Because outside is beautiful, even if the world doesn’t seem to value its beauty.
Because we’ve stitched too many jackets to treat things as throwaway.
Because we’ve seen the outdoor sparks that a £500 award can ignite.
Because every patch, every volunteer day, every rehomed wetsuit makes a difference.
Because progress happens while you’re not looking.
Because we’re not here to be the biggest but to do what we believe in.
Because making good gear — gear that lasts, that gets fixed, that gets passed on — is the antidote to consumerism.
Because we make mistakes and keep going anyway.
Because our customers care. Because we live to be outside and actually we don’t have a choice.
Designed with wet weather performance,
THE HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS OF OPTIMISM
Durable. Lower impact. Social justice and environmental responsibility in every stitch.
We’re officially carbon neutral — but reject the “offset and done” greenwash mentality. Neutrality is a waypoint to pass through, not the destination. Real. Transparent. Verified. We’ve reduced our direct emissions by 46%, 8 years ahead of target. We track our carbon per order. We publish it. We
DRY OUTSIDE.
LESS TOXIC IN.
We were one of the first brands worldwide to move to PFC-free fabrics. But completely eliminating all PFAS is hard: trims, coatings, glue — it hides everywhere.
We’re nearly there, and we won’t stop at “free from”. We’re aiming for 0.0. Because performance shouldn’t come with a chemical hangover.
challenge it. We’ve verified our Scope 1, 2 and 3 methodology. What remains, we offset — through certified renewable energy projects.
Not because we’re proud of offset, but because once you’ve measured impact, it’s harder not to act. Offsetting is a milestone to move through — not a destination.
The decarbonisation of Alpkit including supply chains.
Near total decarbonisation is our real goal. That means reduction and making gear you’ll love for longer. Gear that just works: long-lasting, repairable, recycled, and ultimately recyclable.
Materials and logistics matter. So does circularity. Because the most sustainable jacket is the one that’s used for years, then passed on.
And we do it because climate and social justice are stitched together. The outdoors isn’t equal unless it’s accessible, protected, and less polluted for everyone.
This isn’t a side project. It’s the foundations on which we’re built.
See pages 10 - 11 for more details.
We keep things simple. No excess packaging. Just well-made kit, shipped in its own protection. 99.9% of orders are plastic free — minimal and effective. It means fewer plastic bags, less waste, lower carbon, and nothing to hide. Your jacket doesn’t need a second jacket. Your tent doesn’t need bubble wrap. The planet certainly doesn’t.
Our packaging is plastic free. Recycled and recyclable. It protects your gear without harming the places you take it.
The Emperor had no clothes. Your gear does. We just don’t dress it up in three layers of waste.
PROUD TO USE BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD
Our B Corp assessment puts us firmly in the leading pack of sustainable brands not just in the UK but globally. We recertified with a score of 122.6 which is an increase of 27.5 on our previous mark of 95.1. You need score 80 to be a B Corp. Find out how we do it on page 17.
DOWN WITH CRUELTY
We happen to be majority owned by lifelong vegetarians but we’re not a vegetarian brand. We only use animal products (wools and leather) when the product is elevated by it, and always from farms with high welfare standards. No fur. No exotic skins. Just humane sourcing.
PROUDLY PAYING OUR TAXES
We pay our full taxes, every penny — no offshore corporates or tax-saving schemes. We benefit from state funded roads, education, health, emergency services and defence — we wouldn’t be here without it.
If we want a better world, we have to fund it.
CLOSER TO HOME 30% MADE IN BRITAIN
Alpkit, Sonder and Trakke are designed, developed and tested in Britain – and sourced from around the world.
We’re proud to source globally – to work with the best factories in the world. And proud to make 30% of what we sell ourselves here in Britain. From packs to panniers and bags to bikes and wheels.
SWEAT SHOP FREE ZONE
Fair pay. Safe working conditions. No child labour. No conflict zones. No excuses.
Enjoying our wild places can’t come at someone else’s expense.
We make our gear in places that pay well with safe working conditions. Our factories are amongst the best in the world. We work with people we know and trust. People we believe in for the long-term. Many are now our friends.
We visit them and have our own 20 point checklist that we work to. Fair pay. Safe conditions. Real names, not mystery factories.
We work with a few highly respected Chinese factories — many for decades.
Because adventure shouldn’t come at someone else’s expense.
Big wins, pinch-me moments and the messy middle.
This year, we served more customers than ever. We re-certified our B Corp with a knock-out assessment. We rehomed 20 tonnes of kit. We funded 2,500 grassroots projects. We cut direct emissions by 46% and became officially carbon neutral. We removed PFAS from all Alpkit-designed clothing. We made more kit in Britain.
That’s the good stuff — the pinch-me stuff. It’s taken a full-team effort, and words can’t express how proud and grateful I am. We show up every day hoping to leave things better than we found them. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
But doing what we believe in isn’t always easy.
• Stripping PFAS from a tangled supply chain? Hard.
THE SUBTLE ART OF GIVING A SH!T EVERYONE OUTDOORS,
We’re all born outdoor enthusiasts. We’re kids at heart: wet, muddy with a big smile on our faces.
That’s why we support both access and conservation. One without the other doesn’t work.
In 2024, the Alpkit Foundation supported 2,500+ grassroots projects — from refugee hikes and school expeditions to wild swims, woodland therapy and climate education. Over £150,000 was granted directly to help people connect with nature.
We also backed rewilding, habitat care and conservation skills. Litter picks. Trail repairs. Quiet, grafty stuff that keeps wild places wild.
And it’s you — our customers — who make that possible. Every time you choose Alpkit, round up at checkout, donate your preloved gear or book a repair, you’re fuelling this movement.
Access and care. Joy and responsibility. Muddy feet, clear heads.
If we’re all born outdoor people, your support helps more people find their way back.
Alpkit Foundation helped repair Rowan Humberstone’s forest shelter, which supports adults with disabilities in Cambridge through weekly forest sessions.
• Shifting production away from oppressive regimes? Complex.
• Making money while paying people properly and pricing gear fairly? Still hard.
And yet we keep going. Stitch by stitch. Order by order.
Because giving a sh!t isn’t a strategy. It’s our DNA.
And when we’re designing kit and serving customers? That’s our happy place. Meeting you on the hill? That’s when it all becomes worthwhile.
David Hanney Chief Exec
WHAT YOU TOLD US: LISTENING TO YOU ON SUSTAINABILITY
First up, thank you. To everyone who took the time to fill in our annual Sustainability Consultation: we’re incredibly grateful. From the briefest of one-liners to pages of detailed thinking, your responses were powerful, thoughtful and full of integrity. You told us what you care about—and held us to account on the values we share.
This feedback doesn’t sit in a drawer. It informs what we do. It helps shape our goals, set our priorities, and deepen our commitment to doing the right thing—even when it’s hard. What follows is a summary of what we heard, and how it’s already shaping our plans.
FAIRNESS FIRST: PEOPLE MATTER
The loudest and clearest theme? Fair pay and dignity at work for every person involved in making your gear— whether they’re sewing backpacks, weaving fabrics or packing your order.
“A whole supply chain approach to fair wages and working conditions.”
“Look after those who make the products. Safe environment and fair wage.”
Time and again, you asked us to consider people at every stage of the supply chain. Many of you questioned whether the “living wage” is really enough — especially in countries where the cost of living is rising fast and labour protections are weak. Others urged us to reduce reliance on suppliers in countries with authoritarian regimes or poor human rights records.
We’re already working to increase transparency and traceability in our supply chain and will be sharing more on this in future reports. We’ve also committed to stronger supplier codes of conduct and will be reviewing our sourcing footprint against ethical risk maps.
BUILT TO LAST: CIRCULAR, NOT DISPOSABLE
Another strong theme was around durability, repair and reuse. You told us loud and clear that you want gear that lasts, can be repaired easily, and doesn’t end up in landfill.
