12 best eco-friendly women’s sportswear you can buy in 2021
THE sportswear industry has taken a bit of time to catch up to the demand for more sustainably-produced workout and athleisure gear.
But thankfully, with small Instagram brands leading the charge and global corporations like Adidas making huge strides too, finding eco-friendly sportswear is now easier than ever – we’ve rounded up some of the best for women in 2021.
From ethically-sourced yoga separates to swimwear made from recycled plastics, consumers are now spoilt for choice when it comes to working out with a clear conscience.
Some of the more sustainable fabrics to look out for when you’re shopping for activewear include Econyl, Tencel/Lyocell, organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, all of which either reuse already existing materials or have a lighter production footprint than regular sportswear fabrics.
As well as shopping more mindfully, a ‘buy less but better’ attitude will also help you to shop more sustainably when buying your new sportswear.
It means you’ll end up with higher-quality sportswear that you’ll be able to wear over and over again.
This article and featured products have been independently chosen by Sun journalists. It contains links which are ads, and if you click a link and buy a product we will earn revenue.
1. People Tree
(AD) Abstract yoga leggings, from £43.43 from Amazon – buy here
Fair Trade fashion pioneers People Tree have recently branched into activewear and do a great range of ethically-minded and affordable leggings, tees, vests and bras for yoga, Pilates and beyond.
Made from extra soft organic cotton, these thick high-rise yoga leggings are designed to be both ultra comfortable and totally opaque, just what you need in a downward-facing dog.
For those who like a coordinated look, there is also a matching yoga vest available from Amazon too.
People Tree’s cotton is grown in a system that replenishes soil fertility and reduces the need for toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilisers.
2. Adidas
(AD) Adidas Parley women’s short swimsuit, from £35.66 from Amazon – buy here
An official collaboration between Adidas and Parley for the Oceans, the Adidas Parley range of sportswear is made from upcycled marine plastics collected from the oceans and beaches and made into a high-performance sportswear fabric.
The collaboration has been going for an impressive five years and their collection is regularly updated with new ranges of stylish outerwear, swimwear and even sports shoes.This sporty swimsuit is made from Adidas Parley’s Econyl regenerated yarn and is designed to be both chlorine-resistant and soft on the skin.
3. Tentree
W Destination 2L rain jacket, £179.95 – buy here
Not a dedicated sportswear store as such, but US brand Tentree stocks a range of hoodies, outdoor gear and relaxed leisure wear that’s suitable for all kinds of active outdoor pursuits.
This minimally modern rain jacket is made from a recycled polyester fabric that’s both water resistant and breathable, and features fully-taped seams, a snap hood and – joy – inseam pockets.
Tentree partners with tree-planting charities across the globe and aims to plant one billion trees by 2030.
The brand has a UK-based shopping site.
4. BAM Bamboo Clothing
Perform bamboo base layer, £39 from BAM Bamboo Clothing – buy here
If you’re planning on continuing your outdoor exercise regime in the colder months, you’ll need to layer up.
This super-soft jersey base layer combines the breathability and sweat-wicking properties of bamboo with thoughtful styling that includes fine gathers on the back yoke, flatlock stitching for comfort and even thumb loops.
Founded by pole vault champion David Gordon, UK-based BAM’s sustainable bamboo clothing business has been running since 2006.
5. Tala
Zahara sports bra, £32 from Tala – buy here
Millennial and Gen Z favourite Tala is a lot more affordable than most Instagram-famous sportswear brands and the fact that it’s inclusive too only adds to its popularity.
This high-neck zip-up sports bra is made from a special high-compression upcycled polyamide fabric that’s both flattering and comfortable.
Pair with the brand’s matching high-waisted Zinnia leggings for a fashion-forward gym look you can replicate in eleven colours.
6. Allbirds
Women’s Tree Dashers running shoes, £120 from Allbirds – buy here
New Zealand-American footwear brand Allbirds, brings the breathable and temperature-regulating properties of Merino wool to the trainer market.
Its new Tree Dasher running trainer features supported wool-padded soles, a seamless upper made with eucalyptus tree fibre and post-consumer recycled laces.
