What makes sportswear more or less sustainable? No, we're not referring to that pair of leggings that's been gathering dust in your wardrobe for months. Although wearing what you buy is indeed step one. Just like with all clothing, it primarily comes down to how and under what circumstances something is made, as well as which materials are used. And as sportswear usually consists of synthetic fabrics, we've put together a handy list of sustainable sportswear brands.
What's ‘the problem’ with most sportswear?
Most sportswear is made from synthetic materials. These are fabrics made from fossil fuels, usually petroleum. Think of polyester, nylon, and elastane.You can read more about elastane here.They are popular because they are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, and have good stretch. Exactly what you want during a run or a sweaty yoga class. The downside is less pleasant. A lot of energy is needed for their production, and with every wash, small plastic fibres can be released which end up in rivers and seas via the water. Add to that the often rapid production and low prices of fast fashion sports brands, and you'll understand there's still room for improvement.
Sustainable sportswear brands: here are our top tips!
- BoldwillA Dutch sports brand that focuses on certified natural materials such as organic cotton and Tencel (a soft fibre made from wood pulp from sustainably managed forests). Their mission: plastic-free, fair sportswear. They produce in Europe under fair working conditions and deliberately choose fixed factories and short supply chains. Bolwill has a sports collection for both women and men. We have written more extensively about Boldwill.
- Dolly SportsA hip Amsterdam sportswear brand with a clear vintage vibe, inspired by founder Eline Starink's grandmother Dolly. They work with limited editions and small stocks to prevent surpluses and fashion waste. The items are so distinctive and stylish that you might as well wear them to the coffee bar as to the gym.
- ARMEDANGELSGerman fashion brand with a mission to make sustainable clothing accessible to everyone. They work a lot with organic cotton and recycled materials and produce as ethically as possible, with clear certifications. In addition to their regular collection, they also have a sports line (for him and for her) including leggings, sweatpants and tops for a good workout.
- OrganisationA beautiful German brand that focuses on timeless basics made from organic cotton and Tencel, among other materials. They produce with consideration for people and the environment and are B Corp certified, meaning they meet strict social and ecological standards. In addition to a large collection of sportswear for everyone – they even have skorts – they also offer lovely leisurewear, comfortable ‘loungewear’ items, and strong basics.
Boldwill is possibly the most sustainable sports brand on the list. They have thought of every detail, from materials to the manufacturing process, and it's a Dutch brand. You read it: we're fans!
- Girlfriend Collective: one of the first brands to produce sportswear from recycled plastic bottles. Their collections consist of at least 75% recycled polyester, and they are remarkably transparent about their production process and factories.On top of that Do they also have a recycling programme and a pre-loved shop online. Definitely take a look here if you are looking for leggings and/or tops.
- Organic BasicsDanish brand that makes fine basics and sportswear from materials such as organic cotton, recycled materials, and Tencel. They work with certified fabrics and produce in factories with fair working conditions. The sports collection is extensive, for men and women, from leggings and tops to complete tracksuits, in both basic shades and bold colours.
- Patagonia: a model company, even outside the world of sport and the outdoors. They use both recycled and organically produced materials, take responsibility for their entire carbon footprint, and do not consider ‘carbon neutral’ to be enough. In addition, they are strongly committed to repair and reuse through ‘Worn Wear’ (their programme where you can have clothes repaired or hand in and buy second-hand items) and donate 1% of their turnover to nature conservation. Here you’ll find every type of clothing you can imagine for outdoor living and sport.
- VAUDE: A well-known German outdoor and sports brand that has taken sustainability seriously for years. They work with many recycled materials, are members of the Fair Wear Foundation (an organisation that monitors fair working conditions in clothing factories) with the highest ‘Leader’ status, and have their own Green Shape label with strict requirements for people and the environment. They also focus heavily on repair, maintenance, and circular design. At VAUDE, you will also find all the practical clothing you can think of for outdoor life and sports. We have written more extensively about VAUDE.
- People Treehas been around since 1991 and is not without reason considered one of the first fair fashion brands. They work according to Fair Trade principles and give makers in places like Asia access to a fair market and better wages. It is not purely a sports brand, but they regularly have sports leggings and tops in their collection. Extra special: on the website you can read more about the clothing ateliers they work with, so you can see exactly where your clothes are made.
- Tripulsemakes sportswear from as many natural fibres as possible, such as Tencel. They produce in Europe under controlled conditions and calculate and offset their emissions through the Climate Neutral programme. In addition, they design their clothing to be timeless and multifunctional, so you won’t just wear it for one season, but for years. Here you will primarily find leggings, tops and bras.
- Welliciousmakes yoga and activewear from organic cotton and completely non-toxic, biodegradable materials. They produce in Europe and operate according to the Cradle to Cradle principle, where clothing is designed so that materials can be reused or safely degrade without leaving harmful residues. The collections are free of microplastics and designed to be truly circular.
- IcebreakerThey might be known for their fine merino shirts, but they offer so much more. Icebreaker creates sports and outdoor clothing – for men and women – from merino wool, actively avoiding synthetic fibres wherever possible. Nowadays, the vast majority of their collection is made from plastic-free fibres. They have long-term partnerships with sheep farmers, are committed to animal welfare and regenerative agriculture, and are transparent about their entire supply chain, from sheep to shirt.
- EcoalfSpanish brand that has been committed to clothing made from recycled materials since 2009, without compromising on design or quality. With the project Upcycling the Oceans They work with fishermen who retrieve waste from the sea that is processed into new yarns. Ecoalf is B Corp certified and also has its own sustainable sportswear line for both men and women.
Which sustainable sports brand would you choose?
Which sustainable sportswear brand is best suited to you depends primarily on what you find important. Do you prefer to exercise in natural materials like merino wool or Tencel? Then you'll quickly arrive at brands like Icebreaker, Tripulse, or Boldwill. Are you going for recycled materials and a strong circular story? Then Ecoalf or Girlfriend Collective, for example, are interesting. And do you place great value on fair production and long-term collaborations with makers? Then brands like People Tree, Armedangels, or VAUDE are worth looking into. Our advice? Don't just look at the logo on your leggings, but read on. What is it made of, where is it produced, and is it something you'll actually wear often? And do you have any good tips yourself for a sustainable sportswear brand we should know about? Please let us know; we're always happy to add to our list.
