Why gear choices matter
The production of new clothing generates significant carbon emissions, contributing to climate change and directly threatening the delicate ecosystems of the Antarctic region. Did you know that the clothing industry alone is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, surpassing international flights and maritime shipping combined (source 1)?
The clothing industry is a major contributor to landfill waste and pollution. Many textiles and garments end up in landfills where they take years to decompose. By choosing to reuse, borrow, or rent, not only do you help to reduce waste and prevent pollution, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
For instance, manufacturing a waterproof jacket with an insulated inner layer has a carbon footprint of approximately 100 kg CO2e (source 2, source 3), equivalent to driving 256 miles in the average petrol/gas car (source 4). Producing the outer waterproof layer alone consumes over 2,000 litres of water (source 2).
Many Antarctic ship operators offer complimentary new parkas – warm, waterproof jackets – to their guests. If your operator provides one, we would ask you to consider whether you'll use it again after your trip. If not, renting one to use in Antarctica might be a more sustainable choice as once you’ve used the provided parka, it cannot be reused. By reducing the demand for complimentary parkas, we can encourage operators to rethink their production and marketing strategies.
We collectively hold the power to change the way things are done, but it requires willing travellers to make a difference. If you want to ensure your once-in-a-lifetime adventure has as little impact as possible, this is one meaningful way to contribute.
Swoop says
Did you know the clothing industry alone is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined?
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
How to source gear sustainably
If you’ve reviewed our packing guide and you know there are items you need to get hold of, we have recommendations to help reduce the carbon cost of your trip. The excitement of new adventures often comes with wondering if you need to buy new clothing and gear. If you do, choosing to reuse, borrow, or rent is a great way of approaching it.
When it comes to our Antarctic gear preparations here at Swoop, we try to keep the following key principles in mind:
Reuse what you have: Before purchasing new items, take a look at what you already own. You might be surprised at how many pieces of your existing wardrobe can be adapted for your trip. Reusing not only saves money but also reduces waste and conserves resources.
Borrow: If you don’t have the necessary items, consider borrowing from friends or family. Borrowing is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to access the gear you need without contributing to the demand for new products. Reach out to those around you who may have gone on similar trips or have outdoor gear that can be temporarily repurposed for your journey.
Rent: If you’re not able to reuse gear because you don’t own the items you need, and you can’t borrow gear as it’s not available within your network of family or friends, renting is a great option. Renting specialised equipment ensures you have the right gear for the conditions without making a permanent purchase.
By considering these options, you can enjoy your Antarctic adventure while making choices that support a more sustainable future.
Renting gear
Renting might be the right option for you if you find yourself unable to reuse or borrow clothing. This is a great choice for some people because:
- You can keep your luggage as light as possible to minimise the weight and carbon cost of flying it south
- You can save space in your suitcase for other essentials by renting bulkier gear, such as jackets and waterproof trousers/pants
- You can avoid investing in expensive cold-weather clothing you'll only use once if you live in a warm or hot climate
We’ve partnered with New Headings who’ve been hiring gear to Antarctic visitors since 2013. We’ve tested their gear in Antarctica with great success, which you can read about in our article on how to hire kit for your Antarctica cruise.
Ben says
The whole rental experience was seamless from start to finish and the kit was first class. If you’re heading to Antarctica and don’t want to buy extra gear for your cruise, hiring from New Headings is an excellent option.
Ben Ward Customer Experience Coordinator
How it works
You can order your clothing from New Headings up to seven days before the first day of your voyage. Different brands are used for each item to ensure the quality meets the needs of polar travel and all gear is disinfected and thoroughly inspected before you use it. Familiarise yourself with the sizing chart so that you know what to request.
You won’t be charged a security deposit. However, bear in mind that not returning the rental gear at the end of your voyage will result in a charge of double the amount of the rental fee.
Once the gear is beginning to wear out and is no longer suitable for renting, it is donated to local charities in Ushuaia and Punta Arenas, extending its lifespan and avoiding landfill for as long as possible.
Swoop says
We don’t stand to gain financially from our travellers choosing to rent their clothing from New Headings and are happy to encourage any sustainably-minded venture that offers reused or rental clothing. However, we have tested New Headings and believe they offer the most convenient service and comprehensive gear for travellers passing through Ushuaia or Punta Arenas.
Gear pick up/delivery & return by operator
Find out which specific Antarctic gear your ship operator includes in your voyage. For anything not included, discover details on how the rental process works, such as how to pick up gear, have it delivered and return it at the end of your cruise.
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Antarctica21
Antarctica21 will loan you rubber boots and trekking poles while on board. Rent the other essential gear you need at least seven days before your voyage.
Collecting your gear
A New Headings representative will deliver your rental gear to the pre-embarkation meeting at Explorers House the night before you depart from Punta Arenas. The gear will be in a bag so it is easy to carry and to return safely. Size exchanges will be available should you need to exchange a size.
