7 January 2026
How to start a capsule wardrobe: a step-by-step guide
- Lifestyle
From your morning run to your after-work yoga class: sportswear plays a major role in our daily lives. But it’s also one of the most challenging parts of your wardrobe if you’re serious about sustainability. While the fashion world is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of natural materials like cotton and linen, sportswear remains a challenge: many of our favorite items are made from polyester and other synthetic fibers. These are materials made from petroleum and have a significant impact on both people and the environment. Fortunately, some sports brands avoid using synthetic materials. However, this isn’t always possible due to a lack of good alternatives.
Do you want to buy more sustainable sportswear and are you looking for quality brands that produce with respect for people and the environment? Then we’re happy to help you in this article. Discover sports brands that focus on better working conditions and environmentally friendlier materials, and shop them at a local store near you! This way, you can start the new year feeling fit and choose sports brands that are committed to a better world for your next gym workout, running session or yoga class.
Why is a lot of sportswear made of polyester?
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, most sportswear is made from plastic fibres such as polyester, polyamide, recycled PET, etc. These synthetic materials are made from crude oil and therefore have a high impact on the environment. In addition, the fabrics spread microplastics when worn and washed.
However, there is a good reason why a lot of sportswear is made from this material: Synthetic fabrics are absorbent and dry quickly. In addition, they feel light and elastic, which makes them easy to move around in. Finally, polyester is shape- and colourfast and resistant to sweat. And due to a lack of good alternatives, most sports brands unfortunately still opt for polyester and other synthetic fabrics.
Is there a more sustainable alternative to sportswear made from polyester?
Recycled polyester is often seen as a more sustainable alternative to new polyester. The advantage of this material is that no new petroleum is needed, which reduces the environmental impact. However, this material does also have a downside. Read more about the downsides of recycled polyester here.
At COSH we, therefore, recommend choosing natural materials as much as possible. Do you prefer sportswear made from synthetic fibres? Wash the clothes at 30° and use a GuppyFriend laundry bag. This laundry bag captures microplastics, so they don’t end up in the oceans and rivers.
Discover 9 more sustainable sports brands
1. Boldwill
Sportswear without polyester
The Dutch sportswear brand Boldwill has consciously chosen not to use polyester in its clothing. Their collection includes plastic-free sportswear for men and women made from natural materials like Tencel (made from wood pulp), organic cotton and hemp. This is still quite unique in the sports world, so if you’re looking for polyester-free sportswear, this brand is highly recommended! Moreover, the clothing is more ethically produced in factories in Greece and Portugal, which they have close a relationship with and visit regularly.
Want to workout in the new year in an eco-friendlier and more ethical fitness outfit? You can shop Boldwill sportswear in their own webshop or at Restrived.
2. LEND
Golf-inspired cotton clothing
Who says you can only wear sportswear while exercising? Dutch brand LEND proves otherwise with its fashionable, golf-inspired collection. With this clothing, you’ll shine both on the golf course and in the city. The clothing is primarily made of high-quality cotton, to minimize the use of polyester. However, the collection also includes a few polyester items, as this material quickly dries sweat during exercise. All clothing is designed in Utrecht and produced in the Netherlands and Portugal under better working conditions.
3. Vaude
German designed outdoor clothing, made under fairer conditions
Looking for a new outdoor outfit, cycling gear or a waterproof bag? Functionality and sustainability are key at the German brand Vaude. This way you can be sure that you can enjoy the outdoors and nature without damaging it with your clothing or gear.
Vaude is very transparent about how their products are made and which materials they choose. Together with the Fair Wear Foundation, they stand for better working conditions in their factories and therefore have a leading role in the outdoor industry. Vaude has everything you need to prepare you for your trip, whether it is for your daily bike ride to work, a hike, ski trip or mountain climbing.
You can buy the Vaude collection at their stores in Ghent and Leuven.
4. Wellicious
High-quality yoga clothing from GOTS-certified organic cotton
Start the new year consciously by doing more exercise. Whether you are going to train hard or want to make your body more flexible, more exercise is always good for body and mind. We would like to introduce the yogis to a German yoga brand where sustainability, circular design and a yoga lifestyle come together: Wellicious. This brand makes biodegradable, according to the Cradle-to-Cradle Gold certificate, yoga clothing from natural fabrics such as GOTS-certified organic cotton. The production of the yoga leggings, tops and bras takes place in Europe.
5. Maison Poulain
High quality, locally made cycling clothing from Belgium
Are you looking for an alternative to mass production and low quality in cycling clothing? Then you have come to the right place at the Belgian brand Maison Poulain. They work with the slow-fashion principles: minimalist design, timeless colours and small collections. The cycling clothing is made in local workshops in Belgium, so you can be sure that your cycling clothing is made in a more ethical way.
6. Colorful Standard
Colorful sportswear made from recycled materials
For sports leggings, bike shorts, sports bras and tank tops in all colours of the rainbow, you must look at the brand Colorful Standard. To contribute as little as possible to the production of new polyester, the sports collection is made from recycled polyester. The result is a high-quality, lightweight and very stretchy fabric, which makes the sportswear last a long time. The sportswear is also made with care for better working conditions, in a factory in Portugal where safe conditions and fairer wages are the standard.
You can shop the collection in the brand flagship store of Colorful Standard in Antwerp, at Harvest Club in Leuven and Conscious Fashion Store in Berlin.
7. Girlfriend Collective
Inclusive sportswear made from recycled PET bottles
With Girlfriend Collective’s stylish sportswear sets, you’re guaranteed to steal the show at the gym or on your yoga mat. The brand uses recycled polyester from PET bottles instead of regular polyester and the sportswear is produced in Vietnam in SA8000-certified factories. Choose from fitted or flared leggings and choose from a variety of sports tops and bras to suit different shapes and sizes.
Shop the Girlfriend Collective collection at Sophie Stone in Utrecht and WESEN in Berlin.
8. ARMEDANGELS
Minimalist and comfortable sportswear
You probably know the German brand ARMEDANGELS from the high-quality, timeless and affordable jeans or the minimalist and trendy clothing. But did you also know that they have an activewear collection? From sports leggings that are long, short, tight or flared to comfortable sports tops and bras made of recycled polyester. They also have cool sports socks and baseball caps in the collection to complete your sports outfit.
You can shop for ARMEDANGELS sportswear at various stores in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Discover here the nearest stores you can visit.
9. People Tree
More ethical sportswear made from organic cotton
The English clothing brand People Tree is a pioneer in the field of more sustainable and ethical fashion. In their activewear collection, you discover yoga tops, leggings, biker shorts and crop tops. All People Tree sportswear is made of 95% organic cotton with the Fairtrade label, completed with 5% elastane. The complete production of the clothes (from spinning the cotton to stitching the fabrics) happens in Assisi, India. This is a social enterprise in India where better working conditions are key.
Discover the yoga and workout clothes of People Tree at Het Faire Oosten in Amsterdam and Sophie Stone in Utrecht.