“Repairable kit that lasts a long time so I don’t need to buy it twice.”
“Keep making good quality, long-lasting products. They’re not the cheapest but they last.”
Many of you praised our existing repair and Continuum services, and want to see more—like easier ways to send kit back for repair, or new take back schemes for end-of-life gear. You’re also asking for better clarity on what’s recyclable, how to reuse materials, and how our gear fits into the broader idea of a circular economy. This aligns perfectly with our product design principles: durability, repairability, and reduction of waste. But we know there’s more to do—especially around materials and end-of-life infrastructure.
REAL CLIMATE ACTION, NOT OFFSETTING
Your views on climate action were clear—and sometimes blunt. While you support our net zero ambition, many of you are wary of carbon offsetting and want to see deeper, more systemic action across our supply chain and operations.
“Becoming carbon positive and showing other companies this is possible whilst also making profits.”
“Decarbonise rather than buying carbon credits.”
“Carbon neutral is not enough unless it’s real.”
Several of you asked whether our carbon reporting includes Scope 3 emissions (yes, it does), and challenged us to focus on energy use, shipping, materials, and manufacturing emissions, not just what happens in our own buildings. You also encouraged us to support our suppliers in switching to renewable energy and reducing their own footprints.
We’ve heard you. We’re already working through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to create a real emissions reduction plan—and we’ll be sharing more detail on that journey soon.
BETTER MATERIALS, HONEST TRADE-OFFS
From microplastics to animal welfare, chemical treatments to packaging — your comments showed a growing awareness of the hidden impact of materials and a demand for better choices.
“Please stop selling neoprene swimwear. It’s a low point in an otherwise great business.”
“More vegan options — and shout about the ones you already have!”
“Use recycled, and be able to recycle all products.”
Some customers expressed concern over the continued use of down, neoprene, or synthetic fabrics with forever chemicals. Others want clearer explanations of what each product is made of, where it comes from, and what the trade-offs are. Several of you asked for life cycle assessments or a simple scoring system to compare environmental impact between products.
We’re currently reviewing our materials policy and exploring more transparent product-level data on sourcing and impact. And we’re actively developing more PFC-free, vegan-friendly, and biodegradable options across our range.
BEYOND PRODUCT: ACCESS, INCLUSION & CONNECTION
Sustainability isn’t just about carbon or materials. It’s about people, place, and purpose. And you reminded us of that.
“Support kids to fall in love with the outdoors — and protect it.”
“Access, inclusion, rewilding — they’re all part of sustainability too.”
“Make outdoor adventure accessible to all.”
“Grassroots initiatives and right to roam.”
Many of you highlighted the importance of getting more people outdoors, especially young people and under-represented groups. Others pointed out the environmental strain that can come with increased footfall—and asked us to do more to protect the places we promote. There was strong support for rewilding, habitat protection, and community repair skills.
We’ll keep working through the Alpkit Foundation, Big Shakeout, and Continuum to support access and regeneration. And we’re exploring new ways to amplify local voices and campaigns.
YOU KEEP US HONEST
“Keep leading by example. Your ethics are why I shop with you.”
This consultation reminded us of something important: you care about the same things we do. You want outdoor brands to act responsibly, be honest about their impact, and never stop improving. You’re willing to support us when we get it right—and call us out when we fall short.
This isn’t a one-off. It’s a conversation we’ll keep going. Because sustainability is not a badge — it’s a journey. And we’re on it together.
TOP THEMES FROM OUR 2025 SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTATION
FAIR PAY & HUMAN RIGHTS
• Living wages across the full supply chain
• Better conditions for workers in high-risk countries
• Move away from oppressive regimes
CIRCULAR ECONOMY & PRODUCT LONGEVITY
• Make things that last
• Repair, reuse and recycle as standard
• Expand Continuum and repair services
REAL CLIMATE ACTION
• Cut emissions at source, not just offset
• Focus on Scope 3 and supply chain decarbonisation
• Switch to renewables wherever possible
ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
• Concern over animal-derived materials, toxic chemicals and neoprene
• Preference for vegan, recycled and PFC-free alternatives
• Clearer product impact information wanted TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
• Share what’s working and what’s not
• Avoid greenwash — show the trade-offs
• Educate customers on sustainability choices
ACCESS, EQUITY & NATURE CONNECTION
• Support rewilding, biodiversity and trail care
• Make the outdoors inclusive and accessible
• Invest in grassroots initiatives and youth access
WHAT YOU SAID...
“Fair wages throughout the supply chain — not just a slogan.”
“Repairable kit that lasts longer than the latest trend.”
“Carbon credits aren’t the same as carbon cuts.”
“Please stop using neoprene. There are alternatives.”
“Teach kids to love and protect the outdoors.”
Reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the backbone of how we think, make, and improve. From the first sketch to the final stitch, we ask: will this last? Can it be fixed? Where does it go when it’s done?
• Extend product life by creating long-lasting repairable products
• Actively encourage reuse and repair
• Move to circular economy – make products that are ultimately recyclable
AMOUNT REHOMED (TONNES)
Our sites run on 100% genuine renewable electricity. Not certificates with a side of coal. Real sun. Real wind. Real water. The kind that rustles your tent and charges your headtorch. No dodgy offsets. No green smoke and mirrors. Just clean energy, properly sourced — because we don’t believe sustainability should come with an asterisk.
It’s not flashy. It’s just the right thing to do. Like turning the lights off when you leave a room, or telling carbon intensive suppliers: “Cheers, but we’re going elsewhere.”
We’re not perfect. But our power? That’s pretty clean.
WHAT WE ACHIEVED THIS YEAR
• Our products score a record 4.6 out of 5 by our customers
• Increased the recycled content of our products to over 40%. 80% of our clothing now includes at least one significant sustainable feature (majority recycled, environmentally certified, nonmulesing or PFC-Free).
• Continued to use Higg to inform our detailed product decisions
• Carried out lifecycle analysis on a selection of key products with Nottingham Trent University
• Repaired over 12,700 items
• Found a new home for 4,607 kg of customer used gear with Continuum taking the total rehomed to over 20 tons
• Zero waste to landfill across our entire UK operations
• Averted 300,000 single use plastic bags in plastic free shipping last year from our factories
• All our contracts using 100% renewable electricity
• Alpkit Outlet, our eBay store, is growing from strength to strength. Nothing at Alpkit is wasted and our outlet sells returned and damaged stock that we can’t sell as new
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Target 15,000 repairs and - scale up the amount of gear rehomed to 7 tons via our Continuum Project
- increase the traceability of difficult-to-recycle materials like wetsuits and down. Where possible close the loop.
• Increase the number of camping and equipment products with recycled content to over 50%
• Increase the recycled content to over 90%
It is our belief that the products you love most, the ones you use and abuse year-in and year-out, are ultimately the most environmentally friendly: gear you repair, fix, hack and sew.
This is why since 2004 we have offered a repair service in all stores, for all products that are both Alpkit made or from other brands.
THE FIRST JACKET THAT’S TRULY MINE
Inside the collaboration helping Disabled Adventurer Nick Wilson kit up for Yr Wyddfa in his power chair.
We’re proud of our repair stations. They’ve patched thousands of jackets, revived tents, breathed life back into panniers. But sometimes, repair means more than fixing — it means adapting. Making something that didn’t quite fit, finally fit. Tweaking, modifying, redesigning — so it works not just again, but better.
That’s what brought us to one of our favourite collaborations — working with Kat from Seated Sewing and disabled adventurer Nick Wilson to help adapt outdoor kit for his RockClimber power mobility chair.
Nick doesn’t just get outside. He pushes what outside access looks like. He’s aiming to reach the highest accessible point of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) using a wheelchair he’s codesigned with engineers — and he needed gear that could keep up.
