09 Jun

The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Activewear

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Launch into your fitness routine while looking and feeling good with our ultimate roundup of more ethical and sustainable activewear.

Sweat it out in more sustainable style

Whether you’re looking to start a new training regime or you’re deep in the grind of your routine, sometimes it takes a little pop of colour or perfect fit to pep you up for your next spin class. And while the desire to do something good for your body and mind is nothing new, what if you could be minimising your environmental footprint at the same time? Lucky for you, we found the best brands making more sustainable activewear currently on the market.

Activewear is traditionally made with harmful materials like virgin polyester and nylon, which require hefty chemicals to produce and continue polluting by shedding microplastics during use and packing landfills at end of life. Lower-impact activewear might be made from materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, or hemp, which are better alternatives to the new, plastic-based fabrics that still flood so much of the market in fast fashion listings around the globe.

The following activewear options keep the good vibes flowing with fashion-forward vibes that don’t cost the earth. Sweat it out in style in your gorpcore-inspired threads and move effortlessly from yoga to a museum, the highest hike to coffee with friends.

The best part? Each of these responsible activewear brands is rated “Good” or “Great” for new purchases, with a couple of second hand options for big brands making a start in sustainability, so you can exercise easy knowing they’re committed to reducing their impact on people, the planet, and animals. Let’s jump in.

PACT

Rated: Great
woman of colour doing yoga in dark grey leggings by sustainable activewear brand PACT

Women’s Organic Leggings – Ships internationally from the US

PACT is a US-based brand that is passionate about being part of a movement transforming the way apparel is made. All of its clothing is sweatshop-free and child-labour-free, and its activewear range is almost entirely made from certified organic cotton, with more than 50% also certified as Fair Trade.

Find PACT in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop PACT.

1 People

Rated: Good
close up of shorts and person in navy blue tank and shorts by 1 people

Navy Blue Sculpt Athletic Shorts – Ships internationally from Denmark

1 People is a Danish-designed lifestyle and luxury brand. It blends Scandinavian colour palettes and minimalist design to create effortlessly elegant collections for the conscious-minded. Its pieces are thoughtfully crafted by small family-run manufacturers using lower-impact and certified materials.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop 1 People.

Shop 1 People @ Cerqular.

Shop 1 People @ Urbankissed.

Girlfriend Collective

Rated: Good
A black packable puffer jacket by Girlfriend Collective.

Black Packable Puffer – Ships internationally from the US

Girlfriend Collective creates minimal, luxury clothes made with certified fair labour, certified by the Social Accountability Standard International SA8000. The brand uses lower-impact materials like recycled polyester as well as lower-impact, non-toxic dyes and is fully OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified.

Inclusively sized Girlfriend Collective offers products from 2XS-6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Girlfriend Collective @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Girlfriend Collective.

tentree

Rated: Good
woman wearing black leggings by tentree

Women’s Activewear – Ships internationally from Canada

Canadian brand tentree believes big change starts small. Small as in bringing your reusable bag to the grocery store, making fewer, more thoughtful purchases, and choosing to purchase more sustainably when you do. The brand plants ten trees for every item purchased to help regenerate ecosystems and provide planting jobs in communities around the world, and has already planted over 65 million trees.

All tentree’s products are created with an Earth-First approach, meaning they're made in fair, safe working conditions, and constructed using lower-impact and recycled materials.

tentree’s super comfy fabrics and easy wardrobe staples are typically available from XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

CasaGIN

Rated: Good
woman wearing black light compression sports bra by CasaGIN

Be.GiN | Light Compression Sport Bra – Ships internationally from Italy

CasaGIN is a positive place, designed for those looking for a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle where you can find products made for wellbeing and harmony.

Find most items in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop CasaGIN.

LANIUS

Rated: Good
image of person in yoga pose and image of sneakers by LANIUS

Active Athleisure Collection – Ships internationally from Germany

“Love Fashion, Think Organic, Be Responsible” are the maxims of LANIUS. The German brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton. All LANIUS facilities are SA8000 certified and it is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation.

LANIUS' clothes are available in EU sizes 34-44.

See the rating.

Shop LANIUS.

