I Tried All the Non-Synthetic Activewear I Could Find
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My corner of the internet is abuzz with health-conscious women searching for synthetics-free activewear made from materials such as cotton, linen, and hemp in an attempt to prevent endocrine disruption. I first saw this as MAHA-adjacent hysteria, not wanting to believe — especially as a person who wears some form of stretchy activewear every day — that most of our clothes, especially those that promise moisture wicking, are made with “forever chemicals,” otherwise known as PFAS. These substances (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) are a class of thousands of chemicals that have been linked to a wide range of health issues (infertility, thyroid problems, cancers) and take, as their name implies, forever to degrade. But after just a few more minutes of research, I found somepretty unsettling evidencethat garments from many major activewear brands areladen withthese endocrine disrupters. After discovering a thyroid issue of my own, I decided it was time to take this seriously, pledging to purchase activewear made only of wool, cotton, and other earth-derived materials.
The problem with natural-fiber workoutwear, though, is that it tends to be dorky. I’m not necessarily thinking too hard about what I wear to sweat in — a sports bra, leggings, and an old concert T-shirt tend to suffice — but I also really don’t want to wear linen balloon pants while going for a run. Plus, I’m slightly concerned that I’ve been babied by the slickness of nylon garments and that even the slightest bit of grit in a natural fabric will make me itchy and uncomfortable. I’m determined, however, to find the best non-synthetic, non-ugly, highly functional activewear so my highly sensitive endocrine system and I can sweat in peace. Here’s everything my search turned up.
Los Angeles Apparel
While your association with Los Angeles Apparel — basically American Apparel reincarnated — is likely bright-colored tight-fitting nylon leotards and microshorts, the brand actually has a pretty wide variety of cotton clothing, too.
Itscotton-spandex tank crop topis essentially a sports bra if you have a larger chest size. It’s not 100 percent cotton, but 95 percent cotton with 5 percent elastane is a pretty good ratio considering the top is only $20. It’s not the most supportive since the fabric is a bit thin, but it makes for a hell of a daily-wear summertime bra replacement. The2x1 Rib women’s tankis the 2.0 version of a Hanes white tank. It’s thicker and has a bit more elegance in its design, making me feel less like a sweaty farmer (all love) and more like a girl going to Pilates.
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Baserange
Since 2012, Baserange has been all about using natural and recycled fibers to create low-impact, long-lasting garments, and the brand’stransparencyaround materials and sourcing is notable. For activewear, it offers plenty of sports-bra options made from a variety of fabrics:a cotton rib Heart Bramade from 91 percent organic cotton and 9 percent elastane, asoft bramade from bamboo lyocell (a material that uses one-third of the water cotton does), and my personal favorite, theOleta high-neck bra, made from 84 percent organic cotton, 11 percent polyamide, and 5 percent elastane. You would have no idea this is majority cotton — it performs like a classic Nike sports bra with optimal support that leaves zero traces of sweat.
Another standout is the Baserangeran shorts, a supremely comfortable combination of lyocell and cotton that makes for the ideal at-home yoga bottoms. They’re flowy, which means it may be dangerous to downward dog with them in public, but they’re impeccable for the midday stretch between WFH meetings.
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[Editor’s note: Baserange lists prices in euros, so those shown above are approximate conversions to U.S. dollars.]
OddoBody
Known for its cotton underwear (possibly the most essential natural-fiber garment), OddoBody also has a “movement” line, consisting of sports bras, bike shorts, lounge pants, and long-sleeves. I tried the first two, specifically theShelf BraandBiker Shorts, and am a big fan. At first, the enclosed elastic bands on both garments felt overly compressive and disproportionate to the relaxed fit of the rest of the material, but after a few minutes of wearing, the tension started to ease.
After I wore these pieces to a hot-yoga class, it became obvious to me that I couldn’t return to the synthetic materials I’m accustomed to wearing. While I left that room completely saturated with sweat (cotton isn’t exactly known for its moisture resistance), I had this sense of freedom and peace of mind — the result of letting my body sweat as it was meant to without the armor of synthetic materials. OddoBody hits what I now recognize as my big-three activewear needs: comfort, minimalism, and a fit that stays secure on my body.
