13 NON-TOXIC & ORGANIC WORKOUT CLOTHES & ACTIVEWEAR BRANDS FOR WOMEN AND MEN
This blog post is all about non-toxic and organic workout clothes and activewear brands for women and men!
When we’re working out and exercising, we’re intentionally taking care of our health and well-being.
But what if doing so exposes us to harmful chemicals?
That’s exactly what’s happening when we’re wearing conventional athletic wear made with synthetic materials!
Thankfully, we can easily avoid this by making more intentional choices when buying activewear!
Many brands out there sell sports bras, leggings, workout tops, running shorts, and more, made with chemical-free, safe materials.
In this article, I’ve rounded up 13 non-toxic and organic workout clothes and activewear brands for women and men (and a few for kids as well).
These make sure their clothing is not only comfy but also sustainable and healthy to wear!
This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details.
Why should we only wear non-toxic & organic workout clothes & activewear?
Most conventional workout clothes are made of synthetic materials, which makes them stretchy and quick to dry.
While these benefits are great when it comes to activewear, there are also different drawbacks we cannot ignore.
First, synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are derived from petroleum, one of the most polluting industries in the world.
When washed, they also release an enormous amount of microplastics that then end up in waterways and the oceans.
Not only that but at the end of their lives, synthetic fabrics are discarded in a landfill where they’ll sit for hundreds of years.
We cannot deny that they’re incredibly unsustainable.
But that’s not all!
Synthetic activewear is also very unhealthy to wear!
It often contains harmful substances, which can be absorbed through our skin when working out.
More precisely, many synthetic workout clothes have been found to contain PFAS chemicals (also known as “forever chemicals”).
Exposure to those has been linked to an increased risk of some cancers, decreased fertility, developmental effects or delays in children, hormone disruption, and more.
Researchers also found other harmful substances in activewear such as BPA, flame retardants, phthalates, and formaldehyde, which come with their own health effects.
So do yourself a favor and only buy non-toxic and organic workout clothes from now on!
Read more: 16 sustainable clothing brands you’ll actually want to support
What is the healthiest material for non-toxic & organic workout clothes & activewear?
If you’re looking for non-toxic and organic workout clothes and activewear, the best fabrics you can choose are natural ones.
Here are some of your best options:
- Organic cotton: Ideally, look for the GOTS certification to ensure it’s truly organic
- Tencel lyocell
- Hemp
- Wool: I’ve found great activewear made of alpaca wool or merino wool (see below). I also recommend getting wool with a certification guaranteeing ethical animal treatment such as RWS or ZQ.
- Bamboo
You want to stay away from synthetics as much as you can.
Even recycled polyester can contain harmful chemicals!
However, sometimes it’s difficult to find activewear designed for high-impact activities that isn’t made of synthetic fabric.
If you want to buy a sports bra or leggings made of polyester or nylon, make sure the brand has tested its products and that they’re completely free of harmful chemicals.
The best way to ensure you’re buying PFAS-free workout clothes is to buy ones certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX.
13 non-toxic & organic workout clothes & activewear brands for women and men
1. TomboyX
For: Women & Men
Categories: Sports Bras, Tanks, Leggings, Bike Shorts, Workout Shorts, Windbreakers, Joggers, Hoodies, Swimwear
Materials: Oeko-Tex Certified Recycled Polyester, Organic Cotton
TomboyX is a sustainable fashion brand that makes pieces designed to fit every body.
Very size-inclusive, it carries sizes ranging from 3XS to 6XL!
Its activewear collection includes everything from tank tops and sports bras to shorts and leggings.
Most of these are made of recycled polyester, except for a few organic cotton workout clothes, but all its fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified.
TomboyX is also a certified B Corporation, so it meets some of the highest standards when it comes to ethics and sustainability.
Plus, its factories run on solar power, collect rainwater, and reuse water during the production process.
2. Pact
For: Men & Women
Categories: Leggings, Bike Shorts, Tank Tops, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Sweatpants, Shorts
Materials: Organic Cotton
If you’re looking for organic cotton workout clothes, make sure to check out Pact!
It has great options when it comes to leggings, workout tops, hoodies, and sweatpants.
The brand even offers maternity leggings and bike shorts that are perfect for pregnant or postpartum women.
Available in sizes XS to 3XL, Pact organic activewear is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton with a little bit of elastane for stretch.
Everything is also produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory so you know it’s sustainably and ethically made.
3. Tentree
For: Women, Men, Kids
Categories: Sports Bras, Leggings, Workout Dresses, Tank Tops, Jumpsuits, Hoodies, Workout Shorts, Skorts, Sweatpants, Bike Shorts
Materials: Recycled Polyester, Organic Cotton, Tencel
Tentree offers a wide variety of workout clothes for both men and women, including sports bras, tanks, leggings, workout shorts, and even dresses.
