5 favourite sustainable activewear brands

Finding the best gym wear is essential, however when it comes to ticking all the boxes, we often find ourselves compromising ethics for price. Similar to our top 5 sustainable swimwear search, we have been on a journey to find the chicest and environmentally sustainable workout wear suitable for the gym, at home, or as athleisure on your daily errands. Click here to learn more about sustainability within the fast fashion industry. 

First Base - @ThisIsFirstBase

This Sydney based brand was established in 2013 and has taken the athleisure industry by storm. It’s integration of basic colours and cuts, complimented by unique pops of colour and designs is almost as amazing as their sustainability ethos. From the beginning first base has remained transparent across their supply chain management, more prominently their fabrics. They use organic cotton, bamboo and recycled fibres throughout their garments, as well as Econyl, a replacement for non-biodegradable nylon. This strategy to avoid new creation of plastic has been seen in their approach of repurposing old fish nets and wetsuits that can be upcycled into yarn and integrated into activewear fabrication. It doesn’t top there, First Base uses packaging that is made from renewal plants, as well as tags, invoices, care cards and even string that is generated from recycled paper – how amazing!

Horizon Athletic - @HorizonAthletic

This activewear brand has the most flattering athletic design which utilises bright block colours and unique cuts. A Sydney based athleisure company with a twist – founded by Marlene Gabriel a professional athlete in search for the perfect competitive garments. Horizon athletics was inspired by the beautiful Australian landscapes and fuelled by the need to decrease the amount of plastic entering our oceans. This brand also utilises Econyl woven with Lycra Xtra Life, making their product up to 5 times more robust when in contact with saltwater, creams, serums and chlorine. Horizon is Australian made and driven for high performing athletes wanting long-lasting athletic wear. 

Nimble Activewear - @NimbleActivewear

What better way to start of an explanation of Nimble than since 2015 they have recycled over 1,028,678 plastic bottles? Their breathable fabrics are the product of MoveLite and COMPRESSLITE, engineered materials that are derived from post-consumer used plastics. Once collected, the plastic is broken into flakes, melted to pellets and then spun to yarn – a recycling process which minimises the need to create new materials for manufacturing. It doesn’t stop there, their packaging is also fully compostable, as well as their swing tags being FSC certified. What we love about Nimble is that their journey for sustainability hasn’t stopped, they’re motivation to reduce any environmental footprint is still evolving – can they get any more amazing? 

Girlfriend Collective - @Girlfriend

The girlfriend collective truly has ethically made activewear done to a tee. Motivated my female empowerment, they have created a product line of beautiful tones and cuts suitable for women sized XXS – 6XL. All materials used in their active wear is made from upcycled plastics and since launch they have diverted over 8 million water bottles from landfill. Recently they have launched LITE Leggings and Body suits, which are made from recycled fish nets and other discarded ocean-based plastics which would otherwise remain in our seas and continue harming marine life. Their physical products isn’t the only thing amazing about Girlfriend Collective, they also truly believe in ethical manufacturing and work with SA8000 factory, a company that ensures a healthy workspace with catered meals and follows safe working environments. 

Maeve the Collective - @MaeveTheCollective

An exciting project that has just launched on Instagram is the Maeve the Collective. This Burleigh based sustainable activewear brand uses bright and bold designs made from recycled old plastic water bottles. Keep an eye out for Maeve the Collective, although products are not available yet, they are launching soon and this space is one to watch.