Credit: EcoYoga and Nimble
1 min read
We’ve rounded up our pick of the best sustainable and ethical activewear brands making eco-friendly kit that looks and feels great to work out in.
From sustainable denim to vegan leather bags, making eco-friendly fashion choices is easier than ever – and that includes when it comes to activewear.
Whether you like going to the gym, heading out for a run or doing a home workout, having a kit which looks, feels and does good is a surefire way to up your motivation levels. But how can you make sure you’re buying clothes that are good quality and sustainable?
The answer lies in the growing range of fashion-led activewear brands that are as environmentally conscious and performance-driven as they are stylish and comfortable to wear. The only problem is knowing where to start, thanks to the growing number of brands popping up.
So, whether you’re looking for some new running leggings or want a jumper to wear over your gear when it’s cold, here’s our pick of the best sustainable activewear brands to shop now.
Gngr Bees
This beautiful brand creates stylish, comfy activewear from reclaimed materials and reinvests its profits into sustainability projects around the globe, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that your purchase is doing good.
This crop top is ideal for chucking on over your sports bra for a light session in the gym.
Gym + Coffee
We’re fans of this activewear brand that does brilliantly designed separates and sets that feel as good as they look.
These buttery-soft leggings are 100% squat-proof and designed for all-day comfort with high-intensity reliability. They come in sangria, petrol blue, black and burnt umber – and you won’t want to take them off.
Kudos for the brand’s dedication to sustainability too – both in the materials they use to make their gear and the fully composable packing they arrive in.
Silou
Silou is a luxury activewear brand that prioritises sustainability and ethical working conditions, with a particular focus on sustainable materials.
These flattering shorts are made from 78% recycled polyamide and 22% elastane for a buttery soft feel that doesn’t harm the planet.
Pangaia
Pangaia works with the best researchers in the field of sustainability to come up with carefully engineered fabrics and designs, so you know you’ll be getting top-quality sustainable items.
This 90s-style top is made from saltwater seaweed fibre and certified organic cotton, and is perfect for wearing around the gym.
Shop Organic Cotton Cropped Shoulder T-shirt with C-FIBER™ Core at Pangaia, £55
Nimble
Designed in Australia, Nimble uses a material made from recycled plastic bottles to create high-quality pieces which don’t hurt the planet.
These soft and supportive shorts are great for working out in the gym, and the hidden phone pocket in the waistband is an added bonus.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective’s Ellie Dinh and Quang Dinh test their compressive leggings on over 100 women to ensure that they’ve nailed the cut and fit, but that’s far from the most impressive thing about them.
Instead, it’s the fact that the leggings are all made from recycled post-consumer bottles, which curbs emissions and saves resources.
Not only that, but the brand’s ReGirlfriend scheme allows consumers to recycle their leggings once they’re no longer wearable, to keep those same recycled resources in the manufacturing chain.
Available in 11 sizes and colours, Girlfriend Collective truly has something to suit every kind of person and workout.
Shop Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging at The Sports Edit, £65
Now_Then
Based in Madrid, Spanish label Now_Then was inspired by founder Andrea Salinas’ childhood spent diving with her father.
The brand exclusively uses Econyl, which is crafted from repurposed marine waste – the idea being that beautiful swimwear shouldn’t be contributing to the sea’s pollution problem. This bikini comes in four colours: blue, navy, burgundy and purple.
EcoYoga
Yoga is a practice that helps one centre with everything, from themselves to the earth around them.
British-based brand EcoYoga, founded in 2003, is designed to be planet-friendly – crafted from plant-based materials and natural rubber, this yoga mat is biodegradable and machine washable.
Organic Basics
This Copenhagen-based brand is known for its sustainable, comfy basics, made with the planet in mind.
Softer than silk and smoother than cotton, this seamless sports bra is made from a combination of sweat-wicking, breathable recycled materials.
Images: courtesy of brands
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