Our mission
We aren't just here to make amazing adventurewear (even though we're damn good at it). We're here to help change the world. Yep - we like to dream big.

What fashion is doing to our planet
We're going to be brutally honest: we kinda hate the fashion industry (and yes, we know we're part of it). When it comes to sustainability, the fashion industry is one of the worst. 10% of the world's carbon emissions. 35% of the ocean's microplastics. 20% of the world's waste. Fashion is f**king up our planet - and we aren't going to stand around and do nothing. We love creating and wearing adventurewear, but that doesn't mean our label has to harm the place we call home. So from the very start, we've been making badass moves to protect our planet.

Real talk
As adventure babes ourselves, we knew what the market was missing when we started The Hardest Climb - and we’re excited AF to bring you the adventure gear you’ve been craving. But this is where we want to be real with you: being 100% ‘sustainable’ isn't possible for any brand. After all, when you’re bringing something new into the world, you’re going to be part of the problem (ever heard of greenwashing? We’ll touch on that later). But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to be as earth-friendly as we can – and we’re always gonna keep sharing what we do and how we’re improving. So here's our game plan: transparency, education, mindful practices, efficient processes, conscious textile choices, strategic stock ordering, waste reduction wherever possible, eco-friendly shipping, and compostable packaging. We know we’re not perfect – and we’ll never pretend we are – but we're always going to try and be better. It’s the least we can do for our planet.
How we do things around here
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Our textiles
We're obsessed with organic cotton because it's not just about what you wear — it's about how it's made. Organic cotton is the real MVP: it’s grown, harvested and processed in a way that's kinder to both the planet and the people involved. Say goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to durability, breathability, and hypoallergenic goodness. It’s 100% biodegradable, but it also feels thicker, softer, and lasts longer than your average cotton clothing (which means your wardrobe can handle the usage, washing and wear and tear that comes with a life of adventure). As we continue to grow, we're always on the lookout for the best performance materials that keep our planet front and centre. Our goal? Adventurewear that stays on the wall and on the trail - and OUT of landfill.
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Getting our stock
We get our stock shipped to our HQ by sea, which helps reduce our carbon footprint (remember, the fashion industry contributes to 10% of the world’s carbon emissions - so we’re looking to lower this number in any way we can). Sure, it might take a bit longer to ship by sea, but hey, aren't good things worth the wait? We're all about that slow and steady vibe when it comes to our label (when it comes up to climbing though, we’re not waiting another second – we’re ready AF to get out there and up a wall!). We're constantly collaborating with our manufacturers to fine-tune our shipping practices and processes, because we're serious about continuous improvement.
Printing
Let's break it down: printing on demand. Sounds fancy, but what does it actually mean? Well, picture this: instead of mass-producing a bunch of shirts with the same design, crossing our fingers they'll all sell (spoiler alert: they usually do because our shirts are straight fire), we're avoiding the dreaded ‘dead stock’ scenario. Dead stock? Not in our vocabulary. It’s leftover stock that doesn’t sell. Why is this bad? Because it means slashing prices or finding creative ways to reuse stuff, all to avoid our worst nightmare: landfill. And trust us, landfill is not where our gear belongs.
So here's what we do instead: we whip up plain shirts in our gorg colours, print just one for a *chef’s kiss* photoshoot, and then when you place your order, we print it. Simple, right? No dead stock, no wasted resources. Just cute designs, ready to rock whenever you are. And if one design isn't vibing, no biggie. We'll just whip up something new. That's the beauty of printing on demand.
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Packaging
Let's talk about the little things that make a big difference: our packaging. Swing tags? Nah, we're ditching those. Because really, who needs 'em? Not us, and probably not you either.
Our shipping bags are compostable, recyclable, and made from 100% recycled FSC kraft paper. And if you've got a compost bin, chuck your bag in with the worms and they’ll fully break down in just 180 days.
Next up, tissue paper. Our tissue paper doubles as a thank-you note, reducing unnecessary waste and spreading good vibes (who actually keeps those paper thank-you cards, anyway?). Plus, our tissue paper is FSC-certified and made from recycled, compostable materials. Another win for planet earth.
Our stickers are made from paper that's 100% recyclable and compostable, and printed with soy-based inks. But that’s not the only place you’ll see soy-based ink - all the ink you see on our packaging is soy-based. Unlike typical ink which is made from petroleum, our ink is made from soybeans - a renewable resource. It also means the paper it's printed on can be more easily recycled. Say less!
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Practices
We're all about quality over quantity, which is why we opt for smaller collection drops instead of bombarding you with new gear every second day. We believe in crafting pieces that stand the test of time - and with adventurewear that’s exposed to the elements (rocks, trees and sweat), it’s especially important. Our pieces are designed to become staples in your adventure wardrobe that you reach for again and again.
We’ve already mentioned we print on demand - but here’s how we actually do it. We use a method called heat transfer sublimation printing. It's an environmentally conscious way to print - think minimal wastage and zero dye sneaking into our precious waterways (which is what sets it apart from many other dyeing processes). It also gives us flexibility to switch up designs on the fly, meaning little to no chance of ending up with dead stock.
But look – you know we’re all about transparency, and that’s why we’re not going to sit here and tell you there’s zero waste when we create our shirts. Our process creates waste (it always will when you’re creating something new), but it’s far less than your typical manufacturing process. And while we’re always aiming to improve, we’ll still take that as a little win for mother earth.

What the future looks like
While we may be new to the scene, we're not scared to dream big when it comes to sustainability. We're laser-focused on ramping up our eco-friendly practices as we grow. That means cutting down on packaging materials, giving plastic the boot, and streamlining our international shipping process to reduce waste. We're also keen AF to start developing textiles that are as good for the planet as they are for your epic adventures.
Nothing changes, if nothing changes.
Courtney C. Stevens