The increasing public awareness and sense of social responsibility related to environmental issues have led the textile industry to manufacture products with improved environmental profiles. This article evaluates processes used to produce cotton, wool, nylon, polyester, rayon, lyocell (Tencel®), and leather, and their potential environmental impacts using selected criteria. An analysis of the measures the textile industry has taken to reduce the adverse environmental impacts is provided. Finally, the textile industry's and consumers' responsibilities in moving toward the production of environmentally sound textile products are discussed. The assessment of the environmental impact of a product is a complex issue, and solutions cannot be achieved without action by the government, industry, and the consumers.

The purpose of this study is to design and evaluate a single-layer garment that incorporates different textiles to improve the physiological comfort of backpackers hiking in cold weather conditions. The objectives are to identify comfort needs, to design a prototype shirt, and to evaluate comfort and performance of the prototype over time, in comparison to a control. Qualitative data were collected by interviewing wilderness backpackers regarding their physiological comfort needs and hiking clothing preferences. Findings were used to develop a prototype garment and a control garment. Both garments were wearing tested by subjects while backpacking. Additionally, thermal properties of both garments were measured using a thermal manikin and compared. Major findings from the qualitative interviews revealed that subjects preferred hiking shirts made with synthetic fibers and style features that helped regulate body heat. Overall, subjects preferred greater thermal insulation in the chest and the arms, and less in the underarms and upper back area where the backpack sits. Additionally, subjects were concerned about durability. A prototype garment was constructed using a combination of three fabrics, specifically a thermal fabric, a moisture wicking fabric, and a control fabric, strategically placed in different areas of the body. A control garment was constructed using only the control fabric. Wear test data indicated that both the control and prototype garments were perceived as comfortable overall when worn in cold conditions. Thermal manikin testing results confirmed that although the overall thermal insulation of both test shirts was equal, the prototype had greater or less thermal insulation than the control in specific body areas; this suggests that use of specialized fabrics in targeted body areas can potentially satisfy backpackers' needs of both retaining and dissipating body heat with changes in physical activity.