Testing how far we can push natural materials in outerwear
Most outerwear relies heavily on synthetic materials, and for good reason: they're light, weather resistant and easy to work with. For the Fall/Winter 2026 season, we set out to test how far we could push natural fibers instead.
So why go to the trouble, when synthetics work so well? Because natural fibers are at the heart of everything else we make, and we want our outerwear to follow. Organic cotton and wool come from renewable sources and bring qualities that are hard to copy: the natural warmth of wool and the soft, breathable feel of cotton. Outerwear is simply where that's hardest to achieve, which is exactly why it's worth trying.
The result is a single product: our Vent 200 Insulated Parka (style no. 1060078), available in two colors. It has more natural components than our outerwear usually does. It isn't plastic-free, and we won't pretend it is. But it's a real step forward, made without compromising on the warmth, comfort and durability you expect from a good winter jacket. Here's what went into it, what made it difficult, and where we go from here.
What it's made of
The jacket is built from three main layers, and each one was chosen with care.
- Shell: 100% organic cotton. A natural fiber on the outside, where you see and feel it most.
- Fill: 70% recycled merino wool, 30% recycled pre-consumer polyester. Merino wool brings natural warmth; the polyester helps the fill keep its shape and function through wear and washing.
- Lining: 100% recycled polyamide. Made from pre-consumer material, meaning leftovers from production that never reached a consumer. The wool fill is very fine, so the lining has to hold those fibers in place and meet our quality standards. So far, we haven't found a lining made entirely from natural materials that does both.
In other words, natural fibers make up the outer shell and most of the fill, the two layers that do the heavy lifting on warmth and feel. Synthetic materials are still part of the jacket, and we're working to increase the share of natural fibers further, while keeping the same high level of function, comfort and durability.
Why natural isn't a simple swap
If replacing synthetics with natural fibers were easy, every jacket would already be made that way. The biggest challenge is getting the performance we expect from outerwear while working with the properties natural fibers actually have.
It's rarely possible to just exchange one fiber for another. Change the fiber, and you often have to change the fabric's construction, its finishing and the design of the jacket itself. Every decision is a balance between:
- Protection from the weather
- Breathability
- Weight
- Freedom of movement
- Durability
The fill is a good example. It has to stay evenly distributed and keep working through years of wear and care, which makes both the fiber blend and the construction around it crucial.
We're also often limited by the technology available today, both in the materials themselves and in the processes that make them suitable for functional outerwear. Together with our suppliers, we keep challenging those limits by developing and testing new solutions.
How it's built
A good material only matters if it works in the finished product, so we focused as much on construction as on fibers.
Inside, the jacket is quilted. The stitching holds the wool fill in place and spreads it evenly, so the warmth stays where you need it instead of shifting to the bottom of each panel. On the outside, the details are there to protect you: a hood, a high collar and a storm flap over the zipper that keeps wind and rain from finding their way in.
Small things on their own, but together they make the difference between a jacket that looks warm and one that actually is.
Where we go from here
Testing what's possible is part of how we work. Today's technology sets real limits for natural fibers in outerwear, and we know we won't remove them in one go. But we're willing to spend some of our time and know-how finding out how far we can get.
The next step is to find where we can reduce synthetic materials even further, without weakening how our outerwear performs or shortening its life. That depends on new materials, better processes and the ability to produce them in consistent quality, and it's not something we can do alone. We rely on trusted partners in our supply chain who share our mission, and progress like this comes from working closely with them. Working together is what will make the difference.
The Vent 200 is one result of that. It isn't the final answer, but it shows what's possible today and gives us a better starting point for the next jacket.
