Leading the Way in Eco-friendly Apparel 

Sustainability Matters

As an outfitter for all kinds of outdoor adventures – from travel to trail runs – we want to offer thoughtfully designed, comfortable, long-lasting activewear using the best practices in eco-friendly apparel making. When we found out that only 9% of the plastic bottles made globally are recycled, we knew we would do our part in reducing waste going into landfills and oceans and becoming a leader in responsible manufacturing. 

Here’s how we do it:

• Develop fabrics from 100% post-consumer plastic
• Use low-energy production methods
• Include recycled materials for labels and hang tags, biodegradable and compostable poly bags and post-consumer recycled shipping materials 
• Manufacture products in fair wage, responsibly run factories
• Partner with larger community of outdoor apparel makers and organizations to find solutions

Creating high-performance gear with a focus on environmental and social responsibility sounds like a tall order, but it doesn’t have to be. When relaunching the brand in 2019, GoLite committed to eco-friendly products and practices as part of GoResponsibly, which meant 80% of the first product line was sustainably made. For 2020, we will reach 90+%. 

Sustainability is our mission and is at the heart of what we do.

Developing Eco-friendly Fabrics

We have a plastic problem, so GoLite decided to do our part in finding solutions. When we relaunched the brand, we decided to take our reputation as an innovator in outdoor gear and further our commitment to sustainability. That meant developing our own eco-friendly fabrics.

We partnered up with Da.Ai, a non-profit producing post-consumer plastic products based in Taipei, Taiwan. Volunteers sort through tons of plastic bottles, which are cleaned and processed to make fibers. These fibers are then woven into the fabrics that make up most of our collection. All the finishing touches, from the fabric printing method to the labels, are considered to maximize sustainability. We use energy-efficient methods and biodegradable materials. In our first line of clothing since relaunching, more than 80% is made with eco-friendly fabrics and sustainable methods of manufacturing. As of 2020, our collections will achieve 90+%. 

We want our clothes to last a long time and for you to get the most comfortable, reliable wear and performance from each garment.   

Developing Low-Energy Production Methods

How we make our products is just as important as what materials we use to make them. GoLite uses low-energy production methods for our eco-friendly outdoor gear. Using recycled plastic to create fabrics cuts down on energy use by 50% compared to making that fabric with brand new materials. We also use fabric dyeing methods that further reduce water consumption - up to 80%.

We want to keep a light footprint on the planet. Keeping our production low-energy and waste-conscious helps us reach that goal. 

Working with Recycled Materials

GoLite is proud to partner with volunteers who help make our recycled fabrics happen. Using recycled materials keeps tons of plastic out of landfills and oceans. 

It all starts at a facility in Taipei, where our partner Da.Ai collects plastic bottles. Dozens of volunteers sort through each bottle and separate by color. These bottles are broken down into smaller bits, melted, then remade into fiber that’s woven into our durable, high-performance and lightweight fabrics. 

We think our fabrics are special. Not only are they made from recycled bottles, we use earth-friendly dyes and low-energy methods to produce each high-performance garment. We also use recycled and recyclable materials for packaging. Every aspect of our production cycle is considered to ensure an eco-friendly product line that customers can feel good about buying.