Returning your gear
A New Headings representative will meet you at your post-stay hotel upon your return to Punta Arenas to collect your gear.
Collecting your gear
Your gear will be available to collect from 12pm the day before you embark at Tierra del Fuego Aventura, which is conveniently located one block from the port at 376 San Martin Street. The shop is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week with other times available by appointment. Size exchanges will be available on the spot should you need them. The gear will be in a bag so it is easy to carry and to return safely.
Returning your gear
After your voyage, return your gear to the same shop or make alternative return arrangements with the New Headings team in Ushuaia when you pick up your gear.
For expeditions beginning in Ushuaia and ending in Punta Arenas, the New Headings team will collect your gear from you at your post-voyage hotel.
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Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions will loan you rubber boots while on board. A new expedition parka is yours to use, keep, and take home after the voyage. In keeping with our focus on sustainability, if you do not need (or won’t wear) this jacket after your voyage is complete, and you wish to lower your carbon footprint by renting one instead, please contact New Headings.
Other essential gear can also be rented. Please make sure you arrange any rental items at least seven days before your voyage.
Collecting your gear
Your gear will be available to collect from 12pm the day before you embark at Tierra del Fuego Aventura, which is conveniently located one block from the port at 376 San Martin Street. The shop is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week with other times available by appointment. Size exchanges will be available "on the spot" should you need them. The gear will be in a bag so it is easy to carry and to return safely.
Returning your gear
After your expedition, return your gear to the same shop or make alternative return arrangements with the New Headings team in Ushuaia when you pick up your gear.
For voyages beginning in Ushuaia and ending in Punta Arenas, the New Headings team will meet you and collect your rental gear when you arrive at your post-voyage hotel in Punta Arenas.
Collecting your gear
A New Headings representative will deliver your rental gear to the mandatory pre-embarkation meeting the night before your flight to Antarctica. Size exchanges will be available should you need to exchange a size. The gear will be in a bag so it is easy to carry and to return safely.
Returning your gear
A New Headings representative will meet you and collect your gear at your post-voyage hotel upon your return to Punta Arenas.
For voyages beginning in Punta Arenas and finishing in Ushuaia, please return your gear to Tierra del Fuego Aventura at 376 San Martin Street. The shop is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week. -
Oceanwide Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions provides you with Loaner Boots to use while onboard. Rent the other essential gear you see just below at least 7 days before your voyage to complete your outfit.
Collecting your gear
Rented gear will be delivered to your ship and placed in your cabin along with the rest of your luggage. There will be an announcement made for a "size exchange party" at reception shortly after you board the ship. If you need to make an exchange, please do so with the New Headings team at that time.
Returning your gear
At the end of the voyage, you'll be instructed to return your rental gear to a secure place on board.
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Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions will loan you rubber boots while on board. A new expedition parka is yours to use, keep, and take home after the voyage. In keeping with our focus on sustainability, if you do not need (or won’t wear) this jacket after your voyage is complete, and you wish to lower your carbon footprint by renting one instead, please contact New Headings.
Other essential gear can also be rented. Please make sure you arrange any rental items at least seven days before your voyage.
Collecting your gear
A New Headings representative will deliver your rental gear to the mandatory pre-embarkation meeting the night before your flight to Antarctica. Size exchanges will be available if you need to exchange a size.Returning your gear
A New Headings representative will meet you at your post-voyage hotel upon your return to Punta Arenas and collect your gear.Collecting your gear
Please pick up your rental gear at our partner's shop in Ushuaia. It will be ready for pick up from 12pm the day before you embark.Returning your gear
After your expedition, return your gear to the same shop or make alternative return arrangements with the New Headings team when you pick up your gear.
For voyages on the Ultramarine, you will met by a New Headings representative upon arrival at the airport in Ushuaia at the end of the expedition where they will collect your rental gear. -
Polar Latitudes
Polar Latitudes will loan you rubber boots while on board. A new expedition parka is yours to use, keep, and take home after the voyage. In keeping with our focus on sustainability, if you do not need (or won’t wear) this jacket after your voyage is complete, and you wish to lower your carbon footprint by renting one instead, please contact New Headings.
Other essential gear can also be rented. Please make sure you arrange any rental items at least seven days before your voyage.Pick up your rented gear from Tierra del Fuego Aventura at 376 San Martin Street any time from 12pm the day before you embark until 2pm on embarkation day.
Returning your gear
At the end of the voyage, you'll be instructed to return your gear to a secure place on board. -
All Other Operators
Before renting any gear you may need for your expedition, check what is provided on board as part of your voyage by visiting your ship guide in your Adventure Planner. This is in the My Trip section of the My Trip page, where you see your ship name written with a link. If you are unable to locate this, ask your Customer Experience Coordinator for some help.
Punta Arenas Rentals
Collecting your gearA New Headings representative will deliver your rental gear to the mandatory pre-embarkation meeting the night before your flight to Antarctica. Size exchanges will be available if you need to exchange a size.
