OUR MATERIALS

Recycled Polyester

Our recycled polyester is made from post-consumer plastic water and soda bottles and less commonly from pre-consumer waste. Recycled polyester replaces energy-intensive, petroleum-derived materials traditionally used in equestrian products such as virgin polyester, polypropylene, and nylon.

Recycled polyester performs equally as well as 100% virgin polyester but requires 58% less energy and emits 45% fewer greenhouse gases than virgin polyester, all the while reducing our dependency on non-renewable resources.

Plastic Bottle to Girth

Oaklyn is committed to sourcing raw recycled polyester that meets the Global Recycled Standard. Learn more about the GRS here. 

Responsible Wool

Wool is a naturally occurring, biodegradable, renewable fiber that boasts an array of beneficial characteristics that are hard for humans to replicate in synthetics. Human-made synthetic fibers are petroleum-based requiring large amounts of energy and crude oil to produce. Synthetic alternatives are also not biodegradable which means they will likely end up in the waste stream or landfills.

We only source wool from American farmers who adhere to strict animal husbandry and land management standards, ensuring both the sheep and earth are treated humanely and respectfully. These farmers follow guidelines, called the Five Freedoms, that outline the humane treatment of animals that when followed, allow animals healthy, low stress, natural lifestyles that provides for all their basic needs.

The Five Freedoms

according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council
  • Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.
  • Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and comfortable resting areas.
  • Freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prevention, or rapid diagnosis and treatment of injuries or sickness.
  • Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals’ own kind.
  • Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions that avoid mental suffering.
Equestrian tack made with responsibly sourced wool

Non-Slip Neoprene

The production of limestone neoprene is an energy-intensive process, but there isn’t a perfect synthetic foam alternative. We spent countless hours exploring the market for a foam alternative that had the same durability, functionality, and low maintenance requirements that people love so much in neoprene. We found that every material we tried was met with limitations functionally or was a derivative from petrochemical processing. The plus side is that being sustainable is about looking at the bigger picture. While there is no perfect solution, neoprene IS entirely recyclable. So, return your tired, your weary, your wounded Oaklyn neoprene liner to us, we’ll recycle it for you and give you a 15% discount on your next purchase to cover the cost of shipping.

Screen Shot 2020-06-24 at 4.02.44 PM

Assembled in the USA

We proudly assemble our products in the USA. Domestic manufacturing not only supports our national economy and workforce but offers a higher level of quality control. We source raw materials from U.S. based businesses when feasible. We can rest assured knowing the folks manufacturing our products are not subjected to unsafe working conditions, unfair pay, or other forms of human labor exploitation that our government and unions protect against.

Packaging

The packaging we use to ship our products is not only durable, moisture, tear and tamper resistant but is also made from 100% recycled content and is fully recyclable. Our mailers have a dual self-seal adhesive strip so they can be reused for the next time you need to ship something. They are also made in the USA.

Have material recommendations? Whinny at us