VAUDE Sparks Chain Reaction With Eco Gear
Outdoor brands have a sense of responsibility when it comes to ensuring their products are green andgoing one better is by sharing the wealth of their knowledge with other so they can also act sustainably. German-based outdoor apparel brand, VAUDE, caters for outdoor enthusiasts who want gear that matches their ethics. Think eco-friendly, easily repairable, and timeless clothing, shoes, and accessories that don’t follow fast fashion trends. But VAUDE doesn’t stop there; the Brand established its very own VAUDE Academy, which supports other brands in their process towards sustainable management. They live by the motto that, after all, it’s not a competition but rather a team sport.
What goes in to making a brand truly sustainable?
The first step for VAUDE is concrete action and accountability; every social movement begins with someone taking that first step. VAUDE products are made with less waste during production and can be easily recycled or repaired at the end of the product’s life, not skipping the integral parts in between. The birth of VAUDE’s Green Shape label shows the Brand’s commitment to all-round sustainable action, including fair working conditions and wages.
The Green Shape label, which can be seen across all VAUDE’s Bike products, uses incredible initiatives, including bio-based plastic and Nylon. These alternatives use castor oil instead of petroleum, which doesn’t compete with the food chain and grows without supplemental irrigation on poor soil. Not only does this make the product more sustainable, but bio-based Nylon is lighter, less absorbent, and stronger than conventional Nylon. A win for both the planet and the consumer.
Did you know your VAUDE gear may be made from recycled tyres? In keeping with the circular economy, VAUDE opts for post-consumer recycled items which go into the creation of yarns, zips, and buttons. Working alongside the bluesign system, VAUDE can achieve an energy-efficient process when creating its gear – all without harmful substances.
Fair working conditions are determined by how the product is manufactured – not where. VAUDE ensures its
factories pay the living wage, not minimum wage, and that good working conditions are implemented. These factors are all monitored by independent Fair Wear auditors. VAUDE is keen on its commitment to fair working conditions to positively influence other brands.
To monitor the Green Shape label, VAUDE works with well-known experts who provide technical advice, to ensure that gear will be developed to the highest standard and to ensure it meets the strictest specifications in the textile industry. The next steps are to increase the credibility of Green Shape, by receiving external verification.
VAUDE’s HQ has been Climate Neutral since 2012, and all its products have been Climate
Neutral since 2022.
VAUDE Proof Back TR Single
This Green Label Climate Neutral single pannier for the rear wheel features a technical design with a large, practical gear net, spacious main compartment with top and side roll closure alongside HF-welded seams ensuring the pannier is fully waterproof. There’s an elastic cord for attaching gear and a removeable shoulder strap that can also be used as a packing strap. The user-friendly QMR 2.0 attachment system fits racks with a diameter of 8 – 6 mm. The Proof Back TR Single is primarily made with recycled Econyl in Germany.
