From leggings to tanks, these ethical and sustainable activewear brands have the perfect eco-friendly sportswear, gym wear, yoga clothes, and outdoor adventure gear for getting moving and staying healthy.
So, what makes an activewear brand sustainable or ethical?
Given the performance qualities expected of activewear, most workout clothing is made from synthetic fabrics. However, there are some sustainable natural fabrics that can be used for light workouts, such as organic cotton. When synthetic fibers are used, it’s best to look for materials made from recycled, up-cycled, or regenerated content, such as recycled polyester or ECONYL (regenerated nylon).
There has been a debate about the sustainability of recycled and regenerated synthetics, because when washed, these recycled synthetic fabrics still release microfibers that pollute oceans and kill marine life.
In order to prevent these microfibers from being shed into waterways, be sure to place your garments made from synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon (including recycled synthetics!) in a Guppyfriend Washing Bag that can catch those nasty microfibers!
As far as ethics go, look for certifications like Fair Trade and other signs of transparency. Does the brand’s website share specific information about factories, wages and conditions for garment workers? Do they have systems of traceability? Can the brand tell you where each and every garment is being made? Do they visit the workshops/factories themselves regularly? Do they share photos and videos from the factories? Do the countries they source from have high labor standards? If not, what are they doing to verify that these factories uphold high standards?
I know this is a lot, so to help you sort out fact from greenwashing on your search for truly eco-friendly athletic clothing and gear, I’ve curated a guide of sustainable activewear brands with either all ecologically friendly and ethical activewear or with at least some responsibly-made collections. (If there are only certain collections from the brand that are sustainable or ethical, I made sure to include what to look for from that brand!)
Note that this guide includes partners and affiliates. As always, all brands meet strict standards for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love, too!
1. Kaira Active
Designed to take you through any adventure, Kaira Active’s eco-friendly activewear is comfortable, durable, and versatile. The sports bras and bottoms — all made from reclaimed fishing nets and other nylon waste (ECONYL®) — can be worn to yoga class, on hikes, or even surfing. Each luxuriously soft piece is made responsibly in California by makers who earn over above the state’s $15/hour minimum wage and well above the average LA garment worker wage.
Size Range: XS-L
2. Girlfriend
Girlfriend makes leggings, bras, tops, and shorts from recycled polyester fabric from post-consumer plastic bottles.
The brand also works with a SA8000 certified facility, pays 125% of the minimum wage, and provides health insurance.
Girlfriend is also an inclusive brand and always chooses diverse models for their campaigns.
Size Range: XXS-6XL
3. tentree
With pieces that’ll take you from the gym to the juice bar, tentree’s activewear collection does a great job of merging performance and street chic to keep you moving at the elliptical and beyond.
We love the fact that most items come in a wide spectrum of colors that range from delicious pastels to some highly saturated hues to suit all preferences. Made from lightweight and breathable blends that compose of Repreve® Polyester and TENCEL™ Lyocell, these materials are armed with eco-friendly drirelease® technology to manage moisture and odor.
P.S. Most of their leggings and shorts come with pockets to stash your tiny essentials while you’re on the go.
Size Range: XS–XL
Explore tentree (CA)
4. Wolven
If you’re tired of boring activewear Wolven has beautifully bold geometric sports bras, leggings, and shorts made from OEKO-TEX certified rPET from recycled plastic bottles. The brand’s sustainable activewear is designed to support your active lifestyle — whether that means yoga class, a hike on a nearby trail, or running around for your Saturday errands.
Size Range: XS-XXL
5. Day/Won
Day/Won is a size-inclusive eco-minded activewear brand with uniquely designed sport-ready clothing! They have a great variety of bold prints perfect for making a statement, sustainably.
This conscious athleticwear brand uses recycled polyester and deadstock synthetics for much of their collection. Just keep an eye out because not all of their pieces are made from recycled materials!
Size Range: XS – 5XL
6. ourCommonplace
ourCommonplace curates functional, fashionable, and eco-friendly activewear that you’ll feel good moving in! You’ll find brands like 1 People (uses recycled polyester) and LEON NORD (uses recycled plastic bottles) in this WOC-owned marketplace’s sustainable activewear selection.
Size Range: XS-XL
Use code CONSCIOUS10 for 10% off!
7. Reprise
Eco-friendly activewear brand Reprise creates polyester-free activewear made from TENCEL™. While 7% of the blend is spandex, the brand is working towards sourcing this portion of their fabric blend from plant-based sources too! And Reprise’s plant-based activewear is made in small batches by makers earning living wages in LA, NYC, and New Jersey.
Size Range: XS-XL
8. Organic Basics
It’s clear by this brand’s very name that they have sustainability embedded into their roots. Organic Basics sources premium, durable and ecologically friendly fibers for their products, including organic cotton, TENCEL, recycled nylon, and recycled wool.
The brand only works with factories with respected third-party certifications, such as OEKO-TEX Standard, EU Eco Label, SEDEX, and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
Size Range: XS-XXL
9. Allbirds
Our favorite eco-friendly natural sneaker brand has recently launched activewear — which is also made from natural and recycled materials. The sustainable leggings, tanks, and shorts are made from Tencel™ Lyocell, Recycled Nylon, ZQ Merino Wool, and a small percentage of Elastane for stretch.
Size Range: XS-3XL
10. Patagonia
Patagonia uses eco-conscious materials such as organic cotton, Tencel® lyocell, and hemp for many of their products and follows responsible construction practices, such as improving existing buildings instead of building new ones whenever possible for their retail stores and using solar panels at their headquarters.
Size Range: XS-XL
11. Kuychi Cauldron
Created by an Indigenous Peruvian American, Kuychi Cauldron reflects the founder’s culture and lineage. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, made by hand using a variety of natural dyes and fibers. Kuychi Cauldron’s knit tank tops and leggings are made from hemp, a sustainable fabric that is naturally anti-microbian and anti-fungal.
Size Range: XS-L
12. Threads 4 Thought
Threads 4 Thought is an affordable ethical and sustainable fashion brand with comfy basics and activewear. The brand sources earth-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Lenzing Modal.
The sustainable activewear brand also works with factories with industrial certifications and donates part of their profits to the International Rescue Committee.
Size Range: S-3XL (has an extended sizes collection)
13. prAna
Prana is a yoga and activewear brand with responsibly made goods. They have many products made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and recycled wool. (Just look for the leaf icon to find their sustainable pieces.)
The conscious adventure and athletic wear brand also has many products made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Just look for “Fair Trade Factory Certified” in the product details. You can find all Fair Trade products from prAna here.
Size Range: XS-XL
14. PACT
Plus, PACT enables you to get eco apparel on a budget—the organic label is the most affordable option among this list of sustainable activewear brands.
PACT is an eco-friendly brand with basics and atheleisure wear. From the very beginning, PACT has been committed to sourcing 100% organic cotton and producing in a Fair Trade Certified factory. The sustainable fashion brand also doesn’t use any toxic dyes in their products.
Size Range: XS-XXL
Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off
15. Vege Threads
Australian based sustainable brand Vege Threads has a fantastic collection of yoga apparel made from a comfy combo of organic cotton and stretchy lycra. Vege Threads’ signature colors are dyed with low toxic dyes in Melbourne, Australia and their indigo and multi-dyed skews are dyed with plant-based dyes in Bali.
The brand’s eco-friendly activewear pieces are all made responsibly in Melbourne in an Ethical Clothing Australia accredited facility.
Size Range: XS-XL
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