Responsible Manufacturing in Outdoor Gear, Explained

Table of contents

What is Responsible Manufacturing?

Responsible Manufacturing Programs

Which Brands Manufacture Locally?

Brands Leading the Way

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By evaluating supply chains and adopting responsible manufacturing practices, brands can significantly reduce their environmental impact and ensure safe and fair working conditions for workers. However, with complex, global supply chains, accountability in responsible manufacturing is essential. To provide accountability, third-party certification and auditing programs monitor brands and suppliers for fair labor conditions, legal compliance, and environmental impact reductions. Programs like Fair Trade, Fair Wear, and the Fair Labor Association are crucial in helping brands protect workers and minimize their overall impact. In this article, we dive deep into the programs we include in Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria and which brands are leading the way toward better practices for people and the environment.

What is Responsible Manufacturing?

At Better Trail, we define responsible manufacturing as a company participating in a certification or regular auditing program to ensure fair working conditions and reduced environmental impact. This requires brands to actively assess and improve their supply chain practices while maintaining accountability through third-party oversight. Some programs that we count toward our responsible manufacturing criteria focus solely on social and labor conditions without a dedicated environmental component. We include these programs because labor rights and environmental impact are deeply interconnected, influencing one another across the supply chain. Additionally, given the complexity of global supply chains, no one universal program is the standard for responsible manufacturing—certifications and audit systems vary by region, and regulatory efforts can be inconsistent and difficult to evaluate.

At Better Trail, we define responsible manufacturing as a company participating in a certification or regular auditing program to ensure fair working conditions and reduced environmental impact.

Despite these challenges, we believe brands must uphold safe working conditions and implement environmental management systems. That’s why we’ve included the most widely used certification and auditing programs in the outdoor industry in our sustainability rating criteria. This said, while responsible manufacturing is an essential factor to consider, its complexity makes it more difficult to evaluate than other criteria. For this reason, we give responsible manufacturing less weight in our sustainability scores than more cut-and-dry criteria. Each third-party program we include provides valuable supply chain oversight. Some emphasize environmental impact more than others, but all play a role in promoting better industry standards.

Responsible Manufacturing Programs

Fair Trade USA is a third-party certification program that audits farms, factories, and fisheries to verify compliance with Fair Trade standards for fair working conditions, environmental sustainability, and product traceability. Products made in Fair Trade USA-accredited factories and sold by Fair Trade-licensed brands are considered Fair Trade Certified (FTC).

So, how does it work? First, Fair Trade USA audits factories to verify whether they have proper disposal management systems for waste, hazardous materials, and wastewater. Audits also ensure that environmental laws and regulations are being met. Next, licensed brands selling Fair Trade Certified products must also ensure that they meet the Fair Trade USA compliance standards, which address traceability, information documentation, trade relationships, and transparency. These licensed brands also pay into Fair Trade Premiums—a fund owned by workers at Fair Trade USA accredited factories who collectively choose how to use the money to improve their communities. Fair Trade USA also provides education focused on empowering workers to safeguard the environment in which they live and work.

However, Fair Trade USA only certifies Tier 1 factories (end-stage product production) rather than the whole supply chain. This is a major blind spot in Fair Trade certification, as products are often assembled at multiple factories before arriving at Tier 1 factories. The Tier 2 and 3 factories that products move through before arriving at a Tier 1 facility are not necessarily audited for environmental compliance or worker safety. Read more about Fair Trade in our article Fair Trade Certified in Outdoor Gear, Explained.

We include FTC factories in our responsible manufacturing criteria because the program enforces high worker safety and environmental management standards in Tier 1 factories. Regular audits ensure ongoing compliance, providing strong oversight and accountability—factories that fail to meet Fair Trade standards risk losing certification. Many leading North American brands, including Arc’teryx, REI, and Patagonia, are increasingly manufacturing products in Fair Trade Certified factories. Patagonia leads the way, producing more than 80% of its products in these facilities.

