Hi! I am Michael
Hello, I am Michael… another boring intro. Let’s not do that again. Let me share my vision. Back in 2020, I developed a strong passion for the outdoors, mainly traveling to soak in natural beauty. Hiking is one of my favorite activities as it gives me a sense of union with nature while I’m on the trail. Trust me; I am neither a professional hiker with heavy equipment nor a luxury traveler.
Currently learning more about traveling, natural places, camping, hiking, plants, and wildlife to become a better outdoor man (just 21 years old, though :)). Another interest developing within me is sustainable fashion – I don’t know why, but I naturally lean toward it. So join the community of those who love nature and prefer sustainability and receive exclusive news, expert articles, resources, and much more exclusive to the outdoors and sustainable fashion.
Latest Articles
“A sneak peek of what’s going on Outdoor Favor”
Why Do Running Shoes Feature Extended Heels: An Investigation
Running shoes have become an essential part of a runner’s gear. They provide cushioning, support, and protection to the feet while running. One of the most noticeable features of a running shoe is the elevated heel. The elevated heel has become a standard feature in most running shoes, but have you ever wondered why?
The elevated heel can be seen throughout history dating back to the 10th century Persian and 3500 BC Egyptian life. The elevated heel was primarily used to make the shoe more comfortable for runners. The elevated heel provides extra cushioning and support to the heel, which helps absorb each stride’s impact. This reduces the stress on the feet, ankles, and knees, making it easier for runners to run longer distances without experiencing fatigue or pain.
The Purpose of Extended Heels in Running Shoes
Running shoes are designed to support and cushion the feet during running. One of the key features of running shoes is the extended heel, which is a raised portion of the sole at the back of the shoe. The extended heel has a specific purpose in running shoes, and this section will explore why running shoes have extended heels.
The extended heel in running shoes serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps to absorb shock when the foot strikes the ground. When a runner lands on their heel, the extended heel in the shoe acts as a cushion, reducing the impact of the foot hitting the ground. This helps to protect the feet and reduce the risk of injury.
Secondly, the extended heel provides support to the foot and ankle. It helps to stabilize the foot and prevent it from rolling inward or outward, which can cause discomfort and injury. The extended heel also provides additional support to the Achilles tendon, which is a common site of injury in runners.
Finally, the extended heel in running shoes can help to improve running form. It encourages runners to land on their midfoot or forefoot rather than their heel, a more efficient and natural running gait. This can help to reduce the risk of injury and improve running performance.
In summary, the extended heel in running shoes serves multiple purposes, including shock absorption, support, and improved running form. It is an essential feature of running shoes that helps to protect the feet and reduce the risk of injury during running.
The Benefits of Extended Heels in Running Shoes
Improved Shock Absorption
One of the primary benefits of extended heels in running shoes is improved shock absorption. When a runner’s foot strikes the ground, it creates a shockwave that travels through the body. This shockwave can cause discomfort and even injury if not properly absorbed. The extended heel in a running shoe provides additional cushioning to absorb this shockwave, reducing the impact on the body.
Studies have shown that the increased cushioning provided by extended heels can also help reduce the risk of stress fractures and other injuries caused by repetitive impact.
Increased Stability and Balance
Another benefit of extended heels in running shoes is increased stability and balance. The elevated heel provides a larger surface area for the foot to land on, which can help improve balance and prevent ankle sprains and other injuries.
Additionally, the extended heel can help prevent overpronation, which occurs when the foot rolls inward excessively during the running stride. This can lead to various injuries, including plantar fasciitis and shin splints. The added stability the extended heel provides can help prevent overpronation and reduce the risk of these injuries.
Reduced Risk of Injury
Overall, the benefits of extended heels in running shoes can help reduce the risk of injury for runners. The extended heel’s improved shock absorption and increased stability and balance can help prevent various injuries, including stress fractures, ankle sprains, and overpronation-related injuries.
However, it’s important to note that extended heels may not be appropriate for all runners. Some runners may prefer a more minimalist shoe, while others may require additional support and cushioning beyond what an extended heel can provide. Runners need to find a shoe that fits their individual needs and preferences.
The Science Behind Extended Heels in Running Shoes
Impact Forces and Pronation
When running, the foot strikes the ground with force up to three times the runner’s body weight. This force can cause injuries to the feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Extended heels in running shoes are designed to absorb some of this impact force and reduce the risk of injury. The raised heel also helps to prevent overpronation, which is when the foot rolls too far inward after striking the ground. Overpronation can cause stress on the ankle and knee joints, leading to injury. The raised heel helps to keep the foot in a more neutral position, reducing the risk of overpronation.
Biomechanics of the Foot and Ankle
The foot and ankle are complex structures that absorb shock and provide stability. When running, the foot and ankle go through a series of movements that help to absorb shock and propel the body forward. The extended heel in running shoes helps support the foot arch and provide stability to the ankle. This support helps to reduce stress on the foot and ankle, reducing the risk of injury.
The Role of Heel-to-Toe Drop
The heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and the shoe’s forefoot. Running shoes with extended heels typically have a higher heel-to-toe drop than shoes with a flatter sole. The higher heel-to-toe drop can help shift the body’s weight forward, making it easier to land on the midfoot or forefoot when running. This can help to reduce the impact force on the foot and ankle, reducing the risk of injury. However, it’s important to note that a higher heel-to-toe drop is unsuitable for all runners and can cause problems for some.
Choosing the Right Running Shoe for You
Considerations for Foot Type and Gait
When selecting a running shoe, it is essential to consider your foot type and gait. The wear on your current running shoes can help determine your foot type. If the inner soles of your shoes are usually worn down, you are an overpronator and probably have a low arch. If the outer soles of your shoes are usually worn down, you are an under pronator and probably have a high arch. If your shoe shows even wear, you have a neutral arch and are a normal pronator.
It is also essential to consider your gait when selecting a running shoe. Most runners can choose a neutral shoe, but if your foot tends to roll to the far outside or inside, some shoes can help you. For example, if you are an overpronator, you may want to look for a shoe with motion control or stability features to help correct your gait. If you are an under pronator, you may want to look for a shoe with extra cushioning to help absorb shock.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Running Shoe
When selecting a running shoe, there are several factors to consider:
- Fit: Your shoe should fit well from the start with no breaking-in period. Ensure you have enough toe room (about a thumbs width space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe) and that the shoe feels snug but not tight.
- Comfort: Look for a shoe with good cushioning and support. The right cushioning will help absorb shock and reduce the risk of injury.
- Weight: Look for a shoe that is lightweight and flexible. A lighter shoe can help improve your speed and reduce long-run fatigue.
- Style: While it’s essential to focus on fit, feel, and function over fashion, there are still plenty of stylish running shoes available that meet all of your performance needs. Some runners even consider the color of the shoe to be an essential factor.
By considering your foot type, gait, and the above factors, you can choose the right running shoe and reduce your risk of injury while improving your performance.
Why Do Running Shoes Feature Extended Heels: An Investigation
Is Killstar Fast Fashion? Is it Ethical? (Sustainability Talk: 1)
Our Rating of Killstar
We Avoid
After considering all factors, we explained below; we believe Killstar is a fast fashion brand that does not think much about ethics as they’re not addressing their environmental impact, transparency, fair trade, and social impact with the required focus. It is good that they don’t mass produce as styles across categories are out of stock any time and have a circularity program in place still; we would not consider them ethical and sustainable, but a pure fast fashion brand as for us fast fashion means more than just mass producing.
Killstar must do a lot to be considered an earth and people-friendly brand.
Must Check: Sustainable Fashion Brands From USA?
How Ethical & Sustainable is Killstar? 5 Ranking Factors
Killstar is a popular clothing and lifestyle brand with a significant following for its gothic and alternative fashion. However, with concerns about the fashion industry’s environmental impact and labor practices, many consumers are now prioritizing ethical fashion choices. In this blog post, we’ll look closer at Killstar’s ethical practices, including its approach to sustainability, labor practices, and animal welfare. By the end of this article, you will better understand how ethically the Killstar brand operates, allowing you to make more informed choices regarding your fashion purchases.
People Transparency
Killstar has a section on its terms and conditions page about its supplier policy and a note on the website that all its products are manufactured in Asia. But that’s not enough. What the hell with Asia? It has 48 countries, so what shall we assume? In which countries are killstar products made? A few products have a description where the manufacturing country, like China, is mentioned, but as I said, that’s only mentioned in a few products.
They say they don’t contract sweatshops, but how can we trust it? They don’t disclose the name of factories and where they are located or how they select manufacturers; they say, “we expect our suppliers to adhere to 9 principles” you should focus on the word expect, which means they assume but are not strict. More on transparency, they don’t have a single page on the website where they disclose a complete list of materials they use in their products and from where they source these materials.
What about their sustainability goals & practices? Sorry, they don’t disclose it either, or at least not easily accessible on their website for customers to look at.
Overall, they have only a few paragraphs discussing the transparency of their supply chain, which is not enough, so transparency-wise, we rate them ‘very poor.’
Labor & Working Conditions
We clicked on every potential link on the killstar website, but there’s no robust transparency about the working conditions in their supply chain; yes, as you can see in the screenshot, they say to have social responsibility standards, but there is no mention of any such measures.
One good thing, though, is that they support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veterans, neurodivergent, and disabled individuals in applying for a job in their company and give them equal opportunity to rise and share their values, however still there’s no mention of a living wage for labor that creates killstar clothes. When choosing the factories, they claim they don’t manufacture in sweatshops and approve those factories in person. Still, that’s not satisfying because they follow no code of conduct or policies that set strict labor standards and guidelines.
Environmental Impact
The environmental rating is also poor, as Killstar uses no recycled, organic, or eco-friendly materials. While going through their inventory, they have some 100% cotton products, but there’s no evidence that it is not conventional cotton. Polyester and Viscose are the primary materials most of their garments are made. One major downside of the brand is that it has no page that lists all the materials they use and how they are sourced, no certifications, standards…nothing. They actively use polyester (not talking recycled); I’ve seen styles with 100% polyester.
Much energy is used to make polyester and a ton of CO2; to your knowledge, 2 square meters of polyester fabric is equivalent to 6.4kg of CO2e. Do you want me to talk about microfiber pollution? A person who washes polyester-made killstar clothes will be responsible for shedding 700 to 4000 microfibers per gram of fabric just in a single wash. Not sustainable and not ethical either. “Your morality and ethics should not be limited to humans as it should expand to aquatic life whom you force-feed these toxic microplastics.”
Here’s a complex situation: killstar has a circularity program that allows buyers to sell their used killstar clothing to those interested in buying gothic at a low price. Yes, it is helping them not to end up in a landfill.
Animal Welfare
As far as We have researched. We did not see any animal-derived fabric in their product descriptions though a few sources say that Killstar uses wool for some products. So, the animal rating is fair. But that does not mean it is sustainable because they use faux leather and fur, made from petroleum-based materials and unsuitable for the environment. Instead, they could use organic/natural fur & leather like Pinatex, waxed cotton, recycled rubber, leaf leather, cork, etc.; there are many alternatives the company could use to get a step closer to doing good.
The above Killstar leather jacket uses 59% polyurethane and 41% polyester, so yes, composition tells us it is a vegan leather jacket made harming no animals. Still, its chemicals will harm both people and animals directly or indirectly.
Social Impact
Killstar shows or has no Corporate Responsibility Report where we can see the utilization of funds and revenue, how they are giving back, and what communities they help. There’s no transparent information, so we guess they’re not giving back for the greater good because if they do, they must have used it to market their products or brand name.
If you’re interested in how we rate brands, then you can check our rating post, where we have gone in-depth about the most complicated rating system on the internet where a brand truly needs to be deserving to earn our badge.
Is Killstar Fast Fashion? Is it Ethical? (Sustainability Talk: 1)
Where Are Clarks Shoes Made in 2023? (Here’s Proof)
Throw long intros in the dustbin! You know about Clarks shoes if you’re reading this, so I won’t babble about it. Our motive here is to uncover where Clarks’ shoes are made because it is essential to know about their quality assurance, ethical consideration, economic impact, and safety concerns.
Where Are Clarks Footwear Manufactured?
Most of Clarks’ production occurs in Asia, with only a tiny percentage in Europe and Central America. In fact, for Spring and Summer 2022, approximately 80% of their footwear products were sourced from directly managed suppliers, with the remainder sourced through specialist agents. And in most of these factories, the facilities are shared with production for other brands and customers.
So, which countries specifically are responsible for making your favorite Clarks shoes? Let’s break it down by percentage. In Spring Summer 2022, 26.7% of Clark’s shoe production came from China, 23.0% from Cambodia, 17.8% from India, 14.6% from Vietnam, 6.3% from Mexico, 4.7% from Bangladesh, 2.9% from Indonesia, 2.2% from Albania, and 1.7% from Portugal. And rounding out the list is Romania, bringing up the rear with a whopping 0.1%. China is not only go to manufacturing country for Clarks but also Ryka, Nobull, and hiking shoes, Saucony.
Now, you might be wondering why Clarks chooses to manufacture their shoes in these particular countries. One reason is that these countries have lower labor costs than many Western countries, which allows Clarks to keep their prices affordable for consumers. Many of these countries have well-established footwear manufacturing industries, meaning they have the expertise and infrastructure to produce high-quality shoes at scale.
Short History Of Clarks:
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, two lads named Cyrus and James Clark decided to take some sheepskin off-cuts and make a slipper. Little did they know that their invention would begin a shoe empire spanning almost two centuries.
From the get-go, the Clarks clan has always been a little different. They’re the kind of people who think outside the shoebox and do things their way. They created the world’s first foot-shaped shoe, a kids’ range with full sizes, half sizes, widths, and even an iPad foot gauge. They’re pioneers, innovators, and shoe experts all rolled into one.
And it’s not just their ideas that make them stand out. Clarks has studied the human foot from cradle to old age, scrutinized its biomechanics, and delved into what it takes to keep those tootsies healthy and happy. All that research goes into making the perfect pair of shoes for you.
But it’s not just all science and seriousness over at Clarks. They’ve got a pretty impressive shoe archive that has defined generations, sparked revolutions, and captured imaginations. Might you have heard of the iconic Clarks Desert Boot? It was designed by Nathan Clark in 1950 and is still cool today.
So there you have it, folks. The story of Clarks’ footwear. From sheepskin slippers to biomechanics, from foot-shaped shoes to Desert Boots, Clarks has been at the forefront of shoe innovation for almost two centuries.
This article only covers where Clark’s shoes are made and not about their sustainable and ethical approach. Manufacturing is just an aspect of knowing the brand’s sustainability; other vital factors are environmental impact, materials used, and working conditions. So I will create a separate article where we will direct the sustainability of Clarks. In the meantime, you can see the 69 most sustainable fashion brands from the USA if that’s what you want.
68 Most Sustainable Fashion Brands From the USA (American Brands)
Sustainability – a word that every fashion brand uses nowadays to prove that they give importance to the environment (main focus of this site), social responsibility, and natural resources. But, I ask for the genuineness of these fallacious claims. For example, all major fast fashion brands, your beloved Zara, have their annual sustainability report. You tell me how a company producing over 450 million items annually can be sustainable.
Yes, they can be, but only when we are not surrounded by the heap of fashion brands producing between 80 billion to 150 billion garments a year globally. To play safe, let’s take 80 billion; that’s ten times the world population as of 2023.
My friends, I want to tell you that most so-called sustainable fashion brands are not 100% sustainable. Using “Sustainability” has become a marketing tactic that’s working marvelously. However, on the positive side, there are fashion brands that sell items that define the true meaning of sustainability, and finding such brands is not as easy as finding Shein or Zara, though I hope they should get more traction, and that’s why I am compiling here a list of 69 sustainable fashion brands that you can trust for quality, environment, planet, and human. Also, they are all U.S based brands, so it’s time to show love to brands of our country that are doing good.
Best Sustainable Fashion Brands From the USA
1. Proclaim
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Bras, underwear, clothing & lounge, and swimwear.
- Founder: Shobha Philips in 2017
Proclaim is a Los Angeles-based, sustainable lingerie brand that creates nude undergarments made from earth-conscious fabrics. Proclaim’s mission is to promote inclusivity in fashion by expanding the definition of nude and creating ethically produced and sustainable bras. They use a variety of sustainable fabrics, including Cupro (that fluffy fiber around the cotton seed), organic cotton and hemp, Repreve® recycled polyester, and Tencel™.
Proclaim also minimizes textile waste and works with a family-owned, BIPOC-owned apparel factory in Los Angeles that meets strict labor standards. They source materials locally to reduce their carbon footprints. Their orders are shipped in minimal, 100% home compostable packaging. Being sustainable does not mean that you need to pay $$$ for their products. The cheapest you can go is $24.
2. Svala
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Vegan handbags
- Founder: Helga Douglas
Svala is a U.S. brand whose word Svala is an Icelandic word that means ‘bird’ or ‘swallow.’ Helga Douglas started Svala.co in the first place to create versatile, beautiful, stylishly crafted, animal-friendly, and sustainable. My research says that all their handbags and bags are manufactured in downtown Los Angeles in a well-operated factory that pays workers fair wages while ensuring comfortable working conditions.
Because Helga is originally from Sydney, you can see that her handbags give us the colorful feel of Sydney mixed with Los Angeles and Scandinavian simplicity. The bags are made from premium materials free from PVC, like Italian vegan leather, Pinatex® (made from pineapple leaf fiber), cork, and recycled plastic bottles. Next time you want a sustainably fashionable handbag made with eco-friendly material, give it a shot at Svala and see if they have what you want.
3. 337 Brand
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Dresses, tops & tees, and bottoms
- Founder: Jessica Lee in 2015
337 is an earth-friendly leisurewear brand that offers timeless, effortless-style clothing inspired by nature, comfort, and kindness. The brand’s core values focus on sustainability, ethical practices, and giving back.
The brand is committed to sustainability by using sustainable materials that consist of recycled, certified organic, and natural fibers with a low environmental impact. In addition, 337 BRAND is produced ethically with local factories, which enables them to have a lower carbon footprint, support American businesses, and be hands-on every step of the way. The brand is proudly made in New York City and strives towards circularity, where the products are made and recycled in a closed-loop system with the bare minimum to zero waste.
In terms of the materials used, the brand uses recycled cotton, organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and rayon from bamboo. The brand’s packaging is made from 50% post-consumer plastics and is 100% recyclable. The brand is moving forward with a newly designed sustainable tag made from 50% post-consumer materials and a biodegradable and natural hemp cord.
337 BRAND also has a mission towards giving back, and with every purchase, they plant a tree through their partnership with One Tree Planted. For every order, they donate one dollar, and every dollar plants one tree. The brand is vegan and believes that animals belong in nature, are wild, and are accessible.
4. Veerah
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Shoes
- Founder: Stacey Chang
VEERAH is a brand that creates designer vegan shoes for women which are both sustainable and stylish. It was founded in 2016 by Stacey Chang, who was surprised by the lack of options for stylish non-leather dress shoes. After studying shoemaking construction in Italy and researching manufacturing and sourcing companies, she found partners who shared her vision. The name “VEERAH” derives from the Sanskrit word for “warrior,” which reflects the strength, courage, and balance the brand aims to embody.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its use of only vegan, innovative materials, such as apple leather and recycled plastic textile, and innovative sourcing and thoughtful design behind each collection. VEERAH is also a public benefit corporation and a female-led organization, and its charity programs involve supporting causes aligned with their values.
They also prioritize contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by pursuing responsible consumption and production, manufacturing, sustainable sourcing, and using 100% cruelty-free and vegan materials. The brand’s innovative approach to design allows for a single pair of shoes to be transformed into an entire collection, empowering women to maximize their fashion looks while minimizing their fashion footprint.
