Gearing up for the winter sport season? Let your conscience be your guide when you hit the slopes! Not only are animal-friendly clothing and equipment more compassionate than those made from fur, wool, or leather, they are also stylish and offer great protection from even subzero winds.

Revolutionary fabrics like Gore-tex, Polarguard, Thinsulate, and Polartec are consistently chosen over fur and down for polar expeditions. And you can bet that mountain-climbers, hikers, and other sporty types who head outside when temperatures drop are not wearing mink coats to fend off the winter wind! They choose smart, synthetic alternatives.

Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or socializing in the chalet, it’s easy to stay warm and look hot—without the cruelty. Hit the slopes in this trendy faux-fur vest. After a day of hard-core play, relax around the fireplace in faux fur-trimmed socks or some comfy faux-fur slippers, or head outside to watch the stars in stylish faux shearling-lined boots.

If you do decide to wear one of the many wonderful faux-fur items available, whether it’s a small piece of trim on that sweater or a faux-fur vest, make sure you sport one of PETA’s “no fur” buttons to let everyone know that you fake it!

These stylish hats from VeganStore.com are soft, thick, and incredibly warm. Check out their great selection of matching cruelty-free mittens, scarves, and headbands—ideal to compliment any snow outfit! All made from breathable, moisture-wicking Polartec fleece—who needs wool?

For active, on-the-go sports, this animal-friendly microfleece pullover’s lightweight loft keeps you warm without weighing you down. This nonpilling polyester microfleece has a lightly brushed surface that traps and retains body heat. Visit REI.com for a wide selection for both men and women in many designs and colors.

Visit your local Eastern Mountain Sports store, or shop online at EMS.com for a great selection of down-free jackets to help keep you warm—check out the blue jacket, below. Down is expensive and loses its insulating ability when it gets wet, while the insulating capabilities of cruelty-free synthetic fillers persist in all weather conditions. Youngsters can also be friends to the birds and go down-free while staying warm in this wind- and water-resistant polyester jacket from REI.com.

For snowboarding enthusiasts, the entire 04/05 line of snowboard boots from ThirtyTwo is synthetic, made with abrasion-resistant synthetic and elastic materials that withstand cutting-board edges, conforms to the foot easily, and looks great. Be sure to check it out at www.thirtytwo.com.

Whether you’re hitting the snowskate park or working the chairlift, these animal-friendly snowshoes from Vans will keep you in comfort and style. Vans has outlets in every state, and its entire line of sweaters is animal-friendly.

Don’t forget the little ones! Help keep them protected from the cold in insulating fleece. Plush, midweight fleece is soft and comfortable, dries quickly, and continues to insulate even when it gets wet. 

Many other companies offer a great variety of inexpensive skin-free boots, coats, headbands, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks, including your local Target and K-Mart! L.L. Bean, which sells a fabulous faux-shearling coat, also sells nylon and synthetic ice skates.

With the wide range of cruelty-free sporting goods available, it’s easy for you to stay warm without leaving animals out in the cold.

Order your free copy of PETA’s “Shopping Guide to Compassionate Clothing.”