19 Brands Like Nau for Sustainable Outdoor Apparel

Explore brands like Nau offering sustainable outdoor apparel that seamlessly blends performance and minimalist design for both city and trail adventures.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

There's a reason so many people love Nau. The brand perfectly balances high-performance outdoor apparel with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that works just as well in the city as it does on the trail.

Nau's commitment to using sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and organic fibers is a huge plus for anyone looking to make more conscious choices. If you appreciate their sleek, functional style and eco-friendly ethos, here are 19 similar brands you should definitely explore next.

1. Patagonia

Patagonia is basically royalty in the world of sustainable outdoor gear. As a true pioneer in the space, they offer a massive range of jackets, fleeces, and activewear crafted from recycled materials and created through fair-trade practices. They are legendary for both their environmental activism and their seriously high-performance products.

Like Nau, Patagonia places a huge emphasis on durability and thoughtful sourcing. The main difference is that Patagonia often leans more into technical apparel designed for extreme conditions, while Nau’s pieces have a slightly more urban, everyday feel.

Shop now at patagonia.com

2. Arc'teryx

If you're looking for peak performance combined with a razor-sharp, sleek design, Arc'teryx is the one. This high-end outdoor brand is known for its incredible waterproof jackets, shells, and layering systems built to withstand the harshest weather. Their designs are ultra-clean and modern.

While both brands prioritize quality and a minimalist style, Arc'teryx gear is generally more specialized for serious expeditions and comes with a higher price tag. Nau, in contrast, offers a more accessible, casual style for everyday adventures.

Shop now at arcteryx.com

3. Everlane ReNew Collection

For those who love outdoor aesthetics but spend most of their time in the city, Everlane’s ReNew collection is a fantastic find. The line features outerwear and activewear made from recycled and sustainable fabrics, all executed with Everlane’s signature minimalist, modern style.

Compared to Nau, the ReNew collection is more fashion-forward and casual, with a strong focus on price transparency and affordability. It’s where eco-conscious production meets effortless urban cool.

Shop now at everlane.com

4. Prana

Prana delivers sustainable activewear and outdoor apparel with a distinctly relaxed, boho-chic vibe. You'll find everything from hiking gear and technical jackets to cozy leggings and tops, all made from organic and recycled materials.

They share Nau's deep commitment to eco-friendly production, but their aesthetic is more laid-back and free-spirited. If you want your sustainable gear to have a touch of bohemian flair, Prana is the perfect fit.

Shop now at prana.com

5. Cotopaxi

You can't miss Cotopaxi - and that's the point. This brand is known for its vibrant, color-blocked designs and its mission to fight global poverty through sustainable projects. Their jackets, fleeces, and accessories are all responsibly made from recycled and repurposed materials.

While Nau's style is minimalist and subtle, Cotopaxi's is bold, bright, and all about making a statement for a good cause. It's spirited gear with a social conscience.

Shop now at cotopaxi.com

6. Patagonia Black Hole Collection

This specific line from Patagonia is all about durable, eco-conscious bags and rugged outerwear built for adventure. The pieces in the Black Hole collection are famously tough and made from 100% recycled body fabric, making them both practical and planet-friendly.

This collection shares Nau's focus on utility and sustainability. The key difference is its specialization, offering some of the best bags and duffels in the game, perfect for explorers who need their gear to hold up to anything.

Shop now at patagonia.com

7. Fjallraven

This Swedish powerhouse is famous for its classic, functional, and exceptionally durable outdoor gear - especially the iconic Kanken backpacks and G-1000 jackets. Fjallraven is deeply committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly dyes and recycled materials throughout their line.

While also offering eco-friendly products, Fjallraven's style is more utilitarian and heritage-inspired with a distinct Scandinavian touch, whereas Nau leans more modern and minimalist.

Shop now at fjallraven.com

8. Tentree

The name says it all: Tentree plants ten trees for every single item purchased. The brand offers cozy and stylish outdoor apparel like hoodies, jackets, and activewear, all made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester.

Tentree combines sustainability and casual outdoor style in a way similar to Nau, but with a stronger focus on comfortable, everyday basics. It’s a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers who want their purchase to have a direct, positive impact.