5. Neococo
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, accessories, baby goods, and home decor
- Founder: Amrita Thadani
NEOCOCO is a social impact fashion brand founded by Amrita Thadani to empower refugee women through community, femininity, and hand embroidery. The brand partners with resettlement agencies to train and enable refugee women to work in a safe environment and contribute to their families and society. They are committed to slow, intentional design and promote sustainability by using locally sourced and manufactured materials in their factories located in Los Angeles.
The hand embroidery process at Neococo is a time-consuming art that requires careful attention to detail, celebrating handcrafted art, and promoting ethics, longevity, and human prosperity. The brand pays fair wages to everyone involved, and 100% of its revenue is directed back into the company to hire and assist women refugees. The ultimate goal of Neococo is to create more community teams across the country and even offer equitable work and support services to women in refugee camps worldwide.
6. Wolven
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel (Tops, bottoms, swimwear)
- Founder: Kiran Jade
Wolven is a sustainable fashion brand founded by Kiran Jade, an artist and textile enthusiast, and her partner Will Ryan. The brand’s mission is to empower differences and promote sustainability by creating high-quality activewear and swimwear that is both stylish and eco-friendly.
The company’s design process is unique, as every product begins as a canvas with inspiration drawn from various sources, including nature, family traditions, and cultural elements. Wolven is committed to sustainable production. Their products are independently certified by leading organizations such as OEKO-TEX and Global Recycle Standard (GRS) to ensure they are entirely harmless to human health.
Wolven’s activewear and swimwear are ethically made in China, where their manufacturing partner is certified by WCA for labor, wages, work hours, health, safety, and environmental practices. The brand’s tees and dresses are ethically made in Los Angeles by a small, female-owned sewer.
Wolven is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and partners with Climate Neutral to offset its greenhouse gas emissions. This ensures that every Wolven product is carbon-neutral and supports environmental initiatives such as rainforest conservation and landfill methane capture.
Overall, Wolven’s mission is to create a community of like-minded individuals who care about the earth and are willing to make sustainable choices. With a focus on sustainability, diversity, body positivity, and creativity, Wolven is dedicated to positively impacting the planet and its people.
7. Miakoda
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Julia Ahrens & Laura Ahrens
Miakoda is an eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethically made fashion brand that produces comfortable, soft and stylish clothing that uses exclusively plant-based materials. Miakoda never uses animal fibers or synthetic materials in any of its products. The company’s mission is to create clothing that is both physically and mentally comfortable while being sustainable and ethical.
Sustainability and ethics are paramount in Miakoda’s decisions and design processes. The name Miakoda, which means the moon’s power, symbolizes the idea that we are all connected and that the company cares about the well-being, health, and happiness of all people, animals, and the planet. Miakoda works with some of the best eco-friendly plant fibers, including organic cotton, bamboo, soy, modal, and lyocell, all certified organic and eco-friendly.
The company uses Procion low-impact, fiber-reactive dyes to dye their fabrics, which are safe and eco-friendly. All of Miakoda’s fabrics are GOTS-certified, or Control Union certified. The factories that knit their fabrics abide by the Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP) regulations, which ensure that workers are paid fair living wages, treated with respect, and provided with health insurance. Miakoda works with some of the best New York garment industry factories to produce the highest quality, most ethically created clothing.
8. Harvest & Mill
- From: Berkeley, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Natalie Patricia and Paul Wallace
Harvest & Mill is a clothing brand that started as a custom-sewn clothing shop in 2012, aiming to promote locally-sewn and USA-grown organic clothing. The brand supports local communities and rebuilds supply chains based on ecological and ethical principles by working with US-based organic cotton farmers, American heritage mills, and local sewing communities. The brand’s 100% organic cotton fabric is made exclusively for them by American heritage mills, and they offer naturally-dyed clothing from farmers and dye artists in Indiana and California.
All their materials are compostable or recyclable, and the brand is a member of Fibershed, a non-profit organization that develops regional fiber systems. Harvest & Mill aims to be a sustainable fashion industry that measures and studies its environmental and social impacts. The brand calculates its impact through a globally accepted analysis methodology, and it offsets its entire carbon footprint, including its manufacturing process, all supply chain transportation, and office. They use non-toxic and plastic-free packaging and shipping materials, and their supply chain is 100% Made in America and fully traceable.
The brand uses regenerative practices focusing on soil health, conservation, and climate crisis mitigation. Harvest & Mill works with independent, family-owned factories in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, all within 20 miles of its studio in Berkeley, California.
9. Katla
- From: Mill Valley, California
- For: Men, women, babies, kids
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Aslaug Magnusdottir
Katla is a fashion brand that creates beautiful, timeless fashion with the most negligible environmental impact, founded by Aslaug Magnusdottir. Their core values are respected for people, animals, and the environment. Katla emphasizes sourcing the most environmentally friendly fabrics available, including natural organic fabrics, cellulose-based fabrics, and recycled synthetics, all animal cruelty-free.
They have partnered with high-quality, cutting-edge manufacturing partners within the United States who specialize in made-to-order and small-run manufacturing, allowing them to maintain minimal inventory levels and minimize waste. Their commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing is reflected in their website, which provides complete transparency into their garments from conception to arrival at your doorstep.
They also offer an easy recycling program where customers can safely and sustainably discard their clothes, helping to eliminate waste and the number of garments in landfills.
10. Toad&Co
- From: Santa Barbara, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Jessica Nordhaus
Toad&Co is a clothing brand committed to sustainability, social responsibility, and community engagement. They use eco-friendly and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and recycled fibers. Due to their negative environmental impact, they avoid using conventional cotton, acrylic, silk, rayon/viscose, and bamboo.
To ensure compliance, they have a restricted substances list, which is publicly available, and they regularly evaluate their suppliers. The brand also works with local non-profits and volunteers and signs petitions to support environmental causes.
They have been named one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work for eleven years. Additionally, Toad&Co partners with Vela to use FSC-certified paper bags as alternatives to plastic polybags. It is good to see that the brand will use 100% organic cotton forever and 100% recycled synthetic by 2025.
11. Able
- From: Nashville, Tennessee
- For: Women
- Products:
- Fonder: Barrett Ward
Able is a fashion company that empowers women by providing sustainable jobs and opportunities. They started by selling handwoven scarves made by women in Ethiopia who were coming out of the commercial sex industry. Able’s mission is to empower women and create a better future for them and their families by creating dignified jobs. They offer high-quality leather goods, handmade jewelry, denim, shoes, and apparel.
The company intentionally partners with vendors who share their mission and vision and are committed to empowering women through wages, benefits, safety, and equality. They use a third-party social auditing system to evaluate their vendors’ wages, benefits, safety, and equality, and they were the first brand to publish their lowest wages in 2018.
Able has a women-run company culture that promotes empowerment through opportunity. They offer a living wage to all women who work at Able and have invested in women by providing opportunities for more significant impact, dignity, equality, and safety in the workplace. Able’s design philosophy prioritizes quality and longevity while at the same time working to find the most eco-conscious materials. All of their pieces are guaranteed for life, and they use upcycled leather and recycled silver in their products.
12. Kent
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Men & women
- Products: Tops & Underwear
- Founder: Stacy
KENT is a natural and sustainable underwear brand founded by Stacy, a conscious Canadian living in Los Angeles. The brand was born out of Stacy’s frustration with the lack of simple, 100% cotton underwear options that matched her everyday style. After researching synthetic materials’ negative impacts on our bodies and the environment, Stacy set out to design underwear made from natural materials that could also return to nature.
KENT’s mission is to create underwear that looks and feels good and is also good for the planet. The brand’s name was inspired by Stacy’s love of superhero mythology and the belief that we all have a superpower underneath to help save the world, one supernatural brief at a time.
KENT’s products are made from high-quality natural and organic materials, including organic pima cotton grown in Peru. This GOTS-certified material is free of pesticides and toxins in synthetic materials, giving the perfect combination of softness and superior breathability. The brand’s designers, researchers, and sustainability experts have spent countless hours studying the benefits of natural, organic materials to create products that meet real people’s needs.
KENT makes buying briefs a breeze, with a Fit Team available to help customers find the best briefs for their body and an easy Quick Fit Quiz to find the perfect style. The brand is committed to sustainability and has created a set of Super Natural Materials Standards to evaluate all materials against before including them in their collections. KENT’s products are compostable, both at home and in industrial settings, and the brand uses non-toxic biodegradable organic dyes. Overall, KENT is a brand that believes in making sustainability and comfort accessible to all. They strive to clean up a cluttered industry and create simple ways to restore the planet, one basic at a time.
13. Futura Jewelry
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Jewelry (earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.)
- Founder: Bob Donofrio
Futura Jewelry is a luxury jewelry brand committed to ethical, ecological, and sustainable practices. Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted with mercury-free 18kt Certified Fairmined Ecological gold, which comes from the three certified Fairmined mines in the world that mine for gold without using toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide.
Futura Jewelry is a proud partner of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership. This worldwide initiative aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions, including those from artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The brand offers various collections, including Legends, Essentials, Wedding, and Forever Futura, each with a unique design and significance. Futura Jewelry has a small team of passionate master jewelers who craft each piece by hand with attention to detail and care in their workshop in New York City.
The founder of Futura Jewelry, Bob Donofrio, is a jewelry industry leader with over 30 years of experience. He created the brand to challenge the luxury jewelry industry to do better, inspire the modern consumer, and offer ethical, ecological, and sustainable jewelry options that align with their beliefs.
14. Hackwith Design House
- From: Saint Paul, Minnesota
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Lisa Hackwith
Hackwith Design House (HDH) is a clothing brand founded in 2010 by Lisa Hackwith to create long-lasting, unique, and versatile clothing. They offer limited edition designs, core collections, swimwear, basics, and plus-size clothing. All of their garments are made in their studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, by a team of talented seamstresses.
They strive to be sustainable and reduce waste by only making items when ordered and using natural fibers and biodegradable and recycled fabrics. They also encourage customers to return their used HDH pieces through their Sustain Shop, which allows them to find new homes for the garments by reselling them or transforming them into new pieces.
Customers who participate receive a $20 store credit for each piece submitted. The brand is committed to creating beautiful, ethically made clothing that is sustainable and promotes the U.S. economy and manufacturing.
15. Raven + Lily
- From: Austin, Texas
- For: Women
- Products: Jewelry, bags, and textiles like towel
- Founder: Kirsten Dickerson
Raven + Lily is a purpose-driven brand that prioritizes collaboration, growth, diversity, and stakeholder impact. Their workforce is predominantly female, with women dominating every aspect of their business. They believe in creating economic opportunities for women, offering supportive maternity leave and flexible working hours, and providing a work environment that is considerate and respectful.
Their global network of skilled artisan partners uses regionally sourced, natural, and sustainable materials to bring their designs to life. Craftsmanship lies at the heart of everything they do, and they are proud to help preserve local crafts in communities worldwide.
Raven + Lily is committed to responsible production as a socially and environmentally conscious brand. They utilize handcraft techniques that inherently prioritize locally sourced, natural materials. The materials they use in their designs are sustainable by nature, derived from plant or animal fibers, and are biodegradable. They also upcycle leather, brass, and glass materials to create accessories and homeware collections.
Raven + Lily promotes inclusivity and diversity at every level of their business. They offer living wages, zero-tolerance for discrimination and harassment, and a respectful workplace for everyone, whether they are employed directly by them or their artisan partners. They also give 1% of their sales back to organizations that invest in the communities they call home.
Overall, Raven + Lily is a Certified B Corporation and a member of the Fair Trade Federation, committed to upholding a positive environmental and social impact in the fashion industry.
16. Yes And
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Marci Zaroff
YesAnd is a sustainable fashion brand that was founded by Marci Zaroff, an ecofashion pioneer who coined and trademarked the word “ecofashion” in the 1990s. The brand’s vision is to bring together style and sustainability, allowing people to wear the change they wish to see. YesAnd manufactures its products throughout India, with a focus on adding value through verticality and efficiency, and reducing lead times and the carbon footprint. The brand eliminates excess middlemen and uses biodegradable bags instead of polybags to keep its products clean and dry during shipping.
YesAnd has an eight-faceted approach to sustainable style, which includes using organic and sustainable fibers like organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell, promoting regenerative and biodynamic farming techniques to restore depleted soil and fight global warming, certifying its products to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), empowering female farmers and sustaining their local communities, planting mangrove trees in Madagascar to offset carbon emissions, designing clothes that are built to last and promoting fashion rental, tracing the origins of each product from seed to skin using blockchain technology, and innovating with new fiber technologies. YesAnd is committed to being a carbon net-zero company by 11/11/22.
17. Mate the Label
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Kayti Carr
Mate The Label is a clothing company that creates sustainable clothing using natural, non-toxic, and organic materials. The company is based in Los Angeles and its mission is to provide essentials that are clean from seed to skin. The brand’s eight values include being clean, essential, organic, ethical, women-centered, plastic-free, circular, and local. The company upholds strict lists of restricted substances to ensure that carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and other toxins are kept out of the supply chain and off the body.
Mate The Label makes seasonless styles meant to be worn daily. The company sources organic yarns and dyes to ensure people and the planet are not exposed to harmful pesticides. It also creates safe, comfortable, and fair working environments for the supply chain, including farmers, garment workers, and recyclers.
The company’s factories are localized within a 17-mile radius of its headquarters to reduce its carbon footprint. Mate The Label’s materials include organic cotton jersey, linen, TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ Rib, organic thermal, and organic terry. The brand also has a circularity program that keeps old garments in use and out of landfills.
18. Minimalist
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Tamara Davydova
Minimalist is a sustainable fashion brand that offers a collection of women’s ready-to-wear clothes. Founder and Creative Director Tamara Davydova wanted to create a fashion line that is environmentally friendly and not wasteful. The collection is made from high-quality materials and designed to be timeless, with the option of resale and the ultimate goal of recyclability.
Minimalist sources luxurious European fabrics and finishes each garment to ensure it retains value. The brand is committed to being part of the solution to the sustainability issue in the fashion industry without sacrificing design. All ingredients used are certified to best-in-class standards and are thoroughly researched.
Minimalist produces its garments locally in New York City to support local factories and fair wage working conditions for jobs mainly held by women. They design their clothes for circularity, using sustainable materials and reducing their environmental impact. Their packaging and branding materials are also eco-friendly. Minimalist is a brand that truly embodies what sustainable fashion brands should be.
19. Knickey
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Underwear, bralettes, socks, and hats
- Founder: Cayla O’Connell Davis and Lauren Sagadore
Knickey is a sustainable brand that seeks to provide eco-friendly and low-impact products with ethical manufacturing. The company carefully selects partners aligned with its values and relies on third-party certifications to verify their claims.
Knickey’s organic cotton comes from a farm in Gujarat, India, which grows non-GMO, certified organic cotton free from fungicides and toxic insecticides. The cotton is then shipped to Erode, Tamil Nadu, to be ginned and cleaned before being spun into spools of yarn at a certified spinner in Tirupur. The yarns are then knitted into bolts of fabric and dyed at a certified organic factory in Tirupur. Finally, the fabric is cut and sewn into everyday favorites like the Knickey High-Rise Brief and the Low-Rise Thong at another certified organic factory.
The finished products are shipped to Knickey’s HQ in Chelsea, NYC, then to the customers’ doors. Knickey’s materials consist of certified organic cotton and a small amount of elastane for breathability, stretch, and comfort. The company also offers a recycling program for old intimates, which can be tough to recycle, and they provide a first-of-its-kind solution.
20. Hyer Goods
- From:
- For: Women
- Products: Bags, wallets, and accessories
- Founder: Dana Cohen
HYER GOODS is a brand that has a unique approach to fashion – they source their materials from deadstock materials and factory scraps. Founder Dana Cohen spent over a decade working in corporate fashion and saw the industry’s wastefulness firsthand. She realized there was a better way to design by upcycling “trash” to create beautiful and sustainable accessories. Not only does this reduce waste being sent to landfills, but it also eliminates the energy needed to cultivate new materials.
As a company, HYER GOODS is dedicated to positively impacting the environment and people’s lives. They donate 1% of net sales to support organizations that promote the well-being of people in need. They choose a different recipient every month, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, the Malala Fund, and No Kid Hungry.
Their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is truly inspiring. When you purchase an HYER GOODS accessory, you’re getting a high-quality product and making a positive impact on the world. And when you’re done with your purchase, you can feel good knowing that it will degrade in a reasonable amount of time, leaving no burden on future generations.
21. The Classic T-Shirt Company
- From:
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Olga and Paul Garibian
The Classic T-Shirt Company is a fashion brand founded by Olga and Paul Garibian with a mission to create sustainable and ethical clothing that benefits both consumers and the planet. Their focus is on creating high-quality, organic T-shirts using ethical labor practices and environmentally responsible manufacturing methods. The company is committed to being profitable and sustainable, while also giving back to the community through donations to charities such as Water for People, Armenia Tree Project, and The Ocean Cleanup.
The company’s manufacturing practices are centered around ethical and sustainable principles. All of their products are made in Los Angeles, California, where they pay living wages to their workers and exceed environmental standards. They use plastic-free shipping and 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. The company’s cotton is GOTS-certified and ethically sourced from local farms in India, where workers are paid fair wages and work under safe conditions.
The cotton is grown without toxic pesticides or fertilizers, ensuring a responsible amount of water is used and the same land and soil can be reused harvest after harvest. The company also uses other sustainable materials such as recycled polyester, Tencel, and hemp in some of its products.
Committing to ethical and sustainable practices, The Classic T-Shirt Company sets an example for the fashion industry. It shows how a simple item like a T-shirt can be made better.
22. September
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Surf & Swimwear
- Founder: Erika Seiko Togashi
SEPTEMBER is a surf and swimwear brand created by Erika Seiko Togashi, a designer from New York City with over fifteen years of experience designing for Patagonia, The North Face, J. Crew, and Deus Ex Machina. The brand focuses on creating timeless, elegant, and sustainable surf and swimwear that is both functional and durable in and out of water.
SEPTEMBER uses a signature luxury fabric made from 78% ECONYL® regenerated nylon and 22% elastane from pre and post-industrial waste such as ghost fishing nets and carpet fluff. They aim to be every woman’s first choice for confident and comfortable swimwear and an advocate for body positivity. They believe that every woman who desires to surf should be able to participate in the sport.
The brand is women-owned and is based in New York City, with all swimsuits manufactured in a female-owned factory in Bali. The factory that produces SEPTEMBER swimsuits provides employees with fair wages, safe working conditions, and other benefits such as health insurance and paid time off. Additionally, the company’s founder and creative director, Erika Togashi, personally visits the factory to oversee production and ensure that working conditions meet her standards.
SEPTEMBER also works to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes. They use small-run production over mass production, which helps reduce waste, and they minimize the use of plastic in their packaging.
23. Neu Nomads
- From: New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Karen and Angela
Neu Nomads is an ethics-first fashion brand that creates beautiful wardrobe staples at attainable prices, sourcing everything from a clean supply chain. The founders, Karen and Angela, were colleagues at a luxury fashion brand in New York and decided to change by creating a brand committed to sustainability and traceability.
Neu Nomads’ signature plant-based fabrics are sourced from sustainable and renewable natural resources and are lightweight, breathable, and washable. The brand uses non-toxic, OEKO-certified, and AZO-free dyes and recycled and biodegradable packaging. Neu Nomads’ garments are manufactured in family-owned factories that pay fair wages and provide medical care. The brand uses biodegradable and natural fibers like Satin TENCEL™, Eco-Jersey, 100% Organic Cotton Flannel, and Linen.
