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With so many activewear brands on the market these days, not to mention product styles, colours and features, I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I’m feeling completely overwhelmed and, when it comes to buying activewear, don’t know where to start. I tapped Dylan Osborne, head of brand LSKD with activewear range BASE, to help out.
“The first thing to consider when shopping for new sportswear is what you intend to use it for,” Osborne says. “Different products will be better suited to different activities and training types.”
“Secondly, consider the fabric,” says Osborne. “No matter how great the design, your activewear won’t fit and feel great unless it uses a quality fabric. Plus, it’ll last longer.”
Finally, when looking for activewear, focus on finding what makes you feel confident and excited to get moving, says Alexa Silva, associate design director of Allbirds, which also recently launched an activewear range. “I always look at fit, fabric, colour and silhouette that I feel represents my personal style and overall vibe.”
So, with these three key things to look out for, here are just a few of the best activewear brands you can buy in Australia right now.
Nimble
No round-up of Australian activewear brands would be complete without a mention of Nimble, which was founded by two Bondi-based best friends. In a wide range of colours, patterns and styles, the brand’s activewear is meant to work perfectly for both serious backward bends and for coffee-and-walk dates.
Top buy: Nimble Sweat to Splash Onesie, $129
Salt and Ripple
Based in the surf town of Byron Bay, Salt and Ripple offers activewear and swimwear, made from materials that’ll last. Online reviews state the pieces feel buttery soft and work for those with bigger busts.
Top buy: Gia 6″ Bike Shorts, $69
Lorna Jane
Lorna Jane was founded in 1989 by fitness instructor Lorna Jane Clarkson, and since then has been a pioneer of women’s activewear in Australia. Expect well-fitting and well-made bras, leggings, shorts and even puffer jackets. Her latest
Top buy: Full Potential Active Rib Tank Bra, $80
Nike
Nike has long been synonymous with quality workout wear. It’s committed to making inclusive products, use top-of-the-line materials, and are heavily tested. Also, many of its products use recycled polyester fibres.
Top buy: Nike Dri-FIT Alate Coverage, $65
Champion
Champion started producing athleticwear in the US in 1919. Today, they continue to focus on technical innovation alongside style. While the brand is best known for its hoodies, sweatshirts and track pants, it also makes jackets, underwear and even beanies.
Top buy: Velour Crop, $23.99
DK Active
While countless activewear brands are shouting ‘sustainability‘, DK Active is the real deal. Their clothing is made in a solar-powered facility, they use organic textiles and they package their orders in compostable bags. The brand offers a range of active- and lounge wear for every kind of body, including maternity and curve.
Top buy: Billie Pant, 89.95
Lululemon
Originally a design studio by day, yoga studio by night, located in Canada, Lululemon has since grown to worldwide. It’s known for its high quality, technical yoga wear, but also makes every kind of athletic-wear product you might need, from hats and compression socks to running tights with extremely flattering (if I do say so myself!) waistbands.
Top buy: Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant, $119
Everlane
Everlane is an American clothing brand known for its chic styles, so it makes sense that its activewear collection consists of classic pieces you’ll wear for years, too. Choose from leggings, sports bras and shorts in solid-coloured designs.
Top buy: Everlane The Perform Bike Short Black, $78
Peloton
Interactive fitness platform Peloton launched its private-label apparel in Australia in October 2021. The range includes a selection of men’s, women’s and gender-neutral styles — think sports bras, leggings, tees and tanks, jumpers and trackies — retailing from $24 to $182.
Top buy: Original Short Sleeve, $26
Allbirds
Known for its wool-blend shoes that count Hilary Duff and Leonardo DiCaprio as fans, Allbirds recently launched an athletic-wear range for men and women. The range aims to be as sustainable as possible, by using cutting-edge material innovations for its fabrics.
Top buy: Women’s Natural Run Shorts, $68
Nude Lucy
Another sustainability-focused activewear range is Nude Lucy, which recently launched and is crafted from recycled fabric. The new collection is designed to be comfortable and to extend beyond just your workout.
Top buy: Nude Active Full Length Tights, $63
Under Armour
Under Armour was first started in 1996 by uni student Kevin Plank, who made a skin-tight, sweat-proof T-shirt he could work out in. Today, however, the brand has grown to revolutionise the way athletes (and normal people like you and me) dress for exercise.
Top buy: Women’s UA Infinity High Sports Bra, $80
LSKD
Minimal design, maximum performance are the tagline for LSKD’s BASE activewear range. Mix and match colours, choosing from a range of tight and shorts lengths and top and bra styles.
Top buy: Twist Tank, $40
Kynd Society
Kynd Society aims to create activewear staples fitting for everything from runs and hikes, to errands. And how’s this for a great sustainability initiative? Customers can send back old Kynd pieces they’ve outworn or outgrown for credit, which can be applied to buying something new from the brand.
Top buy: Outdoor Spray Jacket, $129
On
On launched in Switzerland in 2010 by three guys who wanted to create running shoes that offered firm take-off, but also a cushioned landing. Today, the brand has expanded to workout apparel and is sold in more than 50 countries.
Top buy: Sprinter Shorts, $99.95
Alo Yoga
Cali-brand Alo Yoga was started in LA by two yoga obsessives. Its workout clothes are seamless with good airflow and are engineered to sculpt and contour for a complimentary fit. The brand is loved by Chrissy Teigen, Hailey Bieber and Jenna Dewan, if that’s anything to go by.
Top buy: Alosoft Ribbed Crop Calm Tank, $81
Uniqlo
Stylish and affordable is what Uniqlo is known for, and its activewear range — or, as it calls it ‘sport utility wear’ — is the same. Sports bras are supportive with stay-fresh features, leggings are thick enough to stay opaque (and keep everything in).
Top buy: Women AIRism Soft Biker Shorts, $14.90
Elite Eleven
Elite Eleven is a Melbourne-based brand that launched in 2014. Shop its bra tops, leggings, sweatpants and sweatshirts for your sporting and training needs.
Top buy: Accent Zip Bra, now $35
Glassons Active
Expect buttery soft materials and seamless designs from Glassons’ activewear range, which includes everything from bike shorts and sports bras, to zip-front unitards. Many of the pieces in the range are made from recycled fibres that would’ve otherwise gone to landfill.
Top buy: Active Seamless Recycled Bike Short, $29.99
STAX
Though it makes all kinds of athletic and leisurewear, including hoodies, coats and even underwear, Australian brand STAX is best known for its black seamless tights and cropped tees.
Top buy: Best Black Tights Full Length, $79.95
