Every Day Is Earth Day at Rudy Project
Rudy Project athletes help support the planet's health by wearing sustainable sport sunglasses, performance eyewear, and advanced bike helmets.
Rudy Project’s #RidetoZero initiative began with a bold question: How can the best-performing gear leave the smallest possible footprint? From materials and designs to packaging and practices, every aspect of the business was analyzed to find effective means to reduce waste and uncover more eco-friendly solutions to meet the company’s sustainable manufacturing goals.
After years of research and testing, results led to Rilsan® Clear, a castor-oil-based polymer used in the frames of its sustainable sunglasses. And this year, cyclists can wear Rudy Project’s all-new Rebel bike helmet made from recycled materials. Through it all, the company has never lost sight of its core mission: producing the highest-performance eyewear and cycling helmets for the world’s top athletes. Below, we spotlight the revolutionary products driving Rudy Project’s #RidetoZero pledge.
Elevating Performance With Eco-Friendly Eyewear
Runners and cyclists wearing the Kelion sports shield enjoy superior optics in all conditions and unrivaled protection from the elements. They’re also playing a small part in preserving the terrain they run and cycle through, thanks to frames made with durable Rilsan® Clear bio-plastic. This ultralight, ultra-tough polymer lets Rudy Project designers build high-performance sunglasses without compromising the company’s #RidetoZero mission.
The same Rilsan® innovation powers Rudy Project’s newest models for court sports — including Turbolence and Astral Sphere — offering lightweight comfort and sharp, contrast-enhancing vision. Athletes across sports report the same experience: after a few minutes, the frames are so light they barely notice them at all.
Bike Helmets That Also Protect the Planet
Released in 2024, the Rebel road cycling helmet showcases the evolution of Rudy Project’s #RidetoZero philosophy. The hyper-ventilated helmet uses recycled polycarbonate for its outer shell, recycled fibers for its straps, and recycled plastic for its padding. Plus, it proves that sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing performance or safety. In fact, the Rebel earned a 5-star rating from the independent helmet lab at Virginia Tech University.
The Future of #RidetoZero
At Rudy Project, sustainability goes beyond materials. The brand’s commitment to reduce and reuse is built into every step, from design to after-sale support.
For reduce, Rudy Project set out to make durable sunglasses and helmets that prioritize performance, taking the stance that products built to help you achieve your personal best will never go out of style. As such, they’re less likely to get dumped for next year’s style.
For reuse, Rudy Project committed to making extra parts available for its products, making it easier for athletes to repair their gear rather than replace it. In fact, the days of tossing old Rudy Project gear in the trash are numbered. The next step in the #RidetoZero future is enabling athletes to recycle their Rudy Project eyewear and helmets and turn their old gear into new gear. Stay tuned for more details on this latest innovation.
Click here to learn more about Rudy Project’s ongoing #RidetoZero efforts and accomplishments.
