Organic Ventile®
Completely natural, organic cotton fabric
Ventile® Eco Organic is a completely natural fabric made from organic cotton fibres grown without synthetic fertilisers, toxic pesticides and with lower water consumption, and which has PFC-free water repellency. Ventile® Eco Organic fabrics are Global Organic Textile Standard certified. As with all Ventile® fabrics, the Organic option is durable, highly breathable and quiet - perfect for hunting, nature watching, bushcraft, nature photography and cold weather sports. Hilltrek garments made with Organic Ventile® offer our customers greater levels of outdoor clothing choice where sustainability, low environmental impact and a recognition of the move towards slow fashion are of personal importance.
Organic cotton
Ventile® Eco Organic is made from organic cotton grown without synthetic fertilisers or toxic pesticides, using sustainable methods with a lower environmental impact. This process helps to protect fertile soil, which, in turn, locks in CO2 gas, and supports against climate change. Workers are more healthy, there is better traceability and there is a positive impact on workers livelihood and health. In 2015 alone an estimated 218 billion liters of water was saved by farmers growing organic instead of conventional cotton. With the fashion and textiles industry as the ‘thirstiest’ industry on the planet, a move toward organic cotton over conventional upland cotton is a step in the right direction.
Importantly, Organic Ventile® also uses a PFC-free water repellency as durable water repellent (DWR), based on paraffin wax in place of C6 fluorocarbon. As well as being powerful greenhouse gases, PFC's are persistent in the environment and a potential risk to human health causing certain cancers, infertility, weakening immune systems and impacting foetal development.
An investment in Hilltrek Organic Ventile® clothing has an impact far wider than simply having a new garment to wear.
Organic Ventile® performance
The organic cotton used in creating our Organic Ventile® range has no impact on performance - like all Ventile the fabric is durable, highly breathable and quiet. However, the PFC-free water repellency gives the garments has a slightly lower hydrostatic head, increased water absorption and no oil repellency compared with non-organic Ventile®.
Most users will not see any significant difference in performance, although the garments will require more care. For professional users this will mean that washing often will require the DWR to be restored with Nikwax TX Direct. We are convinced that many of our customers with a concern for the environment will be prepared to accept the slightly lower performance and more careful care requirements in return for the contribution to a more sustainable existence.
Which products are available in Organic Ventile®?
A selection of our clothing is available in Ventile® Eco Organic See all Organic Ventile® products here
We will continue to add to our Organic range as the manufacturer of Ventile® increases the range of Ventile® Eco Organic fabrics available in different colours and weights. Long term, our objective is to offer our entire range in Organic Ventile®.
Why do Organic versions cost more?
Ventile® Eco Organic fabric is currently more expensive due to the availability of organic cotton and production methods. We are hopeful that costs will decrease as production increases and the benefits of organic methods bring efficiencies.
Find out more.
For more information about Organic Ventile® read:
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Ventile is a trade mark of Stotz & Co. AG, formerly Talbot Weaving Ltd
Analogy is a trade mark of Nikwax Ltd