It even has a pair of sweatpants for kids!
Most of these are made of recycled polyester, but they’re a great non-toxic option as the brand has taken steps to ensure its clothes are free of PFAS chemicals.
They’re produced in Bluesign-certified factories, guaranteeing higher standards of sustainability and safety.
Some of its activewear also contains organic cotton and Tencel.
What’s more, Tentree is B Corp and Climate Neutral certified and it ships its products using sustainable packaging.
Not to mention it plants ten trees for every purchase!
4. MATE The Label
For: Women, Men, Kids
Categories: Sports Bras, Leggings, Biker Shorts, Tank Tops, Unitards, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Sweatpants, Tees
Materials: Organic Cotton
MATE The Label sells great organic cotton workout clothes for each member of the family.
In the women’s collection, you’ll find all kinds of activewear pieces from comfy sports bras and workout shorts to tanks and even unitards.
For men and kids, the brand has different hoodies, sweatpants, sweatshirts and t-shirts.
MATE’s organic activewear is available in sizes XS to 3X and is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton with 8% spandex for stretchiness.
I also love that the brand colors its pieces using non-toxic dyes and that it has received the Climate-Neutral and B Corp certifications!
5. Girlfriend
For: Women
Categories: Leggings, Sports Bras, T-Shirts, Tanks, Bodysuits, Shorts, Skorts, Joggers, Sweatshirts, Jackets, Workout Dresses, Unitards
Materials: Oeko-Tex Certified Recycled Polyester, Organic Cotton, Recycled Cotton
Whether you’re looking for a flattering workout dress, a comfy tee, or heavyweight leggings, Girlfriend has it all!
This sustainable activewear brand uses recycled plastic bottles to craft most of its pieces.
However, no need to worry here because its recycled fabric is certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX so it doesn’t contain harmful substances.
If you prefer natural fabrics, the brand also has pieces made of organic cotton and recycled cotton.
What sets Girlfriend apart from other brands is how size-inclusive it is!
It carries hundreds of products in sizes XXS to 6XL, and you have many different colors and styles to choose from.
Plus, when you’re done with your pieces, you can send them back for recycling or reselling.
6. Maggie’s Organics
For: Women & Men
Categories: Leggings, Sweatshorts, Joggers, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Tanks, Hoodies
Materials: Organic Cotton
Maggie’s Organics has a great selection of GOTS-certified organic cotton leggings, including blackout, fleece, and ribbed models.
You get to choose from a variety of styles, from short to midcalf to full-length leggings.
The brand also has other organic workout clothes such as t-shirts, joggers, and hoodies available in different earthy colors.
Maggie’s Organics is committed to ethical and sustainable manufacturing and is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and the World Fair Trade Organization.
7. Wolven
For: Women & Men
Categories: Workout Tops, Sports Bras, Leggings, Bike Shorts, Tennis Skirts, Joggers, Dresses, Onesies
Materials: Oeko-Tex Certified Recycled Polyester
Wolven is a sustainable activewear brand that creates non-toxic workout clothes in lovely colors and gorgeous prints.
It offers everything from cute workout tops and tennis skirts to dresses and leggings, each available in many different styles.
For instance, it has one-shoulder tops and dresses, racerback bras, crisscross tanks, and high-waisted flared pants.
You’ll also find pocket leggings, classic bike shorts, and even tops that you can wear in four different ways.
Wolven’s clothes are made with OEKO-TEX-certified recycled polyester, so they’re free of harmful substances!
The fabric is also quick-drying, odor-resistant, and very soft.
8. Boody
For: Women & Men
Categories: Tanks, Shorts, Leggings, Sports Bras, Sweatpants, Sweatshirts, Tights
Materials: Bamboo Viscose, Organic Cotton, Viscose
Boody creates sustainable activewear with the perfect balance of style, comfort, and performance.
It has lots of workout pieces for women, including leggings, bike shorts, and tanks, as well as sweatpants and sweatshirts in its men’s and unisex collections.
Most of these workout clothes are crafted from organically grown bamboo viscose with a bit of elastane.
Some pieces are also made with organic cotton and/or viscose.
Boody’s bamboo fabric is ideal for athletic wear as it is breathable and has great moisture-wicking properties.
It’s also soft and durable, so you’ll have long-lasting clothes that are enjoyable to wear.
Plus, the brand is B Corp certified and has endorsed the FSC Fashion Forever Green Pact, which shows its commitment to sustainable forestry.
9. Arms of Andes
For: Men & Women
Categories: Leggings, Joggers, Hiking Shirts, Tank Tops, Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets, Tees
Materials: Alpaca Wool
If you’re looking for non-toxic workout clothes made from 100% natural materials, you’ll love Arms of Andes.
