The Olympian-founded low-tox activewear you need to know about
Updated
Did you know that nasty chemicals might be hiding in your activewear?
If you’ve never thought about it, then you’re not alone. The growing conversation around forever chemicals in activewear has left many Australians wondering whether it’s time to reassess their gym picks and this is where Earthletica enters the chat.
Co-founded by Olympic gold medallist swimmer Bronte Campbell, Earthletica is dedicated to producing elite level activewear without chemical compromise. Every garment is OEKO-TEX certified, B Corp certified, and made from 75 per cent recycled materials.
“We have found that most people are not willing to compromise on function and comfort to achieve sustainability. So we didn’t ask them to,” says Campbell on building her activewear brand.
Bronte Campbell admits she couldn’t un-know what she found when she took a closer look at what was in her activewear. Her discovery led to Earthletica - the sustainable performance activewear brand she co-founded in 2020. Earthletica
Shop the Earthletica range
Earthletica Full Length Pocket Tight
Earthletica Full Length Pocket Tight Earthletica
Earthletica Double Layer Crop - Choc/Lemon
Earthletica Double Layer Crop - Choc/Lemon Earthletica
Earthletica Pocket Short - Black
Earthletica Pocket Short - Black Earthletica
Earthletica Longline Support Crop - Black
Earthletica Longline Support Crop - Black Earthletica
Earthletica All Day Recycled Pant - Logo Black
Earthletica All Day Recycled Pant - Logo Black Earthletica
Earthletica Double-Layer Crop - Black/White
Earthletica Double-Layer Crop - Black/White Earthletica
Earthletica Crossover Short - Black
Earthletica Crossover Short - Black Earthletica
Activewear frequently relies on forever synthetic chemicals for water and stain resistance and sweat-wicking. Two primary chemical groups have come under scientific scrutiny: PFAS and BPA. PFAS can be absorbed through the skin, with sweat accelerating absorption, and BPA, often found in polyester-spandex blends can mimic oestrogen and disrupt normal hormone balance. Both of which can be detrimental to your health.
The brand also wants to bring to light that while bamboo fabrics sound sustainable, most is bamboo viscose, which is produced through a chemical process. Plus, conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-heavy crops in the world, and even wool is commonly treated with chlorine-based shrink-proofing agents.
When searching for low-tox activewear, certifications and independent verification actually means something. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests the entire garment against more than 1,000 harmful substances and Bluesign focuses on responsible chemical use throughout manufacturing.
In this day and age, it’s difficult to maintain a plastic-free status, but transparency is key. Earthletica garments are made from 75 per cent recycled materials, but elastane, which contains sheddable plastics, still features – the brand is committed to finding plant-based alternatives.
If you’re considering swapping out your activewear, keep this in mind:
- Focus replacement efforts first on tight leggings and sports bras worn during intense workouts.
- Look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Product Class I) or Bluesign labels on brand websites.
- Treat unverified terms like ‘natural’, ‘clean’, or ‘mindfully made’ with scepticism unless backed by independent testing.
- Upgrade your wardrobe gradually as items wear out rather than throwing away usable clothing.
READ MORE: Subscription-free fitness trackers to avoid costly trap
