Study: Outdoor Gear Brings Microplastics to Backcountry

October 21, 2025

From backpacks and apparel to shoes and trekking poles — lots of outdoor gear has become lighter and more durable in recent years. But those advancements are often the result of synthetic materials, which can break down into microplastics that impact the health of both humans and the environment.

New research suggests that this harmful pollution is increasingly finding its way into even the most remote natural areas.

That’s the conclusion of researchers who measured the amount of microplastics in two New York lakes, both of them among the highest-elevation water sources for the Hudson River. One of the bodies of water (Lake Tear) sees frequent foot traffic from hikers, while the other (Moss Pond) is more remote.

Lake Tear contained 23 times the level of microplastics found in Moss Pond, according to samples gathered this year and published in a study last month.

That suggests that outdoor gear worn by hikers — especially soft-soled shoes and synthetic apparel — are the primary culprits of increased microplastics in this area, according to researchers.

While that may be disconcerting for those of us who love our Hoka trail runners and Arc’teryx apparel, there are ways to enjoy the backcountry and still use (some of) our favorite outdoor gear. Gear Junkie