18 of the best sustainable activewear brands to shop in the UK – Cosmopolitan UK

We all want to do our bit to keep the particular planet happy – whether it’s switching from bottled shampoo to a bar (cutting back on plastic in the process) or experimenting with eating less meat , there’s lots you can try… and taking the peek inside your gym kit is another excellent place to start. Yep, we’re talking about investing in some sustainable, ethical activewear.

Even if you’ve already curbed (or at least semi-curbed) your monthly fast fashion haul in favour of a spot of thrifting, often it’s tougher to go secondhand shopping for gym clothes. The size range may not be there, with regard to instance, or you might struggle with the idea of wearing a pair of leggings that a stranger has already sweated within – which, in all honesty, is fair (sometimes it feel like there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect with regards to watching your own eco-footprint , when it can just not possible to do it all).

But fear not! We know how important it will be to find wholesome, lovely brands you can trust to make the process associated with buying honest activewear whole lot easier, so we’ve done the (literal) leg work and put a tonne of them on trial ( scroll down to see our top sustainable activewear picks) .

We’ve also asked two sustainability experts for their top ethical shopping tips, if you’re keen regarding a deeper dive:

How to shop intended for sustainable activewear

Unfortunately, opting for activewear made via materials that will benefit the particular planet (and people eg. from manufacturers who’ve committed to paying workers fairly) can sometimes come at a higher financial cost, which is usually why it’s always good in order to deploy the ’30 times test’, says slow fashion expert Abbie Morris, CEO of Compare Ethics : “If you’re looking to reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe, switch your mindset to consider whether you’ll wear something more than 30 occasions. If the answer is yes, then buy it. You’ll start to notice how many items you say ‘no’ in order to and what’s actually a solid, long-term investment piece. ”

Basically, is actually all regarding quality over quantity – something you also need to consider when taking into account how an item washes (eg. will it fall apart after one speedy 30º cycle? Will it likely require washing right after every wear? ). “Focus on neutral colours plus classic shapes, as this will ensure the particular items don’t go out of style, ” Morris adds.

Many brands are now aware associated with essential it is to show off their green ‘credentials’, but sadly far too many still keep things vague, simply throwing in the right buzzwords as part of their latest advertising campaigns, something known as ‘greenwashing’. Morris’ advice on that front is simple, “If it’s hard to find credible environmental data from a brand, then it is likely they are not actually reducing their environment impact. ” Transparency is definitely key.

You may also check a brand’s rating upon sustainability directories such as Good On You or if really a member of the Fair Wear Foundation as a starting point – or even shop on a trusted marketplace like Wolf & Badger , which usually stocks independent brands and even has an ‘ethical filter’ option (allowing you to filter products by whether or not they’re vegan, or were produced by creators who were paid the fair wage etc).

What materials should a person look for whenever buying lasting activewear?

One easy way of buying honest activewear is to shop pieces that are made from components that have a positive impact on the environment, such as:

• Recycled polyester
• Bamboo
• Organic cotton
• Non-toxic dyes

Merryn Chilcott, Sustainability Manager in BAM Bamboo bedding Clothing , says, “It’s also important to consider how the brand can be actively decreasing their impact on the climate and nature – for example are they lowering and offsetting CO2 emissions, and conserving natural resources? – plus the garments ‘end associated with life’ outlook. ” By that, Chilcott recommends looking at whether the particular brand has any take back or re-sale schemes, or if the item is certainly biodegradable.