Get Sweaty Safely! 14 Brands for Organic Workout Clothes & Non-Toxic Athletic Wear

These days, there’s no shortage of activewear brands using recycled plastic bottles to make their leggings and other workout attire. Many of these brands are not only just as (or more!) high-quality as your more ‘conventional’ brands like Lululemon, but by using recycled instead of virgin synthetics, they’re more sustainable, too.

I was an early adopter of Girlfriend leggings (when they first launched, they sold them at wholesale prices!), and I’m still a fan. I’ve now had them for about a decade (I think?) and I still wear those original leggings.

And while apparel made from recycled materials has its pros, it’s not really a perfect solution, either. In recent years, synthetic athletic clothing (recycled or not) has been found to contain toxic chemicals like BPA, PFAS, and more. (And yes, those toxic chemicals can be absorbed through your skin.)

So, what if you want activewear that’s completely plastic-free?

The good news is: it’s getting easier to find natural fiber workout clothes!

Since I first published the original version of this guide a few years ago, there have been several great non-toxic activewear brands pop up that can truly compete with the fit and function of petroleum-based fibers like spandex, nylon, elastane, etc.

In this guide, I’m giving you the lay of the land when it comes to organic cotton workout clothes so that you can find what’s best for you and your exercise routine. 🏃🏽‍♀️

Related:

• Here are our picks for the best non-toxic yoga & exercise mats
• Here’s where to get non-toxic weights and other exercise equipment

This guide contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase (though not all links are affiliate!). As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine. Featured Image Credits: Iron Roots

---

14 (Almost) Plastic-Free Activewear Brands Using Natural & Organic Fabrics

Alright, now let’s get on with it. Here are our favorite activewear brands using natural and organic fabrics as much as possible:

1. MATE

Fabric Breakdown: 92% organic cotton & 8% spandex
Price Range: $58- $98
Size Range: XS-3X

MATE is one of our favorite brands for non-toxic and organic everyday wear for women. Their MOVE by MATE activewear collection includes sports bras, biker shorts, and leggings that come in earth-inspired colors (as well as your standard black and white). You’ll probably want to wear these pieces not just for your workouts but also for running errands, lounging around, working from home, and just about everything else…

In addition to using as many organic materials as possible, MATE also uses non-toxic dyes and ensures ethical manufacturing (right in Los Angeles). They’re also a member of 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral Certified.

---

2. Happy Earth

Fabric Breakdown: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
Price Range: $36-$98
Size Range: XXS-2XL

Happy Earth has a great collection of organic workout clothes for women, including leggings, flared pants, shortsleeved shirts and tanks, long-sleeved tops, and shorts.

A lot of their pieces are reversible, so you can wear them in a variety of different ways. And they have pockets, too—a must for a hike in the forest or a run through the neighborhood.

This activewear is made out of 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane for a little bit of stretch. They’re made in Fair Trade certified factories in India using organic cotton that was locally grown, harvested, and dyed with certified non-toxic dyes.

This was one of my top brands for squat-proof leggings!

---

3. Tripulse

Fabric Breakdown: 86% TENCEL™, 14% ROICA EF385 (recycled elastane from pre-consumer materials)
Price Range: $57- $119
Size Range: 2XS-3XL

This activewear does contain a larger amount of elastane than some of the other brands (14%), but I personally still feel okay about that. They offer leggings, bras, bike shorts, and t-shirts.

I really like these leggings, and I think you will too. I think if you want something that’s the most similar to the conventional leggings you’re used to, these are definitely worth a try.

Something that sets these apart from most other leggings is that they have an adjustable drawstring waistband. They have both pocketed and non-pocketed options, so make sure you check before buying to make sure you get what you want. I got the Pro Leggings with TENCEL and they actually have two very discrete small pockets inside the waistband!

Since these are made primarily of TENCEL, they are suuuper soft to the touch. They’re cooling, too, which makes them great for exercising. TENCEL is a semi-synthetic that’s a great alternative to conventional synthetics. You can read more about it here if you’re curious. (But basically: it’s a completely plant-based fabric, but because of the fact that it’s heavily processed, the final product can’t be considered 100% “natural”… Hence “semi-synthetic.”)

