11 Ethical & Sustainable Activewear Brands For 2022
Sustainable Athletic Apparel For Fun & Fitness
We love a good athletic fit. Leggings and a supportive sports bra (or activewear top) are perfect for exercise, weekend errands, and to feel comfortable and cute while WFH. The only problem is, it can be challenging to find quality workout clothes that will outlast squats, sprints, and all the Saturdays (and Sundays) we’re sleeping in.
Fear not, though—our editors have put in the work and put brands to the test. And it’s not just quality we’ve vetter, either. These athletic brands check all the boxes on our wish list—from sustainable materials and manufacturing practices to affordability and inclusive styles and size ranges.
Many of these athletic clothing collections are made with fair trade and ethical labor practices and include natural and recycled fabrics, too. For high-performance activewear that prioritizes your comfort, your workouts, and the planet—look no further. Let us know your faves!
If you’re updating your workout routine, be sure to check out our guide to the best eco-friendly yoga mats, recycled running shoes, and secondhand gym equipment. And for your cool-down or rest day, snuggle up in these cozy and sustainable loungewear brands.
*Article updated August 2022
1. Girlfriend Collective
Based In | Seattle, WA
Ethics | Sustainable & recycled materials, ethically made, gives back, size-inclusive, eco-friendly packaging, recycling program
Best For | Size-inclusive activewear
Product Range | Adult activewear, swimwear, outerwear, tops, bottoms, accessories, underwear
Size Range | XXS–6XL
Price Range | $–$$
From skorts to sports bras, Girlfriend Collective has it all. And this thoughtful brand is exceptionally size-inclusive from XXS to 6XL, nearly proving every body is an active body. The fabrics are sustainable or recycled, too; for example, its best-selling Compressive Leggings are made with 25 recycled water bottles! From its stance on ethical production to its affordable, gorgeous designs to seeing models who actually look like us, there’s so much to love.
Shop GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE
2. Organic Basics
Based In | Copenhagen, Denmark & San Francisco, CA
Ethics | Certified B Corp, GOTS certified sustainable materials, eco-friendly practices, ethically made, gives back
Best For | Bralettes, leggings, & crop tops
Product Range | Adult activewear, swimwear, underwear, bottoms, tops, accessories
Size Range | XS–XXL
Price Range | $$
Organic Basics only uses natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable, and low-impact textiles. This means you can expect organic cotton bras, Tencel tank tops (that’s a fiber made from responsibly sourced wood pulp), and yoga shorts made of recycled nylon. Organic Basics also works with certified factory partners that pay living wages. As a B Corp, the brand donates a portion of its profits to grassroots activists and organizations that address environmental crises.
Shop Organic Basics
3. Pact
Based In | Boulder, CO
Ethics | Fair Trade certified options, GOTS certified organic materials, recycling program, eco-friendly practices
Best For | Affordable adult activewear
Product Range | Adult yoga apparel, outerwear, underwear, tops, socks, bottoms
Size Range | XS–2X
Price Range | $–$$
Pact imagines a world without toxic chemicals, sweatshops, or child labor—it's the kind of world we want to live in, too. The brand's basics are ethically made with GOTS certified organic cotton. Most pieces are certified Fair Trade, too. With neutral colors and affordable prices, Pact is the perfect place to stock up on all your cotton undergarments, including socks, underwear, and leggings.
Shop Pact
4. Patagonia
Based In | Ventura, CA
Ethics | Certified B Corp, eco-friendly materials & practices, gives back, Fair Trade certified options, secondhand shop
Best For | Sport-specific activewear
Product Range | Adult & kids’ activewear (bodysuits, outerwear, yoga apparel, fleeces)
Size Range | XXS–XXL
Price Range | $$–$$$
Patagonia is a B Corp committed to the triple bottom line: profit, people, and planet. The brand's mission incorporates building the best products for those who love the great outdoors while also caring for the environment—that’s why Patagonia also has generous warranties, repairs, and even a secondhand shop. Whether you're looking for yoga pants, outdoor jackets, running shorts, or activewear for little ones, this California-based brand has got you covered.
Shop Patagonia
5. REI
Based In | Kent, WA
Ethics | Co-op model, sustainable materials & practices, ethically made & some fair trade options, gives back, carbon-neutral, trade-in program
Best For | Sport-specific activewear
Product Range | Adult & children’s tops, bottoms, underwear, outerwear
Size Range | XXS–3X
Price Range | $–$$$
Whether you’re climbing, camping, cycling, or hitting the slopes, you can look to REI for both new and used apparel. This popular retailer is committed to sourcing sustainable materials, like organically grown cotton and cellulose fibers made from trees. And when you buy a product, you’re supporting other nature lovers—more than 70 percent of the co-op’s annual profits are invested back into the community through investments in nonprofits and dividends to REI members.
