REI Co-op Merino 185 Sustainability Report

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The wool in the RECI Co-op Merino 185 is certified to the Responsible Wool Standard.

There are two leading certification systems for sustainably sourced wool in the outdoor industry: the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and ZQ Wool. The Responsible Wool Standard, set by The Textile Exchange, ensures wool suppliers follow best farming practices, including sustainable land management and animal and social welfare. ZQ Wool provides similar environmental and social standards and supports a network of growers who aim to sequester more carbon than they emit. Some brands use less widespread equivalent certifications, which we consider when appropriate.

The Merino 185 is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. REI is a Fair Trade Certified brand partner working with Fair Trade USA. Many REI products are manufactured in Fair Trade Certified factories, which ensure adherence to rigorous social and environmental standards, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable resource management. In 2024, REI paid a Fair Trade Premium of $718,000, totaling $2.3 million in contributions since 2016. The money goes into a fund owned by workers, who collectively choose how to use it to improve their communities.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

REI prioritizes paper-based packaging that is either Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified or made from post-consumer waste. In 2024 and 2025, 99% of paper used in REI Co-op product packaging was FSC-certified. The company has largely phased out plastic poly bags from its branded apparel product packaging. In 2023, REI retail locations eliminated in-store shopping bags. Lastly, REI uses the How2Recycle Label on its packaging to clearly communicate the best way to recycle its packaging.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

REI's Re/Supply program is an in-store marketplace for used gear. The brand offers a used gear section in most REI stores, as well as two dedicated brick-and-mortar stores in Oregon and California. REI previously offered an online resale platform, but discontinued it in 2025. By trading in gear you no longer need, you help keep it out of landfills and earn REI credit in return. The brand claims that buying used gear typically avoids 50% or more of the carbon emissions associated with new production.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

REI is certified under the Change Climate Project’s Climate Label (formerly Climate Neutral), a recognition awarded to companies that fund carbon reduction projects equivalent to their annual emissions. To maintain the label, companies must also set and actively pursue ambitious emissions reduction goals. By 2030, REI aims to reduce Scope 1 and 3 emissions by 47% from 2019 levels, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. For the past 13 years, REI has reported zero Scope 2 emissions by purchasing renewable energy credits. In 2025, REI reduced its absolute greenhouse gas footprint by 15% compared to its 2019 baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

REI has published an extensive and data-driven annual impact report since 2006. The report is broken up into sections covering sustainability initiatives, public policy, inclusion in the outdoors, and other relevant topics. In the sustainability section, REI addresses topics including waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, material sourcing, labor practices, and REI’s initiatives to encourage its partner brands to adopt more sustainable practices.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.