How to choose sustainable fitness clothing
Which brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Activewear Ethical Comparison Table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Why is it important to buy ethical activewear?
Staying fit and healthy through exercise is an important goal for many of us. Whether our chosen activity is running, cycling or hitting the gym, most of us will need to purchase new activewear at some stage. But how do we ensure that our fitness clothing is ethical and sustainable? This guide, alongside our Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, will show you how to do just that.
The use of unsustainable materials in activewear
The clothing we wear when working out serves a different function than ordinary fashion products – it must be stretchy, breathable and resistant to sweat. Hence, activewear is typically made with synthetic materials that suit this purpose, such as nylon, spandex and polyester.
Unfortunately, these materials are generally considered to be unsustainable. The production process is energy-intensive and often requires significant amounts of water and harsh chemicals. Synthetic fibres, such as those used in fitness clothing, are also not biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution when they inevitably end up in landfill.
It is therefore important to opt for activewear made with more sustainable options. BAM products are made with bamboo fibres, which are not only biodegradable, but also require significantly less water and energy to produce. Other Activewear brands are moving towards recycled materials as an alternative. For instance, Gymshark has set a goal to ensure that 100% of its polyester comes from recycled sources by 2025.
Fitness clothing and human rights
The Activewear sector comes with the same human rights concerns as the rest of the Fashion industry, which you can read more about here. Sourcing cheap labour from developing countries means that garment workers making your fitness clothing may be subjected to low wages and poor working conditions. In more extreme cases, activewear brands have been found using forced or child labour to manufacture their products.
To avoid contributing to these issues when purchasing new fitness clothing, we recommend choosing brands which show a clear commitment to ethical labour practices. Brands can demonstrate this through signing up to initiatives such as the Fair Labor Association or Ethical Trading Initiative. You can also look for brands which are transparent about where they source their ingredients and which factories they use to manufacture their clothing.
However, the best and easiest way to check is by seeing which brands receive a top rating (tick) in the Human Rights category in our Activewear ratings. A top rating in this category indicates that our research did not find any human rights abuses within a brand’s supply chain.
Our latest research on the most and least ethical activewear brands
The Good Shopping Guide’s brand-new research into the activewear sector reveals the scores out of 100 for many leading brands. This can help you decide which ethical and sustainable brands to choose from, as well as which brands should be avoided.
The worst offenders
The three lowest-scoring brands were Reebok, Nike and Sweaty Betty. Reebok received a low rating in almost every category, including Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, Political Donations, Human Rights and Other Criticisms. Reebok’s poor rating is primarily a result of its ownership by BlackRock, an investment company known for its involvement in unethical activities such as deforestation, fossil fuel expansion and human rights abuses.
Sweaty Betty, owned by Wolverine World Wide, received a bottom rating in the Other Criticisms category for its poor environmental practices. For instance, Wolverine World Wide was sued in the U.S. state of Michigan for allegedly contaminating drinking water with chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer and agreed to pay $54 million to settle the case.
Nike is well-known for its human rights issues. The company receives a bottom rating for both Human Rights and Human Rights+, which indicates that it has been linked to more than 5 serious cases of human rights abuse, either directly or through its supply chain. This includes issues relating to unpaid or illegally low wages, gender discrimination, forced labour, poor working conditions and more.
Given the importance of workers’ rights within the activewear sector (and the Fashion industry as a whole), we were disappointed to find that only 59% of brands have published a clear Supplier Code of Conduct. Supplier Codes of Conduct set out expectations for the ethical treatment of workers in a company’s supply chains, based on widely approved standards set by the International Labor Organization. You can see which companies received a top rating in the Code of Conduct category by looking at the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table.
Ethical activewear brands: progress towards a more sustainable fitness industry
On the bright side, many ethical activewear brands received impressive scores within the research. PLAINANDSIMPLE and HACOY are at the very top of our table thanks to their exemplary business practices and Ethical Accreditation. We encourage other Activewear brands to follow these brands’ example and adopt more ethical policies before applying for Ethical Accreditation to verify their status as ethical brands. Other green brands include BAM, TALA and Gymshark.