Fair Wear is a global 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. Fair Wear has eight labor standards, which they consider critical to protecting human rights. These standards are:

Employment is freely chosen
The right to collective bargaining
No discrimination in employment
No exploitation of child labor
Living wages
Reasonable hours of work
Safe and healthy working conditions
Legally binding employment relationships

Brands can partner with Fair Wear, but membership in the organization is not a certification in itself. That said, Fair Wear conducts frequent factory audits and provides detailed annual performance checks for its member brands, assigning them into four rating tiers—Leader, Good, Needs Improvement, and Suspended. Member brands are evaluated on how well their factories meet Fair Wear’s Code of Labor Practices and how the companies' business practices uphold human rights. These Brand Performance Checks highlight brands’ weaknesses, and Fair Wear suggests how they can improve their practices to align with its standards.

Fair Wear Brand Status

Leader: This is Fair Wear's highest distinction—and the one we require brands to achieve to be included in Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria. Member brands in this category operate at an advanced level and demonstrate best practices in areas such as living wages and worker advocacy.
Good: Fair Wear states that most companies participating in its programs receive this rating. Companies with this rating have made a good effort to implement Fair Wear’s Code of Labour Practices (CoLP). However, companies with this rating do not meet the responsible manufacturing criteria at Better Trail. This is because companies with “Good” status are meeting the basic expectations of compliance but not going above and beyond that.
Needs Improvement: Fair Wear describes this group of companies as unwilling to make changes to implement the CoLP or as having encountered unexpected problems in their adoption of Fair Wear practices. Companies with this rating do not meet the responsible manufacturing criteria at Better Trail.
Suspended: These companies have either failed to meet the requirements set out by Fair Wear or have had extensive internal structural changes, requiring their membership to be paused. Fair Wear permits companies to be in this category for one year, but if they do not make the necessary improvements, they can no longer be a Fair Wear member.

While Fair Wear does not evaluate brands on environmental impact reduction, we include it in our responsible manufacturing criteria because the organization helps brands improve working conditions and uphold workers' rights in their factories. It is also widely adopted by European outdoor companies, which must already adhere to stricter environmental and chemical management regulations under E.U. laws, such as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation—standards that U.S. companies are not required to follow. REACH makes companies legally responsible for managing chemicals in their products to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

While Fair Wear is not a certification program, we include it in our responsible manufacturing criteria because its audit and assessment structures ensure similar accountability to a certification program. Its annual audits and oversight of both factories and business practices make it possible for the organization to accurately track a brand’s manufacturing practices and identify where it needs to improve. Outdoor industry brands working with Fair Wear are primarily based in the European Union. Fair Wear brand partners within the outdoor apparel industry include Dynafit, Edelrid, Haglofs, Jack Wolfskin, Lowe Alpine, Mammut, Mountain Equipment, Ortovox, and Rab. Of those, Jack Wolfskin, Lowe Alpine, Rab, and Ortovox have earned Leader status, meeting Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria.

Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is a global independent certification program that ensures manufacturing facilities adhere to safe, lawful, humane, and ethical standards. Every WRAP-certified factory undergoes rigorous social compliance audits every 1 to 2 years to assess facilities for compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and standards, among other things. Audits also ensure compliance with WRAP’s social principles, which include fair wages, prohibition of child labor, worker abuse and discrimination, working hours, freedom of association, worker safety, and more. Facilities can be certified to one of two rating tiers: platinum and gold. WRAP determines the level of certification based on audits examining each facility's social compliance program and commitment to WRAP’s principles. As of 2025, more than 3.25 million workers are employed in more than 3,500 WRAP-certified facilities around the globe.

