Materials

Fine-fiber wool prized for temperature regulation and odor resistance.

Merino fibres are ~17–24 microns thick, giving next-to-skin softness with natural crimp for insulation and moisture buffering. Merino regulates temperature, resists odour through days of use and is biodegradable — the default for premium base layers and running socks.

Cotton grown without synthetic pesticides — common in lifestyle tees.

GOTS-certified organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs, using less water than conventional cotton. It's the go-to fibre for post-training tees, lifestyle hoodies and sustainability-forward athletic capsules.

Post-consumer PET spun into performance yarns.

Recycled polyester (rPET) is spun from post-consumer bottles or reclaimed textiles. It delivers the strength, colour and moisture-wicking of virgin polyester with a lower carbon footprint, and is widely certified via GRS. Used across running kit, jackets and football shirts.

Durable, abrasion-resistant synthetic used in shells and packs.

Nylon (polyamide) offers a very high strength-to-weight ratio, tear resistance and abrasion resistance. Ripstop weaves and Cordura variants dominate shell face fabrics, pack bodies and gaiters. ECONYL uses regenerated ocean and landfill nylon waste.

Goose or duck down clusters providing best-in-class warmth-to-weight.

Down clusters trap air with unmatched efficiency — measured in fill power (600–1000). Certified down (RDS) ensures welfare standards. Used across insulated jackets, sleeping bags and puffer vests where dry, still-air conditions matter most.

Polyester insulation designed to mimic down while performing when wet.

Synthetic 'downs' — PrimaLoft, Coreloft, Thermoball, Plumafill — use engineered polyester fibres or clusters to approximate down's loft. They keep insulating when wet, dry fast and are the right choice for humid, rainy and mixed alpine conditions.

Aramid fiber used for reinforcement in high-abrasion zones.

Kevlar (para-aramid) is heat-resistant and extremely tough. In sportswear it's woven or blended into reinforcement panels for climbing, motorcycling and workwear, and used in cut-resistant gloves and pack bottoms.

Ultra-light, ultra-strong polyethylene fiber used in shells and packs.

As a material spec, Dyneema (UHMWPE) reinforces ripstop grids in shell fabrics and forms the basis of composite fabrics (DCF) for ultralight shelters and packs. It's non-absorbent, floats, and shrugs off tears.

Stiff, light composite used in plates for super-shoes and gear.

Carbon-fibre plates and lattices deliver very high stiffness at negligible weight — the enabler of the super-shoe era in road racing, and used across cycling shoe soles, ski boots, poles and tent stakes.

Light corrosion-resistant metal used in hardware and cookware.

Titanium delivers ~half the weight of steel with excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. In outdoor kit it's specified for ultralight cookware, sporks, tent stakes, ice screws and premium bike/eyewear hardware.

Natural material used in lifestyle footwear and gloves.

Full-grain and nubuck leathers provide durability, weather resistance (once treated) and character. Used in hiking boots, approach shoes, belay/work gloves and heritage sneakers; LWG-certified tanneries indicate lower environmental impact.