We hope this article has shown you how you can help minimise your ethical impact by purchasing sustainable fitness clothing from ethical brands. Another option which you may want to consider is a more minimalist approach – only purchase activewear if you really need it! One of the best ways to be an ethical consumer is to consume less overall.
However, if you do need new fitness clothes, purchasing from the top-rated brands in our Activewear Table is your best bet!
The Good Shopping Guide has researched some of the world’s most popular activewear brands. Click on any brand name for a full breakdown of its score, as well as our own analysis.
PLAINANDSIMPLE, HACOY, BAM, TALA, Gym King, Gymshark, Patagonia, Aybl, Lazuli Label, Organic Basics, Alphalete, CRZ YOGA, Myprotein, Oner Active, Women’s Best, Puma, New Balance, lululemon, Umbro, Under Armour, Adidas, Sweaty Betty, Nike, Dare 2b, USA Pro, Vuori and Reebok.
What is ethical activewear?
Ethical activewear refers to fitness clothing made with consideration for environmental sustainability, humane treatment of workers, and overall ethical business practices. This includes using better materials and being transparent about labour conditions in supply chains.
Why should I care about buying ethical activewear?
Most activewear is made from synthetic materials like nylon, spandex, and polyester which are energy-intensive to produce, not biodegradable, and contribute to microplastic pollution. Ethical activewear aims to reduce these environmental harms while also addressing human rights issues in the fashion supply chain.
What environmental issues are associated with regular activewear?
Synthetic fibres used in many fitness clothes are not biodegradable, rely on significant water and chemical use, and release microplastics that damage ecosystems when washed or discarded. The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Activewear Ethical Comparison Table allows you to compare which brands rely on unsustainable materials.
What materials are considered more sustainable for activewear?
The GOOD Shopping Guide highlights materials such as bamboo fibres (used by brands like BAM) which are biodegradable and use less water and energy to produce, as more sustainable alternatives to traditional synthetics.
What human rights concerns are there in the activewear industry?
Like much of the fashion industry, activewear production can involve low wages, poor working conditions, and in extreme cases, child or forced labour. Ethical brands address these issues by adopting clear Supplier Codes of Conduct and supporting transparent supply chains. The GOOD Shopping Guide compares which companies perform the best and worst across these categories.
How can I tell if an activewear brand is ethical?
The GOOD Shopping Guide recommends looking for brands that publish robust ethical labour policies, sign up to recognised fair trade initiatives, and achieve high ratings in ethical research, especially in human rights criteria where top-rated brands have no known abuses in their supply chains.
What are some of the most ethical activewear brands?
The top scoring brands on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table are PLAINANDSIMPLE and HACOY, both earning perfect scores due to strong performance across all ethical criteria. Other highly rated brands include BAM, TALA and Gymshark.
Which popular activewear brands score poorly on ethics?
Some widely known brands with low ethical ratings include Reebok, Nike, and Sweaty Betty. These brands were among the lowest scorers due to concerns across environmental, human rights, and other ethical categories.
What can I do to reduce my ethical impact when buying activewear?
Besides choosing ethically rated brands, you can minimise impact by buying less overall, opting for longer-lasting items, or considering second-hand activewear where possible.
Is HACOY Activewear an ethical brand?
HACOY Activewear scores at the top on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, excelling across Environment, Animal and People criteria thanks to its circular design principles, strong sustainable material use and clean record on human rights and other ethical issues. Its outstanding performance reflects deep commitments to ethical business practices and sustainability. Due to its exemplary performance, it has achieved Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide, and is in the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list.
Is PLAINANDSIMPLE an ethical activewear brand?
PLAINANDSIMPLE scores at the top of the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, performing strongly across all Environment, Animal and People criteria due to its use of organic and recyclable materials, rigorous human rights and labour standards, and waste-reducing design philosophy. Its excellent rating, which reflects deep commitments to ethical business practices and sustainability, earned PLAINANDSIMPLE Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide, and a place on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list.
Is BAM an ethical activewear brand?
BAM ranks above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong scores across Environment, Animal and People criteria. This reflects its use of lower-impact bamboo materials, certified wool for better animal welfare and solid labour standards like a robust Code of Conduct and human rights record. It demonstrates a clear commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. BAM could further demonstrate commitment to ethical business practices by achieving Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide.
