Sustainable mountain bike clothing isn’t a phrase you hear very often- most companies have a hard enough time producing clothing that stands up to wear and looks good- but iXS have managed to produce just that. Starting the manufacturing process with recycled materials, iXS are able to produce the high quality and functional clothing that riders have come to expect, but in an environmentally sustainable manner.
iXS jerseys are made from recycled plastic bottles. PET bottles are a huge source of waste worldwide, and keeping them out of landfills is a priority for iXS. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are extremely common in North America in the soft drink and sports drink industries. Annually, over 3 million tons of PET is produced for the North American market. (source: GBI Research), and 26’000 BTU’s of energy can be saved by recycling just one pound of PET bottles.
iXS collects PET bottles, cleans them, grinds and processes them into granules, and extrudes the material into a yarn. The result is a top-quality polyester textile, saving up to 50 percent of the energy used in the production process and around 50 percent of the CO2 emissions.
iXS packaging is designed with aims to be equally sustainable. iXS opts for minimal packaging wherever possible, using recycled materials and natural dyes, resulting in some of the lowest environmental impacts in the cycling clothing world from their hang-tags and other packaging.
What does this mean for the average mountain biker? iXS clothing finally brings an option to the market where riders don’t have to choose between environmental sustainability and high-performance apparel. iXS clothing is still antimicrobial, moisture-wicking, breathable, well designed, long-lasting, and good looking, but at the same time illustrates an understanding of the fragility of our environment, and a commitment to enjoying it in a sustainable manner.
Head to your local Live to Play Sports dealer to try on iXS clothing for yourself, and learn more about the environmentally-sensitive manufacturing processes that set this brand apart from the competition.
