5 Trending Eco-Friendly Fabrics in Activewear
Consumers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly and sustainable fashion options, and activewear is no exception.
Already high, yet still increasing, the demand for clothing brands to provide transparency in how products are made and what materials are used. And nowhere is it more evident than in the activewear space, which has made monumental gains in the past few years.
The result has spurred a path of innovation methods and textiles.
Five eco-friendly fibers and fabrics satisfying consumer demand:
Seawool
Bamboo Charcoal
Nuyarn
SeaCell
Repreve
While some have been around for years, others are new to the scene. All, however, are seeing an influx of customers because of their capability to improve the environment in unique ways.
5 Eco-Friendly Fibers and Fabrics You Should Know
This article explores each fiber in detail - giving you the important information needed to speak confidently about what fibers are landing with consumers today. Let's dig in.
1. Seawool - Recycled and Upcycled Sourced Fabric
Seawool is a wool alternative that's made from a combination of recycled plastic water bottles (recycled polyester) and ground-up post-consumer oyster shells. The outcome is a recycled polyester that gets a boost through oyster-based nanotechnology.
Hans Global Textile, the manufacturer that patented this fabric in 2017, created the product by partnering with oyster farms near one of its Taiwanese facilities.
At first glance, Seawool seems like the byproduct of science fiction, but it's absolutely real and solves a real problem at that.
Environmental Problem Seawool Solves:
By sustainably harvesting oyster shells - which would otherwise go to waste or sit - Seawool provides a second purpose for the waste. Oyster farming discards the shells with no real use for them - to the tune of millions of tons each year.
Seawool is also made of recycled polyester, which helps solve the ongoing global problem with single-use plastic water bottles.
Standout Feature of Seawool: Oyster Shell
The antimicrobial properties of the oyster shells make this an appealing material for activewear - where odor control is often a top priority.
Once the oyster shell powder is combined with the poly thread, it mitigates the growth of bacteria and other cultures that create odor.
While there are several fibers on the market with the same capability, Seawool is one of the few that can make that claim while also being from an upcycled source.
But that's just one of the features to love about seawool - for activewear, (movement, sweating, and vigorous activity) Seawool does quite a few other things well-suited for this category of apparel.
Other Benefits of Seawool:
Moisture Wicking: The oyster shell powder increases the rate at which sweat evaporates from the skin.
Thermal Regulating: Allows flexibility to temperature or climate while keeping the garment comfortable more consistently.
Anti-Static: The fabric is less likely to create static when rubbed against other surfaces - like skin, for example.
Softness: Closer to merino wool, Seawool is softer to the touch than traditional wool.
Seawool in the Wild:
Quite a few brands are using Seawool in their garments, but Wellen frequently shows up in the Seawool discussion.
Showcasing its products and the use of Seawool on Huckberry, Wellen is building public awareness of Seawool, while gaining interested customers on the way.
2. Bamboo Charcoal - Organic Natural Yarn
Bamboo Charcoal is a material made from bamboo that's been heated to extremely high temperatures in a process known as carbonization. Ground into a powder and combined with other fibers, it's able to enhance a final garment's functionality.
Understandably confused with conventional bamboo fabrics, which have risen in popularity in recent years, visually, Bamboo Charcoal fabric has a more matte look and linen feel, compared to silkier bamboo fabrics.
Visuals aside though, Bamboo Charcoal can do things conventional cannot - and that comes down to what you can't see with the naked eye.
Environmental Problem Bamboo Charcoal Solves:
There are two important ways that Bamboo Charcoal solves ecological problems in textile production - using a highly sustainable organic fiber, and using nature to solve what would typically require chemical coatings.
Bamboo is one of the most environmentally sound grasses on the planet, growing at an incredibly fast rate. It doesn't require the use of pesticides or fertilizers to thrive, and it enriches the soil as it grows.
The biochar of Bamboo Charcoal can naturally accomplish what would typically take several synthetic coatings - meaning less harmful chemicals and applications need to be used.
Standout Feature of Bamboo Charcoal:
Carbonization of bamboo breaks it down into what's known as "biochar" - a highly porous, adsorbent material. This important state is where Bamboo Charcoal gets its nanotechnology super powers.
Because the biochar of bamboo is porous and adsorbent, when used in apparel, it's able to capture things like odor, toxins, and moisture.
Other Benefits of Bamboo Charcoal:
Odor Resistant: The adsorption properties of Bamboo Charcoal make it excellent at trapping odor-causing molecules.
