We love a good athletic fit. Leggings and a supportive sports bra (or activewear top) are perfect for exercise, weekend errands, and to feel comfortable and cute while WFH. The only problem is, it can be challenging to find quality workout clothes that will outlast squats, sprints, and all the Saturdays (and Sundays) we’re sleeping in.
Fear not, though—our editors have put in the work and put brands to the test. And it’s not just quality we’ve vetted, either. These athletic brands check all the boxes on our wish list—from sustainable materials and manufacturing practices to affordability and inclusive styles and size ranges.
Many of these athletic clothing collections are made with fair trade and ethical labor practices and include natural and recycled fabrics, too. For high-performance activewear that prioritizes your comfort, your workouts, and the planet—look no further. Let us know your faves!
Best For | Size-inclusive activewear (XXS-6XL)
Ethics | Sustainable & recycled materials, ethically made, gives back, size-inclusive, eco-friendly packaging, recycling program
Product Range | Adult activewear, swimwear, outerwear, tops, bottoms, accessories, underwear
Price Range | $28 (tank)–$212 (activewear bundle set)
From skorts to sports bras, Girlfriend Collective has it all. And this thoughtful brand is exceptionally size-inclusive from XXS to 6XL, because every body is an active body. The fabrics are sustainable or recycled, too; for example, its best-selling Compressive Leggings are made with 25 recycled water bottles! From its stance on ethical production to its affordable, gorgeous designs to seeing models who actually look like us, there’s so much to love. Our team especially loves GC’s collection for cute crop tops that actually fit larger cup sizes and hold everything in. (Finally!)
2. Pact
Best For | Affordable adult activewear
Ethics | Fair Trade certified options, GOTS certified organic materials, recycling program, eco-friendly practices
Product Range | Adult yoga apparel, outerwear, underwear, tops, socks, bottoms
Price Range | $28 (leggings)–$88 (hoodie)
Pact imagines a world without toxic chemicals, sweatshops, or child labor—it’s the kind of world we want to live in, too. The brand’s basics are ethically made with GOTS certified organic cotton. Most pieces are certified Fair Trade, too. With neutral colors and affordable prices, Pact is the perfect place to stock up on all your cotton undergarments, including socks, underwear, and more. (Pact leggings are especially versatile and delightfully stretchy—we’ve worn them to hot yoga, hangouts with friends, and under dresses and boots in the fall!)
3. Patagonia
Best For | Sport-specific activewear
Ethics | Certified B Corp, eco-friendly materials & practices, gives back, Fair Trade certified options, secondhand shop
Product Range | Adult & kids’ activewear (bodysuits, outerwear, yoga apparel, fleeces)
Price Range | $49 (sports bra)–$279 (thermal running jacket)
Patagonia is a B Corp committed to the triple bottom line: profit, people, and planet. The brand’s mission incorporates building the best products for those who love the great outdoors while also caring for the environment—that’s why Patagonia also has generous warranties, repairs, and even a secondhand shop. Our team loves (and has used!) Patagonia’s Ironclad guarantee to fix garment holes and stretched-out leggings from years of use—and the process is as simple and sustainable as it sounds! Whether you’re looking for yoga pants, outdoor jackets, running shorts, or activewear for little ones, this California-based brand has got you covered.
4. Allbirds
Best For | Sneakers & men’s activewear
Ethics | Certified B Corp, eco-friendly & recycled materials, ethically made, carbon-neutral
Product Range | Adult shoes, activewear, layering basics, underwear, socks
Price Range | $58 (sports bra)–$170 (running shoes)
Allbirds revolutionized the shoe game when it first launched in 2016. (Our editor can happily attest to loving Allbird’s shoes—she wears them constantly whether she’s hiking or meeting a friend for coffee.) At the time, the brand only offered adult sneakers—but they became the go-to for anyone prioritizing comfort and sustainability in their daily walks. Since then, this certified B Corp has expanded its product line to include activewear like leggings, shorts, and tees—made with sustainable materials. Get the carbon-neutral basics you need—all in one place—for your next run.
5. Tentree
Best For | Sports bras, leggings, graphic tees
Ethics | Certified B Corp, sustainable & recycled materials, ethically made, gives back, climate-neutral
Product Range | Adult & children activewear, tops, bottoms, loungewear, accessories
Price Range | $48 (biker short)–$98 (athletic pants)
Tentree understands that every little bit helps when it comes to being more eco-friendly, whether it’s bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store or shopping consciously. For every purchase, tentree plants 10 trees (the company aspires to plant 1 billion by 2030—take that, climate change!), and more than 71 million have been planted already. Our team especially loves the InMotion Longline Active bra—it’s supportive enough for exercise but comfortable enough for lounging at home. The special edition colors are so dreamy!
6. Summersalt
Best For | Color-blocking swim & activewear
Ethics | Eco-friendly practices, recycled packaging & materials, responsibly made in WRAP certified factories
Product Range | Women’s swimwear, loungewear, activewear, sleepwear, outerwear
Price Range | $55 (shorts)–$95 (joggers)
Summersalt is taking the world by storm. With earth-friendly apparel for women-on-the-go, affordable price points, and sustainable practices, it’s no wonder this apparel line is worn by celebrities and praised by nearly everyone we now. Best of all, rather than using outdated industry sizing standards, the brand works with over 10,000 women to ensure the best, most comfortable fit.
7. Outdoor Voices
Best For | Women’s crop tops & shorts
Ethics | Recycled materials & packaging, eco-friendly practices & production, gives back
Product Range | Adult athletic wear, outerwear
Price Range | $48 (tank)–$138 (fleece)
Outdoor Voices‘ interchangeable layers are great for any season or activity. From dog jogs to dodgeball, this athletic wear collection spans gym-life and, well, life-life. Outdoor Voices sources sustainable textiles, including responsibly sourced merino wool and recycled polyester made from water bottles, and the company takes care of its stateside and overseas factory partners, prioritizing fair working conditions and ethical labor practices.
8. Alder apparel
Best For | Size-inclusive recreational wear
Ethics | Eco-friendly & recycled materials, ethically made, size-inclusive
Product Range | Womxn’s recreational activewear, pants, shorts, tops, coats
Price Range | $85 (shorts)–$168 (fleece)
Let’s be real: Most womxn’s activewear is exclusive to certain body types. alder apparel aims to change that by focusing on inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability—because everyone deserves to feel seen. Started by a fashion marketing expert and a National Geographic Explorer, this colorful outdoor brand is all about recreational apparel, including a rain-or-shine coat, hiking shorts, and reversible tees. We’re most impressed with how the brand takes customer feedback in its design process!
Best For | Patterned/printed athletic wear
Ethics | OEKO-TEX certified sustainable materials, carbon-neutral, recyclable packaging, WCA-certified ethical working conditions, gives back, secondhand shop
Product Range | Adult athletic wear, swimwear, loungewear, basics
Price Range | $36 (sports bra)–$168 (swimsuit)
For the best in sleek and sustainable athletic wear, check out Wolven, an LA-based brand creating fashion-forward pieces from post-consumer recycled plastic. This collection is ethically produced in small batches in either LA or China, and the brand removes a pound of plastic waste from the ocean with every purchase. We adore how many options we get with Wolven’s reversible feature; their tops stay supportive no matter which way you wear them, and the biker shorts are so soft. The festive color options make exercise a bit more fun too! Shop here for leggings, joggers, and tops for all genders, from fitted silhouettes to crisscross styles—they’re carbon-neutral, sustainably made, and downright sexy.
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