7 Ethical & Sustainable Bike Shorts For Planet-Friendly Pedaling
Ever looked around lately and found yourself wondering, “Why is everyone wearing cycling shorts?”.
Because they’re amazing! From spin class to just sitting around, sustainable bike shorts are the perfect warm weather counterpart to sustainable leggings.
Half the length, but all the heart!
No matter the garment, we prefer to sweat without sweatshops and forced child labor (not to mention numerous environmental consequences.)
So, grab your helmet and eco-friendly water bottle, clip in your shoes, and let’s get pedaling.
Everything we recommend to you on Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.
The Best Eco-Friendly Bike Shorts To Keep Your Pedals & Planet Spinning
If you’re looking for bike shorts that don’t ride up, take a spin in Girlfriend Collective’s sustainable biker shorts. They’re stretchy, light-weight, and made from recycled water bottles.
To avoid plastic completely, opt for Happy Earth’s organic cotton biker shorts. They hit the sweet spot between comfortable and fashionable, and every product purchased supports a cause of your choice.
If you’re spinning your wheels over how we chose these sustainable bike short brands, point your handlebars to the end of the article.
The Full List Of Recycled Or Organic Bike Shorts
- Girlfriend Collective | Visit Store
- MATE the Label | Visit Store
- Happy Earth | Visit Store
- Tree Tribe | Visit Store
- DK Active | Visit Store
- Threads 4 Thought | Visit Store
- Boody | Visit Store
1. Girlfriend Collective
About Girlfriend Collective
Price Range: $48–$62
Bike the bullet and bust open those sustainable wallets because Girlfriend Collective has all the affordable and comfy bike shorts you’ll ever need.
Compression high rise, seamless maternity, pocket bike shorts, and more.
They even have sustainable skorts (which are essentially just ethical bike shorts with an extra piece of fabric.)
We took a spin (literally) on the FLOAT Ultralight Bike Short.
We love how it strikes the perfect balance between a lightweight and breathable fabric that’s super secure and supportive where you need it—like the slightly tighter hems that keep the legs from riding up and the ultra-high tummy supporting waist.
Girlfriend Collective’s sustainability and ethical practices
Materials:
Their moisture wicking fabric consists of 79% BPA-free recycled bottles and 21% spandex.
Both their recycled fabrics and safe dyes have OEKO-TEX certification.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Most of their supply chain is based overseas in factories that are verified by third parties and hold certifications like SA8000 and WRAP.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Water used to dye their fabrics is treated in a rigorous wastewater treatment facility before being disposed of in a healthy stream.
All packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable. You can opt to offset the carbon footprint of your order via a donation.
These recycled polyester bike shorts are also fully recyclable via their closed loop program, ReGirlfriend.
Inclusivity:
The representation of models on their product pages is next level (like, Trek Butterfly Madone level).
With plus-sized options a plenty, their ethical shorts range from XXS–6 XL.
2. MATE the Label
About MATE the Label
Price Range: $85
Our slow fashion friend MATE the Label always has our back with clean essentials for the whole family.
This LA clothing brand constantly impresses us with harder-to-find garments, like sustainable plus-size clothing.
Not to mention the oh-so-rare organic cotton bike shorts that make us want to immediately hop on a Peloton….or just wear the comfy bike shorts and say we did.
The Organic Stretch Biker Short comes in solid colors, including a bone color—but don’t worry, these are 100% non-see-through bike shorts!
MATE the Label’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
While these are mostly organic cotton bike shorts for women, they contain some spandex for that essential stretch.
The color options are courtesy of low-impact dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Looking for eco-friendly bike shorts made in the USA?
The brand’s organic cotton is sourced in India and turned into shorts in an LA factory within 15 miles of their HQ.
This local supply chain reduces their impact and means workers are provided with fair living wages and benefit from stricter labor laws.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Shipping materials by boat from India allows them to further minimize impact—but being Climate Neutral-certified doesn’t hurt, either!
Inclusivity:
The shorts are available XS–3X and their diverse selection of models is always inspiring.
As one reviewer of their eco-friendly biker shorts writes: “Curvy gals, delight in this fit and fabric that don’t dig in and stay on comfortably.”
Community & charitable giving:
As 1% For the Planet members, they’ve donated more than $500 million to countries around the globe supporting environmental and social welfare causes.
3. Happy Earth
About Happy Earth
Price Range: $42
Happy Earth makes for happy cyclists with their comfortable bike shorts made from patented PlantTec technology.
Made with ribbed organic cotton, the PlantTec™ organic bike shorts are naturally moisture-wicking, breathable, and extra soft.
Best of all, they are crafted with stretchy side pockets, making them convenient for both running errands and jamming out to music in spin class.
Happy Earth’s Sustainability and Ethical practices:
Materials:
The activewear brand is heavily against both non-recycled and recycled plastic waste, making organic cotton the main component of all of their organic cotton leggings and shorts (along with a tiny bit of elastane.)
