Most of us love to exercise in flattering, figure-hugging clothes, but they’re often unsustainable. Workout gear with stretch tends to be made from fossil-fuel-derived synthetics, which dominate global fibre production. They shed microplastics during every wash, have huge carbon footprints, and can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. However, finding good workout clothes made from alternative, less-polluting fabrics can be difficult.
So I set out to find the best workout gear made from materials that have a lower environmental impact but also don’t compromise on performance. I put a range of pieces—from leggings to shorts, tank tops to base layers—to the test, wearing them for different types of exercise to find out how they felt and if they retained their stretch. I looked at the environmental impact of each item and noted any take-back and recycling schemes.
Most are more expensive than high-street alternatives. But having worn mainstream sportswear in the past, I can confirm the items I tested felt better against my skin, performed just as well, and didn’t need to be washed as often because of the greater amount of natural fibres, giving them a much better chance of lasting longer.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’m a journalist and author specialising in sustainability. In 2022, I published Three Things to Help Heal the Planet, a collection of essays offering climate-friendly solutions to everyday problems. Earlier this year, I hosted a panel discussion for Performance without Toxicity, an exhibition exploring materials innovation in sportswear. I try to exercise several times a week, including running, swimming, tennis, yoga and weights at the gym (although never all five in the same week). I’ve swum between Greek islands, but still struggle to run my regular 5km route without looking like I’ve run a marathon.
How I Tested
Each item of sportswear was put through its paces over three months of running, yoga and weight training. I wore these pieces several times and for three activities: running, yoga and weight training. I washed every piece to test performance post-laundering, although no item needed washing after first use (or even second and third, in most cases).
Despite getting pretty sweaty after my runs, pieces made from natural fibres stayed odour-free and just needed a bit of airing outside. It’s important to check the care label: 30°C was the maximum temperature all round.
Sizes can vary significantly between brands, so I’d urge trying on sports clothes before buying. For online retailers, ask about sizing – they’ll want to help you find the right fit.
The Best Lower-Impact Activewear
The Best Lower-Impact Leggings and Shorts
Bam Enduro Ultra Active Leggings – £29.50
These Bam leggings combine softness (24% organic cotton), smoothness (64% bamboo viscose) and stretch (12% elastane). The result is that you feel “pulled in” without restricting your movement. I wore them for the gym, yoga, tennis and outdoor runs – the handy side pocket can fit a phone while running or even a tennis ball for a second serve. They showed no signs of sagging, before or after laundering. Bam offers a preloved buying and selling platform to keep items in circulation for longer, plus a take-back scheme for products certified as recyclable by the Circular Textiles Foundation (check the label; this doesn’t apply to this particular pair of leggings as the composition is blended).
Finisterre Ria Seamless Leggings – £57
Soft and cosy, these leggings are made from 46% merino wool, a natural fibre that’s brilliant at regulating temperature, with plenty of stretch (they contain 35% recycled polyester, with the remaining 19% a polyamide and elastane mix, so when you do wash them, they will still shed microplastics). Wool is odour-resistant, so I only needed to wash these leggings after several wears. I also tested the matching top, and both pieces are tight-fitting throughout, so the second time I wore the leggings, which have a high waist, I paired them with a different, looser top to balance out proportions. Sizing up in the leggings may have been a better fit at the waist for me, but the top was just right – I even kept it on after my run.