Runner, gym bunny, yoga fan or swimmer – however you choose to keep fit, dress the part with our pick of ethical buys.
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Adrenna
Who knew activewear could look this good? Luxury London brand, Adrenna, creates sustainable sportswear in super-stylish cuts and colourways. Adrenna pitch themselves as your alternative to mass-produced sportswear – every piece is made to order in London, to minimise waste, using local fabric that’s Bluesign and Oeko-Tex-certified (meaning it’s free from toxic dyes).
Yes, it’s on the pricey side, but think of it as a treat to yourself. With workout gear this gorgeous, you’ll be dying to get to the gym! Buy online at adrenna.co.uk.
Batoko
What’s not to love about this independent UK swimwear brand? Based on the north west coast of England, Batoko create high-quality swimsuits in the coolest prints, made entirely from recycled plastic waste that would have been headed for landfill or our oceans.
Consciously keeping their collections small, in a fight against the fast-fashion culture, and using digital printing with non-toxic inks to save water and energy, Batoko ticks all of our ethical, vegan fashion boxes. Whether you’re swimming lengths in the pool or surfing up a storm, this swimsuit totally holds its own. Buy online at batoko.com.
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People Tree
One of the pioneers in sustainable Fair-Trade fashion, People Tree has been creating ethical clothing since 1991. The store boasts an impressive vegan fashion collection, but it’s the classic activewear pieces we’re coveting. Made in the softest organic cotton, everything from the crop tops to leggings are the perfect mix of functional and fashionable.
Head here for yoga attire you’ll want to wear to class – and then never take off! Available in selected John Lewis stores as well as independent boutiques. You can also buy online at peopletree.co.uk.
Vivobarefoot
This trainer brand like to do things a bit differently. Promoting a ‘barefoot’ approach, Vivobarefoot shoes are thin, wide and flexible, following the principle that shoes should let feet do their thing.
If you’re new to barefoot, it’s recommended that you start with walking and standing in Vivobarefoot shoes, before moving on to any high-impact exercise – but this ethical brand (they are aiming to use 90% sustainable materials by next year) has a great range of vegan shoes for all levels and activities. Available in Vivobarefoot stores and concessions across the UK, as well as vivobarefoot.com.
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ASICS
Trainers – they are a workout essential, but sometimes finding vegan shoes is harder than convincing yourself to go for a run in the rain! Thankfully, ASICS have a huge, PETA-approved selection of high-performance, vegan-friendly shoes for men and women, including the Gel-Kayano and the Gel-Nimbus.
If you’re browsing online, do keep in mind that ASICS do also produce a few non-vegan trainers, so if in doubt email the customer services team to double-check. ASICS trainers are stocked in a variety of high-street sports stores and you can also buy online at asics.com/gb.
BAM
Call off the search, we think we might have found the most comfortable activewear ever. BAM, a small eco-clothing company based in Plymouth, produces the softest bamboo clothing for men, women and children that will see you through even the toughest workout at the gym.
Bamboo is a match made in heaven when it comes to workout gear – it’s moisture wicking (meaning it absorbs moisture away from your skin, to keep you drier), has excellent thermo-control, is vegan-friendly and, as it’s antibacterial, it doesn’t get smelly as quickly as synthetic fabrics. Buy online at bambooclothing.co.uk.
