Outdoor adventure brand Royal Robbins is celebrating a standout year for sustainability, building on its decades-long legacy of environmental stewardship. With significant progress across product design, sourcing, packaging, and innovation, the brand continues to raise the bar for responsible outdoor apparel.
Rooted in the environmental ethos of founders Liz and Royal Robbins, pioneers of the clean climbing movement, the brand remains true in its mission to create long-lasting outdoor gear with a lighter footprint. In 2024, that mission came to life through measurable milestones and industry-leading innovations.
Natural and Lower-Impact Fibers
Among Royal Robbins’ top achievements in 2024 was a significant step toward its wool sourcing goal. In 2022, the brand committed to sourcing 50% of the wool used in its products from Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified sources by 2025. This past year, significant progress was made toward this goal, highlighted by the launch of the Fall 2024 collection. The new Rockcraft and Arch Rock sweaters, made entirely from 100% merino wool, are fully RWS certified*, ensuring that the wool is sourced from farms that adhere to the highest animal welfare and land management standards.
Additionally, 96% of styles in the Fall 2024 collection met or exceeded Royal Robbins’ highest sustainability standards. Each piece was made with at least 50% preferred materials, such as organic and BCI cotton, recycled polyester, RWS-certified wool, hemp, recycled nylon and sustainable forest fibers.
The Spring 2024 line also echoed Royal Robbins’ sustainability-first approach, with 87% of styles crafted from lower-impact fibers. These results demonstrate the brand’s commitment to sourcing responsibly without compromising technical performance or durability.
Elimination of Toxic Chemicals
Last fall, Royal Robbins debuted its proprietary Mosquito Protection Technology, a breakthrough in effective insect repellent apparel that offers protection against mosquitoes without relying on harmful chemicals or biocides. By integrating this safe and sustainable solution into key styles for spring 2025, like the Expedition III L/S shirt and the Wilder Pant, the brand is meeting the needs of eco-conscious adventurers.
Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Royal Robbins employs an Avoid, Reduce, Compensate approach to help reduce the brand’s overall carbon footprint. In 2024, Royal Robbins’ industry-leading adventure shirt, the Desert Pucker, celebrated its 25-year anniversary. This shirt, made with wood-derived TENCEL™ Modal fibers, is certified Carbon Neutral by ClimatePartner. This certification means Royal Robbins invested in a carbon removal project to offset the remaining emissions produced in the making of its Pucker family of shirts.
Royal Robbins’ sustainability efforts also extend beyond textiles. In 2024, the brand piloted a new packaging program in Europe that eliminates single-use polybags in favor of a roll-pack method. Tested over seven months across six product styles, the initiative removed 118 kg (260 lbs.) of plastic from the supply chain, laying the groundwork for broader implementation.
Royal Robbins also works with the factories in its supply chain to implement impact reduction practices. In 2024, Royal Robbins’s parent company, Fenix Outdoor, worked with the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and key supplier Minh Tri to transition their coal-fired boiler to a biomass boiler. The new biomass boiler, installed in May 2024, runs on renewable fuel and saves the factory an estimated 1,496 tons of CO2e emissions per year. Minh Tri has been inspired by this project to continue engaging with GIZ programs, which support the Vietnamese textile industry, the local economy, and the Government of Vietnam in promoting an environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and competitive textile and clothing sector.
To accelerate these efforts and deepen impact across the brand, Royal Robbins is proud to announce the appointment of Dawn Mancini Moyer as Regional Sustainability Manager, North America for Fenix Outdoor. A seasoned environmental strategist with more than 15 years of experience, Mancini joins the Corporate Social Responsibility team, reporting to Fenix CSO Aiko Bode. She will also serve on the North American Management Team.
“The progress Royal Robbins made in 2024 in responsible design and use of lower impact materials shows continued commitment to a deep history of taking responsibility for the health of the planet on which we all rely,” said Mancini. “As the Sustainability Manager, I look forward to supporting our ongoing progress with innovative strategies to create durable, long-lasting products that ultimately help more people connect with nature. We’re now setting our sights on what’s next, striving to be a leader in building a more sustainable industry.”
Based in Louisville, Colorado, Mancini brings a multidisciplinary background from sectors including apparel, technology, consumer goods and private equity. Her recent work at Anthesis Consulting focused on climate-biodiversity intersections, helping businesses operationalize nature-positive strategies. At Fenix, she will work to advance sustainability initiatives both regionally and globally.
“We’re proud of the strides Royal Robbins has made in advancing our sustainability journey, whether it’s through increased use of lower-impact materials or more transparent sourcing practices,” said Erik Burbank, Royal Robbins Brand President. “At the same time, we recognize there’s still significant work ahead, and we remain committed to continuous improvement.”
For more information, visit www.royalrobbins.com.
About Royal Robbins®
Born in Yosemite, the brand was founded in 1968 by world-renowned climbers and adventurers Royal and Liz Robbins. Royal Robbins is a leading designer, manufacturer, and retailer of versatile, durable, and stylish apparel for the next generation of adventurers. The brand maintains a commitment to environmental and social responsibility by prioritizing natural fibers and maintaining carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Royal Robbins gear can be found in outdoor and specialty retail partners throughout the world. We believe nature and adventure are good for the soul. To learn more, please visit royalrobbins.com.
*Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool, certified by Control Union cert. 895314