Shop REI
6. Summersalt
Based In | St. Louis, MO
Ethics | Eco-friendly practices, recycled packaging & materials, responsibly made in WRAP certified factories
Best For | Color-blocking swim & activewear
Product Range | Women’s swimwear, loungewear, activewear, sleepwear, outerwear
Size Range | XS–2X
Price Range | $$–$$$
Summersalt is taking the world by storm. With earth-friendly apparel for women-on-the-go, affordable price points, and sustainable practices, it’s no wonder this apparel line is worn by celebrities and praised by nearly everyone we now. Best of all, rather than using outdated industry sizing standards, the brand works with over 10,000 women to ensure the best, most comfortable fit.
Shop Summersalt
7. tentree
Based In | Vancouver, Canada
Ethics | Certified B Corp, sustainable & recycled materials, ethically made, gives back, climate-neutral
Best For | Graphic athletic tees & hoodies
Product Range | Adult & children activewear, tops, bottoms, loungewear, accessories
Size Range | XS–XXL
Price Range | $–$$
tentree understands that every little bit helps when it comes to being more eco-friendly, whether it’s bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store or shopping consciously. For every purchase, tentree plants 10 trees (the company aspires to plant 1 billion by 2030—take that, climate change!), and more than 71 million have been planted already. We love the blending of athletic wear with beautiful graphics for unique-yet-practical activewear.
Shop tentree
8. Allbirds
Based In | San Francisco, CA
Ethics | Certified B Corp, eco-friendly & recycled materials, ethically made, carbon-neutral
Best For | Sneakers & men’s activewear
Product Range | Adult shoes, activewear, layering basics, underwear, socks
Size Range | XS–XXXL
Price Range | $$–$$$
Allbirds revolutionized the shoe game when it first launched in 2016. At the time, the brand only offered adult sneakers—but they became the go-to for anyone prioritizing comfort and sustainability in their daily walks. Since then, this certified B Corp has expanded its product line to include activewear like leggings, shorts, and tees—made with sustainable materials. Get the carbon-neutral basics you need—all in one place—for your next run.
Shop Allbirds
9. Outdoor Voices
Based In | Austin, TX
Ethics | Recycled materials & packaging, eco-friendly practices & production, gives back
Best For | Women’s crop tops & shorts
Product Range | Adult athletic wear, outerwear
Size Range | XXS–XXXL
Price Range | $$–$$$
Outdoor Voices' interchangeable layers are great for any season or activity. From dog jogs to dodgeball, this athletic wear collection spans gym-life and, well, life-life. Outdoor Voices sources sustainable textiles, including responsibly sourced merino wool and recycled polyester made from water bottles, and the company takes care of its stateside and overseas factory partners, prioritizing fair working conditions and ethical labor practices.
Shop Outdoor Voices
10. alder apparel
Based In | Toronto, Canada
Ethics | Eco-friendly & recycled materials, ethically made, size-inclusive
Best For | Size-inclusive recreational wear
Product Range | Womxn’s recreational activewear, pants, shorts, tops, coats
Size Range | XS–6X
Price Range | $$–$$$$
Let’s be real: Most womxn’s activewear is exclusive to certain body types. alder apparel aims to change that by focusing on inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability—because everyone deserves to feel seen. Started by a fashion marketing expert and a National Geographic Explorer, this colorful outdoor brand is all about recreational apparel, including a rain-or-shine coat, hiking shorts, and reversible tees. We’re most impressed with how the brand takes customer feedback in its design process!
Shop Alder Apparel
11. Wolven
Based In | Los Angeles, CA
Ethics | OEKO-TEX certified sustainable materials, carbon-neutral, recyclable packaging, WCA-certified ethical working conditions, gives back, secondhand shop
Best For | Patterned/printed athletic wear
Product Range | Adult athletic wear, swimwear, loungewear, basics
Size Range | XS–XL
Price Range | $$–$$$
For the best in sleek and sustainable athletic wear, check out Wolven, an LA-based brand creating fashion-forward pieces from post-consumer recycled plastic. This collection is ethically produced in small batches in either LA or China, and the brand removes a pound of plastic waste from the ocean with every purchase. Shop here for leggings, joggers, and tops for all genders, from fitted silhouettes to crisscross styles—they’re carbon-neutral, sustainably made, and downright sexy.
Shop Wolven
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Featured image from Organic Basics
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