6 Best Sustainable Yoga Brands For Ethically Made Yoga Clothes and Props For Every Budget
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There are so many amazing sustainable yoga brands out there that have great props, clothes and more to help you lower your environmental impact! But I want to keep your search simple and show you the absolute best yoga products I have personally tested out and adore or that I am excited to try based on my extensive research!
I have been practicing yoga for about 7 years. During that time I have used A LOT of yoga gear and yoga clothing. I have had the pleasure of practicing at many yoga studios, gyms, YMCAs, stores, pop up events and at my college!
From all the years of practice and all the places I have practiced, I have come across quite a lot of yoga props so I feel like I have a good grip on what products are worth it and what aren’t.
As I progressed through my yoga practice I simultaneously started learning more about sustainability and how it ties into ALL of the products we use, even yoga products. Things started to feel a little out of alignment because I was creating a beautiful practice while using products that were not made ethically.
If you are like me and want a more well rounded yoga practice, including high standards for the yoga products you use, read along to learn about the best high quality yoga brands. And I promise I will offer options for every budget!
This post is all about the best sustainable yoga brands and eco-friendly yoga clothes.
Why choose to buy from sustainable yoga brands?
Have you been to a yoga class and the teacher talked about practicing what you learn “off your mat” too? They’re not just talking about balance and focus.
This concept also extends to things like kindness towards yourself, others and the earth!
By choosing to support sustainable yoga brands you are supporting their efforts to make clothing and props responsibly.
Making yoga products responsibly can mean many things but here are some places to start:
- Choosing high quality materials from sustainable materials that will last a long time
- Ensuring working conditions for the people that make the products are safe and paying them a living wage
- Using natural organically grown materials or recycled materials
- Having a take back program or instructions for how to dispose of the yoga apparel at end of life
- And a lot of other things that won’t fit in this post!
What to wear to a yoga class?
Whenever I write about clothes and yoga I always feel like it is important to note the importance of wearing whatever you want to a yoga class!
Originally yoga was not practiced in tight leggings and sports bras. Absolutely no shame if you prefer to wear that! I wear that sometimes too-it’s comfy!
BUT I think it is important to mention that wearing whatever you feel the most comfortable in is the best thing to wear to a yoga class. As long as you can move freely and it covers everything then you’re good to go!
Some things you can wear to a yoga class:
- Joggers
- Flowy jumpsuit
- The random t shirts you got from events
- Shorts and a t shirt
- Your pajamas
- Leggings and a sports bra
- Crop tops
- Grip socks or no socks
- Cute matching sets from amazing sustainable yoga brands
- Bike shorts
The most sustainable choice we can make when it comes to the clothes we buy is that we will get a lot of use out of the item.
A great way to do that is by buying clothes we feel comfortable and confident in!
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Things to look for when researching sustainable yoga brands
I assume on your search for eco friendly yoga props you will read through other blog posts and see sustainable yoga brands on social media.
I wanted to cover some things I think are important for you to look out for to make sure you aren’t getting wrapped up in green washing.
Look for certifications or qualifications such as:
- 1% for the planet
- B corp certified
- ethically sourced
- made in fair trade factories/no child labor
- Dyed with plant based materials rather than toxic chemicals
- made from recycled materials
- natural materials/organic materials
Of course there are way more things to look for but this is a great starting place!
The Best Sustainable Yoga Brands
Sustainable Activewear Brands
Pact Clothes With Organic Cotton
Pact is ALL about organic cotton! Lately, I have been obsessed with trying out yoga clothes that aren’t just leggings and Pact has lots of great options. They have flowy pants, joggers, jumpsuits, bike shorts, and more!
I know some people don’t love the idea of cotton for activewear because you can see sweat stains but sweating is just part of being human!
But really the hack I have found to avoid this is to just buy cotton clothing in darker colors if you are trying to avoid showing sweat stains. Sorry if that is TMI but I really love this brand and I want to give you all the info and make sure all the details are covered so you can make the most informed purchase possible!
Things I love about Pact:
- Cotton grown with sustainable and organic practices
- Use chemical-free dyes
- Use fair trade certified factories
- Option of carbon offset shipping
- Uses boxes made from post consumer material to ship products
Patagonia
You may not think of yoga clothes when it comes to Patagonia but they’ve got them!
They have a dedicated section to yoga clothes but like we discussed before you can wear whatever you want to yoga!
Why I love Patagonia:
- Part of 1% for the planet which gives back to the preservation of the environment
- Have a worn wear program (used Patagonia clothing)
- Transparent about where clothing is made and all other sectors of their supply chain
- Fair trade certified
- Have grants for grassroots environmental groups
- Also, one time they had a campaign at my college where they stitched up clothes for anyone that brought them by! Mending clothing rather than throwing it out is a great sustainable option and I love that they offered this!
The Best Sustainable Yoga Leggings
Indigo Luna Yoga Clothing
Indigo Luna mixes beautiful artistically made pieces with sustainable and ethical practices!
They have some of the most beautiful patterned leggings that aren’t too flashy and still have an earthy feel. They also have lots of solid colors to choose from too. Every collection they come out with is mindfully made and you can just feel the love that went into creating it.
Also, I feel like they really listen to what their community wants and is constantly taking feedback on social media too!