These come with a lot of certifications, too:

• EU Ecolabel
• FSC® and PEFC™
• OEKO-TEX Standard Class 1 (baby-safe)
• REACH

They are designed in Sweden and ethically made in Europe.

Use code FILTERY15 for 15% off your first purchase.

---

4. Iron Roots

Fabric Breakdown: TENCEL, organic cotton, hemp (100% plastic-free)
Price Range: $49 – $99
Size Range: S-2XL

Iron Roots is a completely plastic-free activewear brand that uses primarily TENCEL modal and lyocell (with some hemp and GOTS certified organic cotton worked in there as well). Their TENCEL is primarily sourced from FSC certified eucalyptus and beechwood trees in Europe.

The brand is headquartered in The Netherlands, and they source and produce their sportswear as locally as they can (mostly in Portugal and Greece). They are committed to a transparent and ethical supply chain, working with SMETA certified factories that they visit on a regular basis.

Iron Roots’ current collection of plastic-free workout clothes includes shorts, joggers, tees, and sweats for both men and women. They don’t have any leggings right now, but they’re working on it!

---

5. Allwear

Fabric Breakdown: 68% bamboo, 27% cotton (Organic Cotton Standard Certified), and 5% elastane
Price Range: $48-$196
Size Range: XS-7XL

Allwear’s thing is “to take the stress out of getting dressed,” so they offer “on-the-go capsule” pieces that you can mix, match, and wear all year long. They offer tanks, tees, shorts, sweats, and shirt jackets in several neutral colors.

Allwear uses a combination of bamboo and organic cotton (combined with a small amount of elastane for stretch). They’re all OEKO-TEX certified to be free from harmful substances, too.

I really like their leggings! They are comparable to ‘conventional’ leggings in terms of fit & function, but they’re softer. One thing that really sets these leggings apart is that they are unisex and come in a huge variety of sizes—from 2XS to 7XL. They also have a discrete pocket in the back of the waistband, which is nice.

In addition to the leggings, I tried the Bamboo Bra Top in White (pictured above) and I really like it—it’s super comfortable. It can double as either a sports bra or tank and has adjustable straps. It came with pads in the bra, but I took those out.

Use the code THEFILTERY for 20% off.

---

6. Boody

Fabric Breakdown: Bamboo viscose, organic cotton, spandex, & nylon (specific percentages vary by product, so be sure to check!)
Price Range: $11-$100
Size Range: XS-XL

Not all fabrics made from bamboo are created equal; many of them use toxic chemicals during the manufacturing process that are harmful to the workers and surrounding communities where the fabric is made. That’s why we recommend bamboo clothing carefully. (You can read more about this here.)

Boody’s bamboo apparel and underwear, however, are made using a closed-loop process, which means all of the potentially toxic solvents are captured and removed instead of getting dumped into waterways (where they can make their way into drinking water, crops, etc.).

For women, Boody carries natural activewear like leggings, sports bras, and bike shorts, along with more relaxed-fit athleisure pieces like tanks, sweatpants/shorts, and zip-up hoodies.

Their men’s activewear collection is smaller, but they do carry sweatpants & shorts, pullover & zip-up hoodies, muscle tees, and socks.

As far as colors go, Boody’s collection is for the timeless among us—you’ll only find blacks and other dark colors in their collection.

Boody carries various different eco-friendly certifications, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means the bamboo is sourced responsibly; OEKO-TEX, which means the finished products are verified to be free from a list of toxins; and PETA-Approved Vegan. They also carry a few different third-party labels that ensure ethical production and they give back to various community organizations.

---

7. Pangaia

Fabric Breakdown: 92% Polyamide Biobased EVO® (99.9% biobased content), 8% Part Biobased, Creora® Elastane (30% biobased content) [Entire garment is 94.3% plant based]
Price Range: $75 – $275
Size Range: 2XS-XL

Similar to Vitamin A, Pangaia makes plant-based activewear using nylon that’s made from castor bean oil instead of petroleum. They have collections for both men and women, which include leggings, shorts, sport bras, tanks, tees, long-sleeved crop tops, and long-sleeved quarter-zips. It’s worth noting that they say their activewear is “designed for low-impact” workouts, running errands, and loungeing around—so this may not be the best choice for multiple HIIT workouts a week.

