Enviro-Mental: Quiksilver

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Austin Smith's clothes are eco-friendly and his skills are eco-awesome. Utah backcountry. Photo: Brian Craighill

Words: Tom Monterosso

Global warming is awesome—if you’re a surfer. Snowboarders, unfortunately, don’t get off on those days when they can “trunk it.”

Though one of the most dominant brands in the world of waves, Quiksilver has been making quality board wear for people who find their stoke far from the surf for over a quarter of a century. Long gone are the days of fluorescent one-pieces and pop-art prints; today, Quiksilver takes a fashion-forward, functional, and eco-friendly approach to their winter apparel in hopes of curbing the global warming tide.

Quiksilver's Eco Circle Outerwear

  • The line consists of the Eco Circle jacket and pant, the Rusty Cage jacket, Pantera pant, and Travis Rice’s signature jacket and pant.
  • The PTU laminates used in the line completely break down in four years, while other laminates can take hundreds of years.
  • Quik’s non-toxic dyes are free of the heavy metals used in most fabric dyes that are harmful to the environment. Rock on!
  • Recycled bottles used in their polyester fabrics reduce the use of raw materials like petroleum, and cuts down on the process of refining crude oil into synthetic polyesters.

By combining the use of recycled bottles, hemp fabrics, non-toxic natural dyes, and a sustainable design process, Quiksilver has launched a collection of cold-weather clothing that can help the fight against increasing climate change while keeping you warm on the hill.

Their outerwear offerings include biodegradable PTU laminates, a Nanosphere finish, non-toxic fabric dyes and recycled PET water and soda bottles. SNOWBOARDER Magazine’s 2008 Rookie of the Year and Quiksilver team rider Austin Smith says, “Most people will say that they just don’t care [about the environment], but then again, most people are ignorant assholes. So whether or not you recycle, compost, use alternative energy, or even ride a bicycle, consider wearing ecofriendly clothing to help out. Or, just wear it because you like the color.” Smith’s praise attests that you can keep it fresh and still keep the fresh coming.

With their eco-friendly line, Quiksilver is yet again establishing itself as an industry-wide leader when it comes to looking good while doing good. For Quiksilver, it’s just as much about entering the white room as it is pulling into the green one.

Related Links:
Enivro-mental: ThirtyTwo
Enviro-Mental: Salomon Sick Stick

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