Fabrics

Kirala® bio fleece is a thermoplastic, aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, tapioca roots or sugarcane. The polyactic acid fiber we use for the Sigyn series is 100% corn based, which makes it 100% biodegradable. Kirala® bio fleece is also naturally antibacterial. This means that we can also avoid using any anti-odor treatments. Kirala® bio fleece dries quickly and is very light in comparison to its warming capabilities. A material that also works in humid environments, thanks to its hydrophobic properties. In conclusion, we think it is the perfect lightweight alternative for high paced activities in colder climates.

Wool outperforms any other fiber when it comes to moisture wicking, warmth and odor control. Merino Wool provides excellent insulation, transports moisture and does not smell or itch. It is also very soft and light, making it the preferred option for base layer active clothing. Our Merino wool is prepared and cleaned in a sustainable, chlorine free process. It is also always 100% mulesing free.

At Klättermusen, we strive to use organic cotton exclusively, in order to lessen our environmental impact. Conventional cotton is considered one of the most polluting crops due to the heavy use of pesticides and insecticides in production. There are also concerns regarding worker's rights, child labor and unsustainable water consumption. Our end goal is to use organic cotton exclusively. This is an ongoing process, and as an alternative we use cotton from producers in transaction to GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. Organic cotton is grown without any toxic or persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO seeds. Instead, methods like beneficial insects and mechanical weeding help reduce the environmental strain. Cultivation is done with care for the environment. Workers are protected from hazardous chemicals, and the surrounding communities are protected by preventing the pollution of drinking water.

At Klättermusen, we use only 800+ fill power goose down of the highest quality as insulation in our down products. Few competitors can match our warmth-to-weight ratio, and our down keeps its shape and insulating properties for decades if taken care of properly. All the down we use is RDS- certified (Responsible Down Standard). RDS-certified means that the entire supply chain is audited, and the welfare of the birds is respected during their entire life cycle. For example, live-plucking and force- feeding of the animals is strictly forbidden and all the down is fully traceable back to the farm. We have chosen to work with chlorine-free, unbleached down, which means that a few feathers in every down product will be dark. If you encounter a feather visible through the outer fabric, gently squeeze or shake it until the feather has disappeared.

Re:down® is a company that produces filling materials, using 100 percent recycled feathers extracted from post-consumer goods. Re:down® have set their mind on using the most environmental friendly methods to regenerate down and feathers. They use their own thermal water for the washing process, and no fresh water. This water goes through a water recycling system, and is then sent back to earth, clean as drinking water. No chemicals are used, only soap during the washing. The down is sterilized using only high heat, and for their water-resistant finish, they use an ecological, FC-free formula. Also, broken feathers and down fibers are up-cycled into a very efficient organic fertilizer. Today, the factory uses 30 percent solar panel electricity, but they aim to reach 70 percent in the upcoming years. The result is high quality, recycled down, with a fill power of up to 90/10 - 700. At Klättermusen, we have chosen to use only their top-quality selection.

To reduce waste, we have chosen to work with recycled down in some of our insulated products. Using down recycled from reclaimed cushions, beddings and other used items is a sustainable alternative, as it means less waste ends up in landfills or incinerators. All the recycled down we use is GRS-certified (Global Recycled Standard). In this case GRS certification means that the down is traceable from the post-consumer goods to the new finished products. Once processed (washed, sterilized and sorted), recycled down will retain its original properties. In other words, it will have the same thermal function and durability as virgin down. The fill power of our recycled down is 700.

Polyamide is a synthetic nylon fiber, produced from crude oil or renewable plant-based oils. It creates an extraordinarily strong and versatile fabric. In turn, recycled polyamide can be derived from both post-industrial or post-consumer feed stock. In our collection we use a mix of both. For recycled polyamide fibers, post-consumer waste is our first choice, since we want to help recycling on a global scale any way we can. Post-consumer waste used for recycled polyamide includes discarded industrial fishing nets, old carpets and rigid textiles. Reusing oil based raw materials in a responsible manner is in our mind an important step in the right direction. Recycling polyamide adds another layer of complexity to the production process, but the result is a reliable, long-lasting fabric that can be used for both lightweight and quick-drying, and wind and rain proof fabrics, depending on the thickness. Using material that otherwise would become waste saves both energy and resources. We were the first outdoor company ever to use recycled polyamide across our entire backpack line in 2009.

For over a decade we have been working with recycled polyester, which creates a net benefit from a sustainability perspective. The recycling process is significantly less harmful than virgin polyester production while material that would end up in a land-fill is put to good use. The process reduces water, air and soil pollution and saves energy compared to virgin polyester manufacturing, and reduces existing waste. Our recycled polyester is made from post-industrial waste and post-consumer PET-bottles, which makes it a double win. The resulting fabrics not only match but out-perform fabrics made from virgin polyester. Our process replaces virgin resources with superior know-how to create a wider benefit in both performance and sustainability.

Recycled wool gives old and worn-out garments new life. It is a great way of being more sustainable. The Italian recycled wool we use is collected from all around the globe. It originates both from old garments as well as cutting waste from new fabrics. The materials are sorted by fiber content and colors, cleaned and reduced back down to fiber. From this fiber, new material is spun and knitted into new, warm and cozy garments. We have chosen to use recycled wool in many of our paddings and midlayers. It saves a considerable amount of water and, of course, stops old garments from ending up in landfills. This process reduces CO2 emissions by 83 percent compared to using virgin wool. Wool recycling as a method has been used in Europe for hundreds of years.

Tencel® is the brand name for lyocell, a fiber that is more absorbent compared to cotton, softer than silk, and cooler than linen. Key to using Tencel® next to skin are the natural anti-bacterial properties that come from the moisture being transported to the inside of the fiber which prevents a film of water from forming on the fiber. Tencel® is a regenerated fiber, meaning that it's made from wood pulp that has been dissolved and made into a fiber. It's a cellulosic fiber like viscose, but uses a production process that is gentler on the environment. Tencel® requires less energy and water, no chlorine is used and the waste products are minimal and considered harmless. When a product made of Tencel® has reached the end of its life length, it can be recycled and is also biodegradable since it's made from cellulosic fiber.

Ultramid Biomass Balance Polyamide Polyamide is a durable and strong fiber, increasing the life time of the products containing it. The Ultramid® Biomass Balance Polyamide has the same high-quality features as conventional polyamide, but is far more sustainable. In production of Ultramid® Biomass Balance Polyamide a certain amount of fossil resources is replaced with an equivalent amount of renewable feedstock, such as biogas or bio-naphtha. Klättermusen invests in nothing but 100% renewable feedstock. This is a step towards a more sustainable product, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions and saving of fossil resources. The amount of renewable resources used is monitored by a third-party certification system. We are the first outdoor brand to apply this fiber in our production and hope to inspire others to become more aware of the choices they make.

Wool outperforms any other fiber when it comes to moisture wicking, warmth and odor fighting capabilities. For thermal regulation, we use standard wool in both outer layering and inner padding. Natural wool fibers have small, barbed scales that causes felting if left untreated. In other words, the wool will lump up when washed, and shrink. At Klättermusen, we use a unique process that is chlorine-free to remove the scales to make the fiber soft and comfortable. Our wool is always 100% mulesing and chlorine-free.