Neu Nomads also uses eco-friendly dyes in a state-of-the-art dye house in India that adheres to the highest environmental and social standards. The brand uses 100% biodegradable bags for packaging and recycled cotton fabrics sourced from local garment factories for paper packaging, making the brand a zero-waste company.
24. Altar
- From: Portland, Oregon
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, jewelry, and accessories
- Founder: Cassie Ridgway
Altar is a clothing company and retail store based in Portland, Oregon. They specialize in selling objects with meaning that celebrate independent manufacturers and artists from across North America. Altar Houseline, their clothing brand, is made in the USA using deadstock materials. Deadstock fabrics are leftover from textile mills and garment factories that would otherwise go to waste.
Using deadstock materials reduces waste and minimizes its environmental impact. Altar serves size gradations from size small to 6XL. Altar’s team is small, but they all play an essential role in the company’s success.
The owner and designer, Cassie Ridgway, is passionate about sustainable and ethical apparel and is pursuing a graduate education degree. Altar is committed to ethical manufacturing and has partnered with factories in Los Angeles that have fair wage labor practices and safe working conditions. They also prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their hiring practices, product sourcing, visual content, and core values.
25. Malaika New York
- From: Kolding, South Denmark
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & personal care products
- Founder: Malaika Boysen
Malaika Boysen Haaning is an Americanized Dane who has a zero-waste fashion mission. She studied fashion design at Parsons, the New School of Design in New York. Malaika’s brand, Malaika New York, was launched on Earth Day in 2016 and featured unique zero-waste garments for the contemporary minimalist. The brand’s signature two-fold purpose was developed with the wearer and the environment in mind.
Malaika New York uses up-cycled fabrics, including bike tubes, regenerated fabrics, and textile offcuts. The brand uses innovative zero-waste techniques that significantly minimize its textile waste percentage. The remaining 5% is up-cycled, mostly into scarves and other accessories. The label’s sustainability goals include clean materials, using sustainable textiles and up-cycling, and focusing on manufacturing in Europe to avoid child labor and lessen its CO2 impact.
Malaika New York is becoming one of the sustainable fashion world’s most impressive names and has been featured in iconic publications such as Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.
26. Happy Earth
- From: Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, accessories, and goods
- Founder: Victoria Gennaro & David Winters
Happy Earth is a socially conscious enterprise that aims to protect the planet in every aspect of its operations. Their commitment to the environment starts with the production of their products and extends to their overall impact on the planet. With every purchase made, customers can choose to support campaigns such as combatting climate change, planting trees, or cleaning up trash. They strive to make giving back accessible, fun and fulfilling for all.
The company has taken measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including reducing emissions and offsetting the remaining ones. They prioritize the well-being of their workers and artisans, ensuring fair wages and good working conditions. Happy Earth is also committed to being a zero-waste company, using 100% recycled materials to package its products.
Happy Earth is a certified B Corporation, meaning they are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. They aim to reduce inequality, poverty, and environmental damage through business practices that prioritize positive impact.
The company partners with the World Fair Trade Organization, guaranteeing fair prices, wages, and economic independence for marginalized small producers. To minimize their environmental impact, they also prioritize sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, sustainable cork, and reclaimed fibers.
Overall, Happy Earth is a company that values both people and the planet. They strive to create a more inclusive and sustainable economy through business practices prioritizing positive impact over profit.
27. Venim
- From: San Francisco
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Denim jackets & other
- Founder: Leslie Fong and Kaycee Houchin
VENIM is a luxury streetwear brand founded in 2018 by Leslie Fong and Kaycee Houchin, both passionate about impeccable craftsmanship, ethical manufacturing, and unique designs. VENIM’s philosophy is based on “fewer, better things,” emphasizing the value of an object and discouraging wastefulness. The company’s jackets are handmade with obsessive attention to detail, high-quality craftsmanship, and specialized finishing techniques.
They are produced from excess yardage of other designer denim brands, also known as “liability fabric,” and sourced from the best heritage denim mills around the world. VENIM jackets are designed and made in San Francisco, California, with customization and finishing done in-house and sewing completed by a third-party factory.
The company is committed to responsible production methods, using upcycled denim, and adhering to strict environmental and ethical standards. VENIM jackets are vegan, nickel, and lead-free, non-toxic, and safe for humans.
28. Unspun
- From: San Francisco, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Jeans
- Founder: Elizabeth Esponnette, Kevin Martin, Walden Lam
Unspun™ was founded with a mission to create a more sustainable and responsible future for fashion. The founders realized that the fashion industry is plagued with problems, from overconsumption and overproduction to discrimination and bias. They knew they had to do something to make a positive impact.
The team behind unspun™ is a diverse group of designers, engineers, industry veterans, and serial entrepreneurs. They are united in their commitment to creating a better world through fashion. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with strong ties to Hong Kong.
One of the key ways that unspun™ is addressing the problems of the fashion industry is by eliminating sizes. The traditional sizing system is based on assumptions about how bodies should be, which leads to institutional and racial bias. Instead, unspun™ uses 3D body scanning technology to create custom-fit jeans for each customer. This approach not only eliminates the problems associated with traditional sizing, but it also reduces waste and overproduction.
In addition to custom-fit jeans, unspun™ is also working to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry through its VEGA™ technology. This is the world’s first 3D weaving machine, which uses robotic technology to create garments from yarn to finished product. By localizing manufacturing processes and reducing waste, unspun™ is helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry.
unspun™ is committed to creating a better world through fashion, and its business model reflects this commitment. The company makes one pair of jeans at a time, after they have been ordered, to eliminate waste and overproduction. They also curate their sourcing process carefully, working only with manufacturers and mills that meet their high standards for sustainability and ethics.
Overall, unspun™ is a company that is making a real difference in the fashion industry. By addressing the problems of overproduction, waste, and discrimination, they are helping to create a more sustainable and responsible future for fashion.
29. Threads 4 Thought
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Eric Fleet
Threads 4 Thought is a sustainable apparel brand that designs and produces clothing with a positive impact on people and the environment. Founded in 2006, the company is dedicated to using the most eco-friendly raw materials and fabrics available. They also partner with ethical factories to ensure the best working conditions and the highest level of sustainable production processes.
The brand has made significant progress over the years, including recycling 80% of all industrial water in their main factory, forging lasting relationships with some of the best-certified factories worldwide, and making all their products CO2 neutral through their partnership with Green Story.
Threads 4 Thought has several priorities for the future, including eliminating single-use poly-bags, bringing a revolutionary dye technology to the market, becoming a CO2 positive company, increasing the amount of renewable energy in their supply chain, and figuring out how to truly close the loop and recycle used clothing.
The company only uses certified materials such as organic and BCI cotton, recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and yarns made by the Lenzing company. By using these sustainable materials, Threads 4 Thought is contributing to reducing waste in landfills, conserving water and energy, and minimizing harm to the environment.
30. Fair Indigo
- From: Madison, Wisconsin
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Robert Behnke
Fair Indigo is a clothing brand founded by a group of individuals with a shared passion for sustainable, ethical fashion. Their mission is to create premium-quality apparel that is not only timeless but also sustainably made. Fair Indigo’s commitment to sustainability begins with the top 0.005% of cotton available, known as organic Peruvian Pima cotton. This cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and harvested by hand, resulting in a fiber that is soft, strong, and long-lasting.
They are is dedicated to creating a mindful, deliberate, and sane wardrobe that relies on timeless pieces rather than fast fashion, believing in building quality into their products, ensuring that their designs are forever in fashion and that each piece will be loved for years. Fair Indigo’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the environment to the human beings involved in the clothing’s journey. Their artisans and operators in Peru are paid a fair and living wage and treated like family, allowing them to lead happy, healthy lives.
The Brand is also dedicated to making an impact beyond the apparel industry. The Fair Indigo Foundation funds teachers’ salaries, books, building improvements, and computer labs for children who otherwise would be left behind. Customers can contribute to this cause by checking the $5 donation box at checkout.
Fair Indigo is committed to making a difference and transforming the apparel industry by offering sustainable, ethical, and timeless fashion.
31. Conscious Step
- From: Brooklyn, New York
- For: Women & Kids
- Products: Socks & Sweatshirt
- Founder: Hassan, Prashant, & Adam
Conscious Step is a company committed to social and environmental change, producing sustainable and fair trade socks made with organic, vegan, and GMO-free cotton, and supporting independent farmers and factories with fair wages, safe facilities, and sustainable materials. They are certified by Fairtrade International, OEKO-TEX, and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), ensuring their production is ethical and transparent.
Each purchase includes a $1 donation to partner charities that support causes such as animal conservation, poverty alleviation, and education. Conscious Step’s manufacturing process promotes fair and transparent working conditions, with no child labor, minimum wage compliance, and paid overtime. The company is constantly vetted by independent groups and regularly undergoes social and factory audits.
Conscious Step socks are manufactured in India, where their representatives visit regularly and where 80% of the world’s organic cotton supply is grown. Conscious Step’s mission is to empower their partners and customers to change the world for the better.
32. Tonle
- From: San Francisco, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, accessories, jewelry, and home decor
- Founder: Rachel Faller
Tonlé is a platform for brands, designers, makers, manufacturers, funders, and innovators who are collaboratively building a new circular fashion economy. They strive for circularity and climate justice to mitigate the fashion industry’s devastating impact on the planet. tonlé envisions a fashion industry where everyone benefits and thrives, and they are working to ensure that future by rectifying the harm and injustice the fashion industry has caused to both people and the planet one piece of clothing, one connection, and one relationship at a time.
They believe in skill sharing instead of extraction, collaboration instead of competition, ecosystems instead of monopolies, equitable distribution of wealth, intentional and purposeful production instead of over-ordering, circularity and sharing instead of linear capitalism, and reciprocity and mutual benefit, respect, and fair compensation for all who contribute to their success.
Tonlé’s vision for the fashion industry is for it to be a circular, reciprocal ecosystem, rather than a top-down supply chain, where clothing is made in a way that enriches the planet, and everyone’s contributions are valued, and makers are centered as creators and leaders.
33. Outerknown
- From: Culver city, California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel & accessories
- Founder: Kelly Slater and John Moore
Outerknown is a clothing brand that is committed to sustainability and fair labor practices. Since the company’s inception in 2014, it has made significant strides towards its goals. Outerknown is dedicated to keeping clothing out of landfills, and has thus launched Outerworn, a platform for customers to resell pre-loved items.
Additionally, the brand has implemented a fiber policy and scorecard, which has helped them to navigate which fibers are considered preferred based on criteria for sustainability and circularity potential. The company has also diversified its country of origin and moved 67% of its supply chain to ensure that every supplier prioritizes and respects human rights. In partnership with Bergman Rivera, Outerknown has committed to supporting farmers’ implementation of Regenerative Organic Certified practices, resulting in 10 tons of cotton from the 2022 harvest.
Outerknown’s dedication to sustainability is further demonstrated through its 2030 Sustainability Roadmap, which includes becoming fully circular by 2030 through prioritizing industry-serving resale, repair, and recycling programs. Overall, Outerknown sets an excellent example for other fashion brands to follow in terms of environmental responsibility and fair labor practices.
34. Article 22
- From: Brooklyn, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Jewelry
- Founder: Elizabeth Suda
ARTICLE22 is a jewelry company that creates unique pieces of jewelry using scrap metal from bombs and other war debris in Laos. The idea of Peacebomb jewelry began when the founders visited the country and learned about the extensive amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) that remained in the country from the Vietnam War. Between 1964 and 1973, the United States dropped 2 million tons of ordnance on Laos, making it the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. This has resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths and injuries due to unexploded bombs that remain in the ground.
To address this issue, ARTICLE22 works with local artisans to create jewelry from the scrap metal, with each bracelet purchased clearing 3 square meters of bomb-littered land. The company also collaborates with expert demining organizations to help make scrap collection safer and provide risk education to the local population. In addition, ARTICLE22 provides monthly income to 12 artisan families, helping to create sustainable economic development in the community.
The company’s goal is to use fashion as a way to promote social responsibility and sustainability, while also creating beautiful pieces of jewelry that tell a powerful story.
35. Wama
- From: California
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Underwear
- Founder: Shakib Nassiri
WAMA is a company that produces hemp underwear and aims to pioneer the hemp underwear industry. Their mission is to make the best hemp underwear and bring awareness to hemp as an option for clothing. The main benefit of using hemp fabric for clothing is that it is naturally anti-bacterial, super soft, breathable, organic, and eco-friendly.
WAMA’s manufacturing is based in China, where all their factories are located. They partner with factories that improve their employees’ lives with fair wages and quality working environments. WAMA has several certifications and memberships, including PETA Approved Vegan, Green America, National Hemp Association Business Member, Business Social Compliance Initiative, and OEKO-TEX Certified. WAMA has a return policy that allows customers to get a new size, color or refund for their first pair of underwear, with no questions asked and no returns needed.
WAMA has saved 8,938,428 days of drinking water and 9,389,105 hours of LED bulb energy. WAMA’s supply chain involves an organic hemp farm in Mudanjiang City, an organic hemp spinner in Shanxi province, an OEKO-TEX certified factory in Shaoxing City, and the WAMA Underwear HQ.
36. Whimsy + Row
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Rachel Temko
Whimsy + Row is a fashion brand that focuses on sustainability and ethical production practices. Founded in 2014 by Rachel Temko, the brand creates limited-run, locally made clothing using eco-friendly materials like certified organic cotton, linen, TENCEL™, Cupro, silk, and upcycled fabrics. By producing in small batches, Whimsy + Row reduces its carbon footprint and ensures that its workers are treated fairly.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond its materials and production processes. Whimsy + Row recycles scraps of material and turns them into bandanas, bucket hats, and scrunchies, striving for zero-waste production. It also partners with Carbonfund.org to offset its carbon emissions and supports global renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects.
In addition to its environmental efforts, Whimsy + Row creates clothing designed to last, paying attention to quality and comfort. The brand avoids excess packaging and uses recycled plastic from EcoEnclose to ship its products.
Whimsy + Row’s values and sustainability efforts reflect its belief in conscious consumerism and a commitment to reducing the fashion industry’s impact on the planet. By creating stylish and sustainable clothing, the brand provides an eco-friendly option for modern, conscious consumers.
37. Vitamin A
- From: Laguna Beach, California
- For: Women
- Products: Swimwear, clothing, and accessories
- Founder: Amahlia Stevens
Vitamin A is a swimwear brand that believes that style and sustainability are inseparable. The company designs collections using recycled and plant-based materials to ensure customers feel good about what they’re wearing. The fabrics used are certified to meet the global Oeko-Tex standard for safe textiles. The company is committed to reducing its impact, using its voice, raising awareness, and generating change. Through its partnership with 1% for the Planet, Vitamin A donates a portion of every sale to organizations that protect our oceans.
In addition to using sustainable materials, the company also ensures that its production process is geared towards reducing waste and energy use wherever possible. They have close relationships with all the factories they work with and visit them regularly to ensure employees are being treated and paid fairly and the working conditions are clean and safe. Vitamin A is committed to sustainability in every aspect of operations, from production to distribution.
They have implemented a variety of measures at their headquarters and warehouse to reduce their overall environmental footprint, such as using LED light bulbs, providing intelligent heating and cooling based on occupancy, and utilizing a heat reclamation system from their server room in the winter.
38. Girlfriend Collective
- From: Seattle, Washington
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Quang Dinh
Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable fashion brand that believes in ethical manufacturing and recycled materials. They use materials like post-consumer water bottles, fishing nets retrieved from the seas, fabric scraps, and other waste to create their clothes.
They believe in being transparent, taking care of the people who make their clothes, and never putting their bottom line before what’s best for the planet. Girlfriend Collective partners with factories that share their values, and they ensure that their factories have certifications like SA8000 and WRAP to guarantee fair wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers.
The brand also offers a washing bag or filter to capture microfibers shed by synthetic fabrics in the wash to prevent them from entering water streams and oceans. Overall, Girlfriend Collective prioritizes sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.
39. Seek Collective
- From: Berkeley, CA
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & Homeware
- Founder: Carol Miltimore
Seek Collective is a socially and environmentally responsible clothing brand that embodies the slow clothing movement. The brand creates clothing through partnerships with natural dyers, hand block printers, hand loom weavers, and other environmentally sound vendors and suppliers in India. Seek Collective is committed to sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and giving back.
For each item purchased, a tree is planted through a partnership with One Tree Planted. Seek Collective also donates to organizations like ACLU, NAACP, Planned Parenthood, and others. The founder, Carol Miltimore, spent a decade working as a designer for well-known brands before launching Seek Collective in 2014. The brand custom designs all of its textiles and clothing, and the artisans involved in the supply chain are paid above minimum wage and provided with healthcare support.
Seek Collective values transparency and education, and encourages customers to investigate their processes. The brand operates from Berkeley, CA, and has a team of dedicated individuals working to uphold its values and mission.
40. Mara Hoffman
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Mara Hoffman
Mara Hoffman is a fashion brand that was founded in 2000 by Mara Hoffman after graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York City. The company has committed itself to adopting more sustainable and responsible practices while continuing to offer colorful collections inspired by and celebrating women. The brand encourages mindful consumption habits and an open conversation about its approach to sustainable fashion to raise awareness among consumers.
The company prioritizes fair treatment of workers and artisans and minimizes waste and energy usage throughout the production process. It also supports artisan groups, often based in developing countries, by reintegrating their products into the global market to offer better economic opportunities for marginalized groups. The company has transitioned from traditional wet printing to digital printing to reduce fabric waste and offer flexibility in small runs of production.
Mara Hoffman produces most of its Ready to Wear collections in the garment district of New York City and all of its swimwear in Los Angeles. It also manufactures organic cotton styles in India, where organic cotton is grown, to reduce carbon footprint and offer employment and economic empowerment to women in those communities.
The brand sources natural, recycled, and organic fibers and does not use fur, leather, mulesed sheep wool, or feathers. 100% of the swimwear is produced using recycled nylon or recycled polyester, and the company has diverted over 17,767 lbs of waste from landfills since 2017.
41. Nube
- From: Seattle, US
- For: Women
- Products: Activewear
- Founder Ruth True (founder) & Kristen Albrecht (president & Co-owner)
Nube is a sustainable activewear brand that produces all of its goods in the US from recycled materials using the best practices in sourcing and production. The brand aims to reduce waste and environmental impact while providing more ways for consumers to shop with a conscience. Nube partners with artists and designers worldwide to create prints motivated by environmental crises that inspire connection and action.
The brand strives to adopt and implement the best practices in producing and sourcing materials to minimize environmental harm. By using recycled materials and designing products to last, Nube reduces the environmental impact of its products. The brand also has a take-back program to use loved Nube pieces to make new ones.
Nube believes in using recycled fabrics to save materials that would otherwise be wasted. The brand is working to be as local as possible with its sourcing, and all of its fabrics were initially custom-knit in LA. Nube is working to find US suppliers with the same quality goods to bring all of its sourcing back to the US.
Nube uses recycled polyester, which uses half the electricity of virgin poly. The brand’s recycled polyester is 79% rPET and 21% spandex and is ultra-thick, with one side brushed to be super soft. Recycled polyester reduces water consumption by nearly 20%, energy consumption by over 45%, and greenhouse gas emissions by over 30%.
Nube’s clothing is made in its sewing studio in East Los Angeles and, when needed, outsourced to other West Coast studios. The brand is devoted to being fully US-made and ensuring compliance with the highest garment standards of fair wages and ethical working conditions.
Nube’s shipping materials are plastic-free, made in the USA, and 100% recycled and recyclable. The brand uses non-toxic, low-impact, and lead-free dyes and finishes and works to reduce fabric waste by partnering with artists, fashion students, and rag traders.