In addition to their stretchy activewear collection, Pangaia also has lots of other t-shirts, tanks, track pants, and other loungewear that can be worn for exercising as well. Most of these pieces are made out of 100% organic cotton.

Pangaia is also a certified B Corp company that is committed to sustainable innovation. They have various climate- and people-related goals throughout their supply chain, give-back initiatives, and more.

---

8. Reprise

Fabric Breakdown: 93% TENCEL & 7% spandex (+ 100% organic cotton for sweats)
Price Range: $89-$125
Size Range: 0/00/XS – 38/40W/6X

Reprise is the most size-inclusive brand on this list. They carry leggings, bike shorts, and sports bras made out of eco-friendly, soft, and buttery TENCEL fabric. TENCEL is another plant-based (rayon) fabric that is made using a closed-loop manufacturing process and less toxic solvents.

Additionally, all of their dyes are certified non-toxic and organic by OEKO-TEX and GOTS. Everything is made ethically in the United States. Committed to transparency, you can find all of the details about their materials and manufacturing process (including the improvements they’re currently working on!) right here.

---

9. PACT

Fabric Breakdown: 89% organic cotton & 11% elastane
Price Range: $16-$70
Size Range: XS-2X

You’ll find PACT in a lot of our guides to organic clothing and underwear… Not only do they use GOTS certified organic cotton and Fair Trade certified factories, but their clothing is very affordable and practical for the whole family.

Their organic activewear collection includes leggings, bike shorts, tees & tanks, sports bras, and plenty of athleisure, too. In addition to your solid blacks & blues, they also offer fun patterns like “Mod Leopard Green” and “Paint Splash Bright.”

In addition to their extensive women’s activewear collection, they also offer natural workout clothes for men and plenty of play clothes for kids, too.

Use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off full-priced items.

---

10. Icebreaker

Fabric Breakdown: Mostly merino wool, elastane, & lycra (specific percentages vary by product)
Price Range: $30-$290
Size Range: XS-2XL

Made primarily out of merino wool, Icebreaker is a great brand for layering. In addition to their regular leggings, tanks, and tees, they also have various kinds of thermal leggings, zip-ups, athleisure apparel, and more. Although many of Icebreaker’s stretchier pieces do include a certain percentage of synthetics, they also offer some 100% natural merino clothing as well (like for their t-shirts, for example).

Merino makes for a great alternative to synthetic activewear because of its natural durability, moisture- and odor-wicking properties, and temperature regulation.

With plenty of offerings for women, men, and kids, Icebreaker probably has the widest variety of natural workout clothes for the whole family. And their website makes sorting easy, too—you can filter by activity (hiking, snow sports, running, lifestyle, etc.), by layer (base layer all the way to outer layer), by fabric, by price range, and more.

This transparent brand has various ethical and sustainable initiatives throughout its entire supply chain. For starters, they’ve developed deep, long-term relationships with the sheep herders they work with in order to make sure all of the animals and humans involved are treated ethically. Their “five freedoms of the flock” ensure that sheep live in safe, healthy, and comfortable conditions.

---

11. Cottonique

Fabric Breakdown: 100% organic cotton
Price Range: $25- $44
Size Range: S-2XL

Cottonique’s apparel is made especially for those with allergies, eczema, and other sensitivities. They don’t have a ton of options in terms of activewear, but they do offer tees, tanks, joggers, sports bras, and a couple pairs of leggings.

Since this allergy-friendly activewear is made for sensitive skin, it only uses 100% organic cotton and is free from rubber and latex, harsh dyes, and chemical finishes. Just be aware that because of the fact that their organic workout clothes don’t include any synthetics, their leggings and bras aren’t going to be as stretchy as some of the other options. (But your skin will be happier!)

Use the code THEFILTERY10% for 10% off.