UV Protection: Bamboo Charcoal has a natural SPF of 50+, making it a great way to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.
Thermal Regulating: Bamboo Charcoal can regulate temperature, keeping you comfortable in a wider range of conditions.
Incredibly Soft: Bamboo Charcoal is one of the softest natural fibers available.
Bamboo Charcoal in the Wild:
Bamboo Charcoal activated fabrics are still gaining in popularity, with more and more brands beginning to experiment with the technology. Free Fly is one of the more notable brands to have used the material.
It's worth mentioning that Free Fly also incorporates coconut charcoal - a similar process and output, but from upcycled sources.
3. Nuyarn - Performance Wool
Nuyarn is a type of performance wool that's been enhanced with a special spinning process to make it stronger and more thermally efficient.
Nuyarn, based in New Zealand, explains how traditional methods of spinning wool reduce the potential of wool fibers by:
Compressing air pockets
Creates new tension points
Building loops that restrict fiber movement
They describe these as creating a "rope-like structure."
This is why Nuyarn uses a process called drafting in place of spinning - ultimately creating only two-ply yarns that prevent all the drawbacks of traditional spinning methods.
Environmental Problem Nuyarn Solves:
Nuyarn's innovative drafting technology is geared to improve the performance qualities of the fabric. But in doing so, this means less product is needed.
Because traditionally spun wool is done in a method that makes it itchier or unable to stretch, other fibers have to be blended in to meet certain activewear needs.
This often means the use of virgin synthetic fibers, which result in the creation of plastics.
While there are many environmentally responsible practices that Nuyarn takes on, like ethical sourcing of wool, the real problem Nuyarn solves is lower-demand fibers that are not sustainable.
Standout Feature of Nuyarn:
It's impressive how many benefits Nuyarn's drafting technique creates, but one that closely ties to the environmental problem it solves is also the standout feature.
The spinning alternative (drafting) that Nuyarn incorporates, creates 85% more elasticity in the wool thread compared to merino wool but keeps its shape.
In traditional methods, manufacturers have to weave in synthetic fibers to get wool to shape and flex for the garment to perform.
The ability to use the same material as merino, but get the fibers to behave completely differently in needed areas, has a significant impact on the production of synthetic fibers.
Other Benefits of Nuyarn:
Thermal Regulation: Because of the drafting technique, the wool thread maintains nearly a third more volume - this allows the woven fabric to handle the elements better - breathability, wind resistance, and regulate temperature.
Moisture Wicking and Absorption: Nuyarn dries five times faster than merino wool - against the skin, Nuyarn wicks moisture from the skin and then absorbs it into the fiber, where the volume of the fibers comes into play. Quickly drying any moisture.
Improved Durability: Nuyarn Merino has a tensile strength 50% higher than conventional merino wool. This impacts a few other durability factors, such as creating stronger seams and significantly higher abrasion resistance.
Nuyarn in the Wild:
Nuyarn is gaining a fanbase of users rapidly - especially among running and cycling enthusiasts. But the actual fiber technology has been around since 2013.
You can find it in quite a few brands - The North Face, Black Diamond, and Trew all have used the special wool.
4. SeaCell - Organic Seaweed Fabric
SeaCell is a 100% biodegradable fiber made from certified organic seaweed and cellulose fibers (trees) - two sustainable materials. Something of a wonder fiber, the mineral-rich fabric can activate in certain conditions and transfer to the wearer's skin.
The cellulose fibers make up the base of the fabric, sourced from eucalyptus or beech trees, and the seaweed is interwoven throughout. Together they make a soft, absorbent material with some interesting benefits.
Nanonic Inc, the maker of SeaCell, has a branded line under the SeaCell Active banner for activewear. SeaCell Active includes the addition of silver ion to the fiber, which adds antibiotic properties
Environmental Problem SeaCell Solves:
The primary environmental issue that SeaCell fabrics solve is energy consumption. Seaweed is a renewable resource and the production process is highly efficient, especially compared to synthetic fibers. But even semi-synthetic fibers.
The process of making rayon (another cellulose fiber) is extremely energy-intensive, as it goes through a chemical process that involves using lots of water and harsh chemicals.
The production of SeaCell, on the other hand, involves the closed loop process of lyocell, and it's then a mechanical manufacturing process thereafter - meaning no chemicals at that point.
