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Introduction
Today, more than ever before people are becoming conscious of the environmental and social impact of their clothing choices and how the circular economy affects their health and well-being. While wearing comfortable clothes can enhance physical well-being by reducing stress and promoting relaxation, the psychological effect of your clothing choice can also influence your mood and confidence. Being intentional about our fashion choices is becoming imperative if we must participate in the sustainable use of globally circulating waste products and repurpose and use them in environmentally responsible ways.
Wearing clothes that make you feel good can positively impact your mental well-being; it’s like a little mood boost you carry around. This is especially true for activewear, where individuals prioritize comfort, durability, performance, and the ethics and social responsibility of a brand.
Thankfully, there are numerous companies that are environmentally conscious, treat workers fairly, and use eco-friendly materials that will give you some peace of mind by upholding principles of corporate social responsibility and public accountability. In this article, we will explore the top 10 sustainable activewear brands that will make you feel good inside and out, both physically and ethically.
The Need for Sustainable Activewear Brands
As the demand for circular fashion continues to rise, the need for sustainable activewear brands becomes more evident. By now we’re all aware of how regular fashion production contributes to pollution, deforestation, and the exploitation of workers. Sustainable activewear brands prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton, and bamboo among others.
They also implement ethical manufacturing processes, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees, and they are transparent about their processes.
Additionally, sustainable activewear brands focus on durability and longevity, promoting a conscious approach to consumption. By investing in high-quality, long-lasting activewear, you can reduce waste and contribute to a circular and fair economy.
In the next sections, we will explore the top 10 sustainable activewear brands that are leading the way in creating fashionable, functional, and eco-conscious pieces.
Patagonia: Commitment to Sustainable Materials and Ethical Practices
Patagonia, known for its commitment to sustainable materials and ethical labour practices, is a pioneer in the sustainable activewear industry. By using recycled materials, they have made it their mission to produce fashionable and functional apparel while minimizing their impact on the environment.
Patagonia achieves sustainability through the use of eco-friendly materials, a commitment to fair labour practices, and the improvement of factory conditions globally. They prioritize the use of recycled polyester, which significantly reduces the demand for new materials and diverts waste from landfills. Additionally, they source organic cotton and bamboo, both of which are renewable and biodegradable.
In terms of ethical practices, Patagonia ensures that its manufacturing processes meet strict standards by partnering with factories that prioritize fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees. By supporting this brand, you can feel good knowing that your purchase is not only stylish and comfortable but also aligns with your values.
Adidas Parley: Innovative Technology for Eco-Friendly Performance
Adidas Parley for the Oceans is making waves in the sustainable activewear industry with its innovative technology and eco-friendly performance. They are dedicated to finding new solutions that reduce their environmental footprint while still delivering high-quality and performance-driven apparel.
One of their standout features is the use of recycled materials, waste from ocean plastic and landfills, which is transformed into high-performance sportswear. By utilizing materials such as recycled nylon and polyester, Adidas Parley is reducing the demand for new resources and diverting waste from ending up in our oceans and landfills.
Furthermore, their commitment to sustainability extends to their production processes by working with factories that prioritize energy efficiency and water conservation, thereby minimizing their impact on the environment. With Adidas Parley, you can feel confident knowing that you are supporting a brand that values both performance and sustainability.
prAna: Supporting Local Communities and Fair Trade Practices
prAna takes sustainability to the next level by not only prioritizing the environment but also supporting local communities and practicing fair trade. This is a thoughtful brand that believes in creating a positive impact on both people and the planet.
One of the ways prAna achieves this is by partnering with local artisans and communities to create their active wear. By sourcing materials and labour from these communities, they support local economies and promote indigenous craftsmanship.
In addition, prAna ensures fair trade practices by providing fair wages and safe working conditions for their workers. They believe that everyone involved in the production process should be treated with dignity and respect.
By choosing prAna, you are not only getting sustainable and high-quality activewear, you are also making a difference in the lives of people and communities. The commitment to sustainability goes beyond materials; it extends to societal and ethical considerations.
Everlane: Transparency and Supply Chain Responsibility
Everlane is a shining example of transparency and supply chain responsibility in the sustainable activewear industry. They believe in fully disclosing their supply chain to customers, ensuring that every step of the production process is ethically and sustainably conducted.
One of their standout practices is the dedication to using organic and responsibly sourced materials. They carefully select suppliers who share their values and commitment to preserving the environment. From organic cotton to recycled polyester, their materials are eco-friendly, high-quality and comfortable.
Furthermore, Everlane takes responsibility for their environmental impact by investing in renewable energy and reducing water consumption during production. They are constantly striving to improve their sustainability practices and are transparent about their progress and challenges.
If you choose Everlane, you can trust that you are supporting a brand that creates stylish and functional activewear but also prioritizes transparency, responsible sourcing, and environmental preservation.
Girlfriend Collective: Empowering Women through Ethical Production
Girlfriend Collective is on a mission to empower women through ethical production practices. They believe that every garment tells a story, and they are committed to ensuring that the stories behind their products are positive ones.
This brand takes pride in working with women from marginalized communities around the world. They provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. By supporting Girlfriend Collective, you are directly contributing to the empowerment and economic independence of these women.
Moreover, Girlfriend Collective is equally committed to sustainability by prioritizing the use of recycled plastic, and natural and biodegradable materials, such as organic cotton and hemp, and minimizing their carbon footprint throughout the production process.
If women’s empowerment aligns with your values, this brand will certainly appeal to you.
tentree: Eco-Friendly Packaging and Shipping Practices
Tentree takes sustainability to the next level by focusing on eco-friendly packaging and shipping practices. They understand that the journey of their products doesn’t end when they leave the factory but continues all the way to your doorstep.
