Great gear starts with respecting the people who make it and the environment we all explore. Our manufacturing partners operates under our Code of Conduct. VAI-KO supports international conventions concerning human rights and environmental actions, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, and the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Here is how we hold ourselves and our partners accountable:
Fair Labor & Living Wages
Employment must always be voluntary and we do not accept any form of discrimination against employees. We require our partners to pay a living wage that covers basic needs, not just a legal minimum. Safe working conditions and regulated working hours are mandatory.
Environmental Standards
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations is required and facilities must have relevant permits for their operations. We expect efficient use of water and energy, responsible waste management, and compliance with the European REACH chemical regulation.
Animal Welfare
We are committed to animal rights and do not accept any violation of animals during production. All animal-derived materials must come from sources that comply with animal welfare laws.
3rd Party Audits
Our partners outside of the EU undergo annual independent 3rd party audits covering labor standards, health and safety, and business ethics. We closely review our partner's audit reports, request renewed certificates, and follow up on any required corrective actions.
Organic Merino Wool Beanies & Accessories
Merino wool is nature’s ultimate performance fiber. It keeps you warm without making you sweat. It is naturally antibacterial, which means less washing and no bad odors and it is soft enough for sensitive skin.
Here is exactly how our organic merino beanies and accessories are made:
- The Farm (Patagonia, Argentina): Traceable to audited organic farms under the SENASA protocol. Sheep graze freely in sensible herd sizes to prevent soil erosion. No harmful pesticides or unnecessary antibiotics are used.
- Local Processing: Raw wool is processed locally in Patagonia. This supports local jobs and cuts down on shipping emissions before the wool is spun.
- The Yarn (Europe): Spun and dyed by a Bluesign® and GOTS-certified partner to guarantee responsible resource and chemical management. We do not use synthetic "superwash" treatments. This keeps the yarn 100% natural, highly breathable, and fully compostable at the end of its life.
- The Knitting (Finland): Knitted locally under local & EU labor rights. The factory runs on 100% renewable wind and hydro energy and uses zero water. Some of our beanies are knitted to shape with zero cutting waste. For products that do generate cutting waste, the material is donated for industry needs, for example as insulation.
Recycled Wool Beanies & Accessories
Recycled wool offers the reliable warmth of traditional wool while giving a second life to existing fibers.
- The Source (France): The yarn is spun in France from post-consumer textiles, specifically reused wool sweaters.
- Water and Chemical Savings: The recycled material is not re-dyed. This saves water and chemicals during yarn production compared to virgin wool. The yarn itself is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified.
- The Knitting (Lithuania): The beanies are knitted in Lithuania using a zero cutting waste method. The manufacturing facility operates on renewable energy and is part of the EMAS environmental management program.
Organic Cotton Clothing
For our t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies, we use organic cotton because it is highly breathable, comfortable next to the skin, and built for everyday wear.
- Manufacturing (India): Our partner handles the entire production, including spinning the yarn, knitting the fabric, and making the finished garments.
- Certifications: The production holds GOTS certification for spinning, knitting, and garment making. The garment facility also holds OEKO-TEX® STeP certification at Level 3, the highest possible level, ensuring strict chemical management, environmental performance, and social responsibility.
- Energy and Water: The facility is powered by solar and wind energy alongside non-renewable electricity. They actively monitor their usage, and wastewater from the printing process is treated and reused.
- Auditing and Follow Up: The facility undergoes annual independent SMETA audits covering labor standards, health and safety, and business ethics. We closely review our partner's audit reports, request renewed certificates, and follow up on any required corrective actions.
Merino Wools Socks
Merino wool socks are great for everyday wear, especially during the colder seasons, but they also perform perfectly on long hikes.
- Manufacturing: Our socks are knitted locally in Finland.
- The Blend: Made with 56 merino, 43 polyamide, 1 lycra.
- Smart Synthetics: We use synthetic fibers strategically to improve quality and strength. The polyamide in our socks is placed only in the sole, giving the socks much better durability exactly where they need it most.
- The merino wool is mulesing-free and Nativa-certified.
Linen, Polyester & Organic Cotton Caps
Our caps utilize different materials depending on the conditions they are built for.
- Linen: A natural powerhouse for outdoor headwear. It is highly breathable, wicks away moisture, and is naturally quick-drying, making it an ideal choice for warm summer days. It actually gets stronger when wet and comes from the flax plant, a hardy crop requiring very little water and pesticides
- Polyester & Recycled Blends: We prefer to use recycled polyester made from plastic bottles. While we prioritize recycled fibers, some of our caps contain virgin polyester blended with other fibres, such as wool in our winter caps.
- Organic Cotton: The cotton used in our caps is organic.
- Manufacturing (China): These products are made in China by 3rd party audited manufacturers.
Recycled Polyester Accessories
The Material: Our hip packs are made from recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles. The recycled polyester used is a GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified material.
Manufacturing (China): These products are made in China by 3rd party audited manufacturers.
If you have any questions, our customer service team at hello@vai-ko.com is happy to answer.