42. Triarchy
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Wommen
- Products: Denim & other
- Founder: Mark, Adam, and Ania Taubenfligel
Triarchy was founded in 2011 by siblings Mark, Adam, and Ania Taubenfligel. The brand started as a direct-to-consumer denim brand, but in 2016, the siblings took the brand offline after realizing the environmental harm caused by the denim manufacturing industry. They returned in 2019 as a sustainable denim brand with a focus on ethical manufacturing and sustainability.
The philosophy of Triarchy is to educate consumers on mindful consumption and the importance of less is more. The brand’s core values include sustainability, transparency, and ethical manufacturing.
Triarchy has adopted several sustainable practices, including using responsibly farmed fibers, producing sustainably dyed denim fabrics, and working with third-party auditors to ensure their supply chain is sustainable. The brand has also eliminated the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers by using organic cotton in their denim production.
Triarchy uses two fibers for their denim: organic cotton and Tencel. Organic cotton eliminates the use of harmful chemicals in the production process, preventing contamination of skin and groundwater. Tencel is a fabric made from a natural fiber derived from breaking down trees into pulp and spinning the pulp fiber into a soft, durable textile.
Overall, Triarchy aims to create sustainable products and build a sustainable business that supports human and animal rights while paying a living wage. The brand believes in transparency and sharing all their sustainability data via third-party auditors to encourage other brands to adopt sustainable practices.
43. éclipse
- From: Longmont, CO
- For: Women, men, and kids
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Élise Champe
éclipse is a sustainable clothing and accessories company that focuses on creating versatile, urban tech clothing and accessories made sustainably and locally in small batches from recycled fabric. The company was founded in 2002 by Élise Champe and promotes the concept of Freedom In Simplicity by streamlining and divesting life of things that no longer serve a purpose, creating more space and freedom both mentally and physically.
éclipse focuses on well-made, durable clothing with classic designs that are made to last, instead of flooding the market with cheaply made clothing that goes out of fashion in a season. The company uses recycled fabric, which requires less water and energy than regular polyester, and all of its pieces are sewn locally and manufactured ethically. Additionally, the company offsets the shipping carbon footprint of its customers by planting a tree with each order, and is transitioning to compostable/recyclable packing and shipping materials. éclipse also has a take-back program, where they take back garments to keep clothing out of landfills and save fabric scraps for recycling back into textiles.
éclipse has an advisory board that consists of experts who help make the company better. Members of the board include Bonnie Ballantyne, who has experience in human development, advertising, market analysis, and business development; Nichole Jones, who is an Ayurvedically inspired life coach specializing in women’s emotional well-being; and Patrick Stratton, an experienced CEO with a history of working in the sports industry.
44. Grammar
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Althea Simons
GRAMMAR is a brand that understands the importance of simplicity, style, and sustainability. Inspired by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White’s book, The Elements of Style, GRAMMAR creates foundational elements of a modern minimalist wardrobe that cater to every woman’s needs.
Their values are deeply rooted in essentiality, love, and commitment to excellence. They believe in designing elegant garments that stand up to the highest standards of sustainability and product quality. Their organic cotton sourced from an ethical producer in India is free from pesticides and other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the natural environment and textile workers.
Every garment they produce is made with love and designed to make women feel good. Their clothes are comfortable, elegant, and timeless, allowing your inner beauty to shine through. They use GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric, which ensures compliance with the strictest standards of sustainability and labor rights from seed to finished fabric.
GRAMMAR supports local artisans and craftspeople in New York City, producing their garments in small batches to minimize the impact of their supply chain. By doing so, they ensure that their extremely high-quality standards are met on every garment.
The founder of GRAMMAR, Althea Simons, was inspired to start the brand after losing all her belongings in a fire. The difficulty she faced in replacing her wardrobe led her to create the perfect white shirt that every woman needs. Her eye for detail and nuance is evident in every GRAMMAR garment.
In conclusion, GRAMMAR is a brand that values simplicity, style, and sustainability. Their commitment to conscious practice and design through every stage of their product lifecycle sets them apart. Every woman needs a GRAMMAR garment in their wardrobe that not only makes them feel good but also stands up to the highest standards of sustainability and product quality.
45. Boyish
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Denim & other
- Founder: Jordan Nodarse
Boyish Jeans is a sustainable women’s denim brand that focuses on creating vintage-inspired denim with a modern twist while minimizing its environmental impact. The brand uses sustainable fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices to produce its denim. Boyish Jeans uses reduced indigo from Dystar with about 80 percent less sulphates, plant-based dyes, and recycled fabrics to reduce its environmental impact.
The brand also recycles water to keep harsh chemicals out of fresh-water streams and works with fabric mills and factories around the world that are part of the ZDHC Program, Roadmap to Zero. Boyish Jeans sources eco-friendly fabrics like Tencel and OCS 100 certified organic cotton to reduce waste and eliminate synthetics.
The brand also makes durable jeans with thicker material blended with Tencel, which makes them strong and durable. Boyish Jeans aims to set the standard for production practices and encourage others to join in the movement to reduce waste in the fashion industry.
46. Eileen Fisher
- From: Irvington, NY
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher founded her eponymous clothing company in 1984 as a response to the difficulties she encountered as an interior and graphic designer looking for simple, timeless clothing. Since then, the company has adopted a systems approach to its clothing life cycle, from design to disposal, with a focus on the well-being of all those involved.
The company began with just four simple shapes in linen, but has since grown to include a diverse range of sizes and styles, as well as a line of home accessories. Eileen Fisher has also become involved in a range of social and environmental causes, including human rights, living wages, renewable energy, and organic cotton farming.
The company has also adopted a circular system of production, moving away from a take-make-waste model and towards one that reuses, replenishes, and regenerates resources.
47. Sotela
- From: Covina, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Hanna Baror-Padilla
Sotela is an ethical, sustainable, and inclusive fashion brand founded in 2016 by Hanna Baror-Padilla. It offers clothes that adapt to the ever-changing body shapes of women. Sotela offers a made-to-order model, reducing waste, and offering customization to cater to each body’s uniqueness. The brand is inclusive, and in 2019, expanded its size range to cover sizes 0-30.
The clothes are ethically made in-house in their LA studio, and they ensure fair and living wages for their employees. The brand is also sustainable, using natural fibers, non-toxic dyes, and recycled materials for packaging. Sotela is a Latina-owned brand that takes inspiration from its heritage, and the name comes from the Spanish word “tela” which means fabric.
The brand’s mission is to offer kindness, care, and inclusivity in the production process while minimizing harm to the environment. Sotela’s pricing reflects the costs of product development, labor, fabric, and notions.
48. SiiZU
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Jewelry, apparel, and accessories
- Founder: Kay Wen
SiiZU is a fashion brand that offers sustainable and high-quality fashion pieces at an affordable price point. The company is committed to using only eco-friendly materials for their products and has a mission to be sustainable from start to finish. SiiZU partners with qualified manufacturers who follow the ISO 14001 standard for efficient energy use and limited waste output.
The brand offers a range of products made in factories located primarily in southern China or Japan, as well as in the United States. The company has a jewelry studio located in New York City, where most of their jewelry is handcrafted. SiiZU also offers bags made of sustainable leather, which is a type of cotton-backed microfibre PU that contains zero DMF during the manufacturing process.
The company uses a unique oyster shell seawool fabric made of recycled oyster shells, which is 100% eco-friendly, and organic Japanese cotton produced by a specialized factory in Osaka, Japan. SiiZU partners with organizations like American Forest to donate towards tree planting projects to help restore and protect critical wildlife habitats.
49. Reformation
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel & Shoes
- Founder: Yael Aflalo
The Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand that was founded in 2009 by Yael Aflalo. The brand is based in Los Angeles and is known for its vintage-inspired, feminine designs that are made using sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
The Reformation is committed to reducing its environmental impact and uses sustainable practices throughout its supply chain. The brand uses eco-friendly fabrics such as TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled polyester, and deadstock fabrics to create its garments. The brand also has a program called RefRecycling, which allows customers to recycle their old clothing and receive a discount on their next purchase.
In addition to its sustainable practices, The Reformation is also known for its inclusive sizing. The brand offers sizes ranging from 0 to 24, making its clothing accessible to a wider range of customers.
Overall, The Reformation has gained a reputation as a fashion brand that is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, and has become a popular choice for those who are looking for fashion that is both stylish and environmentally conscious.
50. ARAKS
- From: New York City, New york
- For: Women
- Products: Swimwear & Lingerie
- Founder: Araks Yeramyan
Araks is a luxury lingerie and swimwear brand that was founded in 2000 by Araks Yeramyan. The brand is based in New York City and is known for its minimalist designs and high-quality materials.
Araks is committed to using sustainable and eco-friendly materials in its products. The brand uses organic cotton and silk in its lingerie and swimwear, and also incorporates recycled materials into some of its designs. Araks also works with small, family-owned factories in the United States and Europe to ensure fair labor practices and ethical production.
In addition to its commitment to sustainability, Araks is known for its innovative designs and attention to detail. The brand’s lingerie and swimwear feature clean lines, bold colors, and unique details such as delicate lace and intricate embroidery.
Overall, Araks has gained a reputation as a luxury brand that is committed to sustainability and ethical production practices, while still offering high-quality and stylish lingerie and swimwear.
51. Vetta Capsule
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products; Apparel
- Founder: Cara Bartlett and Vanessa van Zyl
VETTA is a fashion brand that creates mini capsule wardrobes made up of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a month’s worth of outfits. They offer sustainable fabrics like Tencel, organic cotton, and deadstock fabric, which is leftover fabric that they save from the landfill and give a new life. VETTA is committed to responsible fashion and uses recycled materials for their packaging.
They work with factories that pay workers fairly, protect workers’ rights, have safe working environments, and prohibit child labor, forced labor, and discrimination. Their factories are based in New York, Los Angeles, India, and Peru.
Company visits factories personally and work closely with them to manufacture their collections. VETTA focuses on fabrics that are beautiful but also sustainable, considering water and pesticide usage during fiber growth and renewability of resources, among other factors.
52. Brave GentleMan
- From: Brooklyn, New York
- For: Men
- Products: Shoes & Suits
- Founder: Joshua Katcher
Brave GentleMan is an award-winning vegan lifestyle menswear brand founded in 2010 by Joshua Katcher. The brand is best known for its high-quality, expertly-crafted vegan footwear made with sustainable innovation, superior vegan materials, and ethical labor. Brave GentleMan has been featured in Vogue, GQ, Forbes, The Financial Times, and other publications, and has been worn by celebrities such as Joaquin Phoenix and Liam Hemsworth.
In recent years, the brand was named Menswear Brand of the Year and Most Influential Designer by PETA. Brave GentleMan embraces a slow-fashion production model, invests in sustainable innovation, and aims to use the highest performance materials with stringent aesthetic criteria that meet ethical and environmental standards. Their materials include hi-tech polyurethane microfiber made in Italy, organic cotton, Brazilian waste-diverted tweeds and twills woven from recycled cotton and recycled polyester, and linings made from organic cotton.
Brave GentleMan believes that people making clothing and growing, developing or processing materials deserve respect and dignity through safe conditions and a living wage and that ecosystems should not be destroyed in order to make fashion.
53. Pansy
- From: Oakland, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Laura Schoorl and Rachel Corry
Pansy is a small, woman-owned organic cotton underwear company based in California. It was founded in 2013 by Laura Schoorl and Rachel Corry who wanted to create minimal, sturdy, beautiful, locally-made organic cotton underwear dyed without the use of toxins. Pansy’s organic cotton is grown and milled domestically, and their underwear is designed and sewn in California. The natural rubber/cotton elastic is made in Rhode Island.
The underwear is garment-dyed with non-toxic fiber-reactive dyes in a factory in Novato, CA. Pansy strives for complete transparency and is happy to answer any question about their production process. Pansy’s team is comprised of four members who handle everything from production to shipping to customer service to social media. They use organic cotton thread and woven organic cotton twill tags. All of Pansy’s fabrics are made from USA-grown organic cotton. Half of their garments are made from 100% organic cotton, and the other half have 90% organic cotton with an added 10% spandex made from recycled bottles for stretch.
Pansy uses two types of elastic: their original elastic, which is woven in the US from cotton and natural rubber, and a new elastic that is entirely made from natural rubber elastic and is also fully compostable.
54. Yoga Democracy
- From: Scottsdale, Arizona
- For: Women
- Products: Activewear
- Founder: Travis Strote & Haley Byfield
Yoga Democracy is a clothing company founded with the vision to create sustainable, high-quality garments that support every aspect of the yoga lifestyle. They use post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets to make their fabrics, and a no-water dyeing process to cut down on waste.
Their team is made up of individuals who bring unique skills and perspectives to the brand. They offer their products in sizes XS to 3XL and have a size chart available for customers. In addition to providing clothing, Yoga Democracy is committed to building a thriving, inclusive community and giving back. They are a member of 1% For the Planet and donate a portion of their proceeds to organizations that better the world.
Yoga Democracy has been featured in several high-quality publications in the activewear and fashion industries.
55. Tuckerman & Co
- From: Providence, RI
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Shirts
- Founder: Amanda Rinderle & Jonas Clark
Tuckerman & Co is a clothing company that was created to address the frustration of finding high-quality clothing that consumers feel good about. Their mission is to reimagine clothing the way it should be made by using the finest materials, partnering with those who take genuine pride in their work, and committing to environmental responsibility.
They also embrace fair labor practices and safe working conditions. As company is a certified B Corporation, meaning they have met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Their name is derived from a well-known hiking trail in New England, and they offer quality shirting and escape clothing.
Additionally, Tuckerman & Co is dedicated to promoting organic cotton as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cotton, and they have provided information on the benefits of organic cotton on their website.
56. Todd Shelton
- From: East Rutherford, NJ
- For: Men
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Todd Shelton
Todd Shelton is a clothing brand established in 2005 in Manhattan by Todd Shelton, who recognized the importance of well-fitting clothes in reducing distractions and creating a stress-free routine. The company produces classic American menswear with a minimal design aesthetic, focusing on neutral colors and symmetry.
Todd Shelton sources high-quality, biodegradable fabrics and manufactures all products in their East Rutherford, New Jersey factory, where skilled seamstresses set their own schedules and earn living wages. The brand avoids the use of animal products and plastic in its products and packaging, and prices its products fairly.
The company aims to minimize waste through made-to-order production, and sources fabrics from mills in countries with histories of enforcing labor and environmental protections. Todd Shelton has developed a reputation for consistent quality and long-term customer relationships and is committed to promoting healthy consumerism and ethical manufacturing practices within its community.
57. Bhoomki
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Clothing, jewelry, and accessories
- founder: Swati Argade
Swati Argade is the founder of Bhoomki, a sustainable fashion brand based in New York City that’s dedicated to preserving craft and ensuring fair compensation for handworkers. Swati began her fashion career in South India and later launched a womenswear line that incorporated handmade sustainable fabrics with tailored silhouettes.
After witnessing children working on factory floors in Calcutta, Swati took a break from producing fashion collections to study the apparel supply chain and identify solutions for change. In 2012, she opened Bhoomki Boutique to provide a space for customers to discover brands committed to social and environmental responsibility.
Bhoomki is obsessed with handmade textiles and regularly works with India-based block printers, embroidery artists, and handloom weavers. They use sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, peace silk, and Cupro, and seek out innovative recycled materials like nearly 100% solvent-recycling Cupro. Bhoomki also focuses on ethical manufacturing, partnering with a women-owned factory in India that employs members of artisan textile communities.
Bhoomki celebrates the intersectional identities of women from all around the world, and the diversity of voices within the fashion industry. Their intersectional philosophy prizes inclusivity and diversity in every step of their clothing’s journey, from their trusted female factory worker to their beloved customers.
58. CHNGE
- From: Brooklyn, New York
- For: Men & Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Jacob Castaldi
CHNGE is a sustainable fashion brand committed to challenging the status quo of the polluting and manipulative fashion industry. They are committed to carbon neutrality, responsible fabrics, fair wage practices, and minimizing waste.
Their commitment to sustainability includes ensuring carbon neutrality in their production, using GOTS Certified Organic Cotton to save water, using 100% post-consumer recycled paper packaging, and producing their clothing at a Fairtrade Factory that follows ethical practices, uses renewable energy, and has GOTS certification.
Their aim is to produce high-quality sustainable clothing while also working with manufacturing partners who share their passion for the planet and the people making their clothes. Overall, CHNGE encourages consumers to consume consciously, responsibly, and differently.
59. Brook There
- From: Portland, Maine
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Brook DeLorme
Brook There is a lingerie brand that was born out of the founder’s desire for minimalist, comfortable and ethically-made lingerie. The brand prioritizes ethics and sustainability in every aspect of their business model, from the choice of low-impact fabrics and production methods to keeping their factory close to home in Massachusetts.
Their core fabric is organic cotton, which is better for the environment and the health of communities compared to conventional cotton that uses more pesticides. Brook There also uses pure silk for trimming certain styles and fiber-reactive dye to create most of their colors. The brand strives to balance sustainability with quality, creating timeless and well-made garments that customers can treasure for years.
They also use Eco-Enclose recycled poly bags and recycled tissue paper for shipping and packaging, avoiding single-use plastics. Brook There’s ultimate goal is to make women feel confident and comfortable in their own skin every time they wear their lingerie.
60. LA Relaxed
- from: Los Angeles, California
- for: Women
- Products: Apparel & Accessories
- Founder: Dana Weinstein
LA Relaxed is a sustainable and ethical clothing brand that prioritizes responsible design. Their six pillars of responsible design include limiting their production to under 100 footsteps, utilizing a limited run model to avoid excess production and waste, sourcing third-party certified natural fibers like GOTS organic cotton, sourcing locally within a 10-mile radius, utilizing deadstock fabric to avoid contributing to landfill waste, and prioritizing their people by paying living wages and fostering a collaborative work environment.
All of LA Relaxed’s products are made in the USA, with most of their fabrics knit locally within 10 miles of their warehouse. The brand uses only high-quality sustainable materials, including plant-based, organic, and all-natural fabrics. While they do not currently use organic or natural dyes due to scaling limitations, they work exclusively with BlueSign™ certified dye houses to ensure safe and responsible disposal of waste.
Overall, LA Relaxed strives to create stylish, high-quality clothing while minimizing their environmental impact and prioritizing their community of employees.
61. Zero + Maria Cornejo
- From: New York City, New York
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, shoes, and accessories
- Founder: Maria Cornejo
Zero + Maria Cornejo is a fashion brand founded in 1998 by Chilean-born designer Maria Cornejo. The brand is based on the principles of taking fundamental geometric shapes and transforming them into simple, yet sophisticated garments using volume and circular shapes as a starting point. The garments are often draped and cut from one piece of fabric and utilize luxurious new fabrics and original prints. Zero + Maria Cornejo is known for its timelessness, ease, and modern take on luxury, and has a loyal following of clients such as Tilda Swinton, Christy Turlington Burns, Cindy Sherman, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Zero + Maria Cornejo is committed to responsible design and manufacturing, and has been largely produced in the heart of New York City’s Garment District since the beginning. The brand aims to design and manufacture in the most purposeful and beautiful way, and to create a product that is uncompromising in its respect for quality and value.
Zero + Maria Cornejo is designed by women for women, and at the heart of each garment is a commitment to make desirable fashion that lasts beyond a single season and becomes cherished items in a woman’s wardrobe.
62. Lovanie
- From: USA
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Nics Asawasudsakorn
LOVANIE is a clothing brand that aims to inspire conscious women to live the life of their dreams by creating sustainable and ethically-made clothing that is kind to people and the planet. The brand’s name is a combination of the words “Love” and “Avani,” which means Earth in Sanskrit. LOVANIE is designed for petite women, with each piece thoughtfully created to fit the proportions of women who are 5’4” or under.