Brands that use WRAP-certified factories for the majority of their operations meet Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria. The WRAP program assessed facilities for compliance with environmental and social responsibility standards, which it continually audits and certifies facilities to. Because of this, it meets our requirements for this sustainability criterion. Outdoor industry brands using WRAP-certified factories include Trew Gear, Ridge Merino, and Gregory.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an independent non-governmental organization. Environmental Management Systems provide a framework for organizations to design and implement systems for resource usage, waste management, and environmental performance monitoring. Working with ISO 14001 helps companies to lower their environmental impact, follow legal requirements, and meet company sustainability goals. To meet Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria, companies using this framework must opt to have their factories certified to the ISO 14001 standard, which includes annual compliance audits.

The ISO 14001 standard meets Better Trail’s responsible manufacturing criteria because it requires brands to be certified to specific environmental management standards, with regular audits to ensure compliance. However, brands must actively opt into the certification process through ISO 14001. Companies that follow the standards without obtaining certification do not meet our criteria, as this lacks the necessary accountability. The most prevalent outdoor industry brand that has facilities certified to the ISO 14001 standard is Atomic. Atomic’s largest manufacturing facility in Altenmarkt, Austria is certified to the ISO 14001 standard.

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) promotes and protects workers’ rights by establishing standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing. FLA’s standards align with those set by the International Labor Organization. These standards emphasize responsible purchasing, training for both suppliers and staff, compliance monitoring, and establishing effective grievance mechanisms for worker protection. The FLA Labor Code outlines critical worker rights, including protection against discrimination, access to safe working conditions, fair compensation, reasonable working hours, and eliminating child and forced labor. Brands can choose to be affiliated or accredited members of the FLA.

Fair Labor Accreditation is a multi-year process to evaluate a brand’s entire supply chain, from company headquarters to global suppliers and factories. This rigorous process involves comprehensive audits and a formal review of standards compliance every three years. However, while the FLA evaluates a brand’s whole supply chain, the accreditation only applies to Tier 1 suppliers, or the end-stage production manufacturing sites owned by the brand. Brands that earn Fair Labor Accreditation adhere to FLA’s manufacturing standards, which primarily apply to worker safety and fair treatment. However, a clause regarding health, safety, and the environment states that “employers shall adopt responsible measures to mitigate negative impacts that the workplace has on the environment.”

To meet Better Trail’s criteria for responsible manufacturing using the Fair Labor Association, the brand’s facilities and practices must be accredited by the Fair Labor Association. Similar to other programs we include in our criteria, the accreditation involves continual oversight and accountability through a specific certification process. Affiliated members of the FLA do not meet our criteria, as these members do not undergo regular audits. As of 2025, more than 30 companies have undergone Fair Labor Accreditation, including outdoor industry companies Patagonia, Burton, and Adidas.

Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) was founded in 1977 to support companies worldwide in enhancing their supply chains' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Amfori’s criteria include safe working conditions, fair wages, environmental protection, and more. Members of Amfori BSCI receive a code of conduct focused on human rights, due diligence, and environmental sustainability, along with access to social audits that help assess and improve areas such as worker safety and environmental impact. It also gives companies guidance on how to improve, rating factories on an A-F scale.

We include Amfori BSCI in our criteria because it allows brands to ensure their factories are regularly audited for compliance with the BSCI Code of Conduct. Since BSCI rates factories on an A–F scale, we can assess whether a brand's facilities meet these standards. To qualify under our responsible manufacturing criteria, brands must use factories rated B or higher. While our research identified several outdoor industry brands using Amfori BSCI, Rab is the only one that meets this threshold at the time of writing.

Better Trail includes local manufacturing, primarily in Europe or the United States, as part of our responsible manufacturing criteria. This is because products made in the U.S. or Europe are subject to strict labor and environmental regulations and typically have a lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation between global factories.

Manufacturers in the United States must comply with environmental regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. Additionally, textile manufacturers in the United States must adhere to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, part of the Clean Air Act that specifically targets the most harmful pollutants to the environment and human health. Manufacturers in the United States must also adhere to the Leather Tanning and Finishing Effluent Guidelines, a part of the Clean Water Act that works to reduce pollution associated with the leather production process, including the restriction of harmful chemicals such as chromium, sulfides, and other tanning agents.