Enter Viri, one of the stars at our Keswick repair station. She’s adapted all sorts of kit over the years — including brand new garments for people with specific access or fit needs. So when Kat got in touch about collaborating on a bespoke jacket and overtrousers for Nick’s mission, Viri and the team were all in.
Kat’s designs from Seated Sewing were already sharp. But combining Kat’s lived experience and sewing knowledge with Viri’s technical outdoor expertise, the result was something totally new: adaptive kit built for serious adventure.
“Helping push boundaries is a real privilege,” says Viri. “We want customers with disabilities to have the same kit access — without paying more just to make it usable.”
Nick tested an early prototype and loved it. The final version is full of quiet innovations:
• A jacket with magnetic pockets and closures — easier to use, longer lasting
• Definition fabric on the front for waterproofing, with a breathable back
• A full magnetic strip in place of a traditional zip
• Finished with an integrated Fortitude hood and custom fit for Nick’s seated position
And it’s not just a one-off. Our repair stations are ready to do more of this — whether it’s adapting sleeves, tweaking fits, or co-creating with people whose bodies or needs fall outside the ‘standard size range’. That shouldn’t be a specialist service. It should just be… service.
DESIGN FOR DIGNITY
Too often, adaptive design is either forgotten or treated as an afterthought. But if we want the outdoors to be truly for everyone, then the gear has to meet people where they are.
It’s not just about getting to the summit. It’s about getting to the car park. Getting through the rain. Getting in the jacket without a fight.
JOINING THE CIRCLE: EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
We’re unashamedly obsessive in our design process, working hard to design high quality, long lasting, environmentally preferable products - designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. We only select reliable factories for manufacturing, and make visiting them a priority.
We consider circularity at every stage of the design process, including minimising waste, end-of-life reuse, and ultimate recyclability by striving
We’re learning. We’re listening. And we know there’s more to do.
But this project reminded us why we do what we do. Not to sell more kit — but to make better kit. And to fix, tweak, and rethink it for whoever walks or wheels through the door.
This is what community-based circular design looks like. This is repair, reimagined.
“I always felt it was unfair that people with disabilities have to buy a brand new jacket, then pay again to adapt it,” says Viri. “This project lets us change that — and help push boundaries, not just zips.”
RECYCLE YOUR OLD WETSUIT FOR FREE WITH ALPKIT AND CIRCULAR FLOW
WETSUITS FROM THE FOREST, NOT FROM FOSSILS
Wetsuits from the forest. Change copy in first para to: Most wetsuits are made from oil. Neoprene is a petrochemical product, born in refineries, not rainforests. We want – and have - no ties to places like “Cancer Alley,” where communities suffer the consequences of chemical production.
That’s why our latest wetsuits use Yulex® natural rubber, tapped from FSC®-certified forests. It’s renewable, responsibly grown, and has 80% lower CO2 emissions than conventional neoprene. No deforestation, no dodgy sourcing — just rubber from trees, the way nature intended.
For performance and durability, we use Yulex 2.0, which is sourced from renewable rubber plantations. Crucially its Danka-free. We’ve done
the homework to avoid toxic legacy supply chains — and red-listed the Danka factory in Louisiana since 2015 — and we’ll keep improving as cleaner alternatives emerge.
This isn’t just a material switch. It’s a signal. That wetsuits can be part of the solution, not the problem. That outdoor gear should respect the places it’s used in. That we can grow what we need, not drill it. One suit won’t change the world — but every choice matters. Especially when it brings us closer to the cold, salty, life-affirming joy of getting in the water.
THE RIGHT TO ROAM AND THE WRONG TO FENCE IT
Al Humphreys explains how the land isn’t lost. It’s just waiting for us to remember how to belong.
It’s absurd to be shut out of England’s wild places — 92% of land and 97% of rivers are legally off-limits. A recent ban on wild camping in Dartmoor, recently overturned, following a massive private land buy-up, sparked widespread outrage—and rightly so. That outrage tapped into something deeper: a sense that excluding people from nature breaks the connection that spurs care for the environment. Without access, we’re less likely to notice ecological decline—from polluted rivers to biodiversity loss—and those places suffer in silence. It isn’t just about strolling through on marked footpaths; it’s about wild camps, discrete bivvy bag nights, swimming in rivers, and developing quiet stewardship. Scotland and Scandinavia show it’s possible to let people roam responsibly and help fix landscapes instead of ignoring them. To shift culture, we can take simple actions: discreet wild camping, picking up litter, respectful conversations with farmers, and joining campaigns like Right to Roam or Trash Free Trails.
OLD NETS NEW TRICKS
Our swimwear is made with ECONYL® — a regenerated nylon made from ghost fishing nets, industrial waste, and old carpets. It’s not magic, but it feels close. The same stuff that once choked marine life now shows up as trunks, bikinis and bags that thrive in salt, sun, and summer storms.
This is circularity in motion: waste collected, broken down, re-spun and reborn. It’s chemically identical to virgin nylon, but with far less carbon, no new oil, and a much better story to tell.
We’re under no illusion — it’s still plastic. Just... smarter plastic. Recycled, recyclable, and helping to solve a problem it used to be part of. Perfect? No. Better? Definitely.
We choose ECONYL® because it moves us closer to gear that’s in sync with the planet — not stacked against it. And we’ll keep pushing toward fully circular design, with repair, reuse, and take-back schemes that give materials multiple lives.
Because if we’re going to keep making things, they should at least have the decency to haunt the ocean less. And maybe, just maybe, redeem a little wreckage along the way
RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
GEAR THAT DOESN’T LEAVE DAMAGE BEHIND
We seek to minimise the inherent harm of gear throughout its life without compromise to performance, durability or quality.
We design gear that treads lighter, lasts longer, and doesn’t leave damage behind. “Cause no unnecessary harm” as Patagonia used to say.
It’s in the questions we ask: what’s it made from? Who made it? What happens at the end of its life?
Adventure recharges and restores it doesn’t deplete. And performance shouldn’t come at nature’s expense. How we treat the world we move through says everything about who we are.
GRI MATERIAL TOPICS
• Reduce GHG emissions – the decarbonisation of Alpkit
• Choose lower impact materials and production processes – recycled, organic, renewable or regenerative
• Eliminate the use of toxic chemicals
• Reduce travel and commuting
• Build positive workplace lifestyles by greening our working lives
WHAT WE ACHIEVED THIS YEAR
• Delivered our Science Based Target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 targets 8 years ahead of plan by reducing our use of gas and move to certified renewable electricity.
• Reduced our carbon intensity by 36% to 17.7kg per order from 2019 base.
• Reduced our air freight to 13% of shipments by weight from 31% in 2021 with room for improvement.
• Collaborated with all tier one suppliers to develop environmental plans to reduce our impact.
• Extended our carbon footprint estimates for our entire value chain.
• Offset the estimate of our entire Scope 1, Scope 2 and upstream Scope 3 emissions.
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Reduce our carbon footprint (measured by carbon intensity per order) by over 15%
• Continue the move our owned vehicles to electric in line with our vehicle replacement cycle.
• Reduce air freight to below 10% by weight.
• Continue to share our work with the outdoor industry through partnerships.
- Develop REACH program to manage toxic chemicals in our supply chain
- Develop internal audit of quality, environmental responsibility and social responsibility with our main suppliers
- Investigate regenerative cotton sourcing for our organic cotton products
- 100% Deforestation assured. EU Deforestation Regulation, with traceability for cotton, cellulosic fibres and packaging pulp.
OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
Extending the life of gear from 3 years to 5 years reduces it’s carbon footprint by 40%.
