Sustainable fashion is often hard to find, so looking for sustainable activewear can be even harder. This is especially true as most modern activewear is made of synthetics. How do you balance performance and ethics? Hopefully, this guide can help.
Since chatting with Zara Williams, Founder of the Who Made My Activewear? Festival, I’ve wanted to share my discoveries in ethical exercise gear – and give you a few options to try too. Just as sustainable shoes are harder to find than sustainable t-shirts, activewear can prove to be tricky. Clothing needs to be light, wick away sweat, and stretch in the right places. And when sustainable materials are few and far between (organic cotton, linen, possibly bamboo…) that makes things quite difficult.
My Personal Activewear Favourites
When I first wrote this guide, I stated that I could do more when it came to exercise. I’m happy to say that upon writing this update, I have done just that! I’ve been a keen runner – leading to my trial of sustainable sneakers – and I now practice hot yoga a few times a week. I also enjoy swimming, and have written a guide to sustainable swimwear. Together, my exercise routine means I have invested in an entire drawer of workout gear – and all sourced from ethical, sustainable brands.
Eco Yoga Gear from Wellicious
For yoga clothing, Wellicious* is my go-to brand. I wrote a full review about them as a company back in 2024, and have since spent two years practicing yoga in their yoga sets. As I tend to practice hatha yoga in a heated room, my favourite styles are the Fresher Cropped Tank* and the Active Shorts*. The cropped tank is the perfect size, and gives me room to breathe without slipping, while the shorts are lightweight and stretch well.
Eco Activewear: BAM
My favourite general activewear brand is BAM Clothing*. BAM offer an affordable, sustainable selection of clothes that I use to top-up my existing exercise gear. They are great all-rounders, and take textile innovation seriously.
BAM’s products are predominantly made from recycled nylon and bamboo viscose. I’ve found their clothing to be great for running in both the summer and winter, and it layers up well. I’ve also previously shared how I like to style my activewear for everyday wear too – because loved clothes last!
9 Of The Best Sustainable Activewear Brands In The UK
Aside from what’s in my wardrobe, there are a number of small, sustainable brands working hard to provide ethical clothing for many different active lifestyles. From athleisure to hiking, yoga clothes to cycling gear, here are the UK-based brands that I like to look around when investing in new garments:
BAM*: Bamboo athletic wear that truly does last – and feels great too!
Community Clothing: Traditional sportswear made 100% plastic-free, here in the UK.
Evamoso: Tops and leggings made in small batches from organic and recycled materials.
Finisterre:
Pals Wear: Size-inclusive gym gear from XXS to XXL in recycled OEKO-TEX certified fabrics.
Pangaia: High-end tracksuits and athletic wear. I love my second-hand Pangaia set!
Pioneer*: Affordable activewear sets and accessories from independent brand, sold on Etsy.
Reliked*: Second-hand activewear, unworn or lightly worn, from influencers and celebrities.
Wellicious*: Luxuriously high quality circular yoga clothing and gym wear. Read my review plus get 10% off: CURIOUSLYCONSCIOUS
Where’s your favourite place to buy activewear? I’d love to add more brands to the list.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links (denoted '*')