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Nu Swim
One of my favorite brands for bothswimwearandtrunk shorts, Nu Swim once again reigns supreme in another category: organic-material activewear. As the name suggests, its bread and butter is bathing suits — particularly ones with classic shapes in natural materials.
TheOrganic-Cotton Sport Brais the gold standard in cotton sports bras — comfortable, secure, and surprisingly breathable for something so substantial. Plus, the external stitching gives it a bit of visual interest unlike the mono-colored options on the market. I’m also a big fan of theOrganic-Cotton Short Stretch Short, which has a bit more structure than the average biker short. A great pick for those who are suction averse.
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Branwyn
Merino wool, a natural fiber sourced from sheep, is lauded in outdoorsy circles for being a sweat-wicking, temperature-regulating wonder material. Branwyn, a “performance innerwear” brand, relies on the stuff for its natural and sustainable activewear garments.
TheEssential Racerback Sports Brais probably the heaviest-duty bra on my list. It’s compressive in a good way, making it ideal for high-impact movement that inspires a healthy amount of sweat. It’s true that merino is breathable and quick-drying, and it doesn’t itch or cling — which, for wool, is the whole battle.
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Sokoi
If you want to commit to the non-synthetic bit and free yourself of traditional sporting garments, you’ll need something a little more … boho. Sokoi makes exceptionally soft clothing from plant-based materials that stray from the ordinary yoga uniform (see: balloonesque pants made from bothcottonandlinen).
ThePoppy Scoop-Neck Bramay just be the most comfortable bralette or sports bra I’ve ever worn. It’s cut from predominantly Tencel lyocell, a material made from dissolved wood pulp. While I understand how that doesn’t scream “soft,” you’ll have to trust me on its buttery texture. It’s not supportive enough for medium-to-high-intensity movement — which turned out to be a silver lining. It’s now my daily driver on summer days when a regular bra is unfathomable.
If you fall into the growing camp of leggings haters, Sokoi’sMushroom Cotton Pantsare a necessary addition to your activewear wardrobe. Not quite as dorky as a pair of too-tight joggers but not quite as heavy as a pair of regular cotton sweatpants, these are the perfect middle ground of flexible, breathable bottoms for whatever form of exercise you please.
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H-O-R-S-E
Sue Williamson’s gym-class-inspired clothing brand, H-O-R-S-E, was actually inspired by her quest to remove PFAS-laden products from the rest of her life following a scary health situation. Soon after, she turned her attention to her workout clothes and decided to create a cotton-forward line of her own.
My H-O-R-S-E kit, a navy-bluelong shortand whiteV-neckduo, has replaced any athleisure tendencies I might have had. While it is a bit thick for heated workouts or summer runs, it’s perfect for playing tennis with my friends, going on long walks, and generally feeling good while moving my body. Aside from being supremely comfortable, the pieces are flattering, breathable, and substantially different from the typical activewear uniform we’re so used to seeing. If I were a cartoon character, I would make this my signature outfit. Other favorites from the brand are thetrack pants(there is at least one pair in any Pilates class I go to these days) and thePolo Sweatshirt, which is now my go-to airplane outer layer.
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Jungmaven
Cotton gets a lot of attention in the natural-fiber space, but Jungmaven has been making hemp tees since the early ’90s. Aside from being one of the “most promising” regeneratively grown fibers, hemp is beloved for its ability to hold its shape while softening with continued washing and wearing. I can confirm both are true in the case of the brand’sSporty Tank— it’s structured without being boxy, more like a garment that’s just well cut than one trying to hold a shape. Unlike typical activewear tank tops, which can feel compressive to me, this is fitted yet flexible. Plus, after even one wash it’s already starting to soften to lived-in levels.
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Mate the Label
Mate the Label has built its whole brand around organic, nontoxic basics — I’ve had a (now-stained) Mate crewneck in heavy rotation for years — so its activewear felt like the obvious thing to try next.
I’m happy to co-sign the status of itsbest plastic-free leggings; the stitching, comfort, and durability make them a real competitor to the Alos and Lululemons of the world — minus the endocrine disruption. They fit like a glove, hugging my body without cutting off my circulation, which means I never have to adjust them mid-run or during my strength-training session. I could see myself switching out the rest of my leggings with additional pairs of these when I decide to rid my activewear drawer of plastic for good.
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