Boycott Black Friday? Here are your best options for shopping sustainably in 2024

Black Friday is the complete opposite of sustainability. Buying things has become too fast, not allowing us to determine if we need the products. This leads people to overspend and replace their perfectly functioning belongings. In short, everything that is wrong with capitalism is on display at the annual business event.

I look at deals for months every year and see a lot of redundant deals. Things are getting cheaper and cheaper, especially technology and fashion, which I appreciate makes it that much harder to resist buying new things. This is a vicious cycle perpetuated by for-profit companies who want to make (too much) money without caring what that means for the planet and for us.

However, it is not impossible to make the right purchasing choice, even during Black Friday. Many manufacturers and retailers today are trying to make a difference.

Patagonia is probably the most famous (remember the “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign?), but other companies are doing their best to ease the pressure of overconsumption on nature.

Of course, the best thing you can do is not buy anything, but if you’re feeling the pressure, check out some of the most sustainable options below, from Finisterre and Vivobarefoot to Vaude and Cotopaxi.

(Image credit: Finisterre)

Finistère

Born from its owner’s love of the sea, British outdoor company Finisterre is one of those brands that knows all its suppliers by first name and walks the talk when it comes to supporting people through the Finisterre Foundation. This Black Friday, like every Black Friday, the company is not offering sales, but you will find some good deals in the brand’s Last Chance sale.

(Image credit: Patagonia)

Patagonia

Patagonia, of all companies, needs no introduction. When you purchase a product from the company, it donates 1% of the total sale to environmental nonprofits. Patagonia then reinvests a portion of the profits into business priorities and donates all remaining profits to win urgent environmental fights.

A champion of sustainable development, the brand continually offers its equipment from the previous season at a lower cost as part of its last season’s equipment sales. Here you can find fleeces, coats, pants and much more at a discounted price. If you want to give something back to the community, check out Patagonia’s volunteer page, where you’ll find worthy causes to dedicate your time to.

(Image credit: Ciele)

Sky Athletics

B-Corp Certified Ciele is one of my favorite running brands. It is best known for its performance-oriented, highly functional caps and hats, which you can often purchase for less at the company’s archive sale. The sale is on until the end of Cyber ​​Monday, so if something catches your eye, be sure to complete your payment before then.

(Image credit: SunGod)

Sun God

SunGod, another certified B-Corp, offers performance and lifestyle sunglasses for demanding athletes. For Black Friday, Sungod is offering a free pair for every pair of sunglasses purchased. I recommend choosing those with an Infinite frame, which uses 100% recycled plastic instead of the virgin variety.

(Image credit: Cotopaxi)

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi is well known for its colorful style, cool attitude and quality products. Her Del Dia collection uses factory scraps to create unique products that, in my opinion, often look cooler than the original. Thanks to Cotopaxi’s Good Quality Guarantee program, if there is a problem with your equipment, they will happily repair it, replace it or credit your return. The brand is currently running a 25% off sale on fall and winter best sellers, with savings on coats, vests and more.

(Image credit: Vaude)

Vaudé

German mountaineering equipment brand Vaude is probably one of the most affordable brands. It has a high rating on the Good On You website, which ranks clothing manufacturers based on their sustainability. The brand doesn’t have a dedicated Black Friday sale, but you can buy discounted products across all categories (women’s, men’s, kids’).

(Image credit: Vivobarefoot)

Probably the most well-known name in barefoot shoes, Vivobarefoot emphasizes the need to make its manufacturing process as circular as possible and help people relearn how to walk properly. Vivo doesn’t do Black Friday, but you can trade any old sneakers to recycle and get 20% off a pair of full-price Vivos. It’s not just Vivo shoes: sneakers from all brands! Learn more about the offer at Vivobarefoot.

(Image credit: The North Face)

The North Face

The North Face scores surprisingly well on Good On You, with the only area of ​​criticism being the living wage paid to people working in the company’s supply chain. Many probably associate TNF with street fashion; however, the brand also makes excellent mountaineering gear. For Black Friday, you can get 30% off all orders over £200 in the UK and save up to 40% on select styles in the US.