When possible, they partner with farmers that supply USDA and GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their suppliers follow a strict code of conduct based on ILO principles, and over 95% of their products are in fair-trade certified factories.
Their sustainable activewear in particular is produced in a fair-trade factory in India that is powered by solar energy and natural gas.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Along with opting for low energy options, the clothing brand buys carbon offsets to compensate for their emissions.
Packaging uses 100% PCR recycled plastic bags, though customers can opt in for paper packaging instead.
Inclusivity:
Eco-friendly shorts sizes range XXS–2XL.
Community & charitable giving:
The social enterprise allows customers to choose how they want to give back with their purchase.
Either by planting trees, cleaning up trash, or fighting climate change.
They provide free collectible pins that allow you to track your impact by milestones.
4. Tree Tribe
About Tree Tribe
Price Range: $30–$40
From child poses to downwards zero waste dog, Tree Tribe’s sustainable yoga shorts move with you. And, let’s just say, that warrior pose turned into a wacky warrior pose.
Water based inks are used to create high resolution graphics on their fabrics. Fluorescent mirage, northern lights, unicorn galaxy, night leopard, snowflake, and many more.
Sewn together with panels of flat lock stitching, the sustainable shorts are durable enough for working out, climbing mountains, or exploring exotic locations on your next vacation.
What better than the Exotic Escape shorts?!
That’s the pattern we went with when we tested these shorts. Fortunately, we never once felt like we needed to escape from wearing them.
The super stretchy fabric—which isn’t too thick or compressive—is incredibly comfortable when either doing yoga or lounging around.
Tree Tribe’s Sustainability and Ethical Practices:
Materials:
Upcycled polyester and spandex provide a soft compression and flexible stretch for their eco-friendly yoga shorts (which can obviously be used for more than just yoga.)
They are fitted with a natural or high-waisted band.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Each item is handcrafted in the USA.
Inclusivity:
Their sizes are a little more limited, with sustainable women’s shorts ranging from XS–XL.
Community & charitable giving:
With each pair of sustainable yoga shorts (or whatever other sustainable yoga clothes) you buy, a tree is planted. They have planted over 400,000 trees in 12 different countries.
5. DK Active
About DK Active
Price Range: $45–$54
Made in Australia and loved around the globe, DK Active is a mecca for sustainable activewear.
Whether you use them for hot yoga or a warm-up bike ride, their fun print ethical yoga shorts will have you anxiously awaiting your next workout (rather than dreading it).
With maternity bike shorts and curve options available, they’re one of the most inclusive places to find sustainable bike shorts for women.
If you’re looking to spice up your spanx, the Odessa Bike Pant adds a touch of fashion with its flattering, tapered V-waist.
DK Active’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
DK’s ethical bike shorts are made from recycled nylon that’s OEKO-TEX and REACH-certified. Along with a bit of spandex.
The curve range uses extra stretchy and buttery soft nylon called Elixir Supple, though this is not a recycled nylon fabric.
It’s also found in the maternity bike shorts, along with an organic bamboo bike shorts waistband.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their Australian factory adheres to ethical Australian standards that include safe working conditions and fair living wages.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The brand’s Brisbane HQ runs on solar power, their biodegradable packaging is 100% compostable, and delivery is carbon-neutral.
Inclusivity:
Women’s standard sizes encompass size XS to size XXL. The curve range accommodates sizes 18-24 (3XL-6XL).
6. Threads 4 Thought
About Threads 4 Thought
Price Range: $38–$58
LA-based Threads 4 Thought helps us #WearThoughtfully with their activewear, loungewear, and basics for men, women, and kids.
For making pedal-powered positive change for our planet, their eco-friendly bike shorts for women are available in various styles and colors.
They don’t have sustainable bike shorts for men, per se, but they do carry looser men’s shorts that would work well for shorter rides.
T4T’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Like many of their sustainable leggings, these sustainable bike shorts are made of blended recycled polyester and spandex.
Supply chain & labor practices:
T4T works with many factories, which all adhere to a Code of Conduct that prohibits forced and child labor and excessive work hours, among other things.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
A Climate Neutral Certification applies to most of the brand’s range.
Thanks to recycling and reuse, their partner factories use 50% less water on average.
Inclusivity:
Sustainable men’s shorts run S–XXL and women’s in XS–XXL.
Community & charitable giving:
Through a partnership with the International Rescue Committee, a portion of profits benefit in-need communities in the wake of disaster.
7. Boody
About Boody
Price Range: $39–$57
Boody takes care of men’s and women’s bodies when they’re in motion or at rest.
Though they come equipped with a handy hidden pocket, nothing will be hidden about your love for the environment.
They carry both sustainable bike shorts for women—in both modest 5” or longer 8” inseams—and sweat shorts that would work as the best alternative to bike shorts for men.
Boody’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The men’s and women’s bamboo bike shorts are made with a blend of 60-70% bamboo viscose, 20-30% GOTS-certified organic cotton, and ~10