The brand’s collection is made from eco-friendly linen fabric, which is a natural and biodegradable fiber that is highly breathable and perfect for warm summer days. The company’s sustainability practices include using natural fibers for their designs, sourcing deadstock fabrics, and making their clothing in small batches based on pre-orders to minimize waste. LOVANIE works with a local production partner and seamstresses located in Seattle, USA, to ensure fair working conditions and support small businesses.
Brand’s packaging is also eco-friendly, with all packages shipped in 100% recycled or compostable mailers. Overall, LOVANIE is committed to making beautiful, timeless clothing that is both stylish and sustainable.
63. Dazey LA
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel, jewelry, shoes, and other accessories
- Founder: Dani Dazey
Dazey LA is a sustainable and ethical fashion brand created by designer Dani Dazey in 2016. The brand’s mission is to create a more colorful world and empower people to be their most bold selves. Every print and graphic on the website is hand-drawn by Dani, who is known for her use of color and art-driven designs.
Behind every design is a meaningful message tied to the collection themes of resilience, bravery, and self-expression. Dazey LA produces clothing in small batches and prints graphics to order to create as little waste as possible. All of their tees are custom-made from 100% certified organic cotton, and their production process is fully ethical. Garment workers are paid a living wage and work in clean safe facilities.
Dazey LA offers a slow fashion approach and transparency around its design and manufacturing processes. The brand has grown quickly and has a community of 15,000 ambassadors.
64. Christy Dawn
- From: Los Angeles. California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Christy Dawn
The Farm-to-Closet initiative is a project by Christy Dawn, a sustainable fashion brand that uses deadstock materials to make clothes. The initiative is a radical experiment in reciprocal relationships, with the aim of deepening the brand’s intimacy with soil, farmers, and ultimately, ourselves. Instead of buying cotton, Christy Dawn invested in healing by regenerating 80 acres of depleted land in Erode, India, in collaboration with the Oshadi Collective.
The farm-to-closet initiative helps to replenish the soil through ancient practices of regeneration and traditional wisdom, increasing biodiversity in the soil, and successfully drawing down more than 1 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere. The cotton is farmed, ginned, woven, vegetable-dyed, and block-printed using centuries-old methods in harmony with nature.
The initiative is aimed at regenerating the Earth through regenerative practices, ensuring the survival of the Earth’s natural marvels such as cool, clean rivers, ancient arts, and practices of those who call the Earth home. By shopping the Farm-to-Closet collection, customers can actively join the regenerative evolution and help replenish even more soil and sequester more carbon.
65. Karen Kane
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Karen & Lonnie Kane
Karen Kane is a women’s sustainable clothing brand that was founded by Karen and Lonnie Kane in their home garage, with the goal of creating clothing that is comfortable, beautiful, and ethically sourced. Over the years, the brand has grown, and Karen and Lonnie’s two sons, Michael and Robert, have recently joined the company. The family’s commitment to constant innovation has led to improved sustainability, increased recycling, and the use of state-of-the-art fabrications.
The brand is committed to ethical sourcing and working with mills and partners to minimize environmental impact and ensure transparent workplace conditions. Over 70% of the management team is comprised of women, and three-quarters of the employees are from underrepresented populations.
The company offers complete health benefits to all full-time employees, including those in manufacturing. Karen and Lonnie are also proud supporters of various charities, including The Nature Conservancy, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking. Karen Kane is committed to being transparent, ethical, compassionate, conscious, and sustainable in all aspects of the business.
66. Made Trade
- From: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- For: Men, women, and kids
- Products: Apparel, shoes, accessories, furniture, home goods, bedding, etc.,
- Founder: Cayley Pater and Andy Ives
Made Trade is an ethical and sustainable e-commerce platform that believes in putting people and the planet first. The company is woman-owned and family-run and was created in 2018 by Cayley Pater and Andy Ives to provide consumers with access to ethical and sustainable home decor and clothing. Made Trade partners with over 150 brands, small businesses, makers, and artisan collectives, and each product sold is rigorously assessed and verified for sustainability, equity, and transparency.
To ensure that every product meets their core values, Made Trade conducts an extensive application process that collects detailed information about the products, manufacturing process, labor conditions, materials, fair trade status, third-party verifications, and more. The company only curates products made with sustainable materials, responsible sourcing, fair pay, and safe working conditions for makers and artisans.
The company’s commitment to true transparency allows customers to shop freely, knowing that every piece has been responsibly sourced and expertly crafted. Every order is 100% carbon-neutral, and Made Trade is dedicated to being climate-neutral certified.
67. Jessica Rey
- From: Los Angeles, California
- For: Women
- Products: Swimwear
- Founder: Jessica Rey
Jessica Rey is a swimsuit designer who started her career in television production and later pursued acting. After wearing bikinis as her daily uniform, she decided to create her own swimsuits because she couldn’t find an alternative that didn’t make her look older. Thus, she founded Rey Swimwear, which is committed to ethical sourcing and production.
All of her swimsuits are manufactured in Los Angeles, California, and made of 100% regenerated polyamide yarn. She also launched a line of dresses, skirts, and tops under the brand Estella, which draw inspiration from Audrey Hepburn’s timeless and feminine style. Jessica Rey believes in the dignity of all people, including those who make her clothing and those who wear it.
68. Groceries Apparel
- From: Vernon, California
- For: Men, women, kids, and babies
- Products: Apparel
- Founder: Robert Lohman
The center of Groceries Apparel is to remain local as much as possible, from sewing to dying and that’s why they create all of their apparel in their own factory in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a good model for a sustainable fashion brand, allowing leverage over quality control and saving transportation and auditing time to third-party factories.
The brand gives importance to transparency and believes in fair trade, which they are doing by supporting local families and communities who work for them, and since inception either they are using 100% organic or recycled natural materials as the fabric while for dyeing what could be better than upcycled fruit and vegetable dyes. The dyeing process also happens in their own non-toxic dye house in the USA.
I am relieved to see that brands like these are showing that you can create colorful clothes using food scraps like carrot tops, pomegranate rinds, onion skins, avocado seeds, used coffee grounds, and other roots, plants, and flowers to curate a collection of 100% sustainable and toxic free wardrobe essential that fulfills the definition of a sustainable fashion brand.
68 Most Sustainable Fashion Brands From the USA (American Brands)
The Best Window Types For More Sunlight in 2023
Natural light can have many benefits for your health and well-being, including improving your mood and productivity while reducing symptoms of depression. If you’re looking to bring more natural light into your home, getting new Ecoline Windows and Doors can be a significant help. With so many window styles available, choosing the right one for your space is important.
The Best Window Types For More Sunlight in 2023
Picture Windows:
If your goal is to let in as much natural light as possible, picture windows are an excellent choice. These windows are fixed and have a clear, unobstructed glass area. They work best in rooms where ventilation isn’t a concern, such as living rooms. Picture windows provide a beautiful and clear view outside, making them perfect for taking a relaxing bath or enjoying a cup of coffee while taking in the view. Why just homes, if selected carefully windows can shine anything including your yurt or tiny house.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows are ideal for rooms that connect indoors with outdoors, such as patios, since the unobscured views outside is the main advantage of these windows. With a sleek and modern design, they’re made up of at least one window gliding through a sash with another window being fixed. The large glass area of sliding windows allows for plenty of natural light and fresh air to flow into your home. They’re also effortless to operate and perfect for anyone in your household, including children.
Casement Windows
These models are popular among Canadian homeowners due to their unobstructed, great-looking design and flexibility. They are taller than they are wide and have a simple push-and-open design that’s easy to operate with a hand crank. They provide superior ventilation and bring lots of sunlight to your space, making them a perfect fit for any residence. Installing casement windows in hard-to-reach areas such as over kitchen sinks, countertops, or bedrooms is recommended.
How Much Will You Spend on New Window Types For Your Home?
While investing in new windows can be a significant expense, it’s worth it for its benefits. Ecoline Windows experts shared the table below to provide homeowners with a general understanding of the typical price range for the abovementioned window styles.
| Location | Casement | Slider | Picture |
| Basement | $535 – $1,022 | $394 – $1057 | $315 – $1518 |
| Bathroom | $446 – $1,032 | $394 – $1033 | $388 – $1242 |
| Bedroom | $444 – $1193 | $437 – $1521 | $226 – $2324 |
| Bonus room | $676 – $1134 | $820 – $1248 | $420 – $2305 |
| Dining room | $550 – $1348 | $669 – $1957 | $316 – $2072 |
| Family room | $605 – $1999 | $490 – $1131 | $354 – $2661 |
| Foyer | $858 – $1999 | $465 – $778 | $338 – $1552 |
| Front | $583 – $1014 | $785 – $968 | $359 – $2933 |
| Kitchen | $329 – $1356 | $394 – $1595 | $202 – $2179 |
| Living room | $484 – $1614 | $433 – $2327 | $226 – $2898 |
| Master bedroom | $545 – $1304 | $452 – $1810 | $335 – $2370 |
| Nook | $549 – $1149 | $658 – $1142 | $337 – $2440 |
What is The Best Frame Material For Your Windows?
After learning about the best window styles and their prices, it’s time to select a frame for your new windows and ensure they are installed correctly. With various options available today, including wood, aluminum, fibreglass, composite, and vinyl, choosing the right frame for your budget and needs can be challenging. However, we highly recommend going with a vinyl frame for the following reasons:
- Superb Energy Efficiency: Vinyl windows are an excellent choice for maintaining thermal performance in your home. If you want to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in the summer, vinyl windows are the way to go.
- Ultimate Durability: Vinyl is a long-lasting material that ensures you won’t have to worry about issues for at least 20 years, even with low maintenance.
- Low Maintenance: Vinyl frames require minimal maintenance, making them a convenient and long-lasting investment. With just a bit of soap water, you can keep your vinyl frames looking their best, and the painting does not frequently fade, as with wood frames.
In conclusion, selecting the right window frame is crucial to ensure that your new windows function correctly and provide maximum energy efficiency. Choose a vinyl frame for its superb energy efficiency, ultimate durability, and low maintenance requirements, and enjoy the benefits of your new windows for years to come.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve read this far and are considering replacing your old windows, it’s essential to know that a professional installation is crucial. DIY is not recommended for window replacement projects, so it’s best to find a reputable window company with fair pricing and hire them for the job. When selecting an installer, make sure they:
- Follow CSA guidelines and local building codes
- Offer Energy Star-rated and NAFS-11-tested units
- Have a good reputation and extensive experience
- Provide a decent warranty for their work.
By selecting a professional window installer that meets these criteria, you can ensure that your new windows are installed correctly, provide maximum energy efficiency, and last many years.
One Stop Shop For Sustainable Fashion – My Opinion
I am writing this article on 16th February, and the news about John Julia came out on 15th February as a press release at several well-known sites like marketwatch.com and benzinga.com. The announcement was quite impressive; That tempted me to share my opinion of making a one-stop online store where you will only see items from brands whose primary focus is sustainability. Before discussing my views, we shall first see what the announcement covers.
John Constandinou founded the John Julia International Co. In his own words, he says, “We are thrilled to launch John Julia, a game-changing e-commerce store that will transform consumers’ perspectives on sustainable fashion. Our goal is to create a central hub for conscious fashion and drive the industry towards sustainability through our partnerships with responsible fashion labels. We are dedicated to carefully selecting brands that prioritize ethical sourcing, environmentally responsible production, and environmental partnerships.”
The e-commerce store will feature items made from environmentally responsible materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester.
The primary strategy of John Julia is to partner with like-minded brands who stand with the voice of sustainable fashion by giving priority to corporate transparency, ethical sourcing, responsible sourcing, and eco-friendly materials. The website johnjulia.com will incorporate a filter that will allow us to filter through brands that align with our values. We can choose from BIPOC-owned, certified organic, vegan, and environment-friendly options made from recycled materials.
The press release also told us how they would impact the world. With every purchase, they will plant trees in critical areas around the globe, and carbon-neutral shipping will be provided with every delivery and return. Additionally, they will offer complimentary styling from the company’s style expert, who is not groundbreaking. Still, good to have for those customers who struggle pairing clothes for different occasions.
My Opinion
I want to be optimistic, but many brands started promising to deliver certain things but either failed or did not yield 100% of their sayings. However, I want John Julia to succeed in fulfilling their promise when it launches later this year because finding a genuinely sustainable brand is challenging as we think nowadays. Most companies use the word ‘sustainability’ as a marketing approach to convince customers that they are wearing clothes made in heaven with great social responsibility and not exploiting nature.
But, numerous research has found that many suppliers that ‘big brands’ contract doesn’t even provide lively wage to the laborers to make clothes cheaper.
I only have one request to John Julia: they do a damn good research before selecting any brand as their partner to sell sustainable fashion because there will be brands who will contract them convincing that they are sustainable or close to achieving it, but who knows when they’ll. And we also need to find out whether John Julia will be 100% transparent to customers about how they select the collaborators, which metrics they’re using, and how to be 100% sure they’re truly sustainable. These are some problems that john Constandinou needs to address.
We can only conclude John Julia is a one-stop place for genuinely sustainable fashion when it is rolled out completely, so let’s be optimistic but not have unrealistically high hopes.
Let’s Explore Categories
“We have something for everyone & expanding in a categorized manner. Share want you to want to see next on michael@outdoorfavor.com, and I’ll make sure it ends up in one of these sections”
Can I Use My Home Dish Receiver In My RV? (Doubts Cleared!)
You can use your home dish receiver in your RV but you have to call your service provider to update your service address every 200 miles from the last address you provided.
Becasue you’ll loose the local channels about 200 miles from the last service address.
If you don’t use your dish receivers for few weeks then it’ll be deactivated and you need to call the DISH and tell it is not in use for several weeks for some reason and they will reactivate your receiver again.
I know changing address every time is not a small headache unless we’re camping in any particular location for a long time. That’s the reason why I recommend buying RV specific dish network from DIRECTV or DISH and a good RV satellite-like Winegard Pathway X2 PA6002R that comes with a wally receiver. Its dual arc technology receives both Eastern and Western arcs for maximum HD/SD DISH programming throughout the US in all weather conditions for moving vehicles.
Now we are going to solve some doubts related to the home dish and RV and will tell you how to properly do it.
Check your RV capability for in motion television?
Whether your RV is ready to have in-motion television depends upon which type of antenna are you using and how you are using it.
Obviously, for in-motion tv, you need an in-motion antenna like the one that is offered by DISH. It comes with a mound that maintains the stability of the signal while driving. If you want an even much better signal then you should install the antenna as high as possible.
To achieve that height you can mount it with a tripod. A Tripod mount will become even more important when you have a standard definition dish instead of a satellite dish, and depending upon the model you have, you might also have to take your dish down when driving.
Another benefit of using a tripod mount is if it is summer and you’re at any campground with a shaded parking spot, with a long enough cable of up to 150′ you can extend your dish to the open sky.
If you’re using a standard definition receiver, using an 18″ round SD dish will be very easy to tune in. Generally, SD is poor on big screens.
Do you have more than one TV in your RV? If yes, you can either add a separate receiver for the other TV and can connect both to the same dish antenna or you can buy a multi-switch receiver to operate more than one TV with a single receiver.
The easiest is to buy a separate receiver for separate TV to watch different channels at the same time.
It is good if you have coaxial cables connecting the antenna to the receiver and set up a connection between your TV and receiver. Make sure that the coaxial cable should not be longer than 50 feet as the signals could lose the quality.
You can use in-motion TV if your antenna has a clear LOS or Line Of Sight to the southwest sky.
Do you really need a top-up account for your dish tv in RV?
Yes, you need it! Why? Because when you are headed for an RV trip then at most of the time you may be moving from one locality to another then resting, Let’s say if someone in your family wants to watch TV (Like your 10-year-old child) then you need In-motion HD antenna and an upgraded account, which required an additional fee.
When you acceded to Dish Outdoors, the dish will provide you an antenna with the freedom to add up to three set-tops to your account. If you want more than you can subscribe to Dish Mobile HD, in which you get up to three-receiver to your subscribed account.
How many TV channels can I watch in my RV?
The number of channels will depend upon the plan you choose. Like with DISH if you pay around $50 then you can watch 50+ channels including CNN, HGTV, AMC HD, and TLC for a month. If you pay around $90 then you can watch 190 channels and from 190, 120 will be the top 120 in America.
If you pay around $100 then you’ll get 190+ channels including FXX, HSN, Local channels, and the weather channels. If you pay around $110-$120 you’ll get 240+ channels including all of America’s top 200 channels like oxygen, Syfy, bravo, kids channels, and local channels.
Like DISH different providers have different prices, channels, and terms of conditions. With Dish, you can go for the cheapest plan and can purchase your desired channels to stream for a month, and can cancel anytime you want.
Types of satellite antennas for RV?
There are two types of satellite antennas you can find on market for your RV. Each type of antenna has different work and a similarity like both antennas can be used for internet. Here let’s look at the difference between mounded or portable antennas with the help of a table.
| Mounted Antenna | Portable Antenna |
|---|---|
| Works best if you’re living full time in the RV | Works best if you travel more frequently in your RV |
| When you’re not in any populated areas and want a backup cell hotspot to use the internet | When you’re in populated areas like a campground, RV park, etc and want to connect with public wifi networks using a wifi extender |
How to watch my favorite shows and movies without any satellite tv network?
There are many ways to watch your favorite movies and tv shows without buying any antenna and receiver. Here are some ways you can try:
- Have a fast internet connection in your RV? If you do have then you can buy several OTT subscriptions like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, AMC, HULU, Disney+. etc., and can watch any of your desired movies or TV series on your smart TV.
- If you don’t have a fast internet connection or you don’t want to set up wifi in your RV then you 2 more options to watch Netflix and other OTTs. Either your can use your mobile hotspot to watch it on TV, but it cost a huge amount of data so you can watch on your smartphone itself, or if you’re in an RV park then you can connect with their wifi to enjoy your shows.
- If you don’t have any of the above choices then you can record your desired content on the Dish hopper receiver at your home and then can bring it with you on RV to watch.
- No hopper, no problem! Still, we have another solution. You can store content on your tablet or laptop and can cast these videos to your TV.
- Buy or bring your favorite DVDs collection. You need to create resistance on the surface so that the DVD doesn’t slip during the ride.
- The last thing you can do is to buy and set up an old-school TV antenna to pick up local channels.
Can I use my DISH Hopper 3 in my RV?
According to Hopper’s creator, you can use Hopper 3 in your RV unless it running any close to the current software. It works great with the DPH42 multi-switch. What you need to do is to connect the hopper to a traditional RV dish as you do with any usual dish.
There are many benefits of having a hooper mainly when you’re using your home dish receiver Since you can record up to 16 shows all at once which is double that of any other tv recorder and you can watch multiple TV shows in primetime.
If you don’t want any hopper then the Amazon Fire TV recast is going to be another good option for you.
Do RVs need special TV?
RVs or motorhomes do not ask for any special TV! Just make sure they have the anti-glare screen to watch your shows in daylight or artificial lighting.
Tips on How to make your RV TV anti-glare?
- Put your TV in the right places to cut most of the glare
- Close the windows if the sun is directly coming through them.
- Apply an anti-glare protector that fits your TV
- Tweak the settings to reduce the glare
- If you don’t want to do all this, buy an outdoor specific TV. Some options are Samsung Q80, Q90, and Q100 series. These Samsung models have a triple layer technology that reduces the glare very significantly and enhances the off-angle viewing and black levels.
How can I boost my RV antenna?
You can use the TV antenna booster like a Winegard TV Antenna booster.
