Scandinavian Outdoor Award: Sustainability winners revealed

The Scandinavian Outdoor Award jury has announced its winners for Fall/Winter 25/26. Find out who won the prestigious Sustainability Award and Innovation Award.

After thorough outdoor testing and lively discussions in the Bavarian Forest, the international jury of outdoor journalists and gear experts has selected the winners of Scandinavian Outdoor Award Fall/Winter 25/26.

Highly functional winter jackets made from windproof and water-resistant cotton have been around in Scandinavia for decades. Now, the Sustainability Award recognizes Knowledge Cotton Apparel’s Vent Canvas 200 Classic Jacket for bringing a new level of sustainability into the category due to its genuine holistic approach.

Made from 100% Supima organic cotton, the jacket offers windproof and water-resistant performance with minimal use of synthetic materials. Its versatility makes it equally suited for urban commutes and rugged outdoor excursions.

During testing, the jury stated that the jacket works great both in nature and cities.

“We all love it,” one tester said.

Knowledge Cotton Apparel’s Vent Canvas 200 Classic Jacket

Highlighting functional innovation

The standard way to create odor free fabrics is to apply silver particles that reduce the amount of bacteria that start to smell. Learning from trees, the Finnish brand NordShield developed a new technology –  BioLay – which earned it the Innovation Award.

Coating each fiber with the biocide-free BioLayr helps ensure bacteria cannot build up within the fabric. During testing, jury members wore shirts for a few days in a row without them developing any bad odors. This new technology has already also been used in apparel made for the health business to reduce the amount of viruses and bacteria in hospitals etc.

Photo: NordShield

 

ABOUT SCANDINAVIAN OUTDOOR AWARD

Since 2005 the competition for the Scandinavian Outdoor Award, hosted by Scandinavian Outdoor Group (SOG), aims to support product and design innovations as well as to promote new Scandinavian outdoor products. The Award enjoys a high recognition thanks to the most thorough evaluation process of the industry.

The jury contains of some of the most prestigious outdoor journalists, retailers and bloggers in Europe and since the products get tested in practice and outdoor environment, the award has gained high respect and recognition in outdoor industry and retail. The international jury awards the best products based on Functionality, Quality, Innovation, Design Sustainability, and Performance. Awards are given in five categories: Overall Winner, Sustainability, Innovation, True Scandinavia, and Liftestyle.

scandinavianoutdooraward.com

Lead Photo: Victoria Reim from NORR Agency (the agency behind Suston Magazine) joined the jury.

SUSTON
jonathan.eidse@norragency.com


More Stories

Defy the Elements with eVent Fabrics

Discover eVent fabrics’ lightweight, plant-based laminates—stormST, stormburstLT, and windstormST—offering superior waterproof, breathable, and weather-resistant technology for outdoor and active lifestyles.

By eVent
Testing shell jackets in Swedish Lapland, where extreme conditions push outdoor apparel to its limits.

Detoxing shell jackets—are we finally there?

Even before PFAS became a hot topic, the shell jacket was the most discussed and tested garment in the outdoor industry. Has a new, PFAS-free performance benchmark been found? Suston seeks answers in Swedish Lapland.

By Gabriel Arthur

Guide: Top 7 “Open Source” Sustainability Tools

Explore how open-source initiatives like Open Supply Hub and Material Facts promote transparency and tackle ESG challenges in the outdoor industry.

By Jonathan Eidse

Will sustainability labels survive incoming EU legislation?

As sustainability claims face increasing scrutiny, new EU regulations aim to prevent misleading labels. Suston Magazine explores the implications of the Green Claims Directive, showcasing perspectives from experts and industry leaders navigating the changing landscape.

By Gabriel Arthur

More News