man hiking through water in a slot canyon

Utah resources

Eco-Friendly Sports & Outdoors in Salt Lake City

Utah’s mountains and other outdoor activities draw people in from all over the world. Lower your environmental impact with these Salt Lake City eco-friendly sports and outdoor gear resources.

Eco-friendly outdoor gear

Rent outdoor gear in Salt Lake City

Renting gear is a great alternative to buying expensive gear that you don’t use often, to decrease garage clutter, or for kids who grow out of everything overnight.

  • U of U Outdoor Recreation – you can rent all kinds of stuff: all types of sports equipment, bikes, kayaks, camping gear, winter sports gear, and more. You don’t have to be an employee or a student, but if you are, you get 25% off.
  • Outdoor Mavens – rent anything you need for camping or backpacking
  • The Camp Box – camping gear and paddleboards
  • Utah Ski & Golf – skis, snowboards, golf clubs, and mountain bikes
  • Canyon Sports – bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, ski & snowboards
  • Wasatch Touring – bikes, kayaks
  • REI – offerings include gear for cycling, camping & hiking, paddling, climbing, and winter sports

Where to buy/sell used outdoor equipment & gear in Salt Lake City

Utilizing pre-loved outdoor gear prolongs its life and decreases consumption of new items.

Locally-owned sports & outdoor stores/brands

I’m sure I missed some places here, so let me know if I did. I find it a bummer that there aren’t any locally-owned stores that sell team sports gear besides soccer—no basketball, football, baseball, or volleyball. Remember Gart Bros.?

Salt Lake City bike shops

Climbing

Salt Lake City outdoor clothing companies

For more about sustainable clothing in Salt Lake City, click here.

KÜHL

This notable SLC-based outdoor brand remains a privately and independently owned company. KÜHL utilizes ethically sourced and produced materials, utilizing third-party certifications to ensure production facilities meet high standards in their practices. For example, down and wool is RDS and RWS certified and the company has commendably eliminated PFAS from their textiles. The corporate office houses a sew, sample, and repair room to extend the life of their products.

Cotopaxi

Founded in SLC, the adventure brand Cotopaxi is a standout in sustainable practices. This company uses recycled, repurposed, or responsibly sourced materials in 94% of their products, and plan to expand this to all products by 2025. Transparency regarding supply chains and company practices is commendable. The company displays their commitment to sustainable operations with numerous eco-certifications: they are a Certified B Corp, Fair Trade and Climate Neutral certified, and 1% for the planet member. Buy and trade-in pre-loved gear through the Mas Vida program.

Wūru

Wūru sources the merino wool used for their clothing from sustainable and ethical farms in New Zealand. The wool is woven in a Bluesign & Global Organic Textiles Accredited Facility, spun in an OEKO-TEX Accredited Facility, and sewn locally.

Coalatree

Most Coalatree products are made from recycled or repurposed materials, designed in Salt Lake City, and produced both locally and at various locations around the world. Their manufacturing partners are ethical and eco-friendly factories that are bluesign certified, free of harsh and toxic chemicals. The company regularly donates blankets to the homeless in SLC.

Albion

Albion originated in SLC and is family-owned swim & fitness apparel brand. Fabrics are made and sewn in the USA.

Patagonia

Patagonia outlet – ok, so this obviously isn’t a local brand, but I think they should be included because Patagonia is such a great, sustainable company, and the SLC outlet is very involved in local issues and organizations.

Exercise & fitness equipment stores in Salt Lake City

What to do with unwanted exercise equipment

Fishing outfitters

Golf shops

Donate old golf clubs to First Tee Utah. If clubs are unusable, they can be sold for scrap metal.

Read about how local golf courses are decreasing their water usage; also check out the SLC Golf Division’s Drought Plan.

Outdoor gear & equipment shops

Sign in forest: "Please take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."
  • Black Diamond – a well-known local brand for climbing, running, hiking/trekking, camping, winter sports
  • Recreation Outlet – winter & water sports, climbing, camping & hiking
  • Utah Whitewater Gear – all the water sports, plus fishing and camping
  • Mountain Republic – camping & hiking
  • Sports Den – this store focuses on sports of the outdoor variety, namely cycling and winter sports. We rent the kids skis from here, as well have purchased gear for ourselves, and have always had a good experience.
  • Lone Peak Gear Exchange – winter sports, biking, hiking, climbing, camping
  • Level Nine Sports – ski, snowboard, bike
  • The Gear Room – winter sports, climbing, camping & hiking
  • Wasatch Touring – bike, ski & snowboard

Running

Skate & Snowboard shops

Soccer stores

Swimming stores

For competitive swimwear

Pool/beachwear by Utah-based brands

Tennis

Winter sports

If you only ski once every few years, consider renting a ski jacket or pants from somewhere like Jans in Park City.

Trade in your gear or find great deals on others at one the various ski swaps or a consignment store listed above.

Yoga

Hugger Mugger is a yoga brand originating in Salt Lake City. Their product line features USA-made and handmade products, heavy metal and phthalate-free yoga mats, and eco-friendly yoga products, including biodegradable TPE mats, natural rubber mats, cork and bamboo blocks, and more.

Although not a locally-owned company, my favorite place to shop for yoga clothing and other fitness and athleisure apparel is Athleta. It may surprise you to know that this company is actually quite sustainable. They are a Certified B Corp and Fair Trade certified. Shop earth-conscious products that are made with at least 30% organic cotton, Tencel, or recycled nylon/polyester.

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