How does an RV antenna booster work? The antenna itself comes with a built-in signal booster. When you turn on the power supply that gives sufficient electricity to the signal booster in the antenna by the COAX cable that is connected to the antenna.
If you don’t know how to set up a signal booster in your RV then here is a video of the signal booster. Watch it from 1:12!
How do I hook up my dish to my RV?
Here is 4 step procedure to hook your dish to RV (Prefered for DISH):
- Locate a clear line of sight (LOS) to the Southwest sky. What is LOS? Antennas are required to be on clear LOS because radio transmission demands a clear path between antennas also known as radio line of sight which exists between the direct free space between two points.
- Connect the COAX cable you have from the satellite to the receiver
- Now connect either your home dish receiver or the RV or motorhome receiver to the TV.
- Now turn on the receiver and follow the screen instructions for further setup.
Can You Watch TV In An RV While Driving? (Legality + Trick)
No, you can’t! Many US states have prohibited watching TV while driving because it disturbs the attention of the driver. For this very reason, many new models of RVs have the safety feature that won’t allow you to switch on the while when the RV’s engine is on.
That’s the answer of legality but if you’re asking this question on the behalf of your family members who don’t enjoy being on the road and thus want to watch movies or their favorite shows while you’re driving.
Keep reading because now your all queries related to watching tv in an RV/ Motorhome while driving are going to be solved.
Can I Disable security feature in RV to watch TV while driving
Yes, you can disable but you should not if the TV is supposed to be in a position where a driver can see it (even a flicker matters).
There are few ways you can try to let your children watch TV while driving.
To remove the security feature, you can plug it into a different outlet or you can disable the outlet controller itself. For this unplug the TV and follow the cord to the outlet controller and unplug the safety device then plug your TV back in to see whether it is working or not.
Watch this video to get a general idea of how to disable the controller. However, the video is about 2017 Thor Outlaw 29H but the idea is the same.
How to watch tv in RV while driving?
If you don’t want to tease with the controller you can still watch TV on the road. Here are some ways you might like to try:
- Buy a portable TV and if you use a satellite television system you can have 12-volt portable tv and a 12 V portable battery which is a nice alignment. Now can pick this system anywhere in the RV where outlets are available.
- To stream OTTs you need to have a stable internet connection but in this case, you do not need to have a TV. It will be good though if you purchase a nice Tablet/iPad or your laptop to watch your favorite series, anime. or movies on Netflix, Hulu, or any platform.
- You can also use your home dish receiver in an RV to catch all your local channels and combining with a recording device you can watch your favorite TV shows without the internet. Read this post to know more.
How to watch TV in RV without generator
Follow these ways to watch TV without a generator in RV:
- If you want to say goodbye to the generator you need to welcome the inverter.
- Buy a nice inverter that can smoothly convert the 12V from the batteries to the 110 V AC in your RV which produces a 110 V sine wave current.
Most of the televisions will run fine on 110V AC input but there some TVs that run on 12V DC and in that case, you’ll need a generator. - Use solar panels to power up your TV. This is the most efficient way which only costs the installation and nothing else.
- You can use the UPS in your camper to power the television if you only want to run a TV for few hours like for watching a movie at night. If you have the UPS at home then you can simply put it in the camper.
Literally, the type of TV will determine the power usage like a LED tv draws less energy than the LCD or other old versions of TV. And also the weight of the UPS can vary according to the type of battery.
Can you use any TV in an RV?
Yes, you can use any type of TV in your RV or the motorhome. The only thing you need to care about is whether the TV can wire 12-volt use or not.
Also, you need to make the mount very sturdy while using 120-volt power because currently, not all roads are perfectly smooth.
Will my old RV antenna work with digital TV?
Yes, your old RV antenna will work fine with digital TV as antennas do not the difference between the analog and digital channels.
When the digital era strike the technology changed but the frequency remained the same thus for antenna, there is nothing changed or say for them nothing is digital or analog as they both are the same.
However, the more directional the antenna is the farther it see.
Also, in antenna, there is no such thing as television only radio as the old TV antennas are well to pick the Radio signals in the UHF bands, VHF High, VHF low.
Conclusion
Neither it is legal to watch the TV while driving an RV if it is in the driver’s sight nor I recommend it to do so. When you drive you should just drive or if you want to know what is happening in the world just tune with built-in radio.
However, you can go through the tips mentioned above to watch the TV while driving if you do not care about legalities and above all your safety nevertheless your kids can watch TV without you if the TV’s sound and visuals are away from the driver’s senses.
Will Your RV Water Heater Freeze In Winter? (Read Now!)
Yes, the RV water heater will freeze if it is filled with water and not on all the time which is not ideal. To overcome this situation you need to winterize your RV before traveling in winter.
Generally, it takes about 24 hours below the freezing point (32 F) for the RV water heater and pipes to start freezing.
We know how disgusting you might feel if you end up with the frozen water heater as you know how well your life depends on it from bathing in winter to washing dishes.
Let’s discuss some common issues you’ll face when an RV water heater freezes and how to prevent it on the first hand and lastly how to deal with a frozen water heater.
How to know if your water heater is frozen?
Here are some noticeable things to know whether your water heater is really frozen or not.
- The first thing you’ll notice is the water is not coming out in the same quantity as it were. This means the water has frozen in some parts where it is blocking the pressure to cut through.
- If you’re seeing the icy residue over the body of the heater.
- It is commonly seen that frozen pipes can produce sounds like gurgling, banging, and clanging.
- Another sign of a frozen water heater is that some kind of damage like cracks has occurred on the pipes or the body of the tank due to the pressure build-up by the freezing water.
It is time to ask the plumber for help if any of the above signs are visible.
If your water heater is frozen it is good that you do not turn on the heater for any purpose until it’s properly fixed.
Problems come after the water heater freezes
Here we go from normal to an extreme level of discomfort! When the RV water heater freezes the first thing you’ll face is discomfort during the bath, washing dishes, and various other activities.
The frozen water inside the heater can even cause damage to the overall water heating system like pipe breakages and internal damages which will be an expensive deal for you to fix.
In some cases, the damage will be irreparable so even more loss of money.
That’s why you need to think ahead for the critical situations and prepare your RV for them.
This not only applies in winter but in summer too.
How do I keep my RV water heater from freezing?
You need to check out this video from 4:51 to learn how to insulate your RV water heater with spray foam.
Maintain the RV temperature: This is more helpful when your freshwater lines run along the body of the RV rather than the underbelly.
Keeping the interior warm can help in this situation by shaving off some freezing effect inside the water lines.
Winterize RV: Winterizing RV is a must no matter you have a water heater or hot because winterization ensures that the pipelines inside your RV won’t freeze and prevents tanks to crack.
So yes, if you’re a winter camper you need to winterize your RV. For this sole purpose, you can find the experts near you or you can do it by yourself by following this video.
Products mentioned in this video are available on amazon:
- Viair 400P-RV Automatic Compressor
- Blow Out Plug
- Adjustable Air Pressure Regulator
- Male Quick Connect
- Female Quick Connect
- Tank flush wand
- Water Pressure Regulator
- Water Pressure Regulator With Gauge
- Flow-Pur #2 Filters (clip-on)
- Whole house water filters
- 1/2″ Apex Neverkink Water Hose
- Brass Y-valve
Using tank heating pad: The heating pad is a series of tiny small electric resistors that produce heat in small quantity to prevent the water to dip below the freezing point.
It is good to go for a pad that has a thermostat in it which allows you to turn it up when the temperature is colder which are normally in winter nights and down when the temperature starts to warm up which are usually in the morning.
This will be a life-saving gift for those who stay in a location where the forecasted temperature can dip below 32 degrees but not sub zeroes.
RV water heater on without water – Is it bad?
Yes, it is bad and not advisable to run an RV water heater without water because the overheating and rapid chilling can damage the longings of the tank.
Also when you do so it obviously demands a continuous supply of electricity which is a wastage of energy that can be used to run other appliances.
This question is might be coming because you’re worried about your water heater freezing in winter. There’s nothing to worry about because when there is no water inside the heater there will be no freezing.
Just a tiny bit will freeze as some water may be still on the lining of the tank which will be melted once you start the heater.
Can I Drive an RV With a Car License? (Statewise List For US!)
Yes, you can drive all RVs under 26,000 pounds of GVWR with a regular car license. If you have an RV over 26,000 pounds (GVWR) then you’ll need a commercial license but don’t worry with a commercial license you can drive both car and an RV in your state without any problem.
Read the coming table to know which state requires which type of license to drive most vehicles, including RVs, motorhomes, cars, and vans under 26,000 pounds of GVWR.
Statewise List For DL Class – Can operate RV and Car
| States | Go for these classes to drive your RVs and cars under 26,000 pounds (GVWR) with the same license |
| New York | Class D |
| New Mexico | Class D |
| Idaho | Class D |
| Texas | Class D |
| New Hampshire | Class D |
| New Jersey | Class D (For all types of vehicles registered by the MVC) Not for Commercial Vehicles Like large trucks, buses, and vehicle hauling hazardous materials |
| California | Class C |
| Florida | Class C |
| Nebraska | Class O (Any Motor vehicle except commercial) |
| Illinois | Class C for Motor Vehicle between 16,000-26,000 pounds. Class D for Motor Vehicle less than 16,000 pounds |
| Massachusetts | Class B |
| Utah | Class D (Non-commercial – max weight not mentioned) |
| Minnesota | Class D |
| Washington | PDL or regular driver license |
| Pennsylvania | Class C |
| Tennessee | Class D (Regular Car License) |
| Alabama | Class D (Regular operator, private passenger) |
| Alaska | Class C |
| Colorado | Class R |
| Delaware | Class D |
| Iowa | Class C – Operator (for cars and RVs under 16,000 pounds) |
| Michigan | Operator’s License |
| Mississippi | Class R or Class D – Operator |
| Hawaii | Class 4 |
| Georgia | Class C |
| West Virginia | Class C |
| Arizona | Class D (Operator License) |
| Indiana | Standard License |
| Ohio | Class D (You can’t tow a trailer with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds) |
| North Carolina | Regular Class A, B, or C (Contact local drivers license office to know which class you need to go for) |
| Oregon | Class C (Towing a trailer up to 10,000 pounds is granted) |
| Montana | Class D |
| Maryland | Class C (Tow trailers 10,000 pounds or less) |
| Maine | Class C (Regular Drivers License) |
| Missouri | Class F |
| Wisconsin | Regular Driver License (8-year validity) Probationary License (Class D – Valid for 2 years) |
| Louisiana | Class E (RV or any single vehicle under 10,000 pounds) |
| Connecticut | Class D |
| Kentucky | Class D |
| Nevada | Class C (Towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less) |
| Arkansas | Normal, Class D |
| Wyoming | Class C |
| Kansas | Class C |
| Rhode Island | Operator’s license (Tow a trailer up to 10,000 pounds) |
| Vermont | Class D, Operator’s driver’s license |
| North Dakota | Class C |
| Oklahoma | Class D |
Commercial Vs. Non-Commercial (CDL Vs. Non-CDL) License For RV
Through my research on driving an RV with a car license, Nearly all US states have commercial and noncommercial driving licenses. In all cases, I’ve found that the weight of your vehicle, seats, and work type of your vehicle will determine the type of license you need to have.
To say, any vehicle that is less than GVWR 26,001 pounds, including towing vehicle or combination of vehicles and not transporting hazardous goods, does not require a CDL.
Whereas if the vehicle’s overall weight exceeds 26,001 pounds, you’ll need a commercial license, and you’ll need CDL even if the weight is less than 26,001 pounds if you’re transporting hazardous goods or vehicles can accommodate more than 16 passengers seat including driver.
Anyone who is driving commercial vehicles needs a commercial license, and anyone who is driving private vehicles for traveling purpose are fine with Non-CDL.
And I don’t think you’ll ever need a CDL if you’re driving an RV and car because, according to RVblogger.com, the average weight of an RV is about 10,000 pounds. And the average weight of a car is about 2,870 pounds.
This tells us that RVs and cars are usually less than 26,000 pounds, and RVs do not transport hazardous goods and can’t facilitate 16 people.
How to get a commercial license for an RV?
Here we are talking about the commercial license requirements as a US citizen.
You need to have a CDL if your RV’s GVWR weighs over 26,001 pounds, including the weight of towing vehicle (camper, etc.).
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Be at least 18 years of age to drive intrastate
- Create an application for your CDL, submit it to your local authority, and pay the necessary fee.
- Provide your SSN (Social Security Number) and your Identity (Check what your state requires)
- Provide proof of state and your US residency.
- Complete and submit the Medical Examination Report Form and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form.
- You need to pass the vision test
- Pass a knowledge exam
- After you pass the exam, you’ll get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
- You may have to weigh a minimum of 14 days before you can schedule your CDL road skill examination
- Pass the pre-trip inspection
- Pass the driving and road skills examination (you must bring your vehicle)
- After passing all the tests and exams, pay the fee needed for your new CDL
- You may optionally require to submit a 10-year Record check if you previously have a CDL in any other state than which you’re applying.
Note: The given criteria are provided by the website name driving-tests.org. So I will not be responsible if there are any errors or failures in requirements.
Do RVs have to go through weigh stations?
In most states, Private RVs do not need to stop at any weigh station unless the police officer asks it. Until then, you’re fine.
But in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Rhode Island, Washington state, Wisconsin, and Nevada, you need to stop at the weighing station if the RV weighs 10,000 pounds.
And all commercial vehicles must stop at the station regardless of weight in California, Connecticut, Kansas, and Texas.
If they ask to stop at the station, you should stop to avoid any problems.
Classes Of RV
For those who are curious to know the different classes of RV, here is the list of them. Moreover, the RV class can increase or reduce the weight of an RV because each type of RV comes with different qualities and features.
- Park Model ‘Cottager’ (Known for all four seasons)
- Park Models (It is a compromised version of the house and an RV)
- Truck Campers
- Pop-up Trailer
- Travel Trailer
- Fifth Wheel
- Class A, Class B, and Class C Motorhome
Buying An RV Instead Of A House? (Read This First!)
Do you have money in your bank account and wondering what to choose between an RV and a house?
Read this article first then make a smart choice according to your need.
Should i buy an rv instead of a house?
You should buy an RV instead of a house if you just want to get lost outdoors and reconnect with nature while not missing the basic comfort of your home and office.
But buying a house should be your main priority if investing the money for the profit at the end is all you want.
Thinking in terms of price and comfort – a very comfortable and luxurious high-end Class A RV or Motorhome can cost you just under $200,000. On the other hand, a typical U.S. home price average is $287,148 in May 2021.
RV should be means to a minimal lifestyle and not a competitor of a house in any way.
BY – Outdoorfavor.com
However, I would not recommend buying a 30 feet long RV because such vehicles are not much mobile and need a lot of maintenance which does not support the overall traveling in the large picture.
Like with RVs of Class A or Class C are not allowed to even get parked in the public streets overnight in most US states and not at any cost in residential zones. Read our article on parking an RV on residential streets and property for more info.
In size, I would say a class B motorhome/ RV which is around 20 feet long is the best option for people wanting to replace their home with a moving one.
Buying a mobile RV is the best option to get the feel of the home without missing the chance of using an RV to an extent where it is a machine and not a burden to travel comfortably with speed and less maintenance.
Is an RV a bad investment? (ROI of RV)
Yes, an RV is a bad investment thus never buy an RV if making the profit at the end is your priority.
If you don’t have millions of dollars, then invest in buying a house because a house never depreciates rather the price of property increases with time according to the location and construction quality of a house.
If you’re asking about buying an RV instead of a house just because you want to know whether you can generate some profit with an RV. The short answer is no you can’t because RVs depreciate over time.
To give you an idea, the price of RV will start to reduce once you drive it off from the lot, which means if your RV is 5 years old then you’re going to lost somewhere from 36 to 38 percent and in 10 years the RV will sell in half of its price (you’ll be lucky if you even got half).
Are old RVs worth buying?
Old RVs can either be a worth buying option or a mess depending on the interior, exterior, and mechanical condition.
It’s an advice that if you want to buy an old RV then don’t buy a 10-20-year-old RV because RVs deteriorate over time that’s why sometimes a $300,000 RV can be bought for $30-40,000 which might feel like a worth buying deal but believe me the headaches a very old RV can give are big enough then the price you pay.
An old RV that is not older than 5-6 years can be rewarded as worth buying if some other conditions are met.
Buying a second-hand RV can no doubt save you a lot of money if it is chosen well or can demand you up to a few hundred dollars often for repairing, preparing, and replacing the things that make an RV ‘The RV’.
An older RV is going to cost more to maintain than a newer RV.
This money can add up to thousands or more dollars over time which might be the number you’re trying to save by purchasing an old RV.
That’s why before buying an old/ second-hand RV make sure it is properly operable, giving a fair amount of mileage, Check the interior exterior, water tanks, pipes, wires, and tanks thoroughly because sometimes the owner can try to hide the defects to get the profit from RV.
Sadly, wiring is the one problem that can’t be seen during the immediate inspection and there are even more problems which will cost you money and time both.
That’s why don’t hurry but inspect the RV with patience and don’t go sad if it is not worth buying and continue your search.
Maybe you find a gem!
If you find that the RV you’re looking at some defects that the owner has not told then either you can skip it or ask them to reduce the price so that you can fix it with your money.
Some expenses of an old RV depend upon the personal choice because you might not like colors, curtains, floor design, kitchen ply design, etc and you want to change it according to your flavor will gradually add up the price.
Lastly, it’s worth waiting for some more time to save a few more thousand dollars to buy a new RV rather than wasting money on some crap.
What is the average lifespan of House and RV?
This is the main buying factor that you should consider and in this case, a House always wins an RV because the typical RV’s lifespan is around 20 years, on the other hand, a typical US wood house can last between 100-150 years.
So, if you’re planning of giving your RV to your Children as a memorial then it is the worst mistake you can do because as you know RV deteriorates as they age so after 20 years when you give your RV to your children, you’re simply giving them trash.
But, a house can give shelter to more than one generation without losing its structure if maintained properly.
Is rv living cheaper than owning a house?
If we took an overall average then living full time in an RV cost the same as around expenses of owning a house.
On the saving side, you’ll not have to pay the electricity bill when you have solar panels, no need to pay taxes which saves me $100 or so a month, no need to pay for utilities when you get to the RV site which saves another $180 or so, the maintenance fee is low so you save some more there.
You can further save few more hundred dollars since you no longer need to buy unimportant stuff, with no food wastage, no need to travel in planes, to stay in hotels, and dining.
On the expense side, you need to pay for gasoline according to your usage, storage units in different states to help interstates traveling, and mail forwarding.
Why buy a tiny house instead of an rv?
You may like to buy a tiny house instead of an RV because tiny houses are better insulated than an RV and can accommodate the weather you live in.
If you’re still reading this article then consider your choices again because a tiny house is simply a mini house on wheels and can be a choice for you if you don’t dream to travel like hell and can live in a place for 3-6 months (Sorry, but I am not that kind, I love to travel like hell).
The reason why you can’t move the tiny hose so often is that you need a smooth ride to move it from one place to another and also need to consider wear and tear and high winds during transportation.
However, a tiny house is not the best for you if you hate less living space, less storage space, and handling zoning laws and they usually last between 7-10 years depending upon the material and build.
Can you finance an rv like a house?
Yes, you can finance an RV like a house. Some banks that finance RVs are LightStream, Navy Federal Credit Union, USAA, and the U.S. Bank.
Depending on lenders, you can even finance your RV for 20 years but if you can manage to pay the loan in short terms items you’ll pay less interest over the period of the loan.
However, before you choose a lender to finance your RV it is best to compare several lenders for their interest rates, terms, and policies.
