Ethics & Sustainability

We don’t believe in perfect products. We believe in making better ones, with care, and being honest about the impact along the way.

Digital footprint

Running a website uses energy.

Servers, storage and data transfer all have a footprint, and the internet as a whole now accounts for a meaningful share of global electricity use.

This site is hosted with Krystal, an independent UK provider that runs on 100% renewable energy rather than offsets. Their infrastructure is designed to be energy efficient, and they’re a certified B Corp with commitments to reducing emissions and supporting environmental projects.

It doesn’t make the internet impact-free, but it’s a clear step in the right direction.

Materials

Ultralight gear relies on high-performance materials. The aim isn’t to remove impact entirely, but to reduce it as much as possible while building products that last.

We use Challenge UltraGrid for the majority of our packs. It’s made using 100% recycled nylon sourced from pre-consumer industrial waste and is designed to reduce emissions compared to virgin materials.

For stretch pockets, we use Challenge UltraStretch. It’s a tough woven fabric designed to resist abrasion and hold its shape over time. In practice, that means fewer failures and fewer replacements.

Durability matters. Gear that lasts longer is used longer and replaced less often.

PFC-free water repellency

All fabrics are treated with a C0 DWR finish.

This means the water repellent coating is free from PFCs, often called “forever chemicals,” which persist in the environment and can be harmful.

There’s a trade-off. C0 treatments don’t last as long as older fluorocarbon-based coatings and may need reproofing over time.

We think that’s a reasonable compromise to avoid long-term environmental damage.

Design approach

Everything is made with a focus on using less and making it count.

Products are kept as light as possible to reduce material use. Construction is simple and considered, with an emphasis on reliability. Production is done in small batches to avoid overproduction and waste.

The goal is to make something you can rely on for a long time, not something you replace every season.

Being honest

We don’t describe what we make as “sustainable” without qualification. Making outdoor gear always has an impact.

What we can do is make better choices, reduce unnecessary harm, and be clear about the compromises involved.

Ongoing work

There’s still a lot to improve. Increasing recycled content, reducing packaging further, and making repairs easier are all areas we’re continuing to work on.