Our Commitment to All People and the Planet
We commit to working for the betterment of the environment, creating access for all, investing in product sustainability, reducing waste, and collaborating for good.
Outdoor Research was built to protect people outdoors, and that work often begins indoors - inside of our supply chain, factories, offices, and in the organizations with whom we partner.
Manufacturing award-winning gear for over 40 years has taught us a critical lesson: We can’t do it alone. In order to do our best work, we need the perspective and support of key partners within and outside of our organization. From the materials used in our gear, to the ambassadors we rely on to showcase it, each element contributes to the positive change we seek to create in the world.
We rely on only the most trustworthy organizations and certifications to hold us to the high standards that we’ve set for ourselves. Learn about some of the practices we have in place, standards we hold ourselves to, and partners we trust with this work to move forward together.
Climate Action Corps
Outdoor Research is a proud founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Climate Action Corps. We’re not only ensuring that we meet all expectations of the CAC, we’re developing our own plan and approach to measure our business’ carbon footprint. Calculating this measurement is a complex, involved process that takes years to perfect - but will ultimately guide us to our greatest emissions opportunities and help us reduce our impact on the earth. Together with the OIA, we’re making changes that aim to make the outdoor industry the world’s first climate positive industry by 2030. Climate positive means to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions in line with a science-based target (SBT) that addresses all scopes, to remove even more GHG from the atmosphere than you emit, and to advocate for broader systemic change. In addition to our work with Climate Action Corp, we are calculating our carbon footprint to begin looking at which reductions will make the greatest impact on our business, and the greatest positive impact on the climate. Finally, Outdoor Research is committing to 100% renewable energy for all of our North American operations. We are thrilled to be moving forward with this important work. We can’t wait to share more - additional details will be available soon.
bluesign® System Partnership
Bluesign® is a system that provides safer and more sustainable environments for people to work in and everyone to live in. Powered by a holistic approach, bluesign traces each textile’s path along the manufacturing process, making improvements at every stage from factory floor to finished product. Simply put, bluesign changes the environmental impact of textiles for good. To ensure we are better corporate citizens, bluesign provides us with a chemical framework to allow us to take ownership of our supply chain inputs and reduce the impacts of the products we sell. They are the partnership of choice for mills, brands, and retailers that desire a true “chain of custody” approach for their supply chain, and augment our efforts in the areas of safety, quality, risk, integrity, and more.
Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
This standard safeguards the welfare of geese and ducks that provide down and feathers for the products we all love. 100% of Outdoor Research products that use down comply with RDS – you’ll notice our stamp of approval on each of our down product pages, and on each product’s hangtag. We’ve exclusively used down certified by RDS since 2016. We received our first RDS Down Brand Certification in 2017 and we recertify our RDS certification on an annual basis.
Track My Down
You can now trace the origin of the down insulation used in Outdoor Research gear. Simply follow the instructions included on the hangtag, and you’ll be able to see where and when your insulation was procured. This tool makes it easier for customers to trace their own products, as well as holds ourselves accountable by giving you, our partners, and ourselves greater visibility and transparency.
Recycled Content
Each of our products made with recycled content has the same quality as seen in other Outdoor Research gear, but with less impact on the planet. When you buy gear that’s made with recycled content, you’re reducing waste, energy usage, and dependence on petroleum. By increasing our use of recycled materials, we can reduce or even eliminate the harm caused by manufacturing and production processes. Certifications like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) create better ways to trace and verify recycled content, setting high sustainability standards for any manufacturer making these claims. Our goal is to be 100% GRS certified on all products that use recycled materials.
Supplier Code of Conduct
Partners throughout our supply chain - like finished goods factories and material input mills - follow a set of guidelines that help us ensure socially responsible operations. This Code of Conduct from the Outdoor Industry Association helps us be clear about our goals as they relate to the safety and wellbeing of workplace employees, as well as the appropriate and safe storage, use, and disposal of chemicals.
Creating Space for All in the Outdoors
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At Outdoor Research, we make products designed to get people outdoors. And we believe that the more people who get outside, the better we, and the world, will be.
It’s only with each other that we’ve made it this far, and it’s only by inviting new partners into the fold that we will grow and progress as a brand, as people, and as a force for greater equality and justice in the world.
If you believe that the outdoors is better when shared by all, join us in the journey.
Films
Outdoor Research Films use media as a vehicle to tell stories of real people, community members, ambassadors for change, and non-profit partners who challenge us to do better, and think together.
Community Partners
Explore our Community Partnerships to see how we’re working with organizations that help guide our inclusive hiring strategy, bringing broader perspectives into the outdoor industry, and who help us incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into our workplace to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.