This outdoors brand crafts all kinds of hiking shirts, joggers, leggings, base layers, t-shirts, and more from 100% alpaca wool.
This fabric is ideal for many different activities, including running and hiking.
It’s very breathable, naturally odor-resistant, and anti-bacterial.
It also has moisture-wicking properties so your clothes always stay dry, and it balances body temperature in all climates.
Arms of Andes colors its clothes using 100% natural or OEKO-TEX-certified dyes.
It also makes everything from start to finish in Peru to reduce its carbon footprint and ensure the traceability of its pieces.
What’s more, it directly sources its alpaca wool from family-owned farms in the Peruvian Andes, where the animals are free-roaming and reared using traditional techniques.
10. Pangaia
For: Women, Men, Kids
Categories: Sports Bras, Tank Tops, Leggings, Shorts, Long-Sleeve & Short-Sleeve Tops, Tees, Jackets, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Joggers
Materials: Plant-Based Nylon, Organic Cotton, Recycled Polyamide
Pangaia offers sustainable activewear for both men and women, as well as sweats for kids (from toddlers to pre-teens).
Many of its pieces are made from bio-based nylon sourced from castor beans instead of synthetic materials, and contain plant-based elastane for stretch.
It also has workout clothes made of organic cotton or recycled polyamide, and everything is made in Europe without any hazardous substances.
Another thing worth mentioning is that Pangaia treats its activewear with peppermint oil to make its clothes odor-resistant.
How cool?!
11. Icebreaker
For: Women, Men, Kids
Categories: Tights, Long-Sleeve & Short-Sleeve Tops, Tank Tops, Thermal Tops, Thermal Leggings, Hoodies, Shorts, Windbreakers
Materials: Merino Wool, Tencel, Organic Cotton, Linen
Icebreaker is an outdoor clothing brand selling all kinds of clothes for running, hiking, and snow sports.
Most of its pieces are made of 100% ZQ-certified merino wool, which is responsibly sourced and traceable.
The great thing about this fabric is that it’s naturally odor-resistant and it feels incredibly soft on the skin!
It also regulates your body temperature so you can use it in all seasons.
The brand also has different clothes made of FSC-certified Tencel lyocell, as well as blends of merino wool and organic cotton or linen.
If you want plastic-free clothing, this brand is for you!
12. Jungmaven
For: Women & Men
Categories: Bike Shorts, Tees, Tanks, Skorts, Leggings, Bodysuits, Singlets
Materials: Hemp, Organic Cotton
Jungmaven has an entire activewear collection for women as well as tees, tanks, and sweats for men.
Women can find everything from skorts to bike shorts to workout tops.
The brand’s organic workout clothes are all cut and sewn in Los Angeles, California, which is pretty rare to find!
They’re made from a blend of organic cotton and hemp with a few percent spandex for stretch.
Jungmaven also has an impressive color palette, with pieces available in more than 15 colors.
So whether you prefer neutrals or bright bold colors, the company has you covered!
13. Groceries Apparel
For: Women & Men
Categories: Sports Bras, Shorts, Workout Tops, Leggings, Tanks, Tees, Sweatpants, Hoodies, Skirts
Materials: Organic Cotton, Tencel
Here is another brand selling organic workout clothes made in USA!
Groceries Apparel’s activewear is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton (some pieces also contain Tencel lyocell).
But what sets this brand apart is that all its products are colored using plant-based dyestuff, including food waste sourced from local grocers!
For instance, the brand creates gorgeous colors using upcycled avocado pits and skins, carrot tops, onion skins, and coffee grounds.
It also uses ancient dye plants like indigo or madder root.
By doing so, it has completely eliminated toxic chemicals and heavy metals from its supply chain!
It also has a hyper-localized supply chain: its entire manufacturing process happens under one roof in its Los Angeles factory!
Final thoughts on non-toxic & organic workout clothes & activewear
I hope you’ve found this article about non-toxic & organic workout clothes helpful and that you could find activewear you love wearing!
These brands make it easy for us to find great athletic wear that won’t expose us to toxic substances.
If you liked this article, you may also want to read:
- 12 best non-toxic & organic sports bras for a healthier workout
- 7 organic cotton leggings you’ll want to live in
- 8 best sustainable running shoes for Earth-loving runners
- 10 best eco-friendly, non-toxic yoga mats made with natural materials
- 11 organic cotton hoodies & sweatshirts combining comfort & style
- 12 organic cotton sweatpants & joggers that redefine comfort
- 13 organic cotton loungewear brands for non-toxic relaxation
- 10 organic cotton t-shirts for a more sustainable wardrobe
- 9 organic cotton dresses for women cherishing comfort & sustainable fashion
What non-toxic or organic workout clothes have you decided to get?
Please leave a comment!
Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find healthier, sustainable activewear too.
Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!
It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!
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