But before we start filling our carts with spandex eye candy, we’re considering the impact that our synthetic-heavy activewear purchases have on the environment. Those eye-catching sports bras and compression leggings are primarily made from polyester and nylon, which, after they’ve done their tour of duty on the track or in the gym, will permanently clog landfills.
Luckily, an increasing number of brands are using recycled iterations of these stretchy fabrics, or working with renewable fibers like bamboo and even wool. Your options for having a low environmental impact with that high-impact workout are greater than ever — click ahead to see 18 of our favorites resources for eco-friendly workout gear.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Reformation
Our go-to purveyor of low-impact bridesmaid and date-night dresses just launched a line of stretchy separates intended for sweaty activities. Customers can choose from either EcoMove — meant for higher-intensity movement — or EcoStretch, which is better suited to, well, stretching. Either way, sustainably-minded shoppers will be happy to know that Ref’s goods are made from REPREVE, a polyester that gives new life to recycled plastic bottles.
Shop Reformation
Reformation Emmy Ecostretch Jumpsuit (Sizes 1X - 3X), $, available at Reformation
Girlfriend Collective
We’re unabashed Girlfriend Collective stans — we even named their revamped FLOAT legging an MVP (Most Valuable Product) in 2020. Everything in their colorful, streamlined collection is made from recycled polyester or nylon, or cupro (a cotton byproduct), and is suited for sprinting, channel surfing, and everything in-between. The fashion community is starting to catch on to the brand’s sustainable appeal — they just launched an eco-friendly capsule collection with Net-a-Porter.
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Girlfriend Collective Black High-Rise Bike Short, $, available at Girlfriend Collective
Keep the sustainable theme going post-workout with this rib-knit crop top made from LivaEco™️ viscose blend.
H&M Ribbed Crop Top, $, available at H&M
Everlane
The direct-to-consumer brand is well-known for its lower-impact offerings, which include recycled-nylon fleece pullovers and second-life cotton toppers. The sustainable scope includes the brand’s Perform collection, a group of leggings, bike shorts, and tops made of a lightweight, second-skin fabric comprised of 58% recycled nylon.
Shop Everlane
Everlane The Perform Bra, $, available at Everlane
Summersalt
The inclusively-sized swimwear brand dipped its toes into activewear in 2020, launching a collection of bras, bike shorts, leggings, and windbreakers made from a lower-footprint blend of recycled polyester. Even better, the collection is rendered with the brand’s signature cheerful approach to color and pattern — unexpected hues like seafoam green and remixed zebra prints round out the assortment.
Shop Summersalt
Summersalt The Do-It-All High Rise 7/ 8 Leggings, $, available at Summersalt
Athleta
The Gap-owned athlesiure brand (and certified B corp) has some impressive eco-forward cred — 76% of the materials that the brand uses are considered sustainable, including recycled polyester and nylon, TENCEL, and organic cotton.
Shop Athleta
Athleta Venture Pant, $, available at Athleta
Prana
This pioneering sustainable brand boasts a host of eco-friendly separates, perfect for working out and lounging.
Shop Prana
prAna Becksa Tank, $, available at prAna
Adidas
The heritage sneaker brand intends to use 100% recycled polyester in all of their products by 2024 — a lofty but necessary goal for company with such a massive footprint (literally and figuratively). You can shop their existing selection of recycled-fiber options on the Primegreen landing page, which includes everything from workout must-haves like their iconic three-stripe leggings and beloved Ultraboost sneakers to everyday items like top-rated face masks and a eco-friendly take on everyone’s favorite white sneaker, the Stan Smith.
Shop Adidas
Adidas High Rise Sport Tights, $, available at Adidas
Allbirds
These lightweight sneakers are made from merino wool, which requires 60% less energy to manufacture than a synthetic sneaker, in addition to being biodegradable. The brand's New Zealand-sourced wool is also certified by ZQ Merino, an industry watchdog that ensure sheep are being raised with the highest standards of welfare and sustainability.
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Allbirds Tree Dashers, $, available at Allbirds
Alternative Apparel
The longtime basics brand has a landing page devoted to workout-friendly goods that also check the low-impact box, thanks to fabrications in renewable fibers like tencel and recycled cotton and polyester. Their cozy gear is perfect for warming up or cooling down.
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Alternative Apparel Baby Champ Eco-Teddy Sweatshirt, $, available at Alternative Apparel
Cotopaxi
In addition to being a B Corp-certified activewear brand with a goal of “funding sustainable poverty alleviation” through their products, outdoor and activewear brand Cotopaxi also offers a number of environmentally low-impact products. We especially love their Del Dia collection, a series of workout- and travel-friendly packs that are made from excess production fabric sourced from the brand’s factory in the Phillippines.
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Cotopaxi Mariveles Duffel Bag, $, available at Cotopaxi
Veja
While it’s primarily revered for its casual eco-friendly street sneakers, French footwear brand Veja offers a running sneaker that was four years in the making — and it's as next-level as you could imagine. The body is made of a lightweight, breathable mesh derived from recycled water bottles, and the rubber sole is made of sustainably harvested from the Amazonian rainforest.
Shop Veja
VEJA Condor Sneaker, $, available at Carbon38
Patagonia
The outdoor retailer has been eco-aware since its inception in 1973, and it continues to innovate ways to lower the impact of their products. The brand’s range of activewear is no exception, with an assortment of leggings, bras, and insulating layers made from organic and recycled fibers.
Shop Patagonia
Patagonia Pack Out Lightweight Tight, $, available at Backcountry
Manduka
Point your browser towards this yoga accessories brand’s “Made For Good” landing page, which collects all of its eco-minded products — including mats made from biodegradable rubber, recycled EVA-foam blocks, and towels containing repurposed plastic bottles.
Shop Manduka
Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Block, $, available at Manduka
Smartwool
Another brand using ZQ-certified merino is Smartwool, a Colorado-based outdoor outfitter that specializes in everything from intimates to sweat-wicking base layers to toasty outer layers.
Shop Smartwool
Smartwool Hudson Trail Pullover Fleece Sweater, $, available at Smartwool
tasc Clothing
The fabric used for these leggings is made from recycled bamboo, which is surprisingly moisture-wicking and soft — and tasc’s proprietary blend is made without chemical finishes.
Shop tasc
tasc ALLways Sports Bra, $, available at tasc
Pact
While this loungewear brand is relatively new on the scene, its star is on the rise thanks to an assortment of easy-chic separates made from organic, Fair Trade-certified cotton. Whether you’re in search of breathable undergarments for your next workout or some super-soft tees for those early-morning jogs, Pact has you covered. (And yes — they do make leggings.)
Shop Pact
PACT Pocket Legging, $, available at PACT
Wolven
All of Wolven’s garments are made with OEKO TEX-certified recycled P.E.T fabric (RPET), which is made from recycled plastic water bottles. Not only are they determined to help save the planet, but their fun patterns and colorways help bring a little curb appeal to the sustainability game.
Shop Wolven
Wolven Turmeric Pocket Legging, $, available at Wolven
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