---

12. Arms of Andes

Fabric Breakdown: 100% alpaca wool
Price Range: $40-$864
Size Range: XS-3X

Arms of Andes is also one of the few brands that is 100% plastic-free. Because these natural workout clothes are completely free from synthetics, they’re not going to be quite as stretchy as the other brands listed here and they won’t hold their shape and tight-ness for quite as long. BUT if you’re definitely looking for 100% plastic-free activewear, you should definitely give Arms of Andes a try.

They offer a wide selection of natural apparel for men and women, including tees & tanks, sweatshirts, leggings, underwear, sports bras, joggers, and more. Great for hiking and outdoor workouts in colder weather, their collection makes for perfect layering and offers both mid- and light-weight versions of their pants and tops. Most of their offerings come in basic colors like blacks, blues, greys, and whites.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about alpaca wool as a performance fabric for workout clothes, it’s naturally a really great option. Because of the way these alpacas have evolved living in the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains, their wool fibers can handle drastic temperature shifts from sub-zero at night to super hot during the day. Plus, it’s naturally breathable and moisture-wicking. Obviously, this makes for great activewear, whether you’re heading out for a winter run or a hot yoga class!

Arms of Andes’ “Leave No Trace Apparel” initiative is pretty cool, too. It means that all of their clothing is made out of completely biodegradable fabric (and apparently they’re the first outdoor clothing brand to do so). The only exception is their zippers, which is something they’re working on. (They’ve recently managed to switch to 100% natural rubber for their elastic bands!) But besides that, all of the fabrics, threads, and non-toxic dyes are 100% biodegradable.

Plus, they’ve got a “single-origin supply chain,” which means they carry out every stage of production—from sourcing alpaca fiber to manufacturing the garments—in one country: Peru. Their ethically-sourced alpaca wool comes directly from herders in the Peruvian Andes, whose families have been employing traditional techniques to rear alpacas and harvest their fiber for generations.

---

13. Groceries Apparel

Fabric Breakdown: 92% organic cotton & 8% spandex
Price Range: $25-$74
Size Range: XS-XL

Groceries’ organic activewear is made in Los Angeles and includes several different styles of leggings, shorts, sports bras, and workout tanks. They offer some bright and fun colors, including things like “Carrot Tops + Pomegranate Tie Dye” and “Weld Flower.”

These non-toxic workout clothes are dyed with vegetable-based dyes like pomegranate, carrot tops, onion skins, roots, bark, flowers, and real indigo. And they actually source a lot of their dye materials (like used coffee grounds and avocado stones/skins) from local grocers and restaurants around Los Angeles—how cool is that?

---

14. Organique

Fabric Breakdown: TENCEL, organic cotton, elastane
Price Range: $52 – $149
Size Range: S-XL

Organique carries both sweats and loungewear as well as more form-fitting activewear like leggings and even a couple of bodysuits and jumpsuits!

Their sweats are made primarily out of GOTS certified organic cotton, while their stretchier pieces utilize TENCEL combined with a little organic cotton and elastane.

The brand is based in Portugal, where its founder was raised. That’s also where all of their clothing is produced, as well!

---

Bonus: Bleuet (for sports bras only)

Fabric Breakdown: TENCEL, organic cotton, elastane
Price Range: $22-$24
Size Range: 7/8-22

Technically, Bleuet is a brand that makes bras for teens, but Ana and I have both tried their sports bras and we both really like them!

They seem to be one of the best in terms of BOTH support and natural/organic materials. They are reversible, super comfortable, and super soft.

Plus, they’re tag-free and have no elastic straps (the Aster Raceback ones, anyway).

They’re OEKO-TEX certified, too!

---

Even more non-toxic activewear brands to check out

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Here are even more brands worth checking out:

Maggie’s Organics

Fabric Breakdown: 90% organic cotton & 10% spandex
Price Range: $29-$61
Size Range: S-2XL

Maggie’s Organics might be more well-known for their socks, but they have leggings, too! They have several different styles, including Blackout Leggings (which are best for working out and are available in ankle, midcalf, and short), Base Layer, Ribbed, Fleece, and Tulip Skirted.