And, to reduce the price of RV which obviously reduces the loan, negotiate like a pro with RV dealers like you negotiate when buying a car or a house.
Don’t feel embarrassed asking the price you want.
Refrences
RV Parking On Residential Property? (Important Rules + FAQs)
I have always wondered about parking My RV on my property or residential street to save some money and time finding a parking lot.
So for this, I’ve researched across the web to clear my doubts and think to write this article so that the guys like me can save time going through all the research process.
Let’s clear all the doubts about parking an RV on residential property.
Can RV Be Parked On Residential Property?
Yes, RV can be parked on residential property if you genuinely follow all the codes, rules, and regulations provided by the municipal of your jurisdiction.
Now, look at everything you need to follow to park your RV on your residential property.
It’s good to know that Vans and truck campers do not come under the category of Recreational vehicles. Hence, all the information I will provide is best practices for the vehicles considered RV according to laws.
RV parking Rules and Regulations for residential property
Here are some general rules you should follow to park your RV on your private property no matter which county of the USA you live in. However, some rules can vary according to jurisdiction.
- The registered owner of the RV must be the owner of the property or the using the property for their primary residence.
- No RVs can be used as temporary or permanent residences while parked or stored.
- You are not allowed to connect your RV with home facilities such as gas and water; however, you may make a temporary electricity connection to recharge batteries.
- Residential properties under 0.2 acres may not have Recreation Vehicles (RVs) over 24 feet in length, measured from point to point, including bumpers and hitches. (This is absolute for Las Vegas, Nevada, which can vary for other places)
- Some jurisdictions allow RV storage in the garage of the residential property for a more extended period, but it should not be used for a living when parked or stored.
- No Recreational Vehicles greater than 36 feet (This is for Texas, it can vary for other states) in length can be parked or stored for residential uses in any district zone.
- It is recommended that RV be parked at least three feet (numbers can vary) from any structure.
- Recreational Vehicles can be parked or stored outside of the residence building only if they have a legal license plate, is in a state of proper repair, and shall be secured to prevent unauthorized entry.
- You can keep no more than one inoperable RV for up to 60 days in the garage, out of public view.
- The vehicle must be operable in all categories to remain in your side, rear, or front yard.
- Recreational Vehicles can be stored or parked in the rear or the side of the yard only if screened by a solid 6-foot tall fence.
- Only when side or rear yard space is not available, you’re allowed to park your RV in the front yard on the paved area.
- Your RV needed to be parked on a paved area or the side pad allowed by the municipal code of your state or city.
- In most cases, parking of RVs on residential property is only allowed if the parking surface is paved with cement concrete at least three and one-half inches thick.
- RV, Motorhome, or any vehicle you’re parking must not block the garage entrance in any way.
- The RV must be kept in a well-maintained condition.
- Your RV or Motorhome must not cover a Millimeter of neighbor’s property.
- A vehicle needs to have alternatively screened with evergreen landscaping or fence if the vehicle is within the minimum 8-foot distance from the adjacent property. The height of the fence used or the evergreen landscape needs to be greater than the RV being screened.
- It is needed that your RV doesn’t fall under the eyes of road passers.
- No temporary covering like cloth screens or tarps is permitted. You are completely fine with fitted covers if they are specially designed for the RV and maintained adequately.
Read Also: RV Parking On Residential Streets? (Don’t Skip This)
Can you park an RV in Driveway?
RV parking on a driveway in the front yard is allowed because it is subjected to a temporary parking permit.
It means that you can park your RV on the driveway for two days to prep, clean, load, and unload the RV.
Under this temporary license, you’re completely fine if your RV is in the public view, but you need to remember that no living is allowed during this time.
Because RV living is considered camping and not parking.
You need to have a special permit to park your RV in the driveway in certain states and cities. In California, you can’t park your RV in Driveway without AUP* (Administrative Use Permit).
Here are some example codes which regulate the storing of RVs in your driveway or garage of your residential property:
- In Dearborn Heights, you are not allowed to park or store more than one recreational vehicle or its attached apparatus upon any well-established driveway at any one time.
- In Glenwillow, a recreational vehicle can be parked on the driveway in the front yard for loading and unloading purposes; parking in the driveway should not exceed 48 hours in any seven days.
To know if you need any permit to park RV or Motorhome in the driveway, you must contact your municipal.
Will my RV crack my driveway?
Yes, due to the weight and pressure of RV on the concrete, the driveway will gradually lead to cracks and depressions on the driveway in a few years, and once the damage starts, it will not stop growing.
The driveway made of cobblestone or asphalt will lead to more damage if it’s often used to park RV for most of the time because the pressure applied on the driveway due to its weight can make the driveway’s surface uneven or even cracked.
Hairline cracks are expected as the driveway ages.
How much weight will crack a driveway?
Your driveway will not crack if the parked vehicle is under 8,000 lbs and your concrete driveway is at least 4 inches thick, but at least 5 inches thickness is recommended when the vehicle is heavier.
If we go into a little more depth, then a 3,000 psi slab should support 3,000 pounds, but you should limit it to its 300 psi tensile strength when you care about crackings.
However, most residential property’s driveway typically uses 3,000 to 4,000 psi of compressive strength, which is not absolute depending on the region you’re living in.
That’s why codes and ordinances differ from one county/jurisdiction to another. You must check the requirements with the Local Building Department to get the necessary numbers about depth, width, length, grade, thickness, culverts, location, purpose, inspection, and other requirements.
Different home associations have different requirements which you need to follow to build a good driveway.
When can I park my RV on new concrete?
You can park your RV on new concrete after 28 days of curing time so that no damage is done to the concrete.
These days are divided into 3 phases:
- Concrete Setting time is 24 to 48 hours
- In 7 days, the concrete should have cured 70-90% of its full potential strength, suitable for parking or driving personal vehicles but not the heavy ones like RVs or buses.
- After 28 days after the crew finished, the full strength of the concrete is recognized and now is ready to park or drive RVs or buses on it.
The following things can happen if you park your RV on concrete before 28 days:
- The concrete driveway may crack
- The concrete will get the imprints of the tires
- The future strength of the concrete might weaken
Can someone live in a camper on your property?
Anyone can live in a camper on your property like a farm if it is outside the residential district only when the City Council permits it.
Living without permits is considered a violation of the law which shall be punished.
Apart from this, some cities allow the owner of the property to permit someone else to live in an RV which is the case in the City of Spring Field, Oregon, where someone can live in your RV on your property if provided proper sanitation and garbage facilities and electric connection may be provided, but that too must not be hard-wired or permanent.
Why can’t you or someone else can live in an RV on your property which is located in the residential district? Because RV is considered a travel plus residence vehicle that can catch the attention of the neighborhood, and they can complain to the city officials of you having two homes in a limited area.
Thus most of the residential districts in the USA (I don’t know the laws outside the USA) only allow parking for a limited period on your property for loading, unloading, and preparing. Some districts will also enable RV storage in your property inside the garage or side pad (I’ve already discussed this above).
The other main reason is that you can not connect your camper or trailers to the residential or live regardless if they are parked in the rear or front yard. They can get their supplies only from the RV park.
Can you live in a camper while building a house?
Yes, it is possible to live in the camper while building a house; however, it is more headache-free when off the grid.
Ask the local town/county/city officials and agencies to allow the RV to live on-site. If they qualify, ask about the restrictions and requirements placed on hookups, utilities, access, and surface drainage.
It’s a must to consult the City official or council before making this move. Don’t worry. In most cases, they will approve your request to live in an RV while building a house because It’s not that you are living in an RV on the already finished property.
Cause the already finished home is referred to as a residential home or residential property, in which case only RV parking or storing is allowed not living.
I think it would be an honest guess- you want to live in an RV instead of in a rental apartment because the house you’re building is off the grid, whereas an RV can help you save the year-long rents and travel expenses.
You can watch the video of the couple below who’ve done this already.
Can you park an RV on gravel?
Yes, you can park an RV on gravel, and it would not harm the tires.
Also, gravel drains and keeps the tires of RV from slipping in the water; however, some say that you may put something between the tires and rock, which is good if the tires of your RV are of low quality, but there is no need to put anything between the gravel and your tires when they are tough.
Apart from this, If your tires can’t keep up with the gravel, you’re missing the opportunity to use a few RV parks but most campgrounds.
There is no reason that gravel would harm the tires; instead, it is just the quality of tires that are cheap enough to get damaged with some jagged surface.
Should I park my RV on plywood?
Parking RV on plywood is a good idea if you’re using it as a barrier between the Asphalt paving and your tires because, over time, there could be a reaction between petroleum content in asphalt and the rubber of your tires.
Plywood surface can also stop the tires from sinking in when parking an RV on the grass.
However, using plywood on concrete is unnecessary if you don’t park your RV for the season but a month. It would help if you still moved the RV’s tire at least once a month.
It’s a myth that you must use plywood under the tires before parking them on a concrete paved surface.
This is true when tires were commonly made of Nylon, where they tend to create a temporary flat spot when parking or storing for extended periods. But it’s a myth with the modern tires.
Is it ok to park an RV on grass?
No, it is not ok to park an RV on grass for extended periods because the condensation can hasten the rusting process, which will result in mechanical failures. Still, it is ok to park an RV temporarily where it spends less time on the grass and more on the road.
If you’re worried about your tires sinking in mud or water, use plywood, concrete blocks, rubber pads, gravel with paving stones, or waterproof barriers to help in the rainy season. And white covers wrapping around tires can prevent damage from UV rays.
However, the grass, water, or mud don’t damage the tires because the RV’s tire is made for traveling in rain, snow, and summer.
Above all, a paved surface is much better than an unpaved surface.
References
Swimming In The Amazon River in 2023? (7 Must-Know Things)
The Amazon River is the largest globally due to its sheer volume of water and extension.
You can find The Amazon River in the north of South America. The origin of river is in the Miami Snow Mountain, found high in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
By reading this article, individuals will discover remarkable things about the Amazon River. The direction it flows? Is swimming or diving allowed? Dangerous areas to avoid and creatures found in the river.
Can You Swim In The Amazon River?
One thing that does not come to mind when you think about the Amazon River is swimming. However, it is one of the most diverse and exciting swimming locations worldwide, with numerous lagoons, lakes, and beaches along its 6992 kilometers or approximately 4,345 miles in length. You can read many more facts about the Amazon river here.
The difference between the beaches along the Amazon River and the rest of the country is that it is fresh water and not salty. Generally, the rule is that anyone can swim in the Amazon River, but never by themselves.
The river is quite dangerous and prone to safety accidents, from severe infections to drowning to attacks by river creatures. In some regions of the Amazon River, there is no life-saving equipment or life-saving personnel nearby.
Listen to the advice of the locals and stay away from isolated areas. Swimming should be done with professionally trained tour operators, who guide visitors to the best sites for bathing.
Read Also: Can You Swim In The Great Salt Lake? (Must Read)
Best Places To Swim In the Amazon River
There are many options for you to enjoy what Amazon can offer. Let’s see some great locations that can deliver all of it.
A top-rated beach is the Alter do Chão, located not too far from Santarém, Pará. In 2009 it was selected as the best beach in Brazil[source].
The Lua and Ponta Negra beaches in Manaus are superb for watching the sunset. Individuals can also try Praia do Açutuba in Iranduba, but they must cross the Rio Negro Bridge to get there.
Other well-known beaches include: Praia do Tupe, Praia da Lua, Dourada Beach, Ponta das Lajes Beach, Ponta Negra Beach, and Japonês Beach.
The following are locations along the Amazon River’s basin that are quite suitable for swimming.
Rio Negro
Located in Brazil, this is a mighty black river, famous for being the largest in the world. Numerous swimming spots are along the route of the river. Even though the water flows quickly, there are still places to take a dip. It is a requirement to wear floatation equipment to take this plunge.
Rio Tapiche
Found to the east of the Ucayali River in Peru, passing through some of the most untouched sections of the Amazon Rainforest.
Jaú National Park
Yet, another perfect section of the Amazon River for swimming. Not just for fun, but swimming with dolphins, during guided river tours. Jaú National Park is the largest forest reserve found in South America[source]. There is a relatively large population of river dolphins.
Novo Airão
The second location for individuals to come up close and personal with the Amazon pink river dolphins or Botos. The area around this water is underdeveloped but increasing in popularity steadily.
Scuba diving is also possible in the massive 330 feet deep river, despite the poor visibility of the water and the dangerous creatures lurking under the surface.
Creatures In The Amazon River
Besides swimming with dolphins on these beautiful beaches, there are other creatures with deadlier traits that you will be swimming alongside.
There are Red-Bellied Piranhas (known for hunting and flesh-eating characteristics), Payara or Vampire Fish, a predatory fish, and the Pirarucu or Arapaima (a gigantic flesh-eating fish) that have armored scales.
There is also the tiny but terrifying Candiru. A parasitic catfish that swims up any opening of humans, including the urethra. So watch how you pee in the river.
Bull Sharks are another terrifying fish swimming in the Amazon River. Meeting one of these in the water will be nothing like swimming with the dolphins. They are known for attacking humans.
Fish are not the only dangers lurking in the depths of the Amazon River. There is also the Green Anaconda, a giant snake. Although not poisonous, this constrictor is quite deadly. Legend states that Giant Anacondas exceeding 40 feet roam the Amazon, but this is a myth[source].
Next is the Black Caiman, one of the most significant Crocodilia and Alligatidae family members. It can take down any animal that ventures into its strike range, including humans.
The Electric Eel can deliver an electric shock when threatened. Attacks on humans are rare but still exist.
Mammals should be feared as well, especially the Giant Otter. They are the most prominent members of the weasel family. These carnivorous animals hunt in groups and are known to take down Anacondas.
Read Also: Can You Swim In The Dead Sea? (Benefits & Dangers)
Amazon River Legislation For Swimming
The Amazon River is the most biologically diverse ecosystem on the planet, and it flows easterly, passing through Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil[source].
The Atlantic Ocean is where the river empties at the end of its journey. Along the river’s route are several tributaries, for example, the Negro, the Madeira, and the Japura, and miles of tropical rainforests.
There are no government-enforced safety laws focused directly on swimming or bathing in the Amazon River. Individuals wishing to do so do it at their own risk.
The legislation mainly relates to deforestation, pollution, damming, and poaching.
The tour operators provide visitors with safety tips for the area of the Amazon River they are on. Some places require the use of life vests and other floatation devices.
Safe Places To Stay In The Amazon
Professional tour guides and operators will guide visitors to safe places to swim in the Amazon.
These operators are booked directly from hotels along the river and offer a safe, guided experience.
The Amazon River has numerous places to stay depending on the section of the river you wish to visit. Here are a few choices from the main gateways of the river, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
Manaus, Brazil
Manaus provides the opportunity to view the river in all its glory. This section of the river, it measures 10 kilometers in width, allowing visitors the chance to admire its sheer size and scale.
At this junction, individuals can also witness the merging of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões. A spectacular view of two strikingly different rivers that do not blend immediately.
Puerto Maldonado & Iquitos, Perú
These two gateways in Peru offer access to national parks and the opportunity to experience the jungle by staying in a lodge or on guided river tours.
Travel to the Peru section of the Amazon is faster and cheaper than Brazil’s. Peru also boasts the largest parrot clay lick in the world. Hundreds of beautiful parakeets, macaws, and other bird species descent during dawn to feed on the minerals.
Coca, Ecuador
Visitors to Coca can enjoy staying close to two reserves, Yasuni National Park and Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve.
As many as 600 bird species live here, representing approximately a third of the birdlife found in the Amazon.
Waterfalls Of The Amazon River
Other breathtaking places along the Amazon River are the waterfalls. Of which Amazon boasts plenty. The most notable is the Salto Angel Waterfall in Venezuela, the Iguazu Falls in Brazil, and the San Rafael Waterfall in Ecuador.
- Salto Angel Waterfall is considered the tallest waterfall in the world. It is taller than Niagara Falls at 2,937 feet. The best view of the falls is Canaima Lagoon, a white sandy beach that is awesome for swimming.
- Iguaza Falls creates a liquid border separating Brazil and Argentina. There are approximately 275 smaller individual falls, which trickle during the dry season. The falls stopped in 1978, during May and June[source].
- San Rafael Waterfall lies at the foot of an active volcano known as the Reventador. Take caution when taking the pathway that leads to the bottom of the falls.
Threats To The Amazon River (Please Read)
The Amazon River faces a flood (pun intended) of threats from large-scale deforestation, pollution from mining, commercial fishing, damming, ranching, and logging.
Cattle ranching and its associated activities are the most significant contributors to deforestation. Overfishing and damming affect aquatic habitats and the population of fish.
Solutions to these threats include: ensuring mining companies adhere to strict environmental laws. Before approval, hydroelectric projects must have ecological impact assessments.
Implement commercial fishing regulations and quotas and introduce livestock and crops that do not require massive land usage.
Swimming In Ireland in 2023? (8 Must-Know Things)
Ireland is one of the most popular places for swimmers worldwide when it comes to open water races and other swimming activities. That is why many people come to Ireland to compete against other swimmers and enjoy all the benefits of diving into its cold waters.
In this article, you will discover all the information you need about swimming in Ireland, including the best places to swim, how to avoid any accidents in the water, and other details you need to know.
Is Ireland a good place to swim?
Yes, Ireland is a good place to swim, especially for people who want to challenge swimming skills and compete against other people for different prizes.
Due to the cold weather, all swimmers have to face low temperatures in the water going from 10c to 16C according to the Irish Meteorological Service over the last couple of years.
This is why you need to follow the basic safety rules when swimming in Ireland, especially during the winter when the temperature goes down a couple of degrees.
Here are some of the basic safety precautions you need to take when swimming in Ireland.
- Swim with other people.
- Check the weather and the water temperature before swimming.
- Avoid the rip currents in the water.
- Always enter the water with your feet first.
Read Also: Want to Swim in Amazon River? (Read First!)
Do people in Ireland swim?
Yes, many people swim in Ireland since it is a popular sport in that country and it’s practiced at a national and international level.
Anyone who lives in Ireland or comes as a visitor can choose to swim in the ocean to challenge themselves in an open water race or go to one of its beaches with their family and friends.
However, swimming in Ireland can sometimes be dangerous due to the low temperatures and the harsh weather during the cold seasons of the year
According to the online report on the Water Safety website in Ireland, around 115 drownings happen around the country every single year and most of these drownings occur in water sites near the inland.
That is why you need to prioritize your safety and follow all the security protocols to avoid any accidents when swimming in the open water, especially during the winter.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Ireland?
No, you don’t need to wear a wetsuit to swim in Ireland. However, it is highly recommended since the weather conditions can change during the day and reach temperatures below 10C.
These cold temperatures make it difficult for some people to swim comfortably in the water and avoid any accidents.
Because of this, many Irish people and tourists tend to wear a wetsuit when swimming and use other types of gear to protect their bodies against the cold, even during the summertime.
Where to swim in Ireland?
There are many places where you can swim safely in Ireland, including oceans, beaches, lakes, and waterfalls available to the public in general.
You just have to choose your favorite spot for swimming and switch between these places depending on your needs.
Best lakes to swim in Ireland?
You can find many different lakes in Ireland where you can swim with other people and enjoy various activities besides swimming in one place. Here is a list of the most popular lakes in Ireland you can visit any day of the year.
- Upper Lake in Glendalough
- Lough Hyne
- Muckross Lake
- Glencar Lough
Best beaches to swim in Ireland?
Ireland also has many beaches where anyone can go and swim around with no problem and experience a good time with their family and friends.
Most of these beaches have beautiful landscapes and give their visitors access to different restaurants and shops for their enjoyment.
