In many cases, increasing the number of wears per garment can reduce environmental impacts by reducing the need for new production, as indicated by life-cycle assessment research (Source:

). Product design can also influence how long garments remain in active use. The process starts as early as choosing the right materials.

Wool is at the heart of Kari Traa, making up 32% of our materials (last updated in March 2026). Outdoor enthusiasts around the world opt for wool as their adventure companion – to understand why, we need to get down to the nitty gritties. Wool fibres act like tiny springs and strong ropes. They are flexible so they can stretch and spring back (even more when wet) and withstand many, many bends without breaking. Their surface has overlapping “roof‑tile” scales and a waxy coating that shed dirt and resist abrasion, and internal chemical bonds act like glue to keep the fibre stable. These characteristics may help garments made of wool maintain their shape and performance over time, depending on use and care of course. By using wool, we’re benefiting from how the fibres evolved to protect sheep from harsh environments, keeping them dry despite rain and regulating their body temperature in the heat (Source:

).

Apart from wool, we use many other materials, always trying to find the right one to match the purpose at hand. Four years ago, we launched our internal material standard which is a requirement document mainly directed towards sourcing, design and development team. It outlines which raw materials we use, including specific raw material adoption targets. This way, we make sure we all pull in the same direction when it comes to making the right material choices.

Before reaching the market, our products are rigorously checked. Whether it’s a beanie or a base layer, each product goes through its own special testing journey. Part of this journey are laboratory tests. Common ones that we run on our fabrics depending on the product category are:

• Pilling Resistance (test method: ISO 1245-1 (ICI Pilling Box))

• Abrasion Resistance (test method: ISO 12947-2 (Martindale))

• Dimensional Stability Washing (Shrinkage) (test method: ISO 5077/ISO 6330)

• Several Color Fastness Tests, for example to Water (test method: ISO 105 E01), Washing (test method: ISO 105 C06) and Rubbing (test method: ISO 105 X12)

• Tearing Strength (test method: ISO 13937-1, ISO 13937-2) and other strength tests

• Water Repellency (spray test) and Resistance to Water Penetration (Hydrostatic pressure) (test method: JISL1092B (ISO 811))

• Moisture Vapour Permeability (test method: JISL1099B1(ASTME96BW))

These tests are run both our in-house testing laboratory for textiles in Shanghai and sometimes by third-party experts for added assurance. For products where finding the right balance of fit and performance matter most, we send them out for field testing. This means our gear gets used in real-world conditions so we can gain insight into how it functions and where we can improve. On top of all this, we run sample tests to ensure every product meets our specs. All those learnings are taken back to our product team so we can keep getting better - it’s a lot of work, but we’re convinced it’s well worth it.

Our products are made to accompany you on all kinds of adventures. And sometimes, you’ll come home from a trip not only with amazing memories but also with a small hole in your jacket from a stray spark next to the bonfire or a little rip in your baselayer from bushwacking your way up a mountain. But before purchasing a new product, our challenge to you is to try to repair your existing piece first. Kari herself is a huge fan of repairing her gear to keep it going as long as possible. She has even shared one of her simplest mending tips for wool baselayers in a video:

Unfortunately, we don’t operate our own repair center yet. But we keep exploring opportunities, solutions and partnerships related to this in our industry.

While we grow our service offerings, we also encourage you to support local tailors and seamstresses in your community. In many places, the traditional skills of these artisans are becoming somewhat of a lost art, and they can provide a valuable service to help you continue using garments through repair. This not only reduces turnaround times and avoids the need to ship products for repair but also creates an opportunity for you to connect with and support skilled individuals in your own neighborhood.

At times, we all end up with closets full of clothes that will probably never see the light of day again. Whether it’s due to changing tastes or shifting sizes, hoarding these unworn items may contribute to continued demand for new products. Reuse or second-hand shopping are fantastic ways to downsize your wardrobe and can help keep them in use for longer.

Proper washing and care help maintain the appearance, fit and performance of garments over time. For technical apparel, correct care can also help maintain functional properties such as breathability or water repellency. Always follow the care label inside the garment, as specific instructions may vary by product. Below, we’ve collected the most important tips and tricks for you, listed by materials type!

• Wash garments only when needed and follow the care label instructions.

• Close zippers and fasten Velcro before washing to reduce wear.

• Wash with similar colours.

• Use a mild liquid detergent unless otherwise specified on the care label.

• Avoid fabric softener unless recommended, as it may affect the performance of some fabrics.

• Treat stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting.

• Using a laundry bag may help reduce fibre shedding during washing.

Wool fibres naturally resist odour and dirt, which means garments may not need to be washed after every use. You can hang your wool garment outside in fresh air for refreshing, or you can place it in the freezer or out in the snow overnight.

• Wash according to the care label using a wool detergent.