Shop now at tentree.com

9. Patagonia Nano-Air Collection

Another standout collection from Patagonia, the Nano-Air line includes impossibly lightweight, breathable, and packable jackets designed for high-exertion outdoor activities. Made from recycled materials, these pieces provide warmth and performance without the bulk.

This collection aligns with Nau's passion for functional, sustainable tech wear. However, Nano-Air is highly specialized for active pursuits like climbing and skiing, offering featherlight performance where Nau offers a wider range of casual, multi-use outdoor styles.

Shop now at patagonia.com

10. Kuhl

Kuhl is all about creating outdoor apparel that prioritizes comfort, durability, and a great fit. Their clothing, which often features eco-conscious fabrics, is perfect for hiking, travel, and active days. They bring technical performance into a more laid-back aesthetic.

Like Nau, Kuhl succeeds at merging outdoor performance with urban-friendly style. Kuhl's vibe, however, is a bit more rugged and adventure-focused, designed for those who spend more time on the trail than the sidewalk.

Shop now at kuhl.com

11. Outerknown

Co-founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown delivers sustainable style with a cool, coastal vibe. Their collections include jackets, flannels, and pants crafted from organic and recycled materials. The look is minimalist and clean but with a definite surf-inspired ease.

Outerknown shares Nau's fundamental commitment to changing the apparel industry for the better. The primary stylistic difference is its relaxed, beachy aesthetic versus Nau's sleek, mountain-meets-city edge.

Shop now at outerknown.com

12. Rokkurr

As a newer player in the sustainable outdoor space, Rokkurr is making waves with thoughtfully designed technical jackets, pants, and layers. They use innovative recycled and biodegradable fabrics and champion transparency in their production processes.

Rokkurr is cut from the same eco-conscious cloth as Nau but with a more experimental and fresh approach. They're a great brand to watch for cutting-edge materials and design.

Shop now at rokkurr.com

13. Tierra & Agua

Tierra & Agua offers stylishly functional outdoor and activewear made from natural materials like organic cotton, hemp, and other recycled fabrics. Their pieces are designed to work well on an adventure while still looking chic day-to-day.

They align with Nau's earth-friendly principles but have a more artisanal, small-batch feel to their collections. It's a great choice for supporting a beautiful and independent brand in the sustainable space.

Shop now at tierraandagua.com

14. United By Blue

United By Blue's mission is right there in everything they do: for every product sold, they remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways. They make great outdoor apparel and accessories, like jackets and bags, using sustainable materials such as recycled polyester.

Like Nau, they blend sustainability with social impact. The main difference is United By Blue's sharp focus on cleaning up watersheds, which drives their brand narrative and appeals to environmentally conscious shoppers who want to contribute directly to that mission.

Shop now at unitedbyblue.com

15. Kara G.

Kara G. designs eco-conscious outdoor apparel specifically for active women. The brand emphasizes the use of sustainable dyes, recycled fabrics, and ethical manufacturing to create pieces that are both modern and highly functional.

It's an excellent alternative for those who appreciate Nau's sustainable mindset but are looking for clothing designed with women's-specific performance and fit needs at the forefront.

Shop now at karag.com

16. Veilance

A sub-label of Arc’teryx, Veilance is where high-performance technical apparel meets avant-garde, minimalist design. Their outerwear is crafted from cutting-edge sustainable fabrics, offering a supremely sleek silhouette that moves seamlessly through urban landscapes.

Veilance shares Nau's minimalist principles but pushes them into a more futuristic, technical, and luxurious direction. If you love clean lines and top-tier performance, Veilance is a must-see.

Shop now at veilance.com

17. Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia's Worn Wear program isn't a new brand but a brilliant initiative promoting the ultimate form of sustainability: reuse. Here, you can buy refurbished Patagonia gear or trade in your old pieces, extending the life of high-quality apparel.

This program is the perfect embodiment of the eco ethos championed by brands like Nau. It takes sustainability one step further by creating a circular economy, minimizing waste while giving great outdoor gear a second life.

Shop now at patagonia.com

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