203. Are Natural Fibers Making a Comeback in the Outdoor Industry? with Patrick Clark
For decades, the outdoor industry has celebrated innovation through synthetics—lighter, stronger, and more technical fabrics made from petroleum-based materials. But as we grapple with the environmental costs of producing many synthetic products, is a shift underway? Wool, waxed cotton, hemp, and other natural materials might be making a comeback —not as a nostalgic throwback, but as brands and individuals innovate with them, proving they can be high-performing, sustainable alternatives to synthetic fibers. One of the people leading that charge is Patrick Clark, founder of Lucky Sheep and author of the book A Rewilder’s Guide to Outdoor Adventure. Patrick has developed a full backpacking kit made almost entirely from natural fibers—with a base weight of just 20 pounds. From lightweight wool sleeping bags to waxed canvas backpacks, his designs challenge the idea that performance has to come at the cost of sustainability.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/Website: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalistListener Survey: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976------------------Lucky SheepWebsite: https://www.woolsleepingbag.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckysheepgear/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LuckySheepOutdoorGearFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuckySheepSleepingBags