We often associate activewear with synthetic materials like spandex and nylon, so it’s not a category of clothing people usually think of as eco-friendly. Synthetic textiles, which don’t biodegrade, are found in oceans, landfills and even in the digestive tracts of living organisms throughout our environment. A growing group of eco-minded brands, however, are turning this long-held assumption about activewear on its head by swapping synthetics for sustainable materials. Thankfully, sustainable materials don’t come at the cost of performance. Biodegradable, eco-friendly fabrics like bamboo are soft to the touch and have moisture-absorbing properties.
It’s also worth noting that opting for sustainable clothing goes beyond just environmental concerns. Chemicals in the fabrics you wear can penetrate into your skin and get absorbed by your body when you sweat. This is especially true given that most activewear is formfitting.
Here’s a look at some of the best sustainable activewear brands that don’t sacrifice performance in favor of the environment.
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The Best Eco-Friendly Activewear
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BELOFORTE
If you're into fashion-forward gymwear with sheer details and slim cuts, check out BELOFORTE, which is stocked at the likes of Revolve. Each piece is produced with fabrics that are cut and spun from recovered recyclables. All garment assembly is done in Los Angeles and fabrics are sourced from local textile mills in California, which eliminates freight pollution by avoiding importing from overseas.
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Manduka
All of Manduka's pieces are made using eco-friendly fabrics, including recycled polyester, organic cotton, hemp, Tencel and Sorona. While the brand focuses mostly on solid-colored staples, it has added a number of prints since it launched.
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Yoga Design Lab
Yoga Design Lab is best known for its hot yoga mats made from biodegradable natural tree rubber. The brand just launched a similarly eco-minded activewear line, including innovative cut-out yoga leggings. A dollar from every purchase goes to support Urban Youth Yoga Programs in need.
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RUMI X
RUMI X designs allow for odor control and boast dry-fast texture, UV protection and breathability, even though they're made from some pretty oddball materials like recycled plastic bottles and coffee grounds.
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NoMiNoU
NoMiNoU, "know me, know you," is a made-in-Canada eco-friendly activewear brand that uses original artwork created by founder Jullianna Charlton’s late mother Naomi as its prints (the brand name is also a play on Charlton's mother's name).
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KENTWOOL
KENTWOOL is known for making high-performance socks popular with golfers. Now, its high-tech socks come with a cool twist: they're manufactured using sustainable yarn made from coconut fibers, which work to help reduce odor and abrasion.
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Yoga Democracy
Yoga Democracy not only uses fabrics made from recycled materials, it also uses zero-water method dyes, meaning they require minimal amounts of energy. The brand also donates 10 percent of net profits to environmental causes.
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Green Apple
All of Green Apple's active pieces are made from high-quality organic bamboo materials. Because bamboo has such fine fibers, all of the pieces are soft and smooth. Bamboo fabric also has moisture-absorbing properties and is hypoallergenic.
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Threads 4 Thought
When it comes to certifications, Threads 4 Thought has its bases covered. The brand is part of the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production program, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and is Fair Trade Certified.
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Cozy Orange
The entire Cozy Orange collection is made from sustainable or recycled goods. All pieces are comfort-driven and you can clearly see the California inspiration of the California-based brand in its sunny designs.
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Anjali
All of Anjali's products are made in the USA in factories that the founder personally visits. Heavy on colorblocking, yoga-inspired prints and designs, separates are made using eco-friendly recycled polyester.
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Teeki
Each of teeki's leggings is made entirely of BPA-free recycled plastic (about 25 bottles!) in California. The brand is also Green Mark certified, meaning the company as a whole meets the highest levels of eco-friendly practices.