Is Tala an ethical activewear brand?
Tala ranks above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, showing strong performance across Environment, Animal and People criteria thanks to its use of organic and non-animal materials, good fossil fuel ratings and generally positive human rights record. It does lack a strong Code of Conduct, but overall, it still reflects a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Tala could further demonstrate commitment to ethical business practices by achieving Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide.
Is Gymshark an ethical activewear brand?
Gymshark ranks above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with consistently strong performance in Environment, Animal and People criteria thanks to clear environmental reporting, use of recycled materials, no animal-derived products and solid labour standards across Human Rights, Ethical Trading Schemes and other governance categories. It still has room to improve in organic material use, but overall, it has a commitment to ethical practices. Gymshark could further demonstrate commitment to ethical business practices by achieving Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide.
Is AYBL an ethical activewear brand?
AYBL scores above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, performing well in Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, Human Rights and Political Donations because it uses non-animal materials and has no found human rights criticisms. It does not have a strong Environmental Report or Code of Conduct, however, showing there is still room to strengthen sustainability reporting and formal labour policies.
Is Dare 2b an ethical activewear brand?
Dare 2b sits above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong scores for Environment, Animal and People categories thanks to its good environmental reporting, use of recycled materials and acceptable human rights record. However, it scores less well in Sustainable Materials and Vegan Options, showing there’s room to improve its sustainability and cruelty-free practices.
Is Gym King an ethical activewear brand?
Gym King ranks above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong scores in Animal Welfare and several People categories like Armaments, Human Rights and Political Donations, reflecting its use of non-animal materials and no significant ethical criticisms found. Its weaker areas are its Environmental Report and Code of Conduct, showing some room to strengthen formal sustainability reporting and labour policies.
Is Lazuli Label an ethical activewear brand?
Lazuli Label ranks above the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, scoring well in Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, Human Rights, Armaments and Political Donations, reflecting its non-animal materials and lack of ethical criticisms. However, it does not have a strong Environmental Report nor Code of Conduct, showing it could strengthen its sustainability reporting and labour policy practices.
Is Patagonia Activewear an ethical activewear brand?
Patagonia Activewear is rated above benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, performing strongly across Environment, Animal and many People categories thanks to comprehensive environmental reporting, use of lower-impact materials and generally positive ethical practices. It dies engage in Political Donations and is weaker in Human Rights, but overall the company demonstrates sustainability and ethical operations. Patagonia could further prove its commitment ethical business practices by achieving Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide.
Is Myprotein an ethical activewear brand?
Myprotein scores below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, performing well in Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare and Human Rights because it uses non‑animal materials and has some sustainability reporting. However, it lacks a strong Code of Conduct and is not part of any Ethical Trading Scheme, showing gaps in formal labour and responsible sourcing practices.
Is Puma Activewear an ethical activewear brand?
Puma Activewear scores below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table. It does well in areas like Environmental Report, Better Cotton Initiative, Fossil Fuels, Code of Conduct and some People criteria, but it scores poorly in Animal Welfare and Human Rights categories, reflecting ethical criticisms and gaps in cruelty‑free and people‑focused practices.
Is Organic Basics an ethical activewear brand?
Organic Basics ranks below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, doing well in its Environmental Report, Organic materials use, Fossil Fuels and Animal Welfare due to its use of recycled and plant‑based fibres and certified animal‑friendly products. However, it scores poorly for Ethical Trading Schemes and has only acceptable ratings for Code of Conduct and Human Rights, showing room to strengthen labour and people‑focused practices.
Is Vuori an ethical activewear brand?
Vuori falls below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong scores in Fossil Fuels, Armaments, Code of Conduct, Political Donations and Human Rights reflecting some ethical and governance practices. However, it scores poorly across Environmental Report, Sustainable materials and Ethical Trading Schemes, and only acceptable for Animal Welfare, showing noticeable limitations in sustainability and responsible sourcing.
Is Alphalete an ethical activewear brand?
Alphalete is rated below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, doing well in Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, Armaments and Political Donations because it uses non‑animal materials and has no public criticisms in some areas. However, it scores poorly in Environment, Code of Conduct and Ethical Trading Schemes, indicating significant room to improve its sustainability reporting and labour practices.
