Sustainable development and outdoor sports: how to practice without harming the planet?

Ah, nature… That little corner of paradise where you escape on the weekend, after the famous Metro-Work-Sleep routine . You prefer hiking in the forest, bivouacking on the summits, trail With friends or a bike ride at sunrise? Whatever your trip, we bet you love breathing fresh air , walking far from the asphalt and feeling the freshness of nature.

But… do our Are your favorite outdoor sports as clean as you think? Spoiler alert: not always. So what do we do? Do we stop everything and start practicing yoga in our living room? No. We'll keep going, but we'll do it better .

Come on, we'll take you on a tour of sustainable outdoor sports without turning your bivouac into a COP28 meeting .

Outdoor sports: a thrill, but not without impact

Exercising in the great outdoors is great. But it's not neutral. Between the technical equipment , the travel to get to the site, the overcrowding of certain spots and the wear and tear on natural environments, outdoor sports also have their ecological footprint .

Some information to set the scene:

According to ADEME , car travel represents the largest share of the carbon footprint linked to sports practice.
Technical clothing often has a significant environmental impact , particularly due to synthetic materials and manufacturing processes .
Some highly frequented natural areas (such as the calanques, Pyrenees, Chartreuse, etc.) are under heavy pressure on their trails, fauna, and flora. A look at France's Natural Parks can help you identify sensitive areas to avoid (or pamper a little more).

In short, we are far from zero impact , even when running on trails.

How to make your outdoor activities more eco-responsible?

Don't panic: the idea isn't to stop going to the mountains, but to tame them differently. Here are some good habits without sacrificing the pleasure of being outdoors .

1. Gear: Buy less often, but better

Rather than accumulating technical clothes that will only last two seasons, it's better to focus on quality . Eco-designed gear , robust and designed to last . And that's good, because at Muule , we select committed outdoor brands that place eco-responsibility at the heart of their manufacturing.

La Sportiva : Local production in Italy, recycled materials, carbon footprint control.

Odlo : Recycled textiles, certified merino wool, responsible manufacturing.

Patagonia : Recycled materials, encouraged repair, environmental activism.

Vaude : Advanced eco-design, carbon-neutral production, repairable products.

Deuter : Certified materials, Fair Wear label, durable and repairable bags.

To help you choose with complete transparency, we have created a Muule Barometer : a clear tool for comparing the eco-responsible commitments of each brand according to 3 indicators (eco-design of products, production chain, social responsibility).

At Muule , we offer you durable , ethical and field-tested outdoor gear that meets both your requirements and those of the planet.

Invest in high-quality, durable equipment.

2. Transport: the nerve center of the carbon war

Heading off solo by car for a weekend bivouac 250 km from home is nice, but not exactly low impact.

So here are some tips for limiting the sauce:

Carpooling with friends creates extra memories
Train + bike or bus (more and more spots are accessible this way)
Favor sites that are close or accessible by public transport

And frankly, if it's to struggle for 4 hours in traffic to make a quick round trip, we're not sure it's that much fun...

3. Less trash on the trails

The impact doesn't just come from the material or the carbon. It's also what we leave behind . And here, a few good habits make all the difference:

Bring back all your waste , even biodegradable waste (yes, a banana peel takes 2 years to disappear)

Travel with as little packaging as possible : a water bottle instead of a plastic bottle, homemade snacks, reusable cutlery (much nicer than wooden cutlery, let's face it).

During the hike or bivouac , stay on the marked trails , respect the fauna and flora, and avoid spots that are too fragile.

And why not try plogging ? Run or walk while picking up trash along the way. Good for you, good for the planet (and also strengthens your quadriceps a little more). Mountain Riders regularly organizes mountain clean-ups . Try it at least once, you'll see, it's contagious.

Choose plogging for your next sports outings.

Outdoor athletes: committed ambassadors

You probably follow top athletes on Instagram, whether they're running or on the trails. But did you know that some are also key players in the ecological transition ?

Take Kilian Jornet , the ultra-trail runner with legendary thighs. He created his own foundation for mountain protection , campaigns for low-carbon transport , and refuses to partner with unclean brands. An example of consistency between passion and convictions.

Others are following suit: Marion Haerty (snowboard), François D'Haene (ultra-trail), and many others are also getting involved, by talking about responsible consumption , by organizing clean-up outings , or by showing that you can be at the top without polluting the planet.

When the athletes we admire take action, it inspires and creates a real collective dynamic .

The outdoor sport of tomorrow: lighter, freer, still just as fun

Let's not kid ourselves: the outdoor sports of tomorrow depend on what we do today. There's no need to wait until 2050 to practice differently. It's our actions today that will shape the world of tomorrow.

Choosing eco-designed equipment rather than a low-end product is already a big step .

Carpooling or taking the train to go to the mountains is already a commitment .

Picking up trash on the trail, repairing your jacket instead of throwing it away, sharing good behavior with those around you... it really matters.

Responsible outdoor living isn't a trend: it's common sense. And frankly, it feels good.

And frankly, practicing a sport you love, while respecting the nature you adore… it's not a compromise. It's a privilege.

So let's go. Lace up your shoes, fill your water bottle, and continue your outdoor adventures while respecting what you came here for: the beauty of nature.

Article written by Sarah de Muule on July 8, 2025.