They also have various tanks and tees which can be worn for working out as well. They do have a few options for men, but not as many as they do for women.

Maggie’s Organics sources their organically grown cotton and wool from small farms in the U.S., Argentina, Peru, Tanzania, and India. Committed to an ethical and sustainable supply chain, their garments are made by union workers in India and come with several different third-party labels, including World Fair Trade Organization (WTFO) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

---

Public Myth

Fabric Breakdown: TENCEL, organic cotton, and spandex (Some pieces are made with synthetics too, so be sure to check)
Price Range: $42-136
Size Range: XS-L

I have a pair of Public Myths’ Eco Highrise Flare Pant and they’re super comfortable. (They were pretty long on me, so they would make a good option for long-legged folks!)

I also have the Empress V-Neck Sports Bra, which is also really comfortable (and a little on the sexier side compared to most sports bras!).

Both of these OEKO-TEX certified pieces are made from a blend of TENCEL, organic cotton, and spandex—as is a lot of their athletic wear and loungewear. Just be sure to check the specific item before buying because they do use some synthetic fabrics as well.

---

Nagnata

Fabric Breakdown: Merino wool, nylon, polyester, elastane (various percentages; depends on the garment)
Price Range: $108-$328
Size Range: XS-L

This is one of the few brands on this list that is not polyester-free. Although the primary material is merino wool (around 65-75% depending on the piece), they also mix in some synthetics for stretch and performance.

This AU-based brand’s collection changes each year, as they release different collections. So depending on when you’re shopping, they may have more or less natural fiber workout clothes available. They also have options for everyday wear, too—like skirts, sweaters, and more. They carry men’s and genderless options as well.

---

Purusha People

Fabric Breakdown: 92/88% TENCEL & 8/12% spandex
Price Range: $78 – $169
Size Range: XS-3XL

Purusha People’s yoga-inspired feminine activewear is made primarily out of TENCEL (which they call “forest fiber”) that’s sourced from Eastern European forests.

They offer various styles of pants (including leggings, bell bottoms, yogini pants, joggers, and boyshorts), jumpsuits, sports bras, and underwear. They’re all colored using GOTS certified non-toxic dyes and screen-printed with water-based inks.

All of their pieces are made in the USA and have various sustainability initiatives woven throughout their model, including waste reduction wherever possible, living wages paid to workers, and a 10% non-profit give-back program.

---

Wellicious

Fabric Breakdown: GOTS certified organic cotton + biodegradable elastane
Price Range: $72-$117
Size Range: XS-XL

I’d love to try this European-based brand’s activewear at some point. Their designs are cute but look very wearable, and the brand as a whole is very focused on sustainability. Everything is made in Europe, and they try to source as much of their material from European suppliers as well.

It’s made from 87% organic cotton and 13% compostable elastane, and are Cradle-to-Cradle certified (biodegradable).

They mostly offer women’s leggings and bras/tanks.

---

Aktiivwear

Fabric Breakdown: 42% bio-based nylon extracted from castor beans, 40% bio-nylon, 18% Roica V550
Price Range: $58-98
Size Range: 2-14 / XS-3XL

This brand definitely isn’t the most natural/organic on this list, but they are probably good for intense workouts. They carry leggings, bike shorts, sports bras, tees, and tanks.

The leggings, bike shorts, and sports bras are made from a blend of bio-based nylon and Roica V550. These “plant-based” synthetics might be better than conventional petroleum-based options, but it’s still unclear as to how truly eco-friendly/non-toxic they are.

That said, if you need something that’s high performance and haven’t been able to find something that works for you, then Aktiiv might still be worth a try. (Ana tried their sports bra and really liked it.)

Note that several of their products are also treated with “100% bio-based micro-algae wicking treatment,” which is not ideal. I wish they would at least provide some more info about what this treatment actually consists of.

---

I hope this guide has been helpful for you in choosing organic and non-toxic workout clothes! If you want more content delivered to your inbox once a week, sign up for Filtered Fridays.

Or, to get exclusive content, topic request & voting privileges, access to monthly giveaways, and more—become a member!