In a world where clothes are often designed to be here today and gone tomorrow, it’s time to talk about the real impact of our choices. We know that the total impact of a product is directly linked to how long it remains in use. In other words, a shirt that’s worn just a handful of times before being discarded has a far greater environmental footprint than one that lasts for years. In fact, adding an extra nine months of active use can slash the carbon, water, and waste footprints of a garment by 20-30% each.  

That’s why we’re working hard to extend the life of our clothing. And while producing less - or even not at all - is best for the planet, extending the lifespan of the products we do create presents the single most significant opportunity to reduce their environmental impact. 

Our commitment to sustainability starts with the choices we make in material selection and product design. We prioritize durable materials, constructions and styles that are purpose-built, ensuring our products not only meet the wearer’s needs but also endure season after season of outdoor adventures.  

By implementing rigorous quality assurance processes from the raw material stage to the final product, we feel confident our products will stand the test of time. We’re also committed to guiding our consumers and offering advice on proper product care and maintenance, which further extends the lifespan of our garments. 

Before reaching the market, our products are rigorously tested to ensure they meet the highest standards of durability and performance. From materials to construction, we check and refine every garment or accessory to make sure it can handle the wear and tear of real outdoor action, season after season.  

Whether it’s a beanie or a base layer, each product goes through its own special testing journey. These tests are run at both our in-house physical testing laboratory for textiles in Shanghai and we sometimes bring in third-party experts for added assurance. 

For products where finding the right balance of performance, fit and durability matter most, we send them out for field testing. This means our gear gets put to the test in real-world conditions so we can gain insight into how they function and identify areas for improvement. We then take all those learnings back to our product teams so we can keep getting better. 

We also work closely with manufacturers to make sure they meet our high standards during production. On top of all this, we run sample tests to ensure every product meets our specs. It’s a lot of work, but we’re convinced it’s well worth it. Because besides the environmental benefits of long-lived gear, we think that every adventurer deserves gear that’s as tough as its wearer. 

Forget the adventure of a lifetime. By repairing your Kari Traa garments and accessories, you’re equipped to enjoy a lifetime of adventure! We’re all about helping you to reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact. Through repair workshops, partnerships with local experts, and handy DIY repair guides, we’re here to make sure you get more out of your favorite gear.

While we don’t operate our own repair center, we’ve partnered with skilled local experts who specialize in restoring our products when needed. As a member of the Active Brands family, we’ve teamed up with the Norwegian and Textile Fashion Agenda’s Repair Project, an initiative that provides us with valuable insights and practical solutions for effective repairs while making these services even more accessible to everyone.

With our DIY instruction guides, you can take repairs into your own hands. We're here to teach you the art of at-home repairs, supporting your journey toward a more sustainable life in the great outdoors.

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 extend the life of your garments. This not only reduces turnaround times and eliminates shipping, but also creates an opportunity for you to connect with and support skilled individuals in your own neighborhood. It’s a win-win for everyone!

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 creates a need for new products to be made elsewhere. Reuse, or second-hand shopping, is a fantastic way to downsize your wardrobe and reduce its overall impact.

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Caring for your garments is all about giving them the love they need to carry on performing at their best. But there’s a fine line when it comes to washing and caring for your outdoor essentials. Washing too frequently or using the wrong methods can lead to premature wear and tear, reducing the lifespan of your gear. 

While we’re committed to creating top-quality, long-lasting gear designed to endure the toughest conditions, it’s important to remember that proper care ensures your garments continue to serve you well. Explore our care instructions to learn how you can maintain the performance of your pieces season after season.

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 creates a need for new products, which in turn requires more virgin 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. 

But we’re not sitting still in the meantime, and are instead attacking this challenge from various angles, finding wins wherever they can be found. 

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. In the meantime, here’s what we’re doing:

1. More recycled fibers:

   We’re working on increasing the number of products made with recycled fibers. This way, we can reduce the need for new resources and give used materials a fresh purpose. 

2. Promoting longevity:

   We’re all about making products that last as long as possible. Our designs are functional, timeless styles that remain relevant for years, reducing the need for constant wardrobe updates. 

3. Waste repurposing:

   In our relentless pursuit of sustainable practices, we developed Wastelayer, a unique blend of merino wool production waste, sustainable fibers from wood pulp, and recycled cotton. This innovative fabric is soft, durable and perfect for everything from outdoor adventures to everyday wear. 

4. Pass it on:

   We encourage everyone to pass on their garments as pre-loved items. It’s a great way to give your clothes a second life and reduce waste. 

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• Washing and caring for your garments helps to maintain their appearance and make them longer lasting. For technical garments it also helps for keeping and restoring performance.​ 

• Only wash when needed to save the environment.​ 

• Follow care instructions can help to preserve the color, texture, performance and overall lifetime of your garments.​ 

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing to secure your garments from being damaged.​ 

• Use a laundry bag to reduce microfiber release into the water.​ 

• Remember to use correct liquid detergent to preserve your garments. ​ 

• If the garment get stains, it is important to remove it as quickly as possible to prevent the stain from sticking.

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

• Use liquid detergent, special for wool products.​ 

• Never use fabric softener or enzyme washing detergent on wool products.​ 

• We recommend using the wool program in the washing machine to avoid wool fibers to tangle and felt due to the mechanical friction, pressure and heat.​ 

• We recommend using a laundry bag for delicate wool garments.​ 

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

• Avoid hanging heavy wool garments. Lay the garment flat when drying.​ 

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

• Do not tumble dry wool. ​ 

• 100% wool is resistant to dirt and odors and do not need to be washed after every use. Let it rest for a time between uses, this gives the wool fibers time to recover their natural strength and elasticity.​ 

• Hang the garment outside in fresh air for refreshing, or you can place it in the freezer or out in the snow overnight. 

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

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing.​ 

• Wash with similar colors.​ 

• Use bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

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

• Do not iron directly onto prints or decoration. 

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

• Wash the garments inside out.​ 

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing.​ 

• Wash with similar colors.​ 

• Use bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

• Avoid ironing the garment.​ 

• Polyester blends can be tumble dried but are preferred to be line dried.​ 

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

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

• Wash the garments inside out. ​ 

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing.​ 

• Wash with similar colors. ​ 

• Use a bleach-free liquid detergent. ​ 

• Never use fabric softener on garments with membrane.​ 

• 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 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. 

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

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing.​ 

• Wash with similar colors. ​ 

• Use a bleach-free liquid detergent. ​ 

• Never use fabric softener on garments with membrane.​ 

• 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 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. 

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

• Close all zips and fasten Velcro before washing.​ 

• Wash with similar colors.  

• Use a mild bleach-free liquid detergent. ​ 

• Never use fabric softener on down products. ​ 

• The best way to dry down products is in a tumble dryer with dryer balls/tennis balls at a medium temperature. It might be a need for a couple of extra drying cycles to assure the down product is completely dry and re-lofted​ 

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

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

• Avoid washing gloves/mittens too often. Leather gloves/mittens should not be washed.​ 

• Fasten all buttons and Velcro before washing.​ 

• Use a gentle bleach-free liquid detergent.​ 

• Do not use a tumble dryer if it 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. 

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