Recycled Fabrics in Outdoor Gear: Which Ones Actually Help the Environment

As outdoor travel grows in popularity, more campers and backpackers are asking an important question: How sustainable is the gear we use?

Walk through any outdoor gear shop today, and you'll see labels like "recycled nylon," "made from plastic bottles," or "eco fabrics." Tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags are increasingly made from recycled materials as brands try to reduce environmental impact in the beautiful environments that we love. 

But not all recycled fabrics are created equal. Some genuinely reduce waste and emissions, while others are mostly marketing.

If you're trying to build a more sustainable camping setup, here's what you should know about recycled fabrics in outdoor gear.

Why Outdoor Brands Are Switching to Recycled Fabrics

Traditional outdoor gear relies heavily on synthetic materials like nylon and Polyester, which are made from petroleum. Manufacturing these fabrics requires large amounts of energy and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycled materials help reduce that footprint by turning existing waste into usable gear.

Potential benefits include:

• Reduced demand for new petroleum resources
• Less landfill waste
• Lower carbon emissions
• Reduced water consumption during manufacturing

For campers who care about protecting the outdoors, this shift toward eco-friendly camping gear is an encouraging trend.

Recycled Fabrics That Actually Help the Environment

Not every recycled material delivers the same environmental benefits. The following fabrics tend to have the most meaningful impact.

Recycled Nylon (Especially from Fishing Nets)

Recycled nylon is one of the most promising materials used in sustainable backpacking gear.

Nylon is commonly used in:

• Ultralight tents
• Backpack fabrics
• Rain covers
• Outdoor apparel

Some recycled nylon is made from discarded fishing nets, industrial waste, or fabric scraps that would otherwise end up in landfills or the ocean.

Benefits include:

• Strong durability
• Reduced demand for virgin petroleum
• Long product life

Because nylon gear often lasts for years, using recycled nylon can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of outdoor gear.

Recycled Polyester (rPET)

Recycled Polyester (often labeled rPET) is currently the most common recycled material in outdoor gear.

It's usually made by melting recycled plastic bottles into fibers that can be woven into fabrics or used for insulation.

You'll often find rPET in:

• Backpack fabrics
• Tent bodies
• Synthetic sleeping bag insulation
• Outdoor apparel

Compared with virgin Polyester, recycled Polyester requires less energy and fewer raw resources to produce.

Advantages include:

• Keeps plastic bottles out of landfills
• Requires less energy than producing new Polyester.
• Scales well for large gear production

Many companies now use recycled Polyester in sustainable sleeping bags and backpack fabrics to reduce virgin plastic use.

Recycled Down

Some sleeping bags now use recycled down, which is recovered from old bedding, jackets, and other products.

After cleaning and processing, the down performs similarly to new insulation while reducing waste from discarded textiles.

Using recycled down extends the life of materials that would otherwise be thrown away, reducing overall environmental impact.

Recycled Fabrics That Aren't Always as Green as They Sound

While recycled materials are often helpful, some products exaggerate their environmental benefits.

Plastic Bottle Fabrics That Disrupt Recycling

Many brands promote gear made from recycled plastic bottles, but there's an important catch.

When bottles are turned into fabric, they are removed from the bottle-to-bottle recycling system that allows plastics to be reused for packaging again and again.

Once plastic becomes fabric, it becomes extremely difficult to recycle again. Environmental researchers have debated whether turning bottles into fabric is the most effective recycling strategy.

That doesn't mean recycled Polyester is bad—it's still better than virgin Polyester—but it's not a perfect circular solution.

Synthetic Fabrics and Microplastics

Another environmental concern with polyester and nylon fabrics is microplastic pollution.

Over time, synthetic fabrics can shed tiny plastic fibers that enter waterways and ecosystems.

Researchers studying clothing and textiles have found that synthetic fabrics like Polyester and nylon can release microplastics during washing and wear.

This is one reason many sustainability experts emphasize buying durable gear that lasts longer, reducing the need to replace products more often.

Low Recycled Content "Eco" Gear

Another common issue is recycled content that is only partially recycled.

A product might advertise:

• "Made with recycled materials"
• "Eco construction"
• "Sustainable design"

But the item may only contain 10–20% recycled fibers.

When shopping for eco-friendly backpacking gear, try to look for:

• 50–100% recycled materials
• Transparent sustainability reports
• Third-party certifications

Certifications That Actually Matter

If you're trying to avoid greenwashing, these certifications are worth looking for:

bluesign®

Indicates fabrics are produced with lower chemical impact and responsible manufacturing processes.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

Verifies that products contain certified recycled materials and meet strict environmental criteria.

PFAS-Free / PFC-Free

Many waterproof fabrics historically used harmful chemicals. Newer eco gear avoids these coatings.

The Most Sustainable Outdoor Gear Choice

Here's something many people overlook:

The most sustainable gear is often the gear you already own. Near Zero’s rental program supports this by providing second-hand quality gear that’s affordable and managed by outdoor gear experts. Extending product life through rentals programs, repairs and more can reduce environmental impact even more than switching materials.

Final Thoughts

Recycled fabrics are helping move the outdoor industry in the right direction—but they're not all equal.

The best sustainable options today include:

✔ Recycled nylon

✔ High-percentage recycled polyester

✔ Recycled down insulation

✔ PFAS-free waterproof fabrics

Approach cautiously:

Low recycled content claims

Green" marketing without certifications

Gear that sacrifices durability

The goal isn't just to buy recycled gear—it's to choose durable, responsible equipment that lasts for years of adventure.

Because protecting the outdoors ultimately means reducing our impact while continuing to explore it.