Some products bear a Made in USA label, meaning their components are “all or virtually all” made in America. Everything from the parts to processing and labor must be of U.S. origin. Some brands will advertise their Made in USA products as Berry Compliant, meaning they meet the standards of the Berry Amendment (passed in 1941 to support the U.S. during World War II), requiring every component of the product, from the yarn or thread to the buttons or fabric, to be manufactured in the United States. Some brands that meet this part of Better Trail’s criteria use the Made in USA label, while others source materials from various places and then manufacture their products in the U.S.

In Europe, regulations governing textile manufacturing ensure strict sustainability practices. For example, in 2022, the European Union introduced its Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, aimed at addressing the textile industry's environmental impact. The initiative aims to minimize textile waste, increase the use of recycled materials, and enhance the textile sector's environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Furthermore, the E.U. has a list of harmonized standards that allow manufacturers to show that their products and processes comply with E.U. legislation. One example is the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation—the E.U. standard for chemical management and compliance.

Which Brands Manufacture Locally?

There are several brands that manufacture in the United States, including NW Alpine, Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, Danner, and Tarptent. Danner has a good selection of footwear that are certified Made in USA products. Feathered Friends sources its materials from elsewhere but does all of its sewing and construction in Seattle, WA. Western Mountaineering also manufactures all of its products in its San Jose, CA factory. California has some of the strictest environmental regulations in the U.S. Air pollution, for example, is monitored by local control districts, which issue permits that limit the amount of pollution a facility can create in a given district.

NW Alpine emphasizes domestic production as a key environmental initiative. All its products are made in the U.S., with approximately 70% of materials sourced domestically. The brand also works with factory partners near its mills to reduce transportation-related emissions. Similarly, Tarptent manufactures several of its products in the U.S., including some accessories made with domestically sourced materials.

Brands Leading the Way in Responsible Manufacturing

Patagonia is a leading brand in responsible manufacturing—from the use of Fair Trade Certified factories to being a founding member of the Fair Labor Association, the company is using many programs to ensure workers' rights and a lower environmental impact are prioritized. Patagonia has worked with Fair Trade USA since 2014 and now offers more Fair Trade Certified products than any other apparel brand. Currently, over 90% of Patagonia products are made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, encompassing 75,000 workers. Patagonia is also a founding member of the Fair Labor Association and is Fair Labor Accredited.

Patagonia Fitz Roy sleeping bag jacket-like hood

Rab is another leading brand in the responsible manufacturing category, representing initiatives that some European outdoor brands take advantage of. At Rab, 55% of its products is done in Fair Wear-audited factories or Amfori BSCI factories that are rated B or above. Additionally, the company has been rated as Fair Wear “Leader” status.

REI Co-op is part of the Fair Trade USA program, making many of its products in Fair Trade Certified factories. In 2023, REI contributed $575,000 in Fair Trade premiums to employees. The company has contributed over $1.6 million in Fair Trade premiums since 2016. REI also audits its factories separately from Fair Trade using the Higg Index Facility Environmental Module and other industry-leading audit programs. These programs are not certification programs, but they help inform REI about changes it can make to improve its supply chain.

Friends peeking out from tent door of REI Co-op Wonderland 6 camping tent

There is no question that many responsible manufacturing practices are more manageable for larger brands to incorporate since they have more resources. Using third-party programs and certifications can be more costly and take a bigger team to execute; however, there are still many smaller companies that are engaging in responsible manufacturing practices regardless. Himali, based in Colorado, is a small brand that produces all of its gear in Fair Trade Certified Factories (except for “accessories” such as hats and buffs). Additionally, Ridge Merino, another small company based in California, uses WRAP-certified and FTC-certified factories to produce its gear. Trew Gear is a small company that produces all of its gear in a WRAP-certified factory. In terms of local production, NW Alpine (as mentioned above) sources 70% of its products in the U.S., while manufacturing all of its products in the U.S.