Standout Feature of SeaCell:
Maybe it's something in the water, but just like Seawool, SeaCell's amazing properties seem like something of science fiction. But they are absolutely real.
Seaweed, on its own, is nutrient-rich. When it's reduced to its most fibrous form, it still maintains these nutrients - vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium to name a few.
When the fabric is worn and interacts with moisture, the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are transferred. Meaning someone wearing SeaCell fabrics would get a nutrient bath just by sweating.
Other Benefits of SeaCell:
Moisture Wicking: Because of the cellulose fibers, SeaCell is a highly absorbent fabric. But the Evaporative Cooling Effect (ECE) of the woven fabric helps to regulate temperature by wicking moisture away from the body.
Skin Sensitive: SeaCell Active is also built for sensitive skin, possessing bacteriostatic properties, and being mildew resistant - several studies were conducted that showed how SeaCell Active helped treat atopic dermatitis.
Sun Protection: The woven fibers are effective at protecting skin from free radicals, and the properties of seaweed make the fabric rated for UPF 50+ sun protection.
SeaCell in the Wild:
SeaCell and SeaCell Active have been around for over a decade, but when Lululemon released its VitaSea line of apparel in 2021, it opened the floodgates of renewed interest in SeaCell.
Lululemon's VitaSea collection blended SeaCell with cotton and spandex - although spandex doesn't fit the sustainability mold, the partnership has brought awareness of SeaCell to a new segment of activewear consumers.
5. Repreve - Recycled Polyester
Repreve is made from 100% recycled materials - primarily, post-consumer plastics like water bottles. But it does include pre-consumer waste from manufacturers as well. It's a high-quality version of recycled polyester.
Unifi, the makers of Repreve, use a closed-loop process to recycle the plastic into new yarn - meaning the same recycled materials can be used over and over again.
Environmental Problem Repreve Solves:
Repreve is a recycled polyester, which is an important detail since virgin polyester is one of the most widely used fabrics in the world - being in nearly 60% of all clothing.
Virgin polyester is petroleum-based, meaning it comes from non-renewable fossil fuels.
Not only does the production process of these materials put a strain on the environment, but once the garment has reached the end of its life, it will sit in a landfill for centuries to come - if not longer.
Recycled polyester, on the other hand, is made from post-consumer plastics - like water bottles.
Creating Repreve removes plastic waste from landfills and waterways while also reducing demand for virgin polyester. Additionally, the manufacturing process still requires energy but is far cleaner and more efficient than creating polyester anew.
Standout Feature of Repreve:
While Repreve's standout feature may not be the most enlightening on this list, it's certainly one that can have the most profound impact on the environment.
Repreve has identical performance benefits to polyester, which means it has a vital role to play in activewear since the overdependence on polyester is one of the biggest crimes committed in the activewear space.
Other Benefits of Repreve:
Durable: Polyester is known for its durability, and recycled polyester is no different.
Strong and Light: It won't weigh you down when you're working out, and it can stand up to some serious wear and tear.
Quick Drying: Polyester is a moisture-wicking fabric, so it will help you stay dry during your workout.
Repreve in the Wild:
Unifi released Repreve to the public in 2007. It's had a steady climb since. But like all the other branded fabrics on this list, interest and demand have skyrocketed in the last few years.
Major brands use Repreve - from activewear to work clothes - it's found a home for clothing verticals across the entire fashion industry.
The rapid up-and-coming Eleven, by Venus Williams, is a recent activewear brand that relies on Repreve for its threads.
Noteworthy to activewear and the outdoors category is the adoption of Repreve by Patagonia. A brand that has highly publicized environmental goals, and even higher standards for materials and processes it employs to manufacture products.
Perhaps Patagonia's usage of Repreve is the biggest credibility builder that it's a material with environmental chops.
Continued Demand for Eco-Friendly Fibers and Fabrics
While Repreve and recycled polyester may not be the most sustainable materials on this list, it's important to remember that sustainability is a scale.
It's true though.
What's also true is that there's no one path to sustainability. Just look at the list above for proof.
Sustainable fibers can come from technique innovation, remarkable sourcing from sealife, burning plants to a crisp, and of course, turning waste into textiles.
But one thing's for certain, as the fashion industry - and the world at large - continues to reckon with its environmental impact, there will be a continued demand for eco-friendly fibers and fabrics.
The materials above, and emerging fabrics, will become even more widely used, and eventually, become the new normal - all with the shared goal of more sustainable clothing.