Among the most popular beaches in Ireland, we have Inchydoney, Banna Strand, Rossbeigh, Coumeenoole, Portmarnock, and many others.
Best oceans to swim in Ireland?
When it comes to the best ocean swimming spots in Ireland, you can choose between well-known places with a lot of people coming every day or remote locations that are more challenging to reach.
The easiest places for beginners to start swimming are Salthill, Kerin’s Hole, and The Forty Foot. For advanced swimmers in Ireland, we have Carrick-a-Rede, Annagh Bay, and Pollock Holes.
Read Also: Can You Swim In Wailua Falls?
Best waterfalls to swim in Ireland?
You can also go swimming in the waterfall pools in Ireland if you don’t mind hiking for a few minutes and walking on foot to some of these locations.
The only thing you need to be careful of is when walking across the rocks near the waterfall since you can slip and fall if you are careless. Here are some waterfalls you can visit and swim in when going to Ireland.
- Clare Glens
- Devils Glen falls
- Cathole falls
- Torc waterfall
Can you swim with dolphins in Ireland?
Yes, you can technically swim with dolphins when you are in Ireland only if they allow you to approach them or get close to you by chance.
However, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group discourages this practice since the dolphins can get accidentally injured by people, and the dolphins can sometimes get aggressive for no particular reason.
Can you swim from Northern Ireland to Scotland?
Yes, you can swim from Northern Ireland to Scotland if you feel brave enough to attempt this challenge and overcome different obstacles in the way, like the low water temperatures and jellyfish swimming around the sea.
Every year, many people try to swim over this distance, and some of them manage to reach the goal, including people from other countries.
However, you need to keep in mind that this is one of the most challenging routes in Ireland, and it is not made for amateur swimmers that don’t have enough experience in these waters.
Can you swim from Wales to Ireland?
Yes, there have been many people trying to swim from Ireland to Wales in the past, looking to challenge themselves and set new world records over the last few years.
A perfect example is the Ao Giants, who swam 116 km going from Co Wexford to the coast of Pembrokeshire for 34 hours plus.
Is there Pollution in the Rivers, Lakes, or Oceans in Ireland?
Yes, there is some pollution in a few rivers, lakes, and oceans of Ireland, according to the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency in the country.
In their latest water quality report, they discover that the levels of nitrogen pollution in the waters of Ireland are increasing 38%, putting at risk the quality of the water and potentially endangering the environment in the future.
Thankfully, the majority of the river, lakes, and oceans in Ireland are free of pollution, and the Ireland government is currently working on reversing this negative trend over the next few years.
Read Also: Can You Swim In Crater Lake?
Refrence Links
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/accountant-47-swims-from-ireland-to-wales-in-29-hours-1.286290
- https://watersafety.ie/
- https://www.discoverireland.ie/swimming-in-the-sea
- https://outsider.ie/ireland/wild-swimming-spots-in-ireland/#
- https://osi.ie/blog/sea-swimming-ireland/
- https://www.esri.ie/system/files?file=media/file-uploads/2015-07/BKMNEXT225.pdf
- https://www.swimireland.ie/news/open-water-swimming-safety-in-ireland
- https://www.met.ie/climate/average-monthly-sea-temperature-at-malin-head/
- https://ibaworldtour.com/what-thickness-wetsuit-for-ireland/
- https://www.planetware.com/ireland/top-rated-beaches-in-ireland-irl-1-23.htm
- https://outsider.ie/ireland/best-sea-swimming-spots-ireland/
- https://watersafety.ie/recreation/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-54531005
- https://watersafety.ie/statistics/
- https://www.swimireland.ie/news/winter-dipping-safety-in-ireland
- https://iwdg.ie/why-we-shouldnt-swim-with-dolphins/#:~:text=It%20is%20IWDG%20policy%20to,or%20death%20to%20the%20dolphin.
- https://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/american-swimmer-becomes-first-swim-northern-ireland-scotland-2019-1414295
- https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/swimmers-hopeful-of-new-record-in-ireland-to-wales-relay-effort-1139633.html
- https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/freshwater–marine/water-quality-in-2020.php
Can You swim in Venice In 2023? (11 Things To Know)
Venice is a popular city in Italy that is visited by many tourists every year for its famous culture and history worldwide. Anyone who loves swimming can visit this floating city and practice different water sports with their family and friends.
In this article, you will learn why Venice is one of the best places to swim in Europe and discover everything you need to know to get the best experience possible when you arrive at this place.
Where to swim in Venice?
You can only swim in various places in Venice, including public beaches and swimming spots available to everyone in different parts of the city.
Currently, there are 35 beaches, 48 hotels, many different resorts all across Venice where you can go swimming and have an incredible time.
Each place has its advantages and can give you a unique experience no matter where you decide to go during your trip.
If you go to the beaches in Venice, you can find restaurants, bars, and live bands playing music every month. If you go to other swimming spots, you will get amazing landscapes and scenic tours around the Venice lagoon.
Here are 5 places you must check out if you want to enjoy swimming in Venice:
- Lazaretto Nuovo
- Punta Sabbioni
- Isola della Certosa
- Spiaggia del Bacan, Sant’Erasmo
- Alberoni Beach in Lido
Read Also: Can You Swim In The Amazon River? (Dangers + Wonders)
Where you’re not allowed to swim in Venice & why?
You are not allowed to swim in the Venice canals and other stretches of water in residential areas around the city. Swimming in this area is illegal, and it is strictly prohibited by the local authorities, whether you are a tourist or someone living in this place.
This restriction is in place because the water from the Venice canals is not suitable for swimming since everyone in the city uses it as a disposal system for all the sewage in their homes.
That is why you shouldn’t try to swim in the Venice canal and only go to places like the beach or other swimming spots available in the city.
Are Venice canals Salty?
Yes, the water in the Venice canals is salty, and it is composed of a mixture of seawater from the ocean and freshwater from the rivers near the city.
All of the seawater comes from the Adriatic sea and the freshwater comes from 11 tributaries which end up in the Venetian Lagoon running across the Venice canals.
How deep are Venice Canals?
The Venice canals have different depths depending on the location and the tide, going from less than one foot up to seven feet in the smaller canals.
All the canals that come closer to the Venetian lagoon have a higher depth than this, reaching from 16 feet to 164 feet maximum.
However, when the tide rises, the depth of the Venice canals increases significantly and can go up a few feet very quickly.
Are there sharks in Venice canals?
Yes, there have been cases of sharks getting spotted in the Venice canals swimming in and out of the city and scaring people unaware of these situations.
Several species have been found over the last few years, including bull sharks, great white sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, and others.
This is one of the main reasons why you need to avoid swimming in the Venice canals when you come and visit the floating city.
Accidents and Casualties in the Venice Canals
Over the past few years, there has been a couple of accidents and casualties in the Venice canals due to boat collisions and people drinking too much near the waterways.
These accidents cause the mayor of the city to create new safety regulations to protect the people in Venice and avoid casualties in the future.
Thankfully, there have only been a few casualties over the last two decades, and since the government prevents anyone from bathing in the canals, there are no drownings from people swimming in these areas of the city.
Is it expensive to swim in Venice?
Yes, swimming in Venice is relatively expensive in comparison with other destinations when we include all the costs of the trip. I think beautiful & luxurious places in Italy like Venice and Lake Como tend to sit on the expensive side of the table.
When it comes to the accommodation, you can pay from $40 to $180 every day on average, depending on where you choose to stay. For food and drinks, you will spend around $20 to $60 in different restaurants small shops around the city.
You can also practice and enjoy different water sports in Venice by going on private tours and paying $80 or more for the day.
In these private tours, you will have access to all the equipment you need and learn from a certified expert on each sport.
What does Venice look like Under the water?
Venice has many sank boats, old businesses different historical infrastructures underwater due to the multiple floods in the city over the last few years.
Because of these floods, part of the city has been submerging under the water, and now people can see what was left underneath the surface while they navigate over the Venice canals.
Rules, Laws, & Tips to follow to swim in Venice?
There are various rules you need to follow when swimming in Venice to avoid problems with the police and having an unpleasant time during your trip.
The most important rule is to not swim in the Venice canals under any circumstance since it is against the law and will make the police fine you with 350 euros or more.
The police will also ban you from that place following the urban banning order from DASPO on your first offense.
You also have to remember to wear clothes after swimming since it is prohibited to walk around the city with a swimsuit or bare-chested. You can only do this at the beach or in a swimming spot open to the public.
Is there Any Pollution or Contamination in the Venice Canals?
Yes, there has been pollution in the waters of the Venice canals from 1920 until today, even though 80% of the contamination was treated with new technology and modern purification plants.
Also, the sewage system of the Venice canals can’t keep up with the demand of its citizens with the use of synthetic chemicals like detergents which do not degrade quickly over time.
All of this pollution comes to the canal from the nearby rivers and lakes that enter through the Venice lagoon, especially in areas like the Po valley, one of the most polluted zones within Europe.
However, the government and its people are working to prevent the pollution of the Venice canal and avoid potential risks of contamination from cruise ships and other places around the city.
What type of activities you can enjoy in Venice including water sports?
There are many activities you can enjoy in Venice with your family and friends, including boat tours around the city, canoeing, during the day, windsurfing at the beach, and traveling the Venice canal by gondola.
You can also do other activities in Venice like visiting churches and cathedrals like the Saint Mark Basilica, going kayaking with other people, assisting to live concerts, paddling across the canal, practicing parasailing, and more.
However, the best time to do all these activities is between May and October, when the water temperature is not cold or freezing. Going to Venice during this time will allow you to make the most of your trip and have a great time.
Swimming In San Francisco Bay (Best Time & Safety Tips) (2023)
San Francisco Bay is one of the most popular estuaries in the US, famous for having the golden gate bridge and Alcatraz Island. Many people can swim around the bay area by going to its beaches and water parks daily.
In this article, you will find all the information you need to swim in San Francisco Bay, get the best experience possible, and avoid any water-related accidents.
Is it Safe to Swim in San Francisco Bay?
No, it is not safe to swim in the San Francisco Bay, especially for beginners, since the water has strong rip currents that can drag any swimmer underwater and potentially drown them in just a few minutes.
Swimming here also has other risks you need to consider, including boats navigating across the water every day and fog that can block your vision while swimming.
That’s why if you want to swim in this Bay, you must avoid these potential risks and go to public beaches or water parks that are safer for everyone.
When it comes to safety while swimming, San Francisco isn’t the only one; The Mississippi river can also give you some breathtaking experiences.
Best Time to Swim in San Francisco Bay?
The best time to swim in San Francisco Bay is around June, July, August, and September when the water temperature is warmer. People can enjoy a better swimming experience during the year.
The water temperature here is usually cold, but In these months, it will go up to 18°C allowing people to swim without freezing and stay in the water for more than 60 minutes.
However, during winter, the water temperatures can drop to 10°C, causing people to have difficulty swimming even when wearing a wetsuit.
That is why swimming in San Francisco Bay during winter is not a good idea, especially if you want to swim with your family and friends.
Safety Tips for Swimming in San Francisco Bay
When swimming in San Francisco Bay, you must follow the essential safety tips to avoid any accidents in the water and enjoy your experience from start to finish.
- Never go swimming alone in the water.
- Always swim parallel to the shoreline.
- Avoid swimming on beaches with strong rip currents.
- Tread water with your back if you are exhausted or drowning.
- Use a wetsuit if the water temperatures are shallow.
- Avoid swimming if you are hurt or bleeding from a small cut.
- Do not swim if you are drinking alcohol during the day.
Even if you are swimming in the safe spots of San Francisco Bay, you need to follow these guidelines and avoid doing anything risky that can put you in a difficult situation.
Has Anyone Swum Across San Francisco Bay?
Yes, many people have swum across the San Francisco Bay over the last few years in open water competitions and swimming events where people challenge themselves against other swimmers and have fun with many different people.
However, you should take on this challenge only if you are not a beginner and have some previous experience as a swimmer since you will need to swim a long distance and deal with various obstacles in the water.
You can also try to swim across the San Francisco Bay by yourself, but this can be riskier, and the likelihood of having an accident when you are swimming is very high. But don’t worry, Lake Michigan is known to be the deadliest lake to swim not the San Francisco Bay.
For inspiration, Kim Chambers is the first woman to swim from the Farallon Islands to Golden Bridge-Gate via San Francisco water, covering the magnificent 30 miles in just 17 hours and 12 minutes. In 2007 due to a fall, the doctors said that she might never be able to walk again without support but on August 8, 2015, proving everyone the power of human consciousness. This may seem like long hours but trust me; even the experienced swimmer will shiver in these currents.
Here’s a video interview of Kim Chambers; watch it even if you’re not going to swim in Fransisco; inspiring.
Another record is by Maryam Sharifzadeh, the first & second woman to swim 22 miles around San Francisco in one shot; she says the frigid water and rough surf are the ultimate tests of mental fortitude.[source]
Related: Should You Try Swimming In The Great Salt Lake, Utah?
Can You Enjoy Other Water Activities in This Bay?
Yes, you can enjoy many different water activities in San Francisco Bay besides swimming, including cruise tours and yacht parties around the golden gate bridge and other popular hotspots in the bay area.
You can also practice water sports; picking between kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing when you come to this place is a few great ways to appreciate the beauty & relax in it.
All you have to do is rent the equipment you need before going into the water and decide if you want to have the help of an expert who can guide you the whole day.
Best Places to Swim & Enjoy Water Sports in San Francisco Bay?
There are many different beaches, coves, and water parks where you can swim in San Francisco Bay. You only need to see which activities you can enjoy in those places and choose your favorite spots before your trip.
When it comes to the beaches, you can go to China beach with its incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Crown beach with its warm and shallow waters, or ocean beach, which is perfect for surfing.
You can also visit water parks around the bay area, having multiple attractions for their visitors and fun activities you can do during the day. The most popular options that are available to the public are the following.
- Aquatic Park Cove.
- China Camp State Park.
- Oyster Point Park.
- Parkside Aquatic Park
- McNears Beach Park.
Do Sharks Swim in San Francisco Bay?
Yes, sharks are swimming in the waters of the bay area, including 11 different species going from the great white shark and the leopard shark to the sevengill shark and the pacific angel shark.
These sharks tend to lurk in the San Francisco Bay waters to hunt for sea life. However, they rarely attack people unless someone provokes them on purpose.
That is why there have been almost no shark attacks recorded over the last few years, and the last great white shark sighting happened in 2019 when a fisherman accidentally hooked a shark near Alcatraz.
Is San Francisco Bay Polluted & Shrinking?
Yes, there is pollution in San Francisco Bay caused by all the trash and toxic materials going through the storm drains into the nearby creeks.
After reaching the creeks, the polluted water moves towards the bay area, where everyone swims, fishes, and practices water sports during the day.
Thankfully, several organizations like Save the Bay are trying to change the local policies and do everything possible to preserve the Bay and prevent any pollution from entering the water.
Whatever you think but humans are destroying the natural resources (water, soil, & air mainly) because, from California itself, San Fransico bay from the west still has easy potential to revert to its natural state; but the Salton Sea from southern California is really in bad condition and not at all good for swimming (need to do something before it’s too late)
Interesting Facts About San Francisco Bay?
San Francisco Bay has some interesting facts that people may not know regarding its history and environment. Here are the most relevant facts about the bay area.
- Many whales come into the Bay from November to December.
- The bottom of the Bay is not flat and has many sunken ships under the sea.
- Over 90% of the Bay’s wetlands have been lost during its development.
- There is constant fog over the San Francisco bay around summertime.
- The San Francisco bay is around 357 feet in depth. The deepest is 372 ft under the Golden Gate Bridge.
- The financial district of the Bay was constructed on top of many abandoned ships.
- The treasure island in the bay area was human-made.
Can You Swim In Lake Mead in 2023? (8 Must-Know Things)
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir within the United States, and with the 700 miles of shoreline, it offers ample space for water activities. There are several places where individuals can swim in Lake Mead, but none are designated swim beaches. As no lifeguards are on duty, you swim at your own risk.
By reading this article, individuals would know the dangers surrounding Lake Mead. The rules associated with water activities and the fees charged for access to the lake. Interesting facts, and most importantly, the best places to swim in Lake Mead.
Swimming In Lake Mead
One of the most popular activities for enjoying the bright blue water is swimming. However, individuals should opt for locations without boat traffic, as there is a swimming restriction in all launch and marina areas, and they should always wear a lifejacket.
Individuals should also note that the distances are deceiving, and most coves are too large to swim across. For most people, as in September 2017, Aaron Hughes survived swimming across the Hoover Dam after a drunken party. He landed himself in the history books, even though there was no official recorded documentation.
Lake Mead Fees
Entrance stations exist to enter Lake Mead. These stations are where you can purchase passes. The passes vary in cost depending on the type of vehicle and duration of stay. The weekly rates range between $15.00 to $25.00, as long as the days are consecutive.
Places For The Best Swimming & Water Activies in Lake Mead
Lake Mead is full of beautiful scenery, wildlife, and activities for the entire family to enjoy. Each family member will find something about the lake that they love, making it one of the most popular destinations in Nevada.
The fall season is the best time to visit the lake, typically between October and November, relating to weather conditions as the cooler temperatures roll in, the heat of summer leaves, with the water temperature ranging between 70 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
Summer and Spring are the most popular seasons to visit for water activities and recreation.
The best beaches to visit are Boulder Swim Beach, although one of the most popular areas, it is perfect for swimming as it is wide open and the water is relatively shallow. Willow Beach has less hustle and bustle than Boulder Beach, and reduced water traffic.
Other beautiful beaches include Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach, and PWC Beach.
Water Activities enjoyed along these beaches include boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, tubing, waterskiing, and jet skiing. You can also enjoy biking, scenic driving, camping, and hiking out of water activities.
Why So Many Deaths At Lake Mead?
The weather conditions around the lake can change in a heartbeat. So to can the water levels, placing the lives of lake goers in peril. Most of the deaths at Lake Mead were avoidable if the individual in the water wore a lifejacket.
In 2017, Lake Mead held the number one position for the deadliest park in the United States, with more than 250 deaths. Below are a few of the deaths that occurred at the lake.
In September 2017, a man got dragged under his houseboat after attempting to secure it from drifting away, according to a news post. [source]
On May 1st, 2021, a six-year-old girl drowned at the lake. Authorities stated that the winds pushed the girl and a friend away from the shore. They were on a pool float. Wardens responded and rescued one of the girls, but the other’s body was discovered later that evening by Police divers. [source]
According to the Park Service, pool toys contributed significantly to the numerous drownings. Many of these toys have warnings that they are not for use in large bodies of water, including lakes.
There have also been reports of skeletal remains found in the lake. On October 18th, 2014, two reports were taken of lake goers finding skeletal remains at two separate locations along the lake. [source]
Dangerous Creatures Living At Lake Mead
The most dangerous creatures to be found lurking in and around the lake are Mountain Lions, Bobcats, Rattlesnakes, Gila Monsters, and to some extent, mosquitoes.
If you’re worried about all these things then you can try Crater Lake which is also a very beautiful place to enjoy swimming in the USA.
Mountain Lions
These big cats go by other names, such as panthers, pumas, cougars, and yellow cats. They live within the Lake Mead Recreational Park, even though sightings are far and in-between, and the likelihood of being attacked by one is unlikely.
Bobcats
These cats typically avoid human contact, but if they are hungry, pets become fair game. Try not to attract chipmunks and birds because this would also attract bobcats. If encountered, back away slowly, making lots of noise, do not run as this might trigger the hunting response of the bobcat.
Rattlesnakes & King Snakes
Rattlesnakes are active between April and October and are dangerous because of their venom. If you cross paths with a rattlesnake, give it ample space. The worst thing is to make the snake feel threatened. The King Snake is