Green up your walking with these eco-friendly items of walking gear. My challenge was to find walking clothing that provided high performance sweat-wicking action while being eco-friendly. I don't wear organic cotton or hemp because they don't wick away sweat. Several manufacturers are using recycled fibers and newly-engineered natural materials to produce high performance exercise wear that is eco-friendly.
1. Camelbak Performance Water Bottle
Wendy Bumgardner © 2008
Save money and save the earth by ending the disposable water bottle habit. This reusable bottle has a wide mouth for filling with ice and water, and you can wash it in the dishwasher. My walking buddies love this Camelbak water bottle because you don't have to tilt them up and obstruct your view to drink out of it. You just suck on the bite valve and the interior straw draws up your water. Lock it off with a valve for extra leakage protection. It has graduations on the side for 8, 12, and 22 oz. and 150, 300, and 650 ml so you can judge how much you are drinking. As of 2008, they are made of BPA-free materials.
2. Patagonia Capilene Zip-Neck Shirts
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Patagonia says that over 86 million plastic bottles have been recycled to produce their Capilene base layer shirts, fleece jackets and other items using polyester. Their zip-neck Capilene shirts are available in three different weights to match your needs for a breathable, sweat-wicking base layer. I love the zip neck to give me the option of zipping it up when it is cooler and opening it when I've warmed up.
3. GoLite DriMove Tops
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I insist on wearing sweat-wicking fibers for comfort and performance. DriMove combines high-tech polyester with CoCoNa™ activated carbon made from discarded coconut shells. They say it transfers moisture 50% faster than many other high-tech polyester fabrics. It doesn't wash out and it gives great sun protection for a UPF of more than 50. While some fabrics have added chemicals to reduce odor, the activated carbon does that here. Stay dry, stay cool, smell fresher and protect your skin. All thanks to recycled coconut shells.
4. Teko EcoMerino and EcoWash Wool Socks
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Teko makes environmentally-friendly socks. For those who prefer wool socks, these are made of EcoMerino wool from a fifth-generation sustainable farm in Tasmania. Their EcoWash wool is processed to be non-shrinking by using ozone rather than the chlorine used in that process by other manufacturers. They use recycled polyester in their blends. The socks are well-engineered for walking and hiking, but I find the fit a bit narrow.
5. Ingeo Socks
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Both Teko and Fox River make sweat-wicking socks from Ingeo corn fiber. Corn fiber is natural and renewable. Most sweat-wicking socks are made of non-recyclable blends and have to be sent to the landfill once they are worn out. You can actually put these in your compost bin and turn them into gardening soil. I tried a pair of the Teko socks and they were soft and comfortable and performed well.
6. Champion Vapor Bra
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When somebody says "coconut bra" I definitely get a Gilligan's Island image in my head. But CoCoNa technology uses recycled coconut shells to make activated carbon and blend it with polyester for a sweat-wicking fiber that reduces odor. It also provides great sun-protection, but I wasn't planning to wear the bra without a shirt.
7. Osprey Resource Packs and Bags
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Osprey's Resource line of day packs and bags are made of PET from recycled bottles. You can choose from several designs of day packs that are great for longer walks and commutes. Or you can choose sling bags or courier bags if you prefer to side carry.
8. Used Exercise Gear
Reduce, reuse, recycle. You will save money as well as follow that ethic by shopping for pre-owned treadmills, free weights, exercise balls and other home gym gear. Go local by keeping your eyes open as you pass garage sales on your fitness walks in your neighborhood and browsing Craigslist and Freecycle. Thrift stores are another good source for used exercise clothing and equipments.9. Recharge Your Gadgets with a Solar-Powered Backpack
Disconnect from the grid by using the sun to recharge your cell phone or MP3 player while on the move. These backpacks use solar panels to collect the sun's energy and put it to work for you. For those of us who love our electronics but want to reduce the carbon footprint of using them, this gives you a purpose to be out walking and recharging each day.