Is CRZ Yoga an ethical activewear brand?
CRZ Yoga is rated below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, scoring well for Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare and some People categories like Armaments and Political Donations due to non‑animal materials and a lack of major ethical criticisms. However, it scores poorly in Environment, Sustainable Materials and Ethical Trading Schemes, showing room to improve sustainability practices and formal labour policy commitments.
Is Oner Active an ethical activewear brand?
Oner Active scores below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table. It performs well in Animal Welfare, Fossil Fuels, Armaments, Political Donations and Human Rights, reflecting non‑animal materials and no major public criticisms in those areas. However, it scores poorly for Environmental Report, Organic and Ethical Trading Schemes, showing room to improve its sustainability practices and formal labour policies.
Is Women’s Best an ethical activewear brand?
Women’s Best scores below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, performing well for Fossil Fuels, Animal Welfare, Armaments, Political Donations and Human Rights thanks to its use of non‑animal materials and lack of major public criticisms. However, it scores poorly for Environmental Report, Organic and Ethical Trading Schemes, showing limited sustainability reporting and labour practice commitments.
Is Umbro an ethical activewear brand?
Umbro scores below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, showing strengths in Fossil Fuels, Armaments, Code of Conduct, Political Donations and Human Rights, but weak performance in Environment (Environmental Report, Organic and Better Cotton Initiative), Animal Welfare and Ethical Trading Schemes, indicating significant room to improve its sustainability, animal welfare and responsible sourcing practices.
Is New Balance an ethical activewear brand?
New Balance rates below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table. It scores well for Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels and Code of Conduct, reflecting some environmental targets and labour policy commitments. However, it scores poorly in Animal Welfare, Political Donations and Human Rights, showing notable limitations in cruelty‑free and people‑focused practices.
Is Adidas an ethical activewear brand?
Adidas sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, doing well for Environmental Report, Better Cotton Initiative and Fossil Fuels but scoring poorly for Organic materials and Animal Welfare due to use of k‑leather and lack of certification. It also has notable weaknesses in Human Rights and Other Criticisms, showing significant room to improve its ethical practices.
Is Lululemon an ethical activewear brand?
Lululemon sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong ratings for Environmental Report and Fossil Fuels showing some environmental focus. However it scores poorly for Organic and Better Cotton, Animal Welfare and Human Rights, reflecting limited sustainable material use and ethical concerns in its supply chain, meaning there’s significant room to improve its ethical practices.
Is Under Armour an ethical activewear brand?
Under Armour is rated below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with positive marks for Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels, Code of Conduct and some People criteria due to its environmental reporting and labour policy commitments. However, it scores poorly in Organic materials, Better Cotton Initiative, Political Donations and Human Rights, showing significant limitations in its sustainability and ethical practices.
Is Nike an ethical activewear brand?
Nike sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with good marks for Environmental Report and Fossil Fuels showing some environmental focus. However, it scores poorly in Organic materials, Better Cotton Initiative, Animal Welfare and People criteria like Human Rights and Ethical Trading Schemes, indicating significant room to improve its sustainability and ethical practices.
Is Sweaty Betty an ethical activewear brand?
Sweaty Betty sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with strong marks for Environmental Report and Fossil Fuels showing some environmental efforts. However it scores poorly for Organic materials, Better Cotton Initiative, Ethical Trading Schemes and Human Rights, reflecting weaknesses in sustainable material use and people‑focused practices.
Is USA Pro an ethical activewear brand?
USA Pro sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with poor ratings in Environmental Report, Organic and Animal Welfare showing weak sustainability and cruelty‑free practices. It does better in Better Cotton Initiative, Fossil Fuels and some People criteria like Armaments and Political Donations, but significant gaps remain in human rights and responsible sourcing.
Is Reebok an ethical activewear brand?
Reebok sits below the benchmark on the Activewear Ethical Comparison Table, with mediocre scores for Environmental Report, Fossil Fuels and Better Cotton Initiative but weak performance in Organic materials, Animal Welfare, Human Rights and Ethical Trading Schemes. These gaps in sustainable material use and people‑focused practices show there’s significant room for improvement in its ethical and responsible operations.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.