Our methodology follows the GHG Protocol and look at the whole-life from raw material to use and end of life. We estimate that 75% of the carbon impact of a product is from the raw materials and manufacture process. Just 20% of the impact is in your ownership and is from how you choose to shop, use, care and ultimately pass on your gear. The single biggest thing you can do is use your gear for longer. Extending the life of our gear say, from 3 to 5 years will reduce your carbon footprint by 40%. And then pass it on or recycle when you’re done with it so it doesn’t go to landfill.
Alpkit
Delivery
Our carbon footprint methodology has been verified by Nottingham Trent University. We have estimated our footprint using the official UK government conversion factors. These are averages and we use our internal shipping and product data with usage research we have carried out ourselves or sponsored. We have made reasonable management estimates and rounded up where we need to so our footprint should be seen as a “scoping exercise” to indicate the broad quantum of emissions rather than a precise calculation. The accuracy of our footprint will get better each year as we revisit and refine the methodology and underlying dataset. Please email us at together@alpkit.com for more info or details.
CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH
MADE WITH LOWER IMPACT MATERIALS, REAL PEOPLE, AND ZERO
COMPROMISE
Our gear is designed to be used, abused, repaired and reused — not stuffed in wardrobes or swapped out every season. From waterproofs to wetsuits, we prioritise lowerimpact materials, long-term durability, and radical simplicity.
If we can’t justify it functionally, we won’t add it. If it breaks too soon, we go back to the drawing board. Because making less stuff — and making it better — is one of the most powerful things we can do. Good design shouldn’t shout. It should show up, time and time again.
Our gear works harder, lasts longer and costs less — not because we cut corners, but because we care about them.
Every product starts with purpose: what’s it for? Who needs it? How can it be better? Then we iterate, refine and strip out anything unnecessary.
We work directly with customers, ambassadors and repair techs to make sure design stays grounded in real-world use. The result? Tighter ranges, faster lead times, and kit that earns its place. From sketchpad to summit, every product reflects our belief: buy less, use more, love it for longer.
DEFINITION JACKET
A world’s first PFC-Free mountaineering-ready waterproof.
Monomer breathable waterproof. Recycled and recyclable.
HEIKO JACKET
Uncompromising performance made from 100% recycled fabric and insulation.
PICU TEE
Recycled polyester and organic cotton. Printed with water-based inks.
LOKI FLEECE
Award-winning pull-on fleece. Made with 100% recycled fabric.
BLOC TROUSER
FILOMENT JACKET
Organic cotton. Most comfortable trousers ever.
Built from waste. Built to last. 100% recycled down. 100% recycled fabrics.
STRAVEN WETSUIT
Made with Yulex® natural rubber foam and a 100% recycled face fabric.
DULISE SWIMSUIT
Constructed from ECONYL®, a recycled material made from ocean plastics and nylon waste.
SIGMA JACKET
SIGMA KEEP DRY. KEEP CIRCLING.
Award-winning performance meets circular design. Because dry shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense.
AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE, WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG
The Alpkit Sigma is a 3-layer, breathable waterproof shell that’s been winning awards and surprising gear testers — not just for its performance, but for its principles.
At £170, it punches well above its weight. It’s been named a top pick by The Great Outdoors, featured by Ramblers as one of the best waterproof jackets for year-round walking, and celebrated by everyday customers who’ve taken it through horizontal rain, mountain squalls, and muddy school runs.
We built it to perform. But we also built it to prove something bigger: that technical outdoor gear doesn’t have to be toxic, throwaway, or impossible to recycle.
THE HIDDEN PROBLEM WITH MOST WATERPROOFS
Most jackets look great at first glance. But when they reach the end of their life, things get ugly.
Outdoor gear is typically a messy mix of materials: nylon outers, PU membranes, polyester linings, elastic cords, metal zips, glued seams, foams and tapes. It works — but only until it doesn’t.
Once it’s worn out, it’s nearly impossible to recycle. You’d need to dismantle and separate every component, often made from chemically incompatible materials. It’s like trying to unbake a cake — or unscramble an egg.
Even “eco” jackets often use recycled fabrics, but with no plan for what happens next. And that means landfill, incineration, or best-case downcycling.
MONO-MATERIAL: BUILT TO COME BACK
We wanted to design something better.
The Sigma uses a mono-material construction — where the outer fabric, waterproof membrane, and inner lining are all made from the same type of polymer. That means the jacket is:
• Easier to recycle
• Free from mixed-material traps
• A genuine example of circularity in action
It’s also made from recycled polyester, giving new life to materials that would otherwise be waste — and keeping the carbon footprint low from the start.
But recycled and recyclable? That’s the holy grail. That’s what makes Sigma different.
CIRCULARITY BY DESIGN — NOT MARKETING
We didn’t just stop at the fabric. We rethought the whole jacket.
That meant reviewing every zip, stitch, label, glue and trim to make sure it was compatible with the mono-material principle. Where we could simplify, we did. Where we could switch to lower-impact options, we did that too.
This isn’t about bolt-on sustainability claims. It’s about designing for circularity from the start — so the Sigma is ready not just for use, but for reuse, repair, and return to the system at the end of its life.
100% RECYCLED 100% RECYCLABLE
REPAIRABLE. RESPONSIBLE. REAL-WORLD READY.
A good jacket has to last. And when life happens — a tear on a scramble, a rip from a gate — it needs to be repairable.
We’ve designed the Sigma with repairs in mind. It’s compatible with our in-house Alpkit Repair Station (used by thousands of customers every year), and our Continuum project means it can be returned, re-used, or rehomed when it’s done with you.
That’s part of the circularity mindset too: not just recycling, but keeping gear in play for longer.
Since 2015, the Alpkit Foundation has donated over £1,000,000 to more than 3,000 grassroots projects — removing barriers to the outdoors and supporting people facing hardship.
We give 1% of our turnover to the Foundation, and we’re proud that it’s run by a board of staff and customer trustees who volunteer their time. (Alpkit directors and co-founders are officially outnumbered.)
From youth hikes and mental health swims to climate education and refugee groups, this is direct action, powered by community.
Every jacket, every repair, every order gets someone new outside.
Because access to nature is more than a nice-to-have. It’s freedom, connection, and joy — and everyone deserves that chance.
GRI MATERIAL TOPICS
• Support grass roots projects that help people get outside
• Improve education, environment, diversity and participation in the outdoors
• Alleviate poverty
WE’RE ALL BORN OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS.
(THEN
MODERN LIFE BEATS IT OUT OF US)
Climb trees. Chase bugs. Swim in rivers. Scramble up rocks. Stare at clouds. This is how it starts. Every one of us. Born curious, muddy, and boundless.
Then it gets beaten out of us. Not all at once. Bit by bit. Stay indoors. Don’t get dirty. Safety first. Homework. Deadlines. Scroll more. Work more. Shop more. Stay connected—but only online. Until one day you realise: you haven’t felt grass under your feet in weeks.
We evolved over millennia To live outdoors. Our brains and bodies are hardwired to be outdoors, shaped under open skies, not artificial light.
But we’ve normalised a world that disconnects us from the wild — and then we wonder why we’re tired, anxious and maybe a bit lost.
Dr. William Bird MBE puts it bluntly: “The natural environment is the great outpatient department where we can go for healing.”
But how can we heal in a world that’s doesn’t value time outdoors? Here’s a truth that should make us uncomfortable:
The biggest predictor of a love of the outdoors in adulthood isn’t genetics, it’s access. Specifically, being introduced to the outdoors as a child.
If you never had the chance to play in the woods, swim in a lake or camp under the stars, you’re far less likely to find the outdoors later in life. And once that connection is lost—it’s hard to get back.
But ask people about a favourite place, and most recall a time spent outside. Not a postcode. Not a shopping centre. A tree they climbed. A mountain they swore was Everest. A lake they swam. A shared experience. Because nature isn’t just scenery. It’s memory. Emotion. Belonging.
