Most of us love to exercise in flattering, figure-hugging clothes, but they are 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, it can be difficult to find good workout clothes made from alternative, less-polluting fabrics.
So I set out to find the best workout gear made from materials that have a lower environmental impact but also do not 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 I have 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 did not 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 am 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.
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 over three months 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. Despite getting sweaty after my runs, pieces made from natural fibres stayed odour-free and just needed a bit of airing outside. It is important to check the care label: 30C was the maximum temperature all round. Sizes can vary significantly between brands, so I would urge trying on sports clothes before buying.
The best lower-impact activewear
The best lower-impact leggings and shorts
Bam Enduro ultra active leggings – £29.50 at Bam. These 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. They showed no signs of sagging before or after laundering. Bam offers a preloved buying and selling platform plus a take-back scheme.
Finisterre Ria seamless leggings – £57 at Finisterre. Soft and cosy, these leggings are made from 46% merino wool, a natural fibre that is brilliant at regulating temperature, with plenty of stretch (35% recycled polyester, 19% polyamide and elastane mix). Wool is odour-resistant, so I only needed to wash them after several wears. I also tested the matching top. Sizing up in the leggings may have been a better fit at the waist for me, but the top was just right. I loved the olive colour, but wished there was a small pocket.
Wellicious New Best yoga pants – £129 at Wellicious. Not everyone likes the tightness of leggings. These yoga pants have a slim silhouette with flattering thick cuffs and good movement, but without a skin-tight feel. They are 83% organic cotton and 17% elastane, and feel soft against the skin while retaining plenty of stretch. I also wore them to the gym for weight training. They washed well and felt just as soft afterwards. Wellicious offers a take-back scheme, and the brand is certified cradle to cradle.
Patagonia Endless run 7/8 tights – £100 at Patagonia. Made from 74% post-consumer recycled nylon with 26% elastane, these leggings feel smooth and sleek rather than soft. If you prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down. They come with handy pockets on each leg to hold your phone and keys.
Wellicious Easy Perfect leggings (high waist) – £119 at Wellicious. I put these leggings to the test during a yoga session, and they offered plenty of stretch. They are soft and comfortable too, but lack the smooth, sleek texture of viscose or synthetics.
Tripulse Pro Tencel leggings – £149 at Tripulse. I loved the feel of these leggings: more second-skin than skin-tight. They are made from 86% Tencel, a fibre made from wood pulp, which is smooth, strong and breathable, and 14% recycled elastane. I wore them for everything – yoga, the gym, running. They were comfortable, did not sag and retained their stretch after washing. The leggings have a hidden internal pocket that can hold keys, but it is too tight for a phone. At £149, they are the most expensive in this group.
Pangaia Plant-Stretch compressive cycle shorts – £49 at Pangaia. I had not worn cycling shorts since childhood, but I felt as if I could move freely in these and happily wore them to yoga. They are flattering with a wide waistband that comes to mid-stomach and a mid-thigh length. Pangaia’s shorts are bio-based, combining nylon made from castor beans and industrial corn and a 98% plant-based elastane.
Community Clothing Lightweight plastic-free running shorts – £30 at Community Clothing. Made from 100% organic cotton with a blend of cotton and natural rubber for the waistband elastic, these shorts are cut into my ideal running silhouette: athletically loose and very short. Comfortable and lightweight, I liked the bright orange shade. A small internal pocket can just about hold your keys.
The best lower-impact exercise tops
Finisterre Seeker merino long sleeve T-shirt – £80 at Finisterre. This base layer is made from 100% merino wool with a relaxed fit, making it functional and versatile. Wool is great at regulating body temperature, and the fit means you can layer it. I only washed it for the purposes of this article – it did not need laundering after several wears.
Pangaia 99% bio-based zipped long-sleeve top – £59 at Pangaia. This is a stylish, slim-fitting top that does not restrict movement. Handy thumbholes and a funnel-neck create a chic silhouette. I wore it in spring without an additional layer and it kept me at the right temperature for 90 minutes while I played tennis. Without washing it, I wore it again a couple of days later for a 4km run, and it still did not smell.
Patagonia Capilene cool merino blend long-sleeved shirt – £84.99 at SportsShoes. This top works on its own or as a base layer. I wore it running outdoors and to play tennis. The 65% wool composition worked its natural, temperature-regulating magic and felt soft against my skin. The remainder (35%) is made from recycled polyester.
