I get why people shop from Alo Yoga, Lululemon, Gymshark, and other trendy activewear brands. Cute sets make working out more fun, and they easily transition into casual wear.

But the quality can be hit-and-miss. I went into Alo Yoga last summer and was horrified to see that their new tennis skirts had briefs instead of proper shorts underneath. The sales associate also told me their leggings never have pockets. And I'm not even going to start on Lululemon’s deteriorating quality.

At those price points, what are we paying for exactly? These brands invest heavily in marketing and influencer sponsorships, so aesthetics often trump performance and quality. They are also beholden to shareholders, so don't be surprised as they continue to cut corners.

I tried going the sustainable route for activewear. I supported smaller brands using merino wool, organic cotton, and bamboo. It sounded good in theory, but in reality, those fabrics did not hold up for high-impact sports and activities such as running, tennis, basketball, HIIT workouts, etc.

Like it or not, synthetic fibers are necessary for serious training. So if you’re buying sports bras from Nike or Adidas, cut yourself some slack.

It's not easy to find athleticwear brands that are ethical, functional, and cute. I only found 4 brands that made the cut. Stay to the end for 6 more sustainable brands that work for low to medium-impact activities.

Popflex

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Popflex is a size-inclusive activewear brand founded by fitness creator Cassey Ho, who regularly shares the design process behind her pieces. Because they’re still independent, the quality of their clothing is a dream. This is a brand run by women who know what women want: well-designed activewear that's flattering on a variety of body types—and has pockets! So many pockets. I really hope they stay independent and maintain control over their production.

They use high-performance synthetics for different activities, but they’re also making efforts on sustainability, such as minimizing overproduction and running a pre-loved resale program called P♻PCYCLE. They're using more responsible packaging and continue to reduce their impact. Popflex says it partners with factories that follow fair labor standards. Their clothes are well-made enough to last for years.

Girlfriend Collective

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Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable activewear brand known for its transparent ethical practices and inclusive sizing. The company makes many of its pieces from recycled materials such as recycled polyester and recycled nylon, including fabric sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles and fishing nets. Girlfriend Collective publicly discloses information about its factory partners and works with Fair Trade Certified™ facilities, reflecting a strong commitment to fair labor conditions and greater supply-chain transparency than most mainstream brands. The brand offers extended sizes and styles designed to suit a wide range of body types. Girlfriend Collective is one of the leading eco-conscious options in activewear.

Athleta

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Athleta is a women’s performance and lifestyle activewear brand owned by Gap Inc. and certified as a B Corporation, meaning it meets verified standards for social and environmental responsibility. I own a few yoga and workout sets that have stood the test of time.

The brand uses a growing amount of recycled and lower-impact materials, including recycled polyester, recycled nylon, TENCEL™, and organic cotton, and offers some Fair Trade Certified™ styles. Athleta is widely seen as more ethical than most mainstream athletic brands, though transparency around living wages and full supply-chain accountability remains limited compared with smaller independent labels.

Patagonia

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Patagonia is widely respected for high-performance athletic gear for outdoor sports like trail running, climbing, and hiking. The company is a certified B Corporation and has one of the strongest reputations in the outdoor industry for environmental responsibility, supply-chain transparency, and fair labor practices. Patagonia uses a high proportion of recycled and responsibly sourced materials, including recycled polyester, recycled nylon, and Fair Trade Certified™ fabrics, and publicly supports systemic sustainability initiatives. While their women's workout sets are limited in design, the pieces are made to perform in demanding conditions.

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More Ethical Activewear Brands for Low-Medium Impact Activities

Not all workouts require high compression fabrics, so if your workouts lean more toward walking, Pilates, yoga, barre, stretching, or if you just want comfortable everyday wear, these brands do a great job balancing comfort, aesthetics, and sustainability.

These are low to medium-impact options, rather than true performance wear.

• Mate the Label – Uses natural and organic fibers with a strong ethical focus. Best for lounging, gentle movement, and low-impact workouts rather than performance training.

• Port de Bras – A fashion-forward brand inspired by ballet and dance. Beautiful pieces that work well for barre, Pilates, and studio movement.

• Boody – Made primarily from bamboo viscose, offering soft, breathable basics that are ideal for everyday wear and low-impact activity.

• Tentree – A sustainability-focused brand known for planting trees with every purchase. Their activewear is comfortable and responsibly made, but better suited for light workouts and everyday movement than serious athletic training.

• Pact – Focused on organic cotton basics with strong ethical standards. Comfortable and breathable, but best for yoga, stretching, or relaxed movement.

These brands are great ethical choices if your priority is comfort and light movement.

Share with us in the comments your favorite ethical activewear brands.

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