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As a human-powered activity, walking or hiking has a low impact on the environment: no green-house gas emissions, no pollution. However, even when pursuing such an activity, we must follow environmentally-friendly practices. Here is how.
Clothes and shoes are the main area to focus on. Make sure your clothes are made from natural materials and that little to no pesticides were used to treat the fabrics. Examples of environmentally-friendly materials are bamboo, which has natural anti-microbial and absorbent properties, hemp and organic cotton. One store where you can find such earth-friendly clothes is rei.com. Some of the brands that make eco-friendly shoes are Patagonia, the North Face and END, to name but a few. What makes these shoes eco-friendly is the use of natural materials such as latex and/or recycled materials such as polyester, rubber, polyethylene and foam.
A backpack will also be useful. Once again, choose one made out of eco-friendly materials. Check out certified organic European hemp-made backpacks by rawganique.com. Or go solar with a Voltaic backpack, made of recycled soda bottles and featuring solar panels that can recharge your cell phone.
Remember also to bring a reusable water bottle. Your greenest choice would be one made of stainless steel, such as Klean Kanteen stainless steel refillable bottle, or aluminum like Swiss-made Sigg very cool bottle. If you opt for plastic, make sure your plastic bottle does not contain bisphenol A (BPA).
Now, enjoy your (really green) walk!
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