Blog

FUTURUM repeatedly proves that performance-oriented cycling clothing can also be highly sustainable.

Text: Rik Booltink
Photography: FUTURUM

“We are all becoming more critical and demanding more from our purchases, especially in terms of sustainability. And rightly so,” says Harmen van der Meulen. After FuturumShop, he founded FUTURUM in 2014, a clothing brand for athletic cyclists that strongly emphasizes sustainability. “The sustainable approach is my personal driving force. I believe you should strive to improve things when you know they're not right. Cycling clothing is an example of this. By doing it ourselves, we have more control over the production process and can do things differently. It would be ethically irresponsible if we did things the same way as much of the industry does now. Just look at the use of PFCs (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals). Many brands still unabashedly spray these on the outer layer of a cycling jacket to make it water-resistant. But how can you do that when you already know that PFCs are harmful to humans and the environment? You must then, in my opinion, do everything in your power to do it differently. That's exactly what FUTURUM does.”

One Kit for All Seasons

FUTURUM's first milestone, ten years ago, was the introduction of 4 SEASONS. This clothing was based on Van der Meulen's personal desire to be able to ride with bib shorts both in summer and winter. He also wanted a jacket suitable for various conditions. “We then developed a sustainable, warm bib that isn’t too cold in winter and can be combined with leg warmers. We designed a matching, water-repellent jacket. Handmade in Europe, with materials that last long. Our idea was that with one clothing set, you could basically ride comfortably in all four seasons.”

Sustainable Merino Wool

FUTURUM has been known since its inception for its use of Merino wool in cycling clothing. Merino wool has sublime properties, particularly in terms of comfort and body temperature regulation. Your performance gets a positive boost. Above all, the wool is fully biodegradable. This is especially important considering washing cycles. “Whether you want it or not, particles come loose in the washing machine. By using Merino, and not synthetic materials, we ensure that these particles do not contribute to an even larger plastic soup in the ocean,” says Van der Meulen.

More Innovations

FUTURUM initially introduced base layers made almost entirely of Merino wool. This was by no means easy, as the fine yarns are difficult to use on knitting machines. After much consultation, pioneering work, and testing, FUTURUM managed to come up with an excellent product. Later, shirts and windbreakers made of Merino wool followed.

The most recent innovation with Merino wool is the renewed 4 SEASONS jacket, which became available at the beginning of this year after two and a half years of development. “The inside is now made of Merino wool,” explains Van der Meulen. “We wanted to launch this new jacket earlier, but in our opinion, the result is only now optimal. The development has not been easy, neither for us nor for our suppliers and partners. We combine a synthetic fabric—the jacket's outside is made of this—with a natural one. This mix, laminating both fabrics together, is challenging. Moreover, the Merino wool fabric must be very durable. The biggest challenge was creating the 3D structure of the inner layer and correctly adjusting the state-of-the-art machine we use for this.”

FUTURUM: PFC-Free

Those who choose cycling clothing from FUTURUM have some sustainable certainties. The items are made in Europe, so transport distances are short. In addition, they are completely PFC-free. “Our jacket, for example, contains no PFCs in the coating and is still water-repellent. I think that's really important, and fortunately, more and more people agree with me. Recently, I read about frying pans with a non-stick coating containing PFCs: they weren't sold at all anymore. People are starting to pay attention. Unfortunately, not all cycling clothing brands are on the same page, even though some claim to be sustainable.”

Fewer Synthetic Materials

FUTURUM also consciously chooses to gradually reduce the proportion of synthetic materials. “Synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon, and lycra simply still form the basis of cycling and sports clothing on the market. By being innovative, you can come up with increasingly better, sustainable alternatives. Think, for example, of trousers with 60% natural materials and 40% synthetic. The alternative solution must, in any case, guarantee high quality so that the clothing lasts a long time. We are continuously developing this.”

Incomprehensible

Van der Meulen sees that FUTURUM is one of the leading pioneers in the international cycling clothing industry in terms of sustainability. “I hope more brands will follow in light of the interests involved. And they will have to, because I am certain that at some point, every cyclist will start demanding more sustainable products. I find it incomprehensible that outdoor brands now sell themselves as sustainable, but in reality, they are not. They say: 'Half of the fleece in our clothing is recycled.' That sounds nice, but fleece is just polyester. It’s a brushed fabric; a lot comes loose in the wash. All microplastics. Why not use Merino that has the same properties?”

Production in Europe

A sustainable product is one thing. But transport and delivery must also be sustainable, according to FUTURUM. Therefore, the clothing is produced in Europe and delivered to your home in a paper bag. The use of disposable plastic is out of the question. “With a paper envelope, you ship little air. The envelope can even serve as shipping packaging if you order one clothing item from FUTURUM,” says Van der Meulen. “We use environmentally friendly black ink on the packaging to a limited extent, which does not hinder the recycling of the packaging.”