Professor Miles Richardson says, “Nature connectedness helps unite both human and nature’s wellbeing.”
The mountains are calling. It’s a relationship—one that starts with the simple joy of being outside. And we don’t mean Everest.
It’s the stillness of a frozen morning. The shock of a cold stream. The silence you find above the treeline.
As Rachel Carson says “those that contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
WHAT WE’RE PROUD OF
• £1,000,000 donated over 10 years
• 3,000 direct action grass roots projects from around the world
• Over 10,000 applications altogether
• We’ve created a network of activists that leave the world a little better
• Received £50,000 donation from Challenge Cancer Through Adventure to support our Health & Wellbeing projects
• A 1% For the Planet Charitable partner
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Support grass roots direct action direct action projects with awards that meet one of our criteria:
That’s what we’re here for. Because the outdoors isn’t a luxury. It’s mountains and rivers that make us feel small and wild again. It’s where we started. It’s where we come alive. And it’s where we belong.
Where adventure takes you should be back to who you were, before the world told you to stay inside.
BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS
THE KIND OF BUSINESS WE CHOOSE TO WORK FOR
We like business. We like building things. We want Alpkit to be a great brand and a great business — the kind of place we’d be banging the door down to join if we didn’t already work here.
That means putting values into structure. And choosing a framework — like B Corp — that holds us to account, even when it’s inconvenient.
We don’t get everything right. But we ask hard questions, treat people fairly, and make decisions that reflect who we are — not just what’s trending. This isn’t a side project. It’s the whole business, built.
BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS
GRI MATERIAL TOPICS
• Increase diversity, equality and inclusivity in our work place
• Treat our staff fairly
• Value-led governance
• Fair and honest prices
• Pay our taxes with no off-shore tax structures
• Responsible brand and marketing
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
We support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and see 9 as directly applicable to us.
This is where we make a positive impact directly through the actions of Alpkit and Alpkit Foundation. These 9 goals are the foundations that underpin our principles and material topics.
WHAT WE’RE PROUD OF
• We have an active Board with two directors representing customers, shareholders and our environmental and ethical policies
• Extended our size range to S to XXL and size 8 to 20
• Made 30% of our product by value here in Britain.
• Acquired Trakke Bags and continue to make in Britain
• Continued to be a Living Wage Foundation employer
• Staff took 450 paid volunteer hours to support local projects
• In a year of market disruption, squeezed margins and cost inflation we minimised the price impact on our customers
• Donations to Alpkit Foundation are now almost £1,000,000
• We paid all our taxes with a simplest of all UK based tax structure.
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Continue to be a Living Wage Foundation employer
• Aim to reduce salaried staff turnover to pre-pandemic levels and commit to a target of below 10%
• Work to improve gender diversity in our leadership team
• Grow our team training, volunteer days and charity giving scheme
• Recover our operating profits to previous levels.
• Maintain our reporting in line with changing regulatory environments and UK Sustainability Disclosure Standards (UK SDS).
End poverty in all its forms.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Reduce income inequality within and among countries.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS
Every Alpkit staff member gets paid time to give back — up to five days a year to volunteer, mentor, muck in, or make a difference. No box ticking. No corporate press release. Just humans using their time for other humans. That might mean helping out at a local school, mentoring someone taking their first steps into work, running a community climbing session, or heading overseas to lend a hand where it’s most needed. Some stay close to home. Others cross borders. All are encouraged to follow what matters to them.
Because we believe giving isn’t just financial — it’s practical. Personal. Sometimes muddy. Always meaningful.
When people are supported to show up in their communities, something good happens. Bonds strengthen. Ideas spread. Hope multiplies. And the world — if only slightly — tips in a better direction. And if a volcano needs help, well, we’ll pack a bag.
“Me and Scott used our volunteer hours helping Edale Mountain Rescue Team tonight. We had 4 casualties and 4 crews rescuing out on the steep ground of Callow Bank.”
– Hathersage store staff
NATURE THRIVES ON DIVERSITY. SO DO WE.
We’ve never had a gender pay gap which is great but not the whole story. But that doesn’t mean we stop paying attention.
PROGRESS ISN’T A STRAIGHT LINE
Right now, we don’t have any women on our board. Not by design — just natural changes within a small team. But still, it matters.
Good decisions need friction. Variety. Diversity of thought and diversity of background. Voices that don’t all come from the same postcode or pronoun.
While we don’t have a diverse board, we actively seek diverse views to inform our day to day decision making. We’re small, but we’re serious. Timely action is more important than words.
JOEL’S STORY EQUIPMENT PRODUCT DEVELOPER
I grew up in the Lake District, surrounded by opportunities to go nice places and do good things. I started my design journey at Keswick School and went on to study BSc Product Design at Nottingham Trent University.
During that time, I found myself camping, hammocking, paddleboarding, and enjoying BBQs all over the UK. I threw myself into this world in my spare time while also working summer jobs in local outdoor shops. These experiences helped me build up knowledge and confidence, not just for my own adventures, but so I could help others make the most of the outdoors I’d been lucky to grow up in.
At university, I designed a range of outdoor products, including a hydro-powered water filter and an electric paddleboard fin to help users in tricky conditions or those with physical disabilities. Through these projects, I had the chance to work with Alpkit’s equipment designer, discussing how to turn ideas into real products and tackle the challenges of going from sketch to prototype.
When Alpkit opened its store in Keswick, I was struck by how open and honest the brand felt. Clear technical info, honest materials, no gimmicks. A great first impression. I joined the design team in 2024 after graduating with an Exceptional First in Product Design, and I haven’t looked back. What really stood out to me is how much the team care. Not just about creating great kit, but about how it’s used, how it wears over time, and what happens at the end of its life.
All products eventually fail, but good kit should be repairable. One of my core values as a designer is graceful degradation. A product should maintain functionality even when parts of it start to fail. Alpkit excels at repairs and support rather than replacement. Standing apart from the built-in obsolescence which is so popular in other companies. Alpkit is a brand that knows exactly who it is and where it sits in the market. We don’t chase trends, focusing on building products that stay true to the values set by the founders in 2004. I feel lucky to work as part of this team, helping design equipment that encourages people to get out and enjoy the outdoors, and that stands the test of time.
We’re proud to be a B Corp. Proud of our score. It’s not just good. It’s audited good.
But we’re not here to sit on it. We’re here to improve — every year, every cycle, every decision.
Because doing good is one thing. Doing better is the whole point.
I’m excited about the opportunities ahead, from pushing what we can do with sustainable materials to making sure our kit is accessible to as many people as possible.
“At Alpkit, we believe sustainability starts from the inside out. It’s not just about the gear; it’s about the people who design it, fix it, and believe in it. We’re proud to be a Living Wage Foundation employer, and we work hard to keep things fair, open and purpose driven across all of Alpkit.
We know we’ve still got more to do, especially when it comes to building a more diverse leadership team but we’re serious about creating an inclusive culture where everyone’s voice matters. From volunteering in local communities to helping reimagine what accessible outdoor gear can look like, our team doesn’t just support our values, they live them.”
– Beth Pearce, Head of People
WE GAVE SOME STUDENTS OUR TENT THEY GAVE IT BACK BETTER
Here’s the story of Alpkit x NTU. 21 redesigns. 31% less carbon. One bestselling tent, taken apart and reimagined with care, science, and a sewing machine.
Our partnership with Nottingham Trent University captures the essence of learning. They step inside our world. They bring fresh ideas, critical questions, and spreadsheets that decode the carbon inside a tent pole. In return, we open our doors — to our factory, our fabric shelves, our team. It’s a partnership stitched with curiosity, insight and the quiet thrill of getting things right.