Returning your gear
Upon your return to Punta Arenas, a New Headings representative will meet you at your post-voyage hotel and collect your gear.
For voyages beginning in Punta Arenas and finishing in Ushuaia, please return your gear to Tierra del Fuego Aventura at 376 San Martin Street. The shop is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week.
Collecting your gear
Pick up your rented gear from Tierra del Fuego Aventura any time from 12pm the day before you embark. The shop is at 376 San Martin Street and is open from 8am-9pm seven days a week.
Returning your gear
After your expedition, return your gear to the same shop or make alternative return arrangements with our Ushuaia team when you pick up your gear!
Sustainably sourcing your Antarctic gear: FAQs
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Is it okay if I want to use the complimentary jacket that I’m being given?
Some ships include a complimentary expedition jacket for all guests, which they will have waiting on board for you. You can double-check if your ship includes a jacket by looking at your ship guide, which is linked from the My Trip section of the My Trip page in your Adventure Planner.
You will also be able to see what type of jacket is provided. It will either be a thin but sturdy outer shell, in which case you will want to bring multiple warm layers to go underneath, including a down-style quilted jacket, or your included jacket may be a 3-in-1 style with a removable inner liner for added warmth.
If you would like to use the included jacket, then you don't need to take any special action. As part of your passenger forms, you will be asked to provide what size you think will fit best, bearing in mind that you will have some layers on underneath. If the size isn't quite right, there will usually be an opportunity to switch them (unworn, with the tags still on) within the first day or two of your voyage.
Many Swoop travellers (and staff!) like to wear and keep their jackets as they can provide a wonderful reusable memento of your voyage. This is especially true if you live in a rainy or cool climate and like to get outdoors hiking, or even for soggy dog walks. Just bear in mind that Antarctic jackets are generally very brightly coloured, to ensure good visibility of explorers against the white landscape, so they can sometimes seem a little bit "loud" in a more civilised landscape!
When you get home we recommend following the label instructions to wash your jacket, particularly to rinse off salt water from splashy zodiac rides, which can otherwise crystalise and cause problems, especially on zips. To get the maximum use out of your jacket in a wider range of temperatures, if you have a 3-in-1 style parka with a removable liner jacket, you may want to remove that and just use the thin outer waterproof shell, perfect for damp but mild days. Like all waterproofed textiles, the coating will eventually wear off over the years, but you can easily "reproof" them using a wash-in or spray-on coating. Swoop staff have expedition jackets that are over 10 years old and still going strong with a little bit of TLC now and again.
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What if I want to use my included parka but I don’t want to take it home?
You can do that but there is an environmental cost as used parkas cannot be reused for other travellers on future voyages. This is due to ships not having the facilities to thoroughly clean and re-waterproof parkas on board. However, many ships do donate used gear to local organisations that can make use of the jackets.
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What happens if my ship includes a parka and I choose not to use it?
Currently only one ship (MS Expedition) provides a credit for customers who bring their own parka, either from home or rented. We appreciate that this makes this an environmentally motivated choice rather than a financially motivated one. We are continuing to work with our partner vessels to help steer the industry into making these decisions easier for their travellers.
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What gear can I rent?
Our partner New Headings offers the following items:
- Waterproof insulated parka
- Waterproof trousers
- Waterproof gloves
- Waterproof backpack
- Ski goggles
- Trekking poles
- Neoprene boots
Please check which items are included in your voyage as standard on your vessel page available in the My Trip section of your Adventure Planner. If you’re unable to locate this, your Customer Experience Coordinator will be happy to help.
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Do I have to rent a full gear package, or can I rent individual items?
You can pick and choose the items that you need for your trip, so if you already have some gear, you might just need to select a few key additions to finalise your Antarctic wardrobe.
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Is the gear cleaned between uses?
All rental gear is disinfected and thoroughly inspected before you collect it.
All visitors must go through simple biosecurity checks before first arriving in Antarctica, making sure all your outdoor gear is clean to avoid the accidental introduction of invasive species or pathogens. Having rental gear that has already been professionally cleaned means that you only have to initially biosecure any other gear that you have brought with you.
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How does sizing work, and what happens if my rental gear does not fit?
Sizes range from XS (extra small) to 2XL. You can find the exact measurements in the sizing chart so that you know what to request. If you're between sizes, we recommend that you lean toward the larger size and make sure to allow space for warm layers underneath. If your gear does not fit there will be a one-off opportunity to exchange it.
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Is there a deposit in addition to the rental charge?
Yes, a deposit is required in addition to the rental charge when renting from New Headings. This is paid when you check out within their online shop and is calculated based on the items you’ve chosen. The deposit is refunded to you shortly after you return the gear in suitable condition to New Headings on arrival back from Antarctica.
Not returning the rental gear at the end of your voyage will result in a charge of double the amount of the rental fee.