- moisture-wicking: keeps you dry by transporting sweat away from the body.
- durable: resists stretching, shrinking, and fading.
- lightweight: ideal for speed and performance.
responsibility
since day one we’ve worked to build the best products we can using the least harmful methods at our disposal. our responsibility lies in knowing that we need to continue to work towards better, in every aspect of what we do, covering product development through manufacturing, route to market and community action.
below you’ll find some of the ideas we’ve put into action. we won’t stop there, as we constantly challenge ourselves to find ways to improve. we all need “more better”.
fibers and fabrics
explore the innovative materials behind the performance and protection of our technical performance equipment. from REPREVE® recycled fibers to naturally versatile merino wool, every fabric choice is purpose-driven, pushing boundaries in sustainability and performance.
fabric choices and sustainability
most of our caps and apparel use recycled fibers made from post-consumer water bottles, manufacturing scraps, and other "waste." recycled content helps reduce waste and environmental impact, and certifications like REPREVE® and GRS ensure these fibers are traceable. you can find specific details on every product page.
the fibers we use
we prioritize recycled and biodegradable materials to minimize landfill waste and reduce reliance on virgin polyester and nylon. here’s a breakdown of the key fibers we use:
recycled polyester / polyester:
recycled nylon / nylon:
- strength: built to endure wear and tear.
- moisture-wicking: keeps you comfortable and dry.
recycled cotton / cotton:
- comfort: soft against the skin.
- breathable: helps regulate body temperature.
- hypoallergenic: suitable for all skin types.
merino wool:
- temperature regulation: adapts to keep you cool or warm.
- moisture management: absorbs moisture, remains dry, and resists odor.
- natural insulation: warmth without bulk, perfect for layering.
silk:
- lightweight: comfort without added weight.
- strength: durable and resilient.
- temperature regulation: balances insulation and breathability.
- softness: reduces friction for effortless movement.
hemp:
- eco-friendly: grown with minimal water and no pesticides.
- breathable: naturally moisture-wicking.
- durable: withstands wear over time.
fabric certifications
our recycled fibers meet REPREVE® or GRS standards, ensuring traceability and responsible practices across the supply chain. certifications like Bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 prioritize safety by reducing harmful substances. additionally, all our products are BPA- and PFC-free. for merino wool, we use mulesing-free sources that uphold humane animal treatment.
percentage of fibers
today, the majority of our headwear collection is crafted with REPREVE® recycled performance yarns. these cutting-edge fibers transform plastic bottles into high-quality, sustainable polyester—and are fully traceable and certifiable.
between 2019 and 2023, we used over 9,074 kilograms of REPREVE® recycled polyester in our headwear collections. this choice diverted approximately 540,000 plastic bottles from landfills, cut 17,300 kilograms of co₂, saved 496,000 mj of fossil fuels, and conserved 78,800 gallons of freshwater.
product care
caring for your gear is key0 to keeping it performing at its best—for today’s run and many more to come. follow these simple wash and care tips to help your technical caps and apparel last longer.
washing instructions
check the label: always follow the care instructions on your garment’s label.
cold water wash: wash in cold water to prevent shrinking and color fading. wash with like colors, and make sure zippers are zipped and any velcro is secured.
gentle cycle: use a gentle or delicate cycle to protect fabrics and maintain their performance.
mild detergent: choose a mild, eco-friendly detergent free of harsh chemicals and fabric softeners.
drying tips
air dry only: skip the tumble dryer. lay flat or hang your gear to air dry.
avoid direct sunlight: dry garments away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and material breakdown.
responsible care
spot clean: for small stains, spot clean instead of washing the entire item to extend its lifespan.
air it out: after use, air out your gear to remove moisture and odors—reducing the need for frequent washing.
skip fabric softeners: fabric softeners can leave residues that impact moisture-wicking and breathability. plus, they’re not environmentally friendly.
protect your gear: be mindful of sharp objects, zippers, and rough surfaces to avoid snags or tears.
bright colors: wash bright, saturated colors separately to prevent dye transfer and keep them vibrant. avoid contact with light-colored fabrics.
