The (Safe, Sustainable, and Non-Toxic) Holiday Gear Guide

November 13th, 2013 • BY Erinn Morgan

Bothered by all the chemical confusion out there today? Wondering how different products might affect your health—and the health of your family? We are too. Which is exactly why it was an offer we couldn’t refuse when Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), the successful non-profit that lobbies for safer products for all of us, asked us to craft the Fitness and Gear section of their 2013 Non-Toxic Shopping Guide.

The WVE Guide debuts today and we’re honored to be a part of it. For our Fitness and Gear section, we hand-picked 10 products that are low on the toxic meter and high on the quality and performance meter. You can view the full Women’s Voices for the Earth Non-Toxic Guide here—it also covers everything from cosmetics and clothing to baby products and toys. Excellent ideas for all your holiday gifting.

Check out our Fitness and Gear picks below.

Non-Toxic Gear Guide Tips:

• Look for fitness apparel from companies that offer certified organic cotton or Merino wool fabrics—or those that have been certified by bluesign®, which tests products for their safety for consumers and the planet.

• Avoid fitness gear (such as hand weights, yoga mats, etc.) made with materials such as petroleum-based plastics, PVC, or phthalates, which have been linked to concerning health effects.

• A recent German study revealed that store-bought bottled water has a whopping 25,000 chemicals inside, including hormone disruptors strong enough to mimic a prostate cancer treatment drug. Tap water tested did not have these hormone disruptors present. Opt for BPA-free, reusable, stainless steel water bottles for your workout instead.

Our Ten Shopping Guide Picks:

1. A Good Foundation: Start their workout off right with non-toxic apparel basics that are perfect for the gym or a winter run. I love Icebreaker’s Rush Bra ($54.99) and Rush ¾ Tights, both crafted of responsibly farmed New Zealand Merino wool and elastane (for stretch). While made of wool, Icebreaker’s fitness garments are highly soft, good-looking, and performance-minded—each also comes with a BaaCode that traces the origin of your garment back to the farm.
2. Outdoor Aerobics: A perfect, non-toxic fit for winter running and Nordic or alpine skiing, Patagonia’s Women’s Merino 3 Midweight Zip-Neck ($125) is bluesign® approved and crafted from 100% recycled Capilene® polyester and Merino wool that is responsibly sourced from the grasslands of Patagonia. Made without the use of chlorine, this top helps regulate body temps and is also odor-resistant.
3. Namaste: Gaiam’s no-slip Sol Dry Grip yoga mat ($69.98) is constructed from a closed-cell material that seals out germs, odors and bacteria—it also happens to be ideal for those with latex sensitivities. Plus, its 5 millimeter thickness is perfectly cushy.
4. Post-workout Coverup: Wrap up after yoga or the gym and head out into the world in non-toxic style in Ibex’s gorgeous Synergy Hoody ($160). Crafted (nearly) half organic cotton and half New Zealand Merino wool (with a touch of Lycra thrown in for stretch) is warm and cozy; it also features a longer length for ample coverage.
5. Wash it Consciously: A great, non-toxic stocking stuffer for active women, Nikwax BaseWash laundry detergent ($9.50, 10oz.) is designed specifically for is perfect for all fitness underwear in your post-workout laundry load. The good news: Nikwax is 100% water based and biodegradable and does not contain fluorocarbons/VOCs.
6. Hydrate Healthfully: Help them ditch their store-bought bottled water habit for their workout; it’s been shown to host hormone disruptors. Instead, gift them with a BPA-free, stainless steel or aluminum reusable water bottle instead, such as the AVEX Brazos Autoseal Stainless water bottle ($29.99) or the made-in-the-USA recycled aluminum Liberty Bottleworks Artisan Meadow water bottle ($19).
7. Sustainable Socks: Another perfect stocking stuffer is the non-toxic, made-in-America Farm to Feet collection of hiking and active socks. I love the lightweight but durable Boulder Crew sock ($18), crafted of Merino wool farmed in the Rocky Mountains.
8. Active Salve: Every active person’s skin takes a beating, especially if they’re prone to run, ski, or snowshoe outside throughout the winter. For skin protection and sore spots, I love this handmade Fountain of Youth Salve ($8, 1oz., aka “Boater Balm”) made by Megan Helbert, the wife of canoe guru and swiftwater rescue instructor Eli Helbert, from fully organic ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil, vitamin E, and essential oils of frankincense and myrrh.
9. For Shredders: If you’re going big on the gift front and have a shredder on your list, the Jones Snowboards Mothership ($549) is a women’s freeride snowboard built with 100% FSC-certified wood (Forest Stewardship Council), recycled sidewalls, and VOC-free film topsheets (That replace the standard VOC plastic top sheet).
10. Organic Fuel: Brainstormed by Clif Bar co-founder Kit Crawford, Kit’s Organic Fuit & Nut Bars ($17.99 for 12 bars/box) are one of the best quick, non-toxic, healthy workout fuel options available. Not much to worry about here; these bars are made with certified organic whole foods ingredients such as dates, almonds, barberries, bilberries, and sea salt. They are gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.

 

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