Sustainability isn’t a checkbox, it’s a design principle. That’s why Nottingham Trent University’s Product Design undergrads were invited to do more than study us — they were asked to redesign one of our bestselling products: the Soloist tent, to reduce its carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.
OPENING THE DOORS WIDE
The journey began with full immersion. Students toured our head office, Hathersage store, and UK factory, even sewing their own Bandicoot pouches from scrap fabric to understand the impact of manufacturing nuances. Senior Lecturer, Karen Winfield, says: “We saw Alpkit demonstrating product development within a company that lives and breathes its brand values.” That hands on orientation was crucial. It’s one thing to theorise sustainable design—it’s another to feel it under your fingers.”
TEACHING TOOLS THAT TRANSFORM
Students used a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) toolset tailored for the Soloist. Under NTU guidance, they broke the tent down, weighing every component—from flysheet fabric and poles to stitching thread. These figures were fed into the tool to map the Soloist’s current carbon footprint and model the impact of design tweaks. Senior Product Developer, Rowan Williams, reflects:
“As a small team, having time and resources to work on product redesign is one of our biggest challenges. The LCA tools and knowledge we don’t normally have were invaluable.”
THE STUDENT SPRINT
Over two weeks, 54 Product Design students (plus 17 international exchange participants) worked in groups to critique, reengineer and reimagine the Soloist. Their brief? Trim carbon impact, retain function, and showcase visible savings in a final pitch to our team.
Their proposals ranged from simple fabric material swaps to structural redesigns — one group even flipped the door positioning to reduce material waste and increase usable space. Replacing virgin nylon with recycled alternatives became a recurring theme.
REAL IMPACT
From the curated suggestions, 11 design adjustments were chosen for implementation:
• 5.55kg CO2e per tent, a 31% reduction in Soloist emissions
• Potential annual savings of ≈16,850kg CO2e across the product line
But it didn’t stop there. The insights sparked improvements in packaging, polehub redesigns, dimension tweaks, and plans for a clear care and repair kit.
Rowan adds: “Having LCA data allows us to bring manufacturers onboard and apply lessons across other products.” And yes — we’re already repeating with rucksacks next year.
“I gained a better understanding of how to properly use a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool, which will allow me to reduce the carbon footprint of my future designs. I also formed a good relationship with the designers from Alpkit which can help in my future career.”
– Jake Inglis, BSc (Hons) Product Design
ACADEMIC PRAISE
NTU’s Michelle Johansson echoed our enthusiasm: “The student work was lifted to a higher level because of the level Alpkit is already at.”
Our honesty and openness enabled deep interrogation — and that transparency is a two-way street. They learned from us. We learned from them.
MULTIPLIED BENEFITS
This wasn’t just about one tent. The same NTU programme supported lifecycle analysis on our Brukit stove, helping reduce its carbon footprint by 19% and weight by 200g, via fuel-sleeve swaps (neoprene cork) and plastic removal.
Because these LCA insights scale, we can now estimate footprints across our full range, accelerate sustainable design, and embed data-driven decisionmaking firmly into our roadmap.
WHY IT MATTERS
For students:
Real-world experience in sustainability, LCA, and product redesign. And a glimpse of future career paths informed by data and values.
For Alpkit:
Access to external design firepower and LCA knowhow. Plus verified environmental improvements in existing products A repeatable model for future innovation.
For the planet:
Tangible CO2e savings — one tent at a time. Odd effects, like sourcing recycled nylon, can shift global industry standards.
Performance and durability ensure longevity — reducing waste.
ALPKIT AGAINST WASTE
Leave no trace. Take only memories (or photos), leave only footprints. You know it.
We like to think that it’s pretty well understood, certainly within the outdoor communities, that we all have a personal responsibility to take care of those places we take joy from spending time in. But it remains a continual challenge to inform, educate and look after these places.
Tidy Climbers is a wide-reaching initiative aimed at encouraging behavioural change in climbers. As a social media and online community, they encourage people to habitually build a crag ‘tidy up’ into their climbing day, even if just a few minutes. People then share their climbs and tidy ups through their social media platforms, which are then shared and celebrated on the Tidy Climbers pages.
Hannah from Tidy Climbers got in touch with Alpkit Foundation when she was looking for start up support, particularly for some branded ‘tidy bags’. Sustainably produced, reusable bags made from up-cycled old tent materials and end-of-life outdoor clothing. These would be used to hand out to climbers and community groups and carried on their adventures to help collect litter.
“Whilst primarily focusing on inspiring behavioural change in climbers rather than hosting larger cleanup events, we would also like to organise Tidy Climbers litter picks at crags which are hotspots for litter.” They wanted to get some of these bags out to climbers as they linked up with Trash Free Trails and their Earth Day Spring Clean initiative, where they would submit data to their Trash Surveys and encourage other Tidy Climbers doing picks to do the same.
Well this sounded right up our street and it didn’t take much for our talented Keswick repair station team to jump at the opportunity. Fitting around their normal loving repairs they whizzed through a batch of bags to get out in time for Earth Day.
Hannah picked up the bags and promptly sent out to eager climbers. So it was wonderful to hear back on the activities she’d been up to. “We had a brilliant day out and everyone had a real laugh whilst doing something positive. We gave out some bags as we went along the crag, including to some instructors who will take them out with clients now.”
Not only did they personally get hands on in Borrowdale, they also received some great reports back, such as climbers picking at Runestone Quarry with their bags, including their youngest recruit, 12 year old Monti, who by all accounts did a brilliant job!
It’s such a powerful thing when communities build like this and can quickly have a wide spread impact. Hannah explained a bit about what she felt that impact could be, particularly within the climbing community.
“I strongly believe that there is progress to be made by harnessing the power of social media in encouraging this behavioural change. Doing so taps into a younger or newer demographic of climbers and offers us a reach across the UK, building a nationwide sense of community.”
If you want to join the community and share what you’ve been up to, then head over to Tidy Climbers.
So actually, go on. Leave a trace. A positively powerful one that
FREE TO BORROW: LITTER
PICKERS AND A QUIET RAGE AGAINST LITTERING
Because the only thing better than a good walk is leaving it better than you found it.
Every Alpkit store has litter pickers you can borrow — for free, for fun, for fury. Whether it’s a crisp packet on a summit or a can wedged in a car park hedge, we’ve all seen it. Our teams go out on regular litter picks, and you’re always welcome to join in or borrow the tools for your own clean-up. We make gear to explore wild places — and keep them wild too.
WORK WITH PEOPLE WE BELIEVE IN
We work with the best factories in the world. A small group of trusted partners who we know by name. No subcontracting without consent. No blind spots.
We’re actively shifting away from factories in political regimes that don’t share our values, and we help suppliers improve — not just tick boxes. Long-term relationships. Transparent supply chains. That’s how we build.
GRI MATERIAL TOPICS
• Protect human rights and improve social justice
• Alleviate poverty – improve labour conditions
• Prohibit modern slavery
• Prohibit materials from conflict zones
RESPONSIBLE COTTON
Cotton is one of the world’s most chemically intensive and thirstiest crops. It’s linked to forced labour, biodiversity loss, and massive water pollution.
Our cotton use is less than 2% of our product range but we hold it to high standards. We follow GOTS, OCS, and GRS certification, and we keep pushing suppliers for better.
We never source from regions like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or the Xinjiang Region of China where human rights abuses are widespread.
Cotton’s comfort shouldn’t come at someone else’s expense. If we’re going to use it, it has to be clean.
SUPPLIER
SCREENING CHECKLIST
Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code.
Alpkit Code of ConductILO working practices.
Alpkit Code of Ethics.
No toxic chemicalsRestricted Substances List.
No modern slavery.
No cotton from risk regions.
No minerals from conflict zones.
No sub-contract without consent.
WHAT WE’RE PROUD OF
• Moved 18% of products out of China
• All factories signed up to our code of conduct and code of ethics including no modern slavery, fair pay, improve working conditions, prohibit minerals from conflict zones improve social justice.