Bam Enduro reversible crop top – £36 at Bam. This top earns extra brownie points for being reversible, giving you two different coloured pieces in one. It has the lovely softness you get from natural fibres, and the wide underband was supportive enough for yoga and weight training. The composition is 64% bamboo viscose and 24% organic cotton, with 12% elastane.
Wellicious organic cotton racer tank – £69 at Wellicious. I love a racer-back top for running. Lightweight, loose-fitting without being baggy, this top is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and comes in a sunny yellow shade. A good all-rounder, I also wore it over the Tripulse bra at the gym and for yoga.
Community Clothing Breathable plastic-free racer-back vest – £30 at Community Clothing. A stylish option, this 100% cotton racer-back vest has a weightier feel than standard running tops, helping to retain its shape. The longer cut, which falls below the hip, is flattering. I wore it at the gym and on warm sunny days for an outdoor run. The brand says it shrinks a little after the first wash, but any shrinkage was barely noticeable.
Tripulse AER Relaxed Tencel tank top – £65 at Tripulse. I love tank tops for both sport and non-sporting activities. This one is made from 100% Tencel lyocell, so it is soft and almost weightless, with a silhouette designed more for daywear. I wore it as a layer over the Tripulse bra for yoga and at the gym.
Mover Light merino T-shirt – £82 at Mover. It is hard to beat a good T-shirt for versatility. Mover’s unisex 100% merino wool version is lightweight enough to wear at the gym and for yoga, and as an underlayer when running outdoors. The brand is unisex, so I was recommended a size small, which was the right fit.
The best lower-impact hoodies and sweatshirts
Community Clothing Sleeveless plastic-free sweatshirt – £45 at Community Clothing. Made from 100% organic cotton, this sweatshirt is the most stylish I have ever worn for sport. The thick, ribbed waistband and weighty cotton balance the loose, wide-fitting sleeveless silhouette for a comfortable but structured fit. I wore it for yoga and running indoors on the treadmill.
Mover Merino TechFleece hoodie – £202 at Mover. I associate hoodies with being bulky. This one, made from merino wool, is anything but. Light and streamlined, with a fleece interior, it was easy to tie around my waist once I warmed up. A sleek hood stays on while you run. At £202, it is the most expensive item in this roundup, but I was impressed with its technical abilities and 100% natural-fibre composition.
The best lower-impact sports bras
Tripulse Next-gen Tencel sports bra – £120 at Tripulse. Similar to a crop top, this bra is designed to be worn under clothing or on its own. It offers good coverage and medium support. Made from Tencel lyocell and recycled elastane, it feels soft, comfortable and stretchy. The bra has two openings on the inside – one to the front for optional pads, and one to the back for valuables.
Finisterre Sia seamless bralette – £40 at Finisterre. I was worried this bralette would not be supportive enough given how soft it feels, but I need not have worried. With a seamless design, it was comfortable and stretchy, and I wore it for yoga and weight training. It is designed to be worn as a bra or on its own.
What you need to know
Do you need performance fabrics for exercise?
Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, professor of marketing and sustainable fashion at Ravensbourne University, London, believes we have become too accustomed to a high degree of stretch. For many sports activities, 100% cotton or cotton blends provide a perfectly adequate level of comfort and moveability.
Which materials should I look out for?
Breathable natural fibres, such as organic cotton and wool, are renewable, biodegradable and have a lower carbon footprint. Wool’s thermoregulating properties keep you warmer when it is cold and cooler when it is warm. Being naturally odour-resistant means you do not need to wash it as often. Branded semi-synthetic cellulose fibres made from bamboo and wood pulp, including Tencel, are less carbon and water intensive to produce than regular viscose, but still smooth, absorbent, strong and breathable.
Are recycled fabrics better?
There are pros and cons to recycled synthetics. They still contribute to microplastics pollution, and recycled polyester sheds more microfibres than virgin polyester. Much of it is made from plastic bottles, which cannot be recycled again when used for clothing. But recycled polyester does have a lower carbon footprint than virgin polyester.
What about blends?
Natural fibres are often blended with synthetic materials to provide stretch. Some brands are reducing the ratio significantly in favour of natural fibres, but once fibres are blended, it is difficult to separate and recycle them. Opting for 100% natural fibres can make your buys more sustainable.
Why do more sustainable fabrics cost more?
Polyester remains the fabric of choice across the fashion industry because of the low cost of fossil-fuel-based synthetic fibres. But Bam offers a good entry price point with leggings starting at £49.