To reduce their environmental impact, tentree uses packaging materials made from recycled and biodegradable materials. They aim to minimize waste and make sure that their packaging is sustainable.
In addition, they work with shipping partners who share their commitment to reducing carbon emissions. By choosing carriers that prioritize sustainable transportation methods, tentree is able to minimize the environmental footprint of its shipping process. Another cool feature is their invitation to plant trees to offset your carbon footprint. They plan on planting 1 billion trees by 2030, and you can plant a tree as an individual for $9 a month or a family tree for $15 a month. This is certainly an amazing approach to get consumers more involved in carbon reduction activities.
With every purchase from tentree, you’re getting sustainable and fashionable activewear and feeling good knowing that the entire journey – from production to delivery – is done in an environmentally responsible way.
Rothy’s: Upcycling and Recycling Programs
Rothy’s is another sustainable activewear brand that is worth mentioning. They have taken a unique approach to sustainability by implementing upcycling and recycling programs.
Their upcycling program allows customers to send back their worn-out activewear items, which are then repurposed into new products. This reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and gives a second life to materials that would have otherwise been discarded.
Additionally, Rothy’s has collected over 600,000 Ibs of marine plastic from 30 miles of coastline and turned that into thread which is used for knitting their bags and other accessories. Moreover, among all the other interesting things that Rothy’s does with recycled plastic and bio-materials is the use of harmful algae harvested from waterways to produce algae-based foam insoles for sandals. Their packaging recycling program uses 95% post-consumer recyclable materials and encourages customers to recycle packages once they receive their order.
By implementing these programs, Rothy’s not only reduces their environmental impact but also encourages their customers to participate in the circular economy and make sustainable choices.
Outerknown: Supporting Environmental Causes and Initiatives
Outerknown is an activewear brand that goes above and beyond in their commitment to supporting environmental causes and initiatives and fair labour practices. They believe that sustainability goes hand in hand with social responsibility, and they actively contribute to organizations that are working to protect and restore the environment.
Some of the ways Outerknown supports environmental causes are through their partnership with environmental non-profit organizations and running a reselling platform for pre-loved styles. They donate a portion of their profits to these organizations, helping to fund projects that range from reforestation efforts to clean water initiatives.
Furthermore, Outerknown is dedicated to transparency and regularly communicates their sustainability efforts to their customers. They provide detailed information about their supply chain, materials used, workers’ well-being, and their environmental certifications, ensuring that customers have complete visibility into their sustainability practices.
Outerknown is truly making a positive impact on the planet and empowering their customers to do the same. With their stylish and sustainable activewear, you can feel good about your fashion choices while supporting environmental causes.
Eileen Fisher: Commitment to Slow Fashion and Quality Products
Eileen Fisher is a leader in the sustainable activewear industry, with a strong commitment to slow fashion and producing high-quality products. They prioritize durability, ensuring that their clothing lasts longer and reduces the need for frequent replacements.
By adopting a slow fashion approach, Eileen Fisher aims to counter the fast-paced, disposable nature of the fashion industry. This not only reduces waste but also encourages customers to make more conscious and thoughtful purchasing decisions.
In addition to their commitment to slow fashion, Eileen Fisher is on a mission to counter the traditional take-make-waste model of fast fashion, rather focusing on promoting the environmental advantages of choosing used items over new ones.
By emphasizing the already-spent carbon footprint in the production of new items, this initiative seeks to educate consumers about the ecological benefits of reuse. A model that promotes stewardship of the planet by making informed choices that contribute to a recycling economy.
With Eileen Fisher, you can feel confident that you are investing in sustainable and long-lasting activewear that will keep you feeling comfortable and stylish for years, with an understanding that the company can repurchase your item.
Pact: Social Impact and Philanthropic Efforts
Pact is not only dedicated to creating sustainable activewear, but they also prioritize obtaining certifications from reputable organizations like Fair Trade USA, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and SimpliZero. These credentials ensure that their products and processes align with ethical and environmentally conscious practices.
Additionally, one of Pact’s notable achievements includes saving 360 million gallons of water through organic farming, which results in cleaner air and soil as well as reduces the overall environmental impact of their products.
Their collaboration with SimpliZero allows Pact to measure and offset the carbon footprint of each product through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects.
In addition to their philanthropic efforts, Pact ensures that their manufacturing processes are ethical and sustainable. They prioritize fair wages and safe working conditions for their employees, as well as the use of eco-friendly materials and packaging.
By choosing Pact, your purchase is a conscious choice that empowers employees and supports communities.
When it comes to choosing activewear brands, it’s important to consider the impact they have on the environment and society. The top 10 sustainable activewear brands mentioned in this blog are leading the way in creating products that are not only stylish and functional but also eco-friendly and socially responsible.
Conclusion: Supporting Sustainable Active Wear for a Better Future
By supporting these brands, you are not just making a fashion statement; you’re contributing to a better future. Whether it’s through their use of organic and recycled materials, fair labour practices, or philanthropic efforts, these brands are taking steps to ensure a more sustainable and equitable world.
Oftentimes the conversations about the degrading environment can sound too global and almost far removed from our daily realities, but if you’re future-focused and considering your personal efforts to leave a better environment for future generations, making intentional fashion purchases can offer you some peace of mind.
The information in this blog is a place to start thinking about how our fashion decisions affect global health and well-being. So, the next time you’re in need of new workout gear, consider investing in brands that align with your values. Choose sustainable activewear, so you can feel good knowing that you’re making a conscious choice for both your well-being and the planet. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable future.
Have you invested in one of these brands or any other brand not mentioned in this blog article? Tell us how you feel about that investment.