• With a small team we’ve incredible sourcing capability and proud of the world class factory base we work with.
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Keep moving production away from oppressive regimes — with a 5-year roadmap and principles for transition.
• Move 20% of product out of China in 2026
• Develop a more formal internal audit assessment of all our suppliers, in anticipation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
- Continue our annual visits to every Tier 1 factory, and report on outcomes, not just intentions.
- Improve transparency by sharing the factory that make our products at product level For our full interactive map suppliers, go to alpkit.com/pages/our-factories
Good working conditions.
100% certified sustainable palm oil.
Shared ethics and environmental plan to protect human rights, improve social justice and reduce environmental impacts.
Works with other recognised US and European brands.
All of our suppliers sign up to this checklist.
SLEEPING UNDER TREES. NOT OVER THEM.
ZERO DEFORESTATION ASSURED
Deforestation isn’t just about trees. It’s about Indigenous rights, biodiversity collapse, carbon sinks, and climate tipping points. From soy and leather to rubber and timber, the outdoor industry’s supply chains touch high-risk forests all over the world.
So we set a clear line: no materials linked to illegal deforestation or land-grabbing, especially in key biomes like the Amazon and Congo Basin. We’re committed to traceable, legal, and sustainable sourcing for everything we use — and we’re learning more every year.
Forests protect us. Our job is to return the favour.
MOUNTAINS DON’T CARE ABOUT SIZE
Size inclusivity is more than adding numbers — it’s about belonging in the wild, whatever shape you take. Just a couple of years ago, in a field test of 12 premium waterproof brands, all household names, only two offered sizes above 16: us and Salomon. That’s it. The rest didn’t bother. For all the talk of inclusion, most gear is still designed for a narrow idea of who “gets to go outside.”
Our women’s range, designed by women for women, runs from size 6 to 20, with full stock parity, real-body fit testing, and more sizes coming soon. But clothing’s
only half the story. We’re also reworking packs, sleeping bags and wetsuits — the often overlooked kit that can make or break an adventure.
Everyone deserves gear that fits. Not just physically, but philosophically — kit that recognises your right to be there, exactly as you are. Because size shouldn’t be a barrier to joy, movement or belonging.
JUDGE US BY THE FRIENDS WE KEEP
A factory isn’t just a building. It’s a group of people — making your gear, handling your materials, shaping your impact. That’s why we’re careful about who we partner with.
Every Alpkit supplier goes through a strict screening process. It’s more than a tick-box exercise. It’s a values test.
We start with the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code — a globally recognised set of principles based on ILO standards. No child labour. Fair pay. Safe conditions. From there, we apply our Code of Conduct, which sets out expectations for working hours, freedom of association, d no forced labour.
We check for modern slavery red flags, and we don’t allow subcontracting without consent. If we’re going to trust someone with your jacket, we need to know who sewing it.
NOT IN OUR HEADTORCH, THANKS THIS JACKET DOESN’T COME WITH A HEALTH WARNING
NO MINERALS FROM CONFLICT ZONES
The gadgets in your gear — torches, batteries, electronics — often rely on minerals like tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. Some of these 3TG minerals are mined in conflict zones, where armed groups exploit workers, fuel violence, and destroy communities. We don’t want to be part of that.
So we work only with suppliers who provide evidence of due diligence — including OECD-aligned sourcing and smelter verification. The truth is, it’s still incredibly hard to trace every gram, but we’ve joined industry efforts to drive transparency.
Because something small inside your headtorch shouldn’t come with hidden harm. It’s one small light — and we want it to shine clean.
ROADMAP TO ZERO
The outdoor industry has a chemical problem. Waterproofing treatments, stain repellents, dyes — they all sound clever in brochures, but many contain toxic substances like PFAS that don’t break down, build up in nature, and impact human health.
We’re eliminating PFAS from all Alpkit-designed products, and already hit 100% for clothing. We’ve got stricter standards than many big brands and work with bluesign® and ZDHC to make sure the chemicals in our gear aren’t leaving harm behind.
You shouldn’t have to choose between staying dry and staying safe. And your jacket shouldn’t pollute just by existing.
We say no to cotton from high-risk regions, no to minerals from conflict zones, and no to hazardous chemicals — backed by our Restricted Substances List.
We also ask our partners to show us their own plan — how they protect human rights, reduce environmental impact, and promote social justice. This isn’t just about rules. It’s about shared values. And yes — it’s hard. Supply chains are murky, especially for smaller brands. But we’re proud to work with some of the best factories in the world, many whom also make for leading US and European outdoor brands.
If you want to build a better business, you have to start with better relationships. And we believe transparency is the best tool for trust.
TREAT ANIMALS HUMANELY
RESPECT BUILT IN
We only use animal products when necessary — and only from sources with proven high welfare standards. No fur. No exotic skins. No dodgy down. We’re majority vegetarian owned, and like any good pub, we cater for everyone — but kindness comes first.
GRI MATERIAL TOPICS
• Only use animal products when necessary, using the most humane farming methods
MERINO WOOL
We use merino wool and lambswool in clothing and only use non-mulesed wool.
LEATHER
We use goat skin leather in some of our gloves. We prohibit the use of exotic animal skins in our products.
DOWN FILL
We use goose and duck down in our clothing and sleeping bags and only use recycled or RDS certified down.
CIRCLE
OF CARE: THE RE:DOWN®
How feathers, ethics, and Continuum Project come together in one very soft loop.
At Alpkit, great outdoor kit doesn’t come at someone else’s expense — not at the expense of animals, not at the expense of the environment, and not at the expense of future generations.
That’s why we’re partners with Re:Down®, one of Europe’s leading innovators in recycled down, to help close the loop on one of the most technical — and emotional — materials in outdoor gear.
WHY DOWN MATTERS
Down is one of the lightest, warmest, most efficient insulators on Earth. But it’s also an animal product — and that means ethics matter.
Most down on the market still comes from industrial agriculture. While many suppliers now avoid live-plucking and force-feeding, traceability is patchy and abuse still occurs. Even when the sourcing is good, virgin down is a byproduct of meat and egg production — tied to emissions-intensive farming. We want a better option. One that aligned with both our animal welfare principles and our circular design ethos.
Enter Re:Down®.
WHAT IS RE:DOWN®?
Re:Down® collects used down from old jackets, duvets, and sleeping bags. They sort, clean, sterilise, and separate out high-quality clusters from unusable materials. The result? Clean, high-loft recycled down — ready to be used again in premium outdoor products, including ours. What can’t be reused gets turned into organic compost or insulation bricks. Zero landfill. Circular as it gets.
HOW IT WORKS AT ALPKIT
We’ve made it easy for you to close the loop:
WHAT WE’RE PROUD OF
• Proud to use RDS and recycled down
• Only use leather when shown to enhance technical performance over synthetic alternatives (e.g. in technical mountaineering gloves)
• All our wool is RWS certified and merino is non-mulesed
• No exotic animals used in the production of our products
THIS YEAR WE WILL
• Continue reducing animal product use, and shift more categories to certified humane, recycled or plant-based alternatives
• Introduce recycling streams for down and neoprene, with clear volume tracking.
• Audit and publish animal material usage across product lines — aligned with customer transparency expectations.
• Drop off used-down products at any Alpkit store. Or post it back to us using our free returns (Alpkit Foundation will pay your postage)
• We collect and send them to Re:Down® in bulk
• The down is processed, tracked, and sent back into the global circular supply chain
• Some of it even ends up in our own gear — a full circle from your hands to ours, and back again
Since 2022, we’ve collected over 2 tonnes of used down. It’s not a marketing line — it’s a working system.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Animal welfare and circularity don’t often share a sentence. But with Re:Down®, they do.
