Rab Microlight Alpine Sustainability Report

The Rab Microlight Alpine features a robust 30-denier Pertex Quantum shell, providing better abrasion resistance and durability compared to standard nylon shells of similar thickness. Its thicker-than-average Pertex fabric and dependable construction quality offer substantial durability for daily or backcountry use. Accordingly, the Microlight Alpine scores above average for longevity and should endure reliably over time.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Because we feel that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability, longevity gets the heaviest weighting of any attribute in our sustainability ratings.

The Microlight Alpine down jacket doesn’t contain down sourced to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and uses recycled down instead. Rab ensures that its jackets that contain virgin down meet the RDS.

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS), set by The Textile Exchange, is the leading certification for sustainably sourced down in the outdoor industry. The RDS ensures that down suppliers use sustainable land management practices, prioritize animal welfare, and provide workers with safe working conditions and fair wages. Third-party audits are conducted at all stages of the supply chain, starting with the farm that supplies the down.

The Rab Microlight Alpine has a PFAS-free DWR coating and a PFAS-free hydrophobic finish on its down insulation. Rab has been working toward eliminating PFAS for the past 10 years, and, as of late 2024, 95% of Rab’s fabrics containing a DWR coating are PFAS free. It plans to be 100% PFAS free by early 2025.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The Microlight Alpine contains a suite of recycled materials, including its outer fabric and lining (100% recycled), zipper (41% recycled), and trim (10% recycled). On top of that, the whole jacket is insulated with recycled down. Rab has incorporated a variety of recycled materials across its product lines, ranging from polyester to nylon to down. For added transparency, Rab offers detailed Material Facts describing the exact recycled content of each product.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The Rab Microlight Alpine does not contain Bluesign-approved materials, and Rab is not a Bluesign System Partner.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

As of 2024, 55% of Rab’s goods are sourced from Fair Wear audited or Amfori BCSI factories rated B or above. Amfori BCSI audits supply chains and distributes ratings to factories for a variety of social responsibility criteria. Amfori’s criteria include safe working conditions, fair wages, environmental protection, and more. Rab was also recognized as a Fair Wear Leader brand in 2022 and 2023. Fair Wear Foundation is a nonprofit organization that partners with brands to improve labor conditions in the apparel industry. It helps brands implement fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers’ rights through regular factory audits and guidance for continuous improvement. Due to these efforts, Rab meets our criteria for responsible manufacturing.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Rab has made a significant effort to improve its packaging sustainability, including reducing its poly bag volume by 70% and saving nearly 10,000 pounds of plastic since mid-2021. Its poly bags are now 70% recycled plastic.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Rab offers comprehensive repair services through its Service Center program. Warranty repairs are free, while non-warranty repairs are fulfilled for a fee. The program completed 13,081 repairs from 2023 to 2024. Rab’s services include patching, zipper replacement, panel replacements, and stitch and seam repairs.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Since 2021, the company has offered a down recycling program in the United Kingdom. As of 2024, it has collected over 1,000 pounds of down products. However, Rab does not have recycling programs for materials other than down.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

The brand tracks its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The Science Based Targets Initiative has verified its emissions reduction target. Rab is working toward reducing its emissions by 46% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. As of 2024, it uses 49% renewable energy in its product manufacturing. It publishes thorough, publicly accessible emissions tracking data on its website. Additionally, Rab is a Climate Neutral Certified brand.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Rab provides a detailed annual impact report with specific data about its sustainability programs. The report details Rab’s greenhouse gas emissions with reduction progress updates. It also provides information on sustainable material sourcing, packaging initiatives, energy and water use, and chemical management.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.