European outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin announced a major breakthrough in the production of its line of outdoor apparel. Last week, at an outdoor gear show held in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the company unveiled its new Texapore Ecosphere jacket, which it claims is the first outer shell made completely from recycled materials. Best of all, the jacket is said to still offer a high level of performance, keeping wearers comfortable in a variety of weather conditions.
Of course, we’ve seen other eco-friendly jackets before, most notably Columbia’s Outdry Extreme. But what sets Jack Wolfskin’s product apart is that every element of it comes from recycled materials, including the shell fabric, fleece lining, zippers, and even its technical membrane. In the past, that membrane — which is both waterproof and highly breathable — has proven difficult to create using recycled materials alone. But in a process that has taken more than a decade to perfect, the company has found a way to overcome this challenge by using leftover fabrics from the production of other jackets, eliminating excess waste in the process.
But the impact on the environment does not end there. Jack Wolfskin has also found a way to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced during the manufacturing process as well, lowering its overall carbon footprint substantially as result. Additionally, like most of the company’s line of clothing, the jacket is completely free of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which have been shown to have adverse effects on the environment and our health.
In terms of performance in the outdoors, the jacket does not disappoint either. Jack Wolfskin says that it is both water and windproof while remaining breathable at the same time. In other words, the shell can keep moisture and cold breezes out, while still allowing hot air and perspiration to escape. This helps to regulate temperature and keep the wearer more comfortable, even when conditions take a turn for the worse.
The Texapore Ecosphere process will be rolled out to 11 different jackets (six for men, five for women) that are currently scheduled for release in the spring and summer of 2018. Prices have not been revealed yet and will vary according to the individual garment.