Happy Earth

Rated: Good
Cropped shots of someone on a beach wearing black organic cotton and tencel leggings by Happy Earth.

PLANTTEC™ Leggings – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

Someone in matching organic cotton hoodie and joggers by Happy Earth.

Happy Earth – Lounge Sets

Ultra-soft matching sets of joggers and sweatshirts made Fair Trade with organic cotton. Save and get comfy in a bundle. 20% off Lounge Sets. (Ends: 30 SEP)

Shop now

Happy Earth Apparel is a US organic clothing brand that works to give back, inspired by nature and dedicated to preserving it. This B Corp certified brand makes the planet a better place with every purchase. Through its partnerships with non-profits and Happy Earth ambassadors, it's planting trees, fighting climate change, and cleaning up trash.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Happy Earth.

Patagonia

Rated: Good
blue men's running pullover from sustainable brand patagonia

Men’s Airshed Pro Pullover – Ships internationally from the US

Patagonia is a brand that truly lives and breathes the great outdoors. It makes clothing for trail running, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding. Patagonia has strong labour rights and uses recycled, rather than virgin, polyester. It has also committed to reducing its energy use and emissions.

The brand stocks sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Patagonia @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Patagonia Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Patagonia Kids Pre-Owned @ Retykle.

Shop Patagonia.

dk active

Rated: Great

Power Bike Pants – Ships internationally from Australia

dk active is an Australian high-performance brand supporting everybody seeking an authentic edge in life. It uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact, and reuses all of its offcuts to minimise textile waste. It is also a PETA approved 100% vegan brand.

Find the products in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop dk active.

Outerknown

Rated: Good

Apex Trunks – Ships internationally from the US

Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a responsible brand that aims to blend style and function with the protection of natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and has partnered with the Fair Labour Association.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Outerknown.

Shop Outerknown @ Wearwell.

Shop Outerknown @ Good.

Tripulse

Rated: Great

TENCEL™ Made to Move Shorts – Ships internationally from Sweden

Offers

People in leggings by Tripulse.

Tripulse – TENCEL Leggings with hidden pockets

Made from premium Tencel Lyocell fabric, these leggings are ultra-comfortable and breathable with a high-waist fit. Free from harmful toxins and microplastics. 15% off TENCEL Leggings with hidden pockets. Sign up to the Tripulse newsletter to redeem discount. (Ends: 15 OCT)

Shop now
Someone in leggings with side pockets by Tripulse.

Tripulse – TENCEL Leggings with side pockets

Made from premium Tencel Lyocell fabric, these leggings are ultra-comfortable and breathable with a high-waist fit. Free from harmful toxins and microplastics. 15% off TENCEL Leggings with side pockets. Sign up to the Tripulse newsletter to redeem discount. (Ends: 15 OCT)

Shop now

Tripulse is a Swedish activewear brand on a mission to create high-performing activewear that protects our planet and its people. The brand believes that fitness, both physical and mental, is the foundation for a good and healthy life and gives people the courage to live the life they dreamed of, to become their best selves, to make bold moves, and to change the world for the better.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Tripulse.

Organique

Rated: Good
A person wearing cotton activewear in shades of beige by Organique.

Cycling Shorts – Ships internationally from Portugal

Organique is a Portuguese athleisure brand made for the contemporary woman. It is entirely produced in a high-end local atelier and promotes slow fashion by designing with longevity in mind. It uses high-quality, organic materials and lower-impact fabrics such as organic cotton and TENCEL™ Lyocell and is completely vegan.

Find the range in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop Organique.

Nube

Rated: Great
woman in green patterned recycled yoga leggings by Nube

Artifact Crop Tank – Ships to the US

Nube turns recycled plastic into responsible and fashionable activewear, designed and made in the US. The brand partners with artists and designers around the world to create prints motivated by the environmental crisis that inspire connection and action. This fully woman-owned business uses a closed-loop manufacturing process by recycling all off-cuts created during the manufacturing process.

Find Nube products in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Nube.

Shop Nube @ Cerqular.

Boody

Rated: Good
Someone looking happy wearing black sustainable activewear by Boody.

