The last time I wore this outfit was on the back of a dogsled while on expedition with Inuit hunters in East Greenland, nearly 20yrs ago. Those days, CAPESTORM was rated as a world-class technical brand, often worn by mountaineers summitting Everest, Polar explorers, or adventurers trekking into similarly extreme climates. The rather loud orange Puffer and Snow Pants in the bottom photo have been languishing at the back of my cupboard for another go at some sub-zero play, and the #GrootWinterhoek mountains this past weekend certainly came to the party 
We’re often quick to dump clothing because of changing fashion trends, but one of the best ways of treading lightly on our planet is to invest in technical gear that could arguably last a lifetime. As Yvon Chouinard – the man who started the Patagonia brand – states so eloquently: “I drive old cars, all my Patagonia clothes are years and years old, I hardly have anything new. I try to lead a very simple life. I am not a consumer of anything.”
This principle holds true when contributing to a #CircularEconomy by buying pre-loved clothing or equipment. Friends recently introduced me to the Yaga SA platform and it has been a revelation; you can literally buy the best (used) brands in the world for a fraction of the price, all while contributing to a sustainable and environmentally responsible lifestyle. And more often than not, the kit is so close to new that it nearly makes you feel guilty when you’re saving money as part of the bargain 