The supply chains of our suppliers of fabrics and ingredients are almost completely bluesign certified. This means that independent auditors check whether they meet the strict bluesign requirements. For example, they must only use certified chemicals in safe processes, they must both save resources (energy, water) and provide a safe working environment for their employees. The factory where the product is sewn together is located in Vietnam and is audited at regular intervals - most recently by auditors from the Fair Wear Foundation in 2020.
JACK WOLFSKIN places great value on transparency and has therefore published its entire supply chain on its website: Corporate Responsibility - Supply Chain - JACK WOLFSKIN (jack-wolfskin.com)
A supplier code label is sewn into each of our products, enabling customers to track the production facility where the final product was made and the local working conditions. It is important to us that we maintain long-term, stable relationships with our production partners. We support them in the event of problems and, if necessary, work out joint and targeted solutions. The Corona pandemic in particular showed how important it is to work together in a spirit of trust. We see this as confirmation that we are on the right track. This backpack is made from GRS certified recycled materials. All fabrics are recycled, the main material and lining, as well as the elastic mesh material at the front, side and hip pockets and the padded airmesh at the carrying system.
The carrying system is unique in terms of sustainability, lightweight and in comfort. It is used in all hiking and cycling backpacks with body contact. The special feature of the Airmesh is that the 100% recycled polyester combines two types of construction: an Airmesh construction and a so-called tunnel construction, which alternate. This means that far fewer individual materials, cuts, sewing threads and steps are required. The tunnels are used to accommodate the foam, which is reduced to the minimum in its shape and contributes to wearing comfort with ventilation slits. The two ABS boards, also reduced to the bare minimum, are used for optimum load distribution. They are particularly flat and the corrugated structure increases stability. In addition, their slight S-curve traces the silhouette of the spine, which further increases wearing comfort.In addition, the modular design of the AEROSHAPE allows it to be used for a wide range of volumes and applications. This further increases efficiency and benefits. Resources are also conserved through the targeted contract production of the product. This is because only as many backpacks are produced as the retail trade wants to buy. An oversupply is thus specifically prevented. Jack Wolfskin does not select so-called „statement“ products for communicating the topic of sustainability. We implement sustainable products in multifunctional fields of activity that reach a large mass globally. This is how we achieve the greatest impact and attention and use our influence positively. By using recycled materials, valuable resources are saved. Also, in the design process of this product, we have taken care to reduce the use of resources and thus the complexity in the manufacturing process. The materials are largely bluesign approved and thus come from supply chains that produce according to best available technology (BAT) in terms of resource conservation, chemical use and occupational safety. We also pay attention to the reparability of the products during the design process and offer our customers a repair service and the possibility to order spare parts directly from us. Since 2020, the entire Jack Wolfskin backpack collection has been PFC-free, and since 2021, the entire equipment collection, including tents and sleeping bags. We used recycled materials for the first time in 2001 and have continuously increased this since then. Since 2014, we have offered backpacks and bags in the lifestyle segment that initially consisted of 50% recycled materials, but since 2019 have been made from 100% recycled materials. Added to this in 2019 were multifunctional hiking and travel backpacks made from recycled materials. The topic of sustainability plays an important role in the communication about our AEROSHAPE. We have developed our own product campaign to explain the recycling technology to customers. The topic of sustainability forms a central part of our overall communication. It has been part of our DNA since our founding and shapes our actions. Since last year, and especially as a result of the first lockdown, more and more people are exploring nature in their immediate surroundings. Many see „their trip into the countryside“ as a successful change of Corona‘s everyday life. The longing to get out and experience adventure in the near vicinity is often so great that the aspect of safety is completely pushed into the background. Jack Wolfskin sees an opportunity to provide support here by making customers traceable through the tracking system.
The necessary preparation and experience, the knowledge of the external circumstances, such as the weather, but also the wayfinding, if the cell phone times fails, is mostly neglected unfortunately. As a result, the rescue centers receive an increasing number of missing person searches, especially from people who get into an emergency situation while hiking. These emergency situations are especially frequent during non-professional activities, such as hiking, berry picking or cycling tours. Sports that require expertise, such as climbing, are not as affected here. The permanently integrated SAR (search and rescue) reflector in the backpack makes it easier to find missing persons, even in inaccessible terrain such as rocks or even dense forest. Within just one minute, an area of ten football fields can be searched by radar. The integrated radar reflector in the backpack is maintenance-free, works without registration and weighs only 4 grams. The safety feature is „on top“ of the backpack. The placement of the reflector also plays a major role. Rescue workers have evaluated that people have a greater chance of being found if the reflector is placed on top of the backpack facing upward. Jack Wolfskin sees great potential in combining backpacks with tracking systems with the issue of sustainability. The demand for products with tracking systems is increasing and this combination has not yet been widely available on the market. Jack Wolfskin would also like to draw even more attention to these dangers, raise awareness of the issue and intensify its communication in this area. Information about the tracking system and helpful tips via a QR code on the backpack are available on the website. The topic of sustainability will also be addressed in detail in the course of our anniversary communication for our 40th anniversary. You can find more information here: https://www.jack-wolfskin.de/40jahre/stories/?eVar50=intern.home.DE.21CW13-magazine-40-years-stories