Motivate Longline Bra – Ships internationally from Australia

Founded in Australia by two best friends, Boody is a clothing brand with comfort, style, and health at its core. It creates comfortable, thoughtfully-made everyday essentials made from organically grown bamboo. It reduces waste through lower-waste cutting techniques and using a closed-loop system in its supply chain, supporting the green and ethical movement.

Find the range in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boody.

Shop Boody @ Immaculate Vegan.

Iron Roots

Rated: Great
woman wearing emerald green sustainable performance tshirt by Iron Roots

Beechwood Performance T-Shirt – Ships internationally from the Netherlands

Iron Roots is a Dutch sportswear brand that makes all its apparel from plant-based fabrics. Its pieces effortlessly combine more responsible design and functionality.

Find most items in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Iron Roots @ Staiy.

Shop Iron Roots.

Beaumont Organic

Rated: Good
Person doing yoga poses wearing rosewood coloured sustainable yoga wear by Beaumont Organic.

Jo Jane Organic Cotton Yoga Bra – Ships internationally from the UK

Beaumont Organic is a UK-based slow fashion brand that blends simple style with responsible production practices. Founded by Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, the brand also has its own charitable foundation which supports people in Fiji.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Beaumont Organic.

Elle Evans

Rated: Good
plus size woman in hot pink sustainable activewear by elle evans

Slate Short – Ships internationally from Australia

Founded in 2013, Elle Evans Swimwear creates beautiful, lower-impact swimwear and activewear for people who care about fashion and the future. The brand uses post-consumer waste fabrics and traces all of its supply chain.

The range is stocked in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Elle Evans.

Threads 4 Thought

Rated: Good
man wearing grey threads 4 thought zip hoodie

ReActive Sportswear – Ships internationally from the US

Threads 4 Thought uses a range of lower-impact materials including TENCEL™ Modal harvested from the limbs of beech trees. This process means that the trees are never cut down and 95% of the production materials to make the yarn are recovered and reused. The brand's manufacturers are a combination of Fair Trade USA certified and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production certified.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Threads 4 Thought.

Dharma Bums

Rated: Great
woman wearing blue print crop active bra by Dharma Bums via Curate

Sports Bras – Ships internationally from Australia

Dharma Bums is a responsible yoga and activewear brand providing beautiful, high performance activewear that performs flawlessly. Its all-Australian-made items are certified by Ethical Clothing Australia and it doesn't use any animal-derived materials.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dharma Bums.

Silou

Rated: Good

Audrey Crop – Ships internationally from the UK

Created for fitness, designed for life, Silou is a luxury activewear brand specialising in clothes that feel good on the body, perform in the gym, shape and support, and are kind to the planet. This UK brand rates highly for its environmental impact: it uses a high proportion of lower-impact materials, including recycled materials, and has a limited production run to minimise textile waste.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Silou.

éclipse

Rated: Great

Sun Sleeves – Ships internationally from the US

éclipse creates climate control UPF 50+ clothing essentials and accessories to help keep the whole family sunsafe. It manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint, and its entire product range is vegan-friendly.

Products are stocked in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop éclipse.

Adidas (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
woman wearing adidas by stella mccartney sustainable printed tank top

Pre-Owned Activewear by Adidas – Ships internationay

Adidas is one of the largest sportswear makers in the world. The company has set some good environmental and labour standards, including an absolute target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations.

See the rating.

Shop Adidas Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

 

Nike (Pre-Owned)

Rated: It's A Start
A young man and woman in Nike gear

Pre-Owned Nike Activewear – Ships internationally

Nike is an American sportswear and activewear manufacturer. The brand has good policies to audit suppliers in its supply chain, but it is not taking adequate steps to ensure payment of a living wage for its workers. By buying Nike second hand you're helping keep clothes out of landfills and helping protect workers by slowing down the fast fashion cycle and the relentless demands on low-paid workers in the supply chain.

See the rating.

Shop Nike Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Concerned about emissions when buying from overseas? Your questions are answered in our guide to international shipping

Editor's note

Feature image via Girlfriend Collective, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. We love to recommend some of the best brands rated "Good" or "Great". We also encourage shopping pre-owned as another great way to reduce the impact of our fashion choices. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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