• We recommend using the wool/gentle programme on your washing machine to help prevent felting.

• Using a laundry bag for delicate garments can help reduce friction during washing.

• Never wash delicate wool products with products that have sharp objects like zippers and buttons that can damage the wool product.

• Avoid fabric softener and enzyme detergents.

• Do not twist the garment to remove excess water.​

• Do not tumble dry unless the care label allows it.

• Lay wool garments flat to dry and avoid hanging heavy items.

• Use bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

• Cotton can be dried in a tumble dryer at low heat.​ 

• Do not iron directly onto prints or decoration. 

• Wash garments inside out and with similar colors.

• Use a bleach-free liquid detergent.

• Avoid ironing the garment.​ 

• Avoid fabric softener, as it can affect moisture-management properties.

• Line drying is recommended where possible, although some garments may allow tumble drying according to the care label.

• When you have been sweating in your training garment, we recommend washing it as soon as possible to avoid bad odour building up in the garment. 

• Technical garments may include membranes or water-repellent finishes.

• Avoid fabric softener when washing garments with membranes.

• Follow the care label instructions for drying.

• For products with durable water repellent (DWR) treatment: Once the product is dry, tumble dry 20 minutes to reactivate the DWR. If a tumble dryer isn’t available, iron the garment on a gentle setting to reactivate the DWR. When ironing, protect the garment with a towel or cloth.​ 

• If the water repellent If the water-repellent effect decreases over time, first follow the washing and drying instructions described above. If this is not enough, it’s time for a reapplication of the waterproofing function.

• This is done by spraying or washing the garment with waterproofing treatment.

• Choose the waterproofing treatment of your choice but make sure to use a PFAS (PFC) free alternative. 

• Wash according to the care label using a mild bleach-free liquid detergent.

• Never use fabric softener on down products.

• Tumble dry with dryer balls or tennis balls at a medium temperature to help restore loft.

• The garment might need a couple of extra drying cycles to make sure it is completely dry and re-lofted​.

• Ensure the garment is fully dry before storage.

• For products with durable water repellent (DWR) treatment: Once the product is dry, tumble dry 20 minutes to reactivate the DWR.

• If the water repellent treatment is not functioning any longer it can be enough with washing the garment and expose it to heat, as described above. In case the repellency doesn’t come back it’s time for a reapplication of the waterproofing function.

  This is done by spraying or washing the garment with a waterproofing treatment.

  Choose the waterproofing treatment of your choice, but make sure to use is PFAS (PFC) free alternative.

• Follow the care label instructions and use a gentle bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

• Avoid frequent washing where possible.

• Leather gloves should not be machine washed.

• Do not use a tumble dryer if the product does not contain down. ​ 

• Never dry leather on a heated floor or an electric oven. 

• Always follow the washing instructions attached inside the garment.​ 

• Wash headgear only when necessary. ​ 

• Double layer knit hats are sensitive to machine washing and should be hand washed.​ 

• Use a gentle bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

• Try shaping the headwear while wet. 

Getting rid of garments responsibly is one of the biggest challenges faced by the textile industry today. Sadly, when clothes are no longer needed and aren’t returned to the textile supply chain, they often end up in landfills or are incinerated. This may contribute to continued demand for new products, which in turn requires resources for production. At Kari Traa, we see that the solutions needed to meet this challenge are at the systemic level, and that they will take time to develop. We’re keeping a close eye on promising textile-to-textile recycling solutions, but for now, they’re mostly small-scale and limited to regional pilot projects.

Encouragingly, change is also coming through regulation. The EU's revised Waste Framework Directive requires all Member States to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles – shifting accountability for the end-of-life of garments onto the brands that put them on the market. This means that all brands must pay a fee for the amount of clothes they put on the market in a country. This fee is then used to support public collection, sorting and recycling systems. In Norway, EPR for textiles is set to take effect in 2027. To help build the systems this transition depends on, Kari Traa (as part of Active Brands) joined the reference group for an Innovation Norway-funded collaboration project on the collection, sorting, and treatment of textiles in Norway. The project is led by NF&TA, runs from January 2026 to September 2027, and brings together several important textile players in the country to develop circular solutions – the kind of systemic shift the industry has long been missing.

Also, here’s what we’re doing within our own organization:

1. More recycled fibres

: We’re working on increasing the number of products made with recycled fibres.

2. Design approach:

 We focus on designing functional and timeless styles intended for long-term use and designed to remain relevant across seasons.

3. Waste repurposing:

Most recently, we’ve teamed up with Sisters in Business, a social enterprise that gives surplus textiles new life and creates work opportunities for women who have been excluded from the labor market. The result: reuse of surplus materials, local production, labour-market inclusion – and a scarf made from leftove. Merino wool you can wear with pride.

4. Pass it on:

 We encourage you to resell or donate garments that you no longer use, helping keep them in use for longer.