For nearly three decades we’ve been developing, testing and engineering technical fabrications and laminations in apparel. Everything we do is based around innovation, people, purpose with the goal to build the best performance products with our active-minded community. We create products. We create community. We create experiences. 

Our commitment to creating more sustainable manufacturing practices, utilizing more eco-friendly materials, reducing waste and continuing our fair labor practices are ongoing. Each year we take new steps towards constant and substantial improvement. In our commitment to becoming Climate Neutral Certified, we have measured and pledged to offset our entire 2020 carbon emissions and created plans to reduce emissions moving forward.

One key step in our sustainability journey is transparency; transparency for both ourselves and for our customers. In order to achieve this, we have dedicated ourselves to measuring 686's Carbon Footprint. Our Carbon Footprint is calculated using the Higg Product Module 1.0 (Higg PM 1.0 at Higg.org) developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). We have tracked our carbon emissions through the following cradle-to-grave areas: materials, manufacturing, transportation, product use, end of life.

 

At 686 we want to be more than just a brand. We want to help make a difference in our local community and inspire our employees to do the same. We've partnered with organizations and charities to help drive accessibility in the outdoors. On Earth Day and the following Saturday, 686 pledges to give back 10% of all purchases to the Ron Finley Project. The Ron Finley Project is a South LA based company that focuses on how to transform food deserts into food sanctuaries, and teaching individuals how to regenerate their lands into creative business models.

We've take steps to increase our production efficiency from 85.5% to 87% of fabric used. This means that throughout 2021 we saved 4+ miles of fabric from going to the landfill and recycled this fabric into 4,058 units of product. 

As we aim to reduce waste during all parts of the product life cycle, we have turned to more and more recycled fibers where possible. Utilizing multiple sources of recycled insulation throughout our GLCR products and insulators, we continue to recycle thousands of plastic bottles that would have otherwise found their way into landfills.

 

Hydrastash is a reusable hydration source that cuts down on single use waste and provides on-demand hydration discretely hidden within your garment. The BPA free and anti-microbial bladder is easy to remove and clean.

Our policy is to have all animals from which we derive our down and wool allowed the Five Freedoms: 1) Freedom from hunger or thirst. 2) Freedom from discomfort. 3) Freedom from pain, injury or disease. 4) Freedom to express most normal behavior. 5) Freedom from fear and distress.