We’ve never used fur or exotic skins. We only use animal products when necessary — and only from verified humane sources (like those certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)). Recycled down gives us another layer: warmth without harm. Comfort without compromise.
It also massively reduces environmental impact:
• 91% less water use than virgin down
• Up to 80% fewer CO2 emissions
• Fewer birds bred into an industrial system in the first place And crucially — it works. Re:Down® performs to the same standard as virgin down in warmth, loft, and durability.
WHAT WE’RE STILL FIGURING OUT
No system is perfect. Not all down can be recycled. Not all garments are labelled well enough to track. And yes, we still use some virgin RDS down too — though less each year.
We work to increase customer awareness. Many people don’t realise they can drop off old jackets and duvets — or assume they have to go in the bin. Making reuse visible is part of the culture shift we’re building.
BIGGER THAN A JACKET
This story is about more than feathers. It’s about how we treat materials, and the creatures they come from. It’s about designing systems that think beyond the checkout. It’s about choosing better — together.
So thank you. Every old jacket dropped off. Every rehomed product. Every conscious purchase. It’s all part of the same loop — a quiet resistance to throwaway culture, stitched together with care.
Because when you give a sh!t, even a feather has value. To find out more about Continuum, go to alpkit.com/pages/continuum
RADICAL HONESTY
Because
good intentions aren’t enough. And neither is “sustainable” if you don’t show your workings.
We’re proud of what we’ve done. But it’s what we haven’t figured out yet that keeps us honest — and keeps us going.
MOVE AWAY FROM OPPRESSIVE REGIMES
Let’s start with this: we make kit in countries with troubling human rights records: China, Vietnam, Indonesia. There’s no easy way to say it, and no simple way out. But we’re not sweeping it under a sleeping mat. We’re selective. We visit factories. We build long-term partnerships with suppliers who share our values with good working conditions. We push for better, and we’re actively moving production away from authoritarian regimes — not overnight, but definitely on purpose.
PEOPLE WE BELIEVE IN
And then there’s who we work with. Our world runs on systems built by tech giants, banks, industrial conglomerates, and agri-businesses — many of whom have funded arms, polluted ecosystems, or profited from exploitation. It’s hard to untangle from that without living in a shed and whittling your own gear. So we make tough choices. Sometimes we have to use tools built by companies we don’t fully align with. But we never stop asking: who’s behind this, and who’s affected? We seek out better partners where we can.
And where we can’t, we stay alert — questioning, not coasting. Because our supply chain isn’t just fabric and zips — it’s relationships, choices, and ethics all the way down.
FREE FROM PFCS THEN THERE’S
PFAS. Our clothing is made from fabrics and DWR that are free from PFCs. But complete eradication? Across every zip, every patch, every label? Still a work in progress. These “forever chemicals” are built into the modern supply chain like a bad habit, and unpicking them completely takes relentless effort. We’re on it. But we won’t call it done until it’s really done.
OFFSETTING
And yes — we offset. We invest in genuine renewable energy projects. But we don’t do it with pride. We do it with the uncomfortable knowledge that we’ve measured our impact, and can’t un-know it. Offset last, reduce first. That’s still the mantra.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY?
It’s been a ride. Doing things the right way isn’t always the cheapest or fastest route. But it’s what we believe in. That means pricing fairly, paying properly, and growing steadily — even if that means staying small.
MAKING CLOSER TO HOME
We’ve also found it surprisingly challenging to resource production in the UK and EU. Even when we want to make closer to home, supply chains aren’t always geared for it. But we’re making progress — over 30% of our kit is now made in Britain.
AIRFREIGHT
And then there’s freight. We avoid air shipping wherever possible. But the global shipping industry is still carbon-intensive, and unavoidable for some of our materials.
This isn’t a disclaimer. It’s a declaration. We believe progress comes from naming the gaps — not greenwashing over them.
If we’re not honest, we can’t improve. And if we stop improving, we stop deserving your trust.
That’s why we’re still fixing things. Especially the hard ones.
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR NEXT PRIORITIES
If this was the year of making meaningful shifts, next year is when we double down.
We’ve set bolder goals and sharper standards — not because it’s easy, but because it matters. Across every one of our founding principles, we’re moving forward with more clarity and more conviction.
REDUCE, REUSE, REPAIR, RECYCLE
We’ll expand our repair services and increase take back volumes — aiming for 40% more rehomed kit through Continuum. Our next milestone is full circular design across topvolume lines by 2027. That means thinking about the end from the very beginning.
RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
We’re cutting carbon intensity by at least 15% this year — focusing on better materials, smarter logistics, and cleaner factories. Air freight is being reined in, with ground and sea preferred wherever possible. And we’ll publish climate impact at a product level, so customers can see what’s behind their gear.
BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS
We’ll complete a full review of our operational policies through the lens of our new Human Rights and Green Claims commitments. We’ll continue to embed B Corp into board-level decisions, ensuring we balance purpose with performance every step of the way.
GIVE BACK
Alpkit Foundation will continue to support grass roots direct action projects with small awards. Our priorities remain health, education, environment, diversity and participation. Our target is 50% of grants to go to projects tackling systemic inequality in access to nature.
TREAT ANIMALS HUMANELY
We’ll continue to partner with Re:Down®, aiming to triple the amount of down reused in our supply chain. Our target is for all animal-derived materials to meet certified humane standards — or be phased out where alternatives outperform.
WORK WITH PEOPLE WE BELIEVE IN
We’re shifting 20% of production out of higher-risk sourcing regions and building deeper relationships with EU and UK suppliers. Every factory will be audited annually against our Code of Conduct and Environmental Screening Checklist. We aren’t about chasing headlines. It’s about quietly transforming how we work — from the materials we choose, to the relationships we build, to the kit we make and repair. We’re not here to be the biggest. We’re here to be better. And better is something you build, stitch by stitch.
A YEAR OF MOMENTS
B CORP RECERTIFIED
Proud our score increased from 95 to 123 proving we’re in the leading pack of thoughtful outdoor brands.
20 TONS REHOMED
We’ve found a new home for 20 tons of your returned gear via Continuum Project, our takeback scheme.
21 YEARS STRONG
We started out as for ordinary people doing something extraordinary. And that’s still true. Normal. Not normal. Since 2004 and still climbing.
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSED
Working with our local university to bring knowledge alive. NTU have helped our carbon footprinting and product life cycle analysis.
EMISSIONS CUT BY 46%
Our Science Based Targets reduction is 46% Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and 90% by 2050 against a pre-pandemic baseline of 2019. Proud to have achieved our scope 1 and 2 targets 8 years ahead of target.
Rated by Ethical Consumer. Ethical Consumer magazine’s reviews are a through challenge to business. Chapeau to them!
BIKE OF THE YEAR
Honoured to be at the top of Cycling Weekly with the Camino being ‘Overall Bike of the Year’. So proud of this team effort.
30% MADE IN BRITAIN
Built in Britain. Built to last. Trakke Bags joined our family this year and is a big investment and statement of intent for our UK Made business.
RESCUE
PACKS DELIVERED
The beauty of rapid prototyping and small scale production is we make a difference. Proud our bags are used by Mountain Rescue.
12,657 REPAIRS
Repaired by hand, worn with pride. Fixing other brands gear is our best selling product
£1,000,000 DONATED
3,000 grass roots projects funded through Alpkit Foundation. Every order opens the outdoors to someone.
450 HOURS VOLUNTEERED
Staff giving back to their local community. From litter picks to week long work in Africa. Our play it forward.
FAIR BANKING FOR ALL
Invited to talk at parliament about the funding challenges of running a small business.
RATED EXCELLENT
Rated by you and Trustpilot. We’re here because of you and we don’t take our responsibility lightly. If a problem is our fault we promise to resolve it to your satisfaction.
