How to Be More Sustainable on Your Next Hike with CURREX®

What if every step you took on the trail could be a step towards a healthier planet? This Earth Day, let's celebrate nature's beauty by exploring how we can minimize our impact and protect the spaces we love. Even small choices, like using eco-friendly hiking gear, can make a difference.

Keep reading to learn how CURREX hiking insoles use recycled materials to support your feet and the environment, plus other ways to be more sustainable.

Why Sustainability Matters on the Trail

Most hikers already make sustainable choices like packing out their trash and respecting wildlife. These actions and more are defined by the “Leave No Trace” principles that help us reduce our impact on the environment and keep the trails thriving for future generations.

Being a sustainable hiker is more important now than ever. According to Global Market Insights, there is a growing trend towards outdoor recreation and adventure activities. While the appeal of nature is clear, this increase in popularity drives demand for camping and hiking gear that often relies on harmful chemical production.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Hiking Gear

Traditional hiking gear like waterproof tents, hiking boots, and jackets use synthetic materials and plastics that require non-renewable resources to produce. This process depletes natural resources and releases chemicals into the air, water, and soil, leading to pollution and affecting wildlife.

Most of this gear is not biodegradable, either. According to the EPA, textiles like clothes, equipment, and shoes account for over 5% of landfill space with about 1.92 million tons of textile waste produced every year. Only 12% of the materials used for clothing ends up recycled, further contributing to our global waste crisis.

The increased demand for new hiking gear helps fuel ecologically damaging production. Thankfully, many outdoor enthusiasts want their adventures to align with their values, causing them to seek out more sustainable hiking brands.

Choosing Eco-friendly Hiking Gear like CURREX Insoles

Reducing your footprint on the planet starts with choosing better gear from what you carry in your pack to what’s on your feet. CURREX HIKEPRO™ insoles help you be a sustainable hiker by using recycled materials in our design and packaging, reducing waste so you can tread lightly.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Hiking Insoles

By choosing CURREX hiking boot insoles, you're investing in both your comfort and a healthier planet, making each adventure a step towards a more sustainable future. Here's why they're a smart pick for your next hike:

• Durability. With the durability to handle rugged terrain, HIKEPRO insoles help decrease waste by lasting longer than conventional shoe inserts.
• Comfort. Customized arch support and highly breathable cushioning reduce post-hike fatigue while keeping your feet cool, comfortable and supported.
• Injury prevention. Our innovative Dynamic Arch Technology™ and shock absorbing cushioning help prevent injuries by reducing stress on joints.
• Performance. Feel confident on all terrain with superior grip and a locked-in fit that keeps your feet in their optimal biomechanical position.
• Reduced impact. Our EVA cushioning and packaging are made of 100% recycled materials, helping to minimize waste and support sustainable manufacturing.

What is the best sustainable hiking gear?

The best sustainable gear includes items that use 100% recycled materials. They might also feature organic fabrics or waterproof treatments that are free of harmful PFAS. You can find eco-friendly hiking gear and other sustainable outdoor accessories from brands like CURREX, Patagonia®, Arc'teryx®, tentree®, REI Co-op®, and more.

When buying new gear, look for sustainable alternatives such as:

• Accessories like reusable water bottles, water filters, rechargeable headlamps, biodegradable toiletries, and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Footwear made with recycled rubber outsoles and recycled PET uppers made from post-consumer plastic waste.
• Backpacks from brands with eco-friendly certifications that use recycled polyester or nylon and offer repair services.
• Clothing made from recycled polyester, organic cotton or hemp, and merino wool.
• Camping gear such as sleeping bags with recycled insulation or ethically sourced down, tents using recycled polyester, and fuel-efficient portable stoves.

Tips for Being a More Sustainable Hiker

Next time you go hiking, think about how your gear affects the natural spaces around you. What you carry and where you walk matters. Here are some simple ways you can be a more sustainable hiker:

1. Stay on marked trails to avoid disturbing natural habitats and help curb erosion.
2. Pack out all trash including biodegradable items like fruit peels that don’t naturally grow there.
3. Consider renting or buying used hiking gear to help cut down on waste.
4. Carry reusable water bottles and biodegradable utensils to reduce how much plastic you consume.
5. Snack sustainably on foods that use recycled packaging as well as local produce and plant-based foods.
6. Carpool with your friends to reduce emissions and consider hiking trails that are closer to home.
7. Support hiking gear brands that use sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing.
8. Volunteer at your local parks department or join a club to assist with trail maintenance and environmental advocacy.

Celebrate Earth Day with CURREX HIKEPRO

By making more sustainable choices, we can work together to protect our trails. This Earth Day, make your next hike a step towards a greener planet and feel the difference that CURREX HIKEPRO insoles can make for your feet and the environment.

CURREX is not affiliated with Patagonia®, Arc'teryx®, tentree®, REI Co-op®, or any other hiking gear manufacturers. Reference and trademarks used above feature examples of top sustainable outdoor clothing brands.