Looking for sustainable and eco-friendly activewear that doesn’t compromise on performance? Look no further! This article has got you covered with the best options for men’s workout wear made from recycled and natural fibers.
The activewear industry is often dominated by unsustainable synthetics, making it challenging to find sustainable options. But fear not, this article has done the legwork for you. From ethical activewear brands to eco-friendly performance wear, this article showcases the best sustainable options for men’s workout wear.
The Fittest Eco-Friendly Men’s Activewear Brands
When it comes to sustainable and eco-friendly men’s activewear, there are a few brands that stand out from the crowd. These brands prioritize using sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, and reducing their carbon footprint. Here are seven of the fittest eco-friendly men’s activewear brands:
1. tentree
tentree is a Canadian brand that creates sustainable and ethical men’s activewear for various activities, from hitting the gym to hitting the trails. Their InMotion collection includes stretchy shorts, sweats, joggers, and pants, alongside basics like recycled tanks, tees, and zip-ups. They also make boxers, hoodies, jackets, and accessories.
tentree primarily uses sustainable materials like TENCEL™ and REPREVE® recycled polyester in their InMotion collection. They have also started replacing virgin elastane with Creora® regen recycled spandex. tentree is a Certified B Corp and has been awarded Best For The World in Community for the second year in a row. All partner facilities are routinely audited to ensure compliance with their Code of Conduct and international labor standards, with certifications by the likes of fair trade, BSCI, WRAP, and SA8000.
For every product purchased, tentree plants TEN TREES aiming for 1 billion by 2030. The trees are planted in biodiversity-damaged areas across Madagascar, Indonesia, Senegal, Nepal, Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Haiti.
2. Allbirds
Allbirds is a New Zealand brand that creates sustainable men’s athletic clothing, like performance joggers, zip-ups, tees, and socks for all weather conditions. They also sell footwear suited for hiking, running, and everyday wear.
Allbirds’ eco-friendly men’s workout clothing features sustainable materials like ZQ Merino wool, TENCEL™ lyocell, and recycled nylon. In sustainable running shoes, you’ll find upper made from ZQ-certified merino wool or TENCEL™ lyocell from FSC-certified wood pulp. Allbirds developed their own sugarcane SweetFoam™ midsoles, derived from the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA.
Allbirds sources wool from the abundant merino sheep—without the practice of mulesing—to save around 60% less energy than synthetic shoes. Their tree fiber, lyocell, is primarily sourced from naturally grown wood in South Africa, using 95% less water than organic cotton. Allbirds’ suppliers and factories (in Vietnam) are routinely audited to adhere to ethical standards.
For lightly used or returned shoes that are not resold via their circularity program ReRun, Allbirds donates via a partnership with Soles4Souls.
3. Outerknown
Outerknown is a surf-inspired brand that offers comfortable but durable shorts, trunks, joggers, zip-ups, tees, and sweatshirts made for the outdoors.
Outerknown improved their preferred fiber usage of recycled nylon and polyester, organic cotton, hemp, alpaca wool, and RDS-certified down to 95% in recent years. Their sustainable men’s clothing is bluesign®-approved as not containing harmful chemicals.
Outerknown publishes its complete list of suppliers. Some include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Bergman Rivera, so they know precisely where their organic cotton comes from. Fair Trade Certified factories in China, Mexico, and Peru provide good working conditions as per Outerknown’s Code of Conduct and Fair Labor Association (FLA) membership.
Check out their Sustainable Roadmap for all the ways Outerknown plans to continue reducing their footprint, and their Outerworn section for pre-loved garments.
4. Patagonia
Patagonia is a sustainable outdoor clothing brand that has been around since the 70s. The eco-friendly men’s activewear line includes everything you need, from tees and baselayers to water repellant jackets and swim trunks.
Patagonia primarily uses organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL™ lyocell in their men’s activewear. 100% of profits from Patagonia go toward environmental activism efforts.
Patagonia’s suppliers and factories are routinely audited to ensure compliance with their Code of Conduct and international labor standards, with certifications by the likes of fair trade, BSCI, WRAP, and SA8000. Patagonia also offsets all carbon emissions created by their business operations.
Patagonia’s men’s activewear ranges from $45 to $269.
5. Brooks
Brooks is a brand that creates sustainable and eco-friendly men’s running shoes and apparel. Their eco-friendly men’s activewear features sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. Brooks also has a take-back program where they recycle your old running shoes.
Brooks’ suppliers and factories
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How We Found The Best Eco-Friendly Men’s Activewear Brands
When searching for the best sustainable activewear brands for men, there are several factors to consider. The team looked at materials, certifications, supply chain and labor practices, carbon commitments and green practices, and community and charitable giving.
Materials
The team prioritized natural, sustainable materials such as organic cotton, hemp, linen, TENCEL™ lyocell, and modal fabric. Brands that use vegan materials were preferred, but if non-vegan options were chosen, the team looked for ethically sourced and non-mulesed wool. Additionally, synthetic materials like recycled nylon and polyester from recycled plastic bottles were considered.
Certifications
Certifications such as ZQ Merino, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), bluesign®, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) were taken into account when selecting brands. These certifications ensure that the products are made with sustainable and ethical practices.
Supply Chain & Labor Practices
The team considered brands that have transparent supply chains and labor practices. Fair trade fashion brands with third-party certifications were looked at with scrutiny to avoid greenwashing. Certifications such as B Corporation (Certified B Corp), Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA), Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Social Accountability International (SA8000), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and Fair Trade were taken into account.
Carbon Commitments & Green Practices
Brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility by reducing their carbon footprint through upcycling materials, circularity initiatives, renewable energy, and low-waste/plastic-free shipping materials were preferred.
Community & Charitable Giving
Brands that give back to the community and have charitable initiatives were considered. The team believes that it is important to support brands that not only prioritize sustainability but also contribute to society.
Final Thoughts on Ethical Workout Clothing for Men
Gone are the days of cheap gym shorts that barely last a season. These eco-friendly activewear brands for men provide long-lasting and sustainable options for all types of workouts. By choosing these brands, men can get sweaty without harming the planet. The team encourages readers to share this list with their gym buddies to create a wardrobe made of sustainable materials.