Allbirds takes its sustainability credentials super-seriously – the company is nearly carbon-neutral and its production process uses 60% less energy than the manufacturing processes of regular synthetic sports shoes.
7. Sundried
Weekly cycle socks, pack of seven for £50 from Sundried – buy here
Ethically-minded UK sportswear brand Sundried produces a range of products geared towards triathletes, including leggings, sports bras, trisuits, gloves and jackets.
But you don’t need to be a super-serious athlete to appreciate its thoughtfully designed sportswear.
Sundried’s cycling socks always receive rave reviews because they offer compression-style support without falling down, while still being soft, stretchy and crucially, non-chafing.
They’re also pretty cute and we think this box of seven pairs (one for each day of the week) would make a great gift for beginner and experienced cyclists alike.
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8. Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Stretch-Jersey Cycling Shorts, £40 from Selfridges – buy here
The married couple behind Girlfriend Collective, Ellie and Quang Dinh, put eco-friendly fashion first, known for using 25 recycled bottles for each pair of leggings.
And the High-Rise Stretch-Jersey Cycling Shorts are also made from recycled materials, using 79 percent recycled polyester.
Not only are cycling shorts a trusty workout go-to, they double as a streetwear piece too. Double whammy.
9. Monki
Monki Recycled Sports Crop Top in Abstract Print Co-Ord, £20 from Asos – buy here
To create this Sports Crop Top in Abstract Print, Monki has taken plastic bottles and textile waste and processed them into plastic chips, melting them into new fibres.
Whoever thinks sustainable fashion can’t look cool clearly hasn’t had a scroll on Asos.
This sports top is cut with a bodycon fit, racerback and elasticated underhand, giving you full flexibility for your workout.
10. Nike
Nike Nike Sportswear Collection Essentials Women’s Oversized Fleece Crew, £45 from JD Sports – buy here
Nike’s Nike Sportswear Collection Essentials fleece is made out of 75 percent sustainable materials, blending recycled cotton, recycled polyester and organic cotton fibres.
Even the trademark swoosh logo is made from Nike Grind, a material made out of the scraps that come from the footwear manufacturing process.
Whether you need something to cover up to travel home from the gym or you’re lifting weights al fresco when it’s a little chilly, everyone needs a cosy fleece.
11. Sweaty Betty
Energise Gym Vest, £40 from Sweaty Betty – buy here
Everything from Sweaty Betty tends to last you through years of wear which is why we’re so into the Energise Gym Vest.
Crafted from one of their signature softer-than-soft, sweat-wicking fabrics that is 95 percent recycled polyester, this racerback vest comes in a relaxed fit.
And it is perfect for any occasion. Yoga? Gym? Boxercise? Whatever your chosen sport, this one will uniform it so well.
12. Cotton:On
Lifestyle Move Jogger Short, £19 from Cotton:On – buy here
You don’t have to splash much cash for sustainable sportswear when you know about Cotton:On.
The Lifestyle Move Jogger Shorts are less than £20, and they’re made from 70 percent recycled polyester that comes from post-consumer waste.
They come in seven colours in total, but ‘mulberry’ is our personal favourite.
What is the best eco-friendly sportswear?
You might think that eco-friendly sportswear is difficult-to-find, but there are tons of collections out there that are crafted from recycled fabrics and made using less wasteful processes.
The best eco-friendly sportswear is that which has the highest percentage of recycled fabrics – quality brands that have a good range include Girlfriend Collective, Tala, BAM and Cotton:On.
Sweaty Betty also have some gorgeous sportswear that falls under the more sustainable fashion category too
Where can I buy eco-friendly sportswear?
The high-street is full of places to shop eco-friendly sportswear – in 2021, most places that stock sporty collections have some more eco-friendly pieces among their collections.
Multi-brand retailers like Asos, John Lewis, Selfridges and Net-a-Porter stock sustainable sportswear too.
Is Gymshark ethical?
According to online research, Gymshark uses fewer sustainable fabrics than other brands, but they do not use any animal products in their lines.
However, the brand has partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative, committed to sourcing sustainable cotton and has plans to switch to zero carbon energy suppliers.
Gymshark also want to use recycled fibres within the creation and production of all of their products by the year 2025.
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