Since our earliest days, the Kathmandu team have been committed to driving innovation and sustainability within our business, bound together by a shared vision for a healthier planet. While there are some big challenges for the industry to collectively tackle, we simply cannot wait when it comes to finding ways to innovate and evolve.

The NXT-Level jacket is only one of the many solutions Kathmandu is using to combat the growing challenge of apparel waste. As we approach each situation, the key will be in finding the best-possible solution for the particular kind of product or part of a range. It could be biodegradation, a form of reuse, or recycling.

As a certified B Corp, the key for Kathmandu is in staying nimble in our approach to problem-solving, so that we can rapidly adjust to environmental conditions and new ideas.

The NXT-Level jacket represents the latest in Kathmandu’s longstanding commitment to sustainable innovation and manufacturing – and tackling the problem of textile waste. The NXT-Level jacket is designed to last and is made from Nylon 66, one of the most durable materials available in textile manufacturing.

Our hope is that you’ll never have to get rid of it (or throw it in the bin), but if that were to happen, we've tried to minimise the environmental impact of the jacket.

It’s important to remember that, without this kind of technology, a similar jacket might take a hundred or more years to biodegrade.

While we’re not the first to introduce biodegradable clothing, we are the first as far as we know to introduce a biodegradable* down jacket. Even more so, one that’s technical in nature and designed to last.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No. There are currently difficulties with using recycled materials for products that are intended to be long-lasting and durable.

The NXT-Level jacket uses new/virgin materials because it’s designed to last. There are also currently difficulties with using recycled materials for products that are Intended to be long-lasting and durable.

TrackMyDown enables our customers, via a unique QR code on the swing tag, to find out information about the source and quality of the down in their jacket.

• Close zippers before washing
• Cold gentle machine wash
• Wash separately
• Do not use fabric softener
• Cool tumble dry thoroughly inside out
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron
• Do not dry clean

The NXT-Level jacket is only biodegradable* in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. A special additive is introduced during the nylon manufacturing process which helps accelerate biodegradation in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Once in a biologically active landfill without oxygen, the additive gets activated. Therefore, getting the jacket wet or washing it will not start the biodegradation process. Your washing machine is not an environment without oxygen, so the process is not triggered in the wash.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No. The jacket is only biodegradable* in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. A special additive is introduced during the nylon manufacturing process which helps accelerate biodegradation in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Once in a biologically active landfill without oxygen, the additive gets activated.

Therefore, getting the jacket wet will not start the biodegradation process - rain is not an environment without oxygen, so the process is not triggered.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

Biodegradable refers to a process where materials are broken down by microorganisms in specific environmental conditions. There are many different environments for biodegradation, such as landfill, home compost, industrial compost, and the marine environment.

The synthetic materials in the NXT-Level jacket are formulated to only biodegrade* in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. A special additive is introduced during the nylon manufacturing process which helps accelerate biodegradation in a biologically active landfill without oxygen.

Once in a biologically active landfill without oxygen, the additive gets activated. The additive enables a biofilm, which is formed by acids and enzymes secreted by bacteria, to break down the nylon’s long polymer chains which are then excreted as organic matter.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

The NXT-Level jacket is designed to last and is made from Nylon 66, one of the most durable materials available in textile manufacturing. Our hope is that you’ll never have to get rid of it (or throw it in the bin), but if that were to happen, we've tried to minimise the environmental impact of the jacket.

No, the jacket is not compostable. The jacket is designed to only biodegrade* in a biologically active landfill without oxygen.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

Each element of the jacket will biodegrade* in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No, microplastics are not released during the biodegrading* process.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)

For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)

For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No. The NXT-Level jacket uses bluesign© approved dyes and chemicals that are safe. The Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish on the main fabric is also PFC-free.

This is a common misconception. Everything, including nylon and plastic, is biodegradable. However, these kinds of materials can take over 100 years to biodegrade. The NXT-Level jacket is made from Nylon 66 and contains a special additive that, when placed in a biologically active landfill without oxygen, stimulates bacteria to digest the nylon in around 3 to 5 years*. The outcome of this process is naturally occurring gas and biomass.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No. Biodegradation is different than degradation. Degradation is what happens when plastics ‘break down’ into smaller particles and become micro-plastics. Biodegradation, on the other hand, is essentially chemical digestion. In the case of biodegradation, bacteria literally digest the synthetic material and convert it into something else entirely: naturally occurring gasses and biomass.

* The NXT-Level jacket only biodegrades in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. The NXT-Level jacket does not biodegrade in an environment with oxygen. Each element of the jacket will biodegrade in a biologically active landfill without oxygen at a different speed. Testing under ASTM D5511 indicates that, in a biologically active landfill without oxygen:

• For the outer and lining material: there is 86.6% biodegradation in 1,050+ days (greater than 2.9 years)
• For the zip and thread: there is 94.4% biodegradation in 1,677+days (greater than 4.6 years)
• For the synthetic fill: there is 93.8% biodegradation in 646+ days (greater than 1.8 years)

Once disposed of the jacket may not end up in a biologically active landfill without oxygen. Do not litter in nature.

No. The NXT-Level jacket is designed to last and is made from Nylon 66, one of the most durable materials available in textile manufacturing. Our hope is that you’ll never have to get rid of it (or throw it in the bin), but if that were to happen, we've tried to minimise the environmental impact of the jacket.

Testing was conducted using ASTM D5511 methodology. It is a standard anaerobic biodegradation test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high-solids anaerobic-digestion conditions. ASTM (https://www.astm.org/) has been in existence for more than 120 years and are the globally-recognised industry leaders when it comes to standards and methodology.

The NXT-Level jacket is only one of the many solutions Kathmandu is using to combat the growing challenge of apparel waste. As we approach each situation, the key will be in finding the best-possible solution for the particular kind of product or part of a range. It could be biodegradation, a form of reuse, or recycling.

As a certified B Corp, the key for Kathmandu is in staying nimble in our approach to problem-solving so that we can rapidly adjust to environmental conditions and new ideas.

Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are part of an initiative from B Lab, a non-profit that serves a global movement of people using profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impacts for their employees, economies, communities, and the environment. Certified B Corporations are required to:

• Consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders.
• Agree to be transparent on five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, communities, and the environment.
• Achieve a minimum verified score on the B Impact Assessment.
• Recertify every two years. This requires them to satisfy the ever-changing standards and expectations of the certification each time.
• Complete a comprehensive questionnaire, including substantiating evidence, followed up with an interview and reviews; each with stringent guidelines.

B Corp certification is fast becoming a global signpost for leadership in environmental and social impact, and is a way for customers to instantly recognise that the organisations they buy from are working according to an entirely new way of doing business.

B Corp certification helps business act as a force for good, and also helps investors select organisations that align with their values. For our customers, this accreditation enables customers to trust that Kathmandu meets the stringent standards for positive social and environmental impact.

In 2020, Kathmandu submitted their first report under the 2018 Australian Modern Slavery Act. The Act requires companies to report on the risks of modern slavery in their global supply chains and how they are addressing those risks.

Kathmandu has been working with the New Zealand Government as it develops a response to modern slavery. This is a new role for Kathmandu to be advocating for freedom and wellbeing at a government level.