Winter warmers

With winter fast approaching it's appropriate that Ethical Consumer magazine have recently published a report on fleece jumpers and jackets.

The Patagonia brand emerged as the best buy on the market, with Polaris, Rab and Mountain Equipment all coming a close second. Berghaus, Helly Hansen, Lowe Alpine and The North Face did not rate so well in their ethical and environmental performance.

We all know about Nike's poor record in sweatshop labour, and the report also mentioned that they have been criticised for the use of "perfluoropropane (a chemical with global warming potential 8,600 times greater than carbon dioxide) in cushioned souls in its trainers. Competitors use compressed air instead."

None of the companies surveyed achieved the top rating for environmental reporting, though Patagonia was commended for having some products in its range made from 90% recycled materials.