Things I love about Indigo Luna:
- Family run brand
- Use plant dyes for garments
- Fabric made from organic or recycled materials
- Committed to slow creation/small batches and don’t mass produce their collections
- All pieces are cut, sewn and dyed by hand
- The people that make the clothes are in safe working conditions
Girlfriend Collective Activewear
Girlfriend Collective is mostly known for two things. Giving away free leggings and making leggings out of recycled plastic bottles! They definitely are unique!
Unfortunately, the free leggings were a short campaign but you can still purchase their clothing made from recycled materials! Girlfriend Collective is constantly having sales which is helpful as you transition your closest to more eco friendly yoga pieces.
I have a beautiful gold set from Girlfriend Collective and you can just tell how well it is made and that it will last a while!
Things I love about Girlfriend Collective:
- Packaging is 100% recyclable
- Clothing made in fair trade factories
- Use an eco friendly dye process and the wastewater is cleaned before released
- Have a range of sizes (xxs-6xl)
Sustainable Yoga Mats and Sustainable Yoga Props
Manduka
So Manduka is not advertised as an “eco friendly yoga brand” but they do have a lot of eco friendly yoga options!
As you browse through their site and click on the products it has a section called “sustainability” and you can see what material the product is made out of.
The majority of the yoga studios I have practiced at have had at least some Manduka products at them! The quality of these props is next level and can withstand the daily use from lots of yogis!
Some great sustainable products from Manduka are:
- Sustainable cork block
- Recycled foam block
- Recycled wool blanket
- Enlight round bolster made form The eQua® which is a recyclable synthetic material
- Align Yoga strap using eco friendly & unbleached cotton & heavy metal free dyes for color
Oko Living Sustainable Yoga Mats
I have been dreaming about these mats since I first spotted them on Instagram!
Instead of a typical rubber yoga mat, Oko Living mats are closer to what traditional mats were made like. Oko Living mats are more like a rug and have ridges at the top and bottom of the mat where you place your hands and feet. They come in a variety of earthly colors and are honestly a work of art. I can’t wait to practice on one!
Not only are Oko Living mats beautiful but they are also an eco-friendly yoga mat that is kind to the planet as well.
Why I love Oko Living yoga Mats:
- Made from 100% non toxic certified organic cotton
- Made from plant dyes and natural tree rubber
- No heavy metals, PVC or BPA used in the mats
- Ethically hand loomed & weavers are paid fair wages
Guru Cork Yoga Mat
This is the exact yoga mat I use and am obsessed with! I started using this cork mat about 5 years ago and it is still going strong! Of course, some parts of the cork are pealing at this point but I have been really surprised at how well it has kept up from daily yoga classes, outdoor classes, hot yoga and traveling with it!
I remember it taking a few days to get used to the cork feel rather than the common rubber mat feel. As you are practicing (and sweating!) the cork absorbs the moisture and helps you to grip onto the mat easily. I also just really love practicing on a more natural looking space, it helps me to feel more grounded.
If you have seen cork yoga mats before and have been curious about them, I would say to just give it a try!
Why I love Guru Cork Yoga Mats
- For every product sold they plant a tree which helps to lower your carbon footprint
- Made from ethically & sustainably sourced cork from family farms in India
- Sustainably sourced natural rubber from India
- No trees are cut down when sourcing the rubber
- You can return and recycle your mat for free
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Affordable Sustainable Yoga Clothes and Props
A lot of sustainable yoga brands are expensive! But there is a reason for this. The materials are sourced from more sustainable practices, ethical wages cost more and the material is higher quality- just to name a few.
But that doesn’t make up for the fact that sustainable yoga brands are still out of budget for some of us, even if we want to support these amazing companies. Because of this, I wanted to highlight some ways you can get eco friendly yoga clothes without blowing your budget!
Thrift Stores For Yoga Clothes
Finding items second hand is a great way to score yoga clothes and props at half the cost!
I have to admit though, most of the yoga mats I have found at the thrift store have been low quality. They are usually beginner mats that were cheaply made BUT if you are just wanting to give yoga a try there is no shame in starting here.
On the other hand, I have had really great luck finding quality yoga clothes at thrift stores! I even found Girlfriend Collective leggings one time.
Borrow from friends or do an activewear clothing swap
Before checking out a thrift store see if someone you know is cleaning out their closet and may want to give you some of their old yoga clothes or gear. If you have a group of yogi friends you could even do a clothing swap!
Use what is available at the yoga studio, gym, etc.
Most yoga studios and gyms have plenty of props to use while you’re there so you don’t need to purchase anything!
If you want props for your home practice there are sometimes sales at studios where they will sell props at a discounted rate.
Get on the email for sustainable yoga brands
I have mentioned this tip before in other posts but make sure you are on the email list for sustainable yoga brands. Normally when you sign up to be on the list you will get a discount and you will also be the first to know about their sales when they have them!
Have you tried any of these sustainable yoga brands?! I would love to hear in the comments below. Or if there are any sustainable yoga brands that I missed please leave those in the comments below too!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the top sustainable yoga brands.
Other posts you may like:
- The Best Affordable Online Workout Classes You Need To Try!
- 8 Free Eco Friendly Self Care Ideas You Need to Add to Your Wellness Toolkit
- 10 Popular Places You Can Thrift Clothes Online
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