We recently told you about surf brand Finisterre which is
using Nikwax Analogy fabrics to produce waterproof jackets - now the
Cornish-based outfit has launched a £25,
ethically-produced, Eddie merino baselayer top.
What we like about the company is that in tune with surfing
culture, it's committed to ethically sound manufacturing and
products. One reason they chose to use the Nikwax fabric for example,
is that it's made from polyester which is easily recyclable.
Other garments in their range are made from recycled fabrics, but
they also go further by trying to minimise their environmental impact
in other ways like minimising the tranport involved in getting their
products made and distributed.
Merino sits squarely with this ethos and the new tops are made
from 100 per-cent natural merino wool made in ISO accredited
Portugese factories. We've seen one of the tops and it's made from a
lightweight fabric that should be ideal for summer use. Merino's
great for feeling cool in the heat and warm in the cold, but also
stays comfortable when damp and has natural anti-pong properties.
Finisterre says that the relatively bargain level of the price is
all about realistic pricing and not overcharging the customer. By
keeping their own margins down, they say, they can choose not to use
unethical factories and cheap fabrics.
The good news is that a portion of their turnover goes to
environmental groups under their 'Offset the PLC' - Product Life
Cycle - initiative. The way it works is that all Finisterre products
have their product life cycles analysed, the company works out where
the three largest areas of the products environmental footprint fall
and a proportion of the retail price of that product is then donated
to groups working specifically in those environmental areas.
We happen to think that's brilliant. For more details of the
company and the Eddie baselayer, which is available in both
men's and women's versions see www.finisterreuk.com.
Andrew Gifford
