Eco-Friendly Hiking Products

For nature lovers, nothing comes closer to experiencing the outdoors like a good hiking adventure. To further amplify this fantastic back to nature experience, using eco-friendly products for hiking is even better! Try out these great environmentally friendly hiking and camping gear on your next outing!

Biodegradable soap
Soap is not usually the first thing most hikers, backpackers and campers think of when gearing up, but it is super important for personal hygiene and staying clean. However, your average bar of soap is definitely not eco-friendly and good stewards of the environment should not use such products. Instead, try a greener option, biodegradable soap. There are several companies making great biodegradable soap products for hiking, including Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps and Campsud Soaps. Check 'em out on their websites, for Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap and Campsud Soaps. These are just some of the many companies selling biodegradable soap for outdoors fans.

Eco-friendly Hiking Boots
Green hiking boots? Who would have thought? It's great idea and there are many companies selling hiking boots for the hardcore outdoorsperson and amateur alike. These greener hiking boots may use eco-friendly production techniques, sustainable materials and other good methods to manufacture and sell their boots. Popular companies include Patagonia (be sure to check out their Finn Hiking shoe with up to 30% recycled rubber), Timberland Footwear (many different boots with sustainable materials), and the Pachira Hemp Hiking boots (recycled foam, recycled rubber and much more makes this a very appealing eco-friendly hiking boot). Many of these are sold online, or at popular hiking stores like REI.

Green Tents
No, I'm not advocating for biodegradable tents (brrr!). Instead, consider buying a second-hand or used tent for your camping needs. Too many people throw out their camping tent after just a few uses or when they discover how much they hate camping, wasting a perfectly fine tent. For the average American, it's probably safe to say that they do not go out camping very often. Thus, their tents sit inside their attic, collecting dust. Recycling a tent by buying it second-hand is often a very eco-friendly manner to conduct yourself in as a hiker and camper.
However, if you would rather buy a new tent from recycled materials or other sustainable products, check out tents made from organic cotton and hemp (better for dry climates where you do not have to hike far). For rainy climates, look for tents made out of synthetic fabrics, just avoid too much PVC or other toxins in the material. Finally, if you want to skip on batteries and make the most of our abundant solar energy, check out the Eureka Solar Family Tent, complete with solar panels to charge up a small tent light. Happy camping!