's greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The initiative also helps member brands measure and reduce their carbon footprints through industry collaboration. In 2024, the most recent year reported, Outdoor Research donated $120,000 to organizations supporting conservation, education, and outdoor access. Its 16 partners included the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the Access Fund, the Conservation Alliance, Big City Mountaineers, and many others.
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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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