Summer is slowly coming to an end, and rain clouds are appearing more frequently, soaking the earth—and sometimes us—with cold showers. The leaves are changing color and withering, transforming nature into a magnificent sea of colors. Now is the perfect time for long hikes in the mountains, early morning runs in the park, or those final laps on wet, muddy trails or on the road with your bike. When temperatures gradually drop in autumn, the first priority is to focus on the right clothing. Outdoor exercise during this season helps strengthen the immune system before winter arrives, when it will undoubtedly be challenged by dry indoor heating, reduced sunlight, and potential vitamin or nutrient deficiencies. As the weather cools, it's essential to have the proper gear, using functional clothing based on the layering system to avoid overheating or getting too cold. In practical terms, this means focusing on performance fabrics for the base layer, a mid-layer for insulation, and an outer shell for wind and rain protection.

Here are some expert tips on functional fabrics and top choices for the in-between season:

Scott Kaier from Formidable Media relies on natural, biodegradable, and/or PFAS-free materials: “I’m pretty intrigued by eVent Fabrics’ alpineST performance waterproof/breathable laminate. Not only is it PFAS-free, it also performs extremely well in the harshest environments. Sold as a laminate, the alpineST membrane is laminated to recycled face fabrics with a C0 DWR.

ALLIED Feather + Down continues to ramp up their RENU:TRACE 100% traceable recycled down insulation. The issue with a lot of the recycled down on the market is that it is untraceable back to the source, meaning there is no way to know if the animals within the supply chain are ethically treated. ALLIED’s RENU:TRACE is supplied and recycled in a closed loop system, meaning that all RENU:TRACE material was ethically sourced by ALLIED through the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). RDS certified down is a byproduct of the food industry and animal welfare is ensured through a thorough auditing process.

Wool is an amazing material. Renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable, wool also performs extremely well in a wide range of applications, from fashion to lifestyle, to active outdoor. Wool is naturally breathable and manages moisture, odor, and temperature. Wool provides real solutions to performance, comfort, and plastic waste. It is also the most reused and recycled material.  

And he also sets a focus on PFAS-free alternatives and non-environmentally persistent materials. Consumer demand and regulations are requiring that brands eliminate PFAS from product offerings while issues with microplastics accumulating in the environment, the foods we eat and the air we breathe need to be better managed. High tech materials such as eVent’s alpineST laminate and ALLIED’s ExpeDRY down (insulation treated with gold micro-particles  to speed drying) keep fluorinated compounds out of our apparel. Natural, biodegradable materials such as down and wool eliminate the microplastics problems, while we’re seeing biodegradable polyesters becoming more and more popular.

Regina Wiener, CSR Officer at Maloja, relies on a new insulation material called Cambium UP for autumn activities: “Together with our Italian partner Imbotex, we’ve managed to reintegrate fabric scraps into the production cycle in four steps. The scraps are collected from a producer, Saby Sports, located just 30 kilometers away, which manufactures high-quality cycling jerseys and shorts for Maloja. In two further steps, Imbotex shreds the fabric pieces and processes them with a portion of recycled polyester into an innovative filling material through a patented method. Textile production waste is no longer just waste, but a valuable resource. Textile-to-textile recycling is the future and offers new opportunities for the fashion industry.”

Helly Hansen’s Everdown Hooded Jacket is a lightweight down jacket that combines a 10-denier ripstop outer shell made from 100% recycled nylon with THINDOWN® – the first fabric made from real down. The innovative insulation’s uniform structure ensures an even distribution of goose down, eliminating the need for traditional horizontal seams, which are often cold spots. Another benefit of THINDOWN® is that no down escapes in case of a tear in the outer fabric. Additionally, the PFC-free DWR treatment on the outside provides extra weather protection.