REI Co-op Midweight Sustainability Report
Sustainability
The REI Co-op Midweight is a top sustainability pick, second only to Patagonia’s Capilene Thermal Weight. It is made from 92% recycled and Bluesign-approved fabric. The Midweight is also produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory, as are many other REI products.
At the brand level, REI’s Re-supply program is an excellent example of how companies can extend the lifespan of their products and keep them out of landfills. REI also tracks its carbon footprint as part of its goals to reach a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. In the meantime, REI purchases carbon credits to offset its impact and has achieved Carbon Neutral Certification. Furthermore, REI invests in responsible manufacturing through its partnership with Fair Trade USA. Like the Midweight LS, most REI products are manufactured in Fair Trade Certified factories. All in all, the Midweight base layer impressively hits all of our sustainability criteria.
Below, we break down in detail all of the REI Co-op Midweight's sustainability attributes at the product and brand level, including links to in-depth articles on relevant topics. For more, see our guide to the best base layers and our review of the REI Co-op Midweight.
The Midweight features a polyester fabric, which is more durable than all-merino or blended base layers. But despite its 220-gram weight, it lacks the hardwearing nature of more technical and premium polyester base layers.
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.
REI Co-op Midweight
Base Layers Sustainability Comparison
Longevity
Recycled Materials
Bluesign Approved
Responsible Manufacturing
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Carbon Footprint Tracking
Annual Impact Report
Longevity
Recycled Materials
Bluesign Approved
Responsible Manufacturing
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Carbon Footprint Tracking
Annual Impact Report
Longevity
Recycled Materials
Bluesign Approved
Responsible Manufacturing
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Carbon Footprint Tracking
Annual Impact Report
Our Sustainability Ratings Explained
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.