Smartwool

Smartwool is owned by VF Corporation.

Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate Smartwool “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It uses some lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
• It’s set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain but there’s no evidence it is on track.
• It trains its designers to improve the circularity of its products.
• It’s published a biodiversity protection policy that applies to some of its supply chain.
• It produces high quality products.

Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate Smartwool “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• None of its supply chain is certified by crucial labour standards that help ensure worker health and safety, living wages, and other rights.
• It received a score of 61-70% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index.
• It provides leadership programs for women in its supply chain, which can lead to promotions and higher wages.
• There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
• During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it disclosed adequate policies to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate Smartwool “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:

• It has a formal policy aligned with the Five Domains of animal welfare.
• It appears to use leather.
• ZQ Merino Label certifies the wool it sources.
• It uses recycled wool in some of its wool products.
• It doesn’t appear to use down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair.
• It traces most animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate Smartwool “It’s a Start” overall.