life beyond wear
when your gear’s running days are over, don’t toss it—repurpose it. reinvent, donate, trade, or recycle it to give it a second life.check out creative projects from our community for inspiration on how to keep your gear out of landfills on our journal page.
supply chain partners
we carefully select the people and companies we work with across all aspects of our business—from manufacturers to packaging suppliers to logistic providers providers. we prioritize working with those who share our values and help drive us toward our vision.
where are products are made
where and how a product is made matters as much as the product itself. this belief shapes our manufacturing choices, focusing on regions and partners known for their expertise in technical performance gear.
vietnam:
vietnam is a global leader in technical garment production, renowned for its skilled workforce and cutting-edge facilities. this allows us to achieve the durability and attention to detail you have come to expect from us. our vietnamese manufacturing partners hold certifications that reflect their commitment to responsible practices:
ISO 9001: ensures consistent quality management and compliance with customer and regulatory standards.
ISO 14001: sets standards for reducing environmental impact through effective management systems.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: certifies products are free from harmful substances and safe for human use.
HIGG FEM (Facility Environmental Module): evaluates environmental responsibility across manufacturing facilities.
HIGG FSLM (Facility Social & Labor Module): assesses labor practices to promote safe, fair working conditions.
europe
select items, like our HLS Sorino | WS pieces, are produced in europe, where we collaborate with mills and factories known for their high-quality materials, sustainability, and niche expertise. european manufacturing allows us to use innovative techniques and bring a specialized focus to certain products.
how we choose our partners
in 2024, we partnered with EcoVadis, a globally recognized sustainability platform, to ensure our manufacturing partners align with our values. EcoVadis evaluates environmental, social, and ethical practices across supply chains, giving us and our partners greater transparency and actionable insights. through this collaboration, we support our partners in meeting benchmarks for responsible manufacturing while ensuring quality, integrity, and care for the planet.
product development
every piece of equipment we create is guided by a commitment to product, environment, and people. we ensure our products are designed to move with you, using the least harmful methods at our disposal.
product
innovation, performance, and protection are at the heart of every ciele athletics design. from advanced materials to precise construction and extensive testing with a diverse selection of runners, each product is made with the runner in mind.
environment
from using recycled materials like REPREVE® recycled polyester to partnering with EcoVadis for full supply chain transparency, our goal is to minimize impact without compromising quality.
people
the people behind our products matter. we work with factories that uphold the highest standards, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and shared respect for everyone involved.
product packaging
we partner with GROUNDED® and noissue® to deliver a premium and responsible experience.
GROUNDED® PapermadeTM boxes
made from 100% recycled paper that’s FSC-certified, these boxes are fully recyclable. just remove the shipping label before reusing or recycling.
noissue® tissue paper
our tissue paper is FSC-certified, recyclable, compostable, and made from recycled materials. printed with soy-based inks, it can be reused or composted at home.
we’re also experimenting with #invisiblebag—water-soluble, compostable, biodegradable, and non-toxic bags that leave no harmful residue. this innovation would help us reduce our use of plastic polybags.
order shipment?
standard deliveries
all standard deliveries within canada are carbon-neutral. we partner with Canada Post, who offset emissions generated by ground shipping while working towards emission reduction targets across their operations.
premium deliveries
for faster shipping, we use FedEx. between 2009 and 2020, FedEx reduced CO2 emissions intensity by nearly 40% while handling a 110% increase in daily package volume. their goal is carbon neutrality by 2040.
other facts
our Vietnamese headwear factory is LEED gold certified. this signifies that their building meets high standards for sustainability and environmental performance, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality, as established by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
our Lithuanian factory is one of few vertically integrated organizations with SA8000 certification. SA8000 is a globally recognized rigorous standard for improving working conditions in factories and workplaces. it focuses on social accountability and is based on international labor laws and human rights principles. our factory is also commitment to environmentally friendly practices, such as utilizing energy-efficient technologies (100% renewable energy sources for their entire production chain), recycling water in production processes, and reducing waste through innovative manufacturing techniques.
B Corp
“the B Corp certification is recognition of our efforts to continuously find solutions to do better for everyone we work with and for the world we live in. it’s a starting point for better impact and relationship management, supported by concrete tools, considered actions, clear objectives, and anchored in a community of like-minded businesses that we’ll work with to do better in every aspect of our business.”
- Mike Giles & Jeremy Bresnen, co-founders
B Corp overview
the B Corp certification is a label awarded to businesses that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, as assessed by a third party. it’s a reflection of our commitment to ethics, transparency, and responsible decision-making across every part of our business.
the b lab, the nonprofit behind B Corp certification, works to use business as a force for good, building a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. learn more about their mission at bcorporation.net.
B Corp's importance to us
our B Corp journey made us a stronger company. it pushed us to improve transparency, accountability, and decision-making, while reinforcing the values that shape our culture.
the certification process helped us identify strengths, uncover areas for growth, and establish long-term ways to ensure responsibility is always at the core of what we do.
the B Impact assessment prompted us to rethink business practices and consider better solutions. it covered everything from human resources, accounting, and operations to product design, manufacturing, logistics, and customer care. the process made us better—now, it’s our responsibility to keep moving towards better.
this is just the beginning. as a B Corp, we embrace the challenge to continuously improve while growing alongside B Lab, who remains committed to upholding the most rigorous social and environmental standards.
integrating social and environmental goals into decision-making
it’s a collective effort. everyone at ciele shares the responsibility of considering the impact of their decisions—from product development and supply chain partnerships to employee wellbeing and community action.
to guide this, we use a 6-question decision-making tool that reflects the DNA of our company and the thinking that has shaped our work since day one:
1 - would we be willing to share this initiative publicly?
2 - will it create a strain on our financial situation? if so, is it justified?
3 - will it help improve justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within our team or wider community? whose perspectives are missing, and how can we include them?
4 - what is the environmental impact, and is there a less harmful alternative?
5 - will it create a strain on employee workload or wellbeing?
6 - will this move us towards better?
“better” is our guiding star. the B Corp certification recognizes our efforts to keep finding ways to do better—for our team, our community, and the planet we share.
supplier code of conduct
we expect all suppliers, vendors, and sub-contractors to meet or exceed local laws and regulations. this includes compliance with environmental standards, health and safety laws, and employment standards. employments standards cover areas such as paying at least minimum wage or higher, providing overtime pay and limiting overtime hours, prohibiting child labor and forced labor, ensuring non-discrimination in the workplace, and offering fair and appropriate employee benefits.
ciele products must be made under safe, fair, legal, and humane working conditions at every level of the supply chain.
code of conduct
1.0 workers
1.1 employment is freely chosen
workers must be able to choose employment freely, without any form of coercion, discrimination, or intimidation.
1.2 no forced labor
no use of forced, bonded, indentured, or prison labor is permitted in any form.
1.3 no child labor
workers must be at least 15 years old or meet the legal minimum age for employment in the country of manufacture, whichever is higher. workers under 18 must not work in hazardous conditions or tasks that could compromise their health, safety, or moral development.
1.4 no discrimination
every worker deserves equal treatment and respect, regardless of gender, race, religion, nationality, age, or disability.
1.5 fair wages
workers must be paid at least the legal minimum wage or the prevailing industry standard—whichever is higher—with efforts made to move toward a fair living wage. overtime pay and legally mandated benefits, like paid leave or social security, must also be provided in full compliance with local laws.
1.6 safe and healthy working conditions
suppliers must provide a safe, healthy workplace. this includes proper ventilation, lighting, sanitation, and protection from hazardous materials or equipment. regular health and safety training must be conducted, and emergency plans and first-aid facilities must be in place and clearly communicated.
1.7 freedom of association and collective bargaining
workers must be free to join unions and engage in collective bargaining without fear of retaliation or discrimination.
2.0 ethical business preactices
suppliers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and operate with integrity, honesty, and transparency. this includes a firm commitment to anti-corruption and fair dealings in all aspects of business.
3.0 environmental responsibilit
suppliers must minimize their environmental impact through sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, conserving energy and water, recycling, and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions. hazardous materials must be handled and disposed of responsibly.
4.0 compliance and monitoring
suppliers must adhere to this code of conduct and all applicable laws. ciele may monitor compliance through audits or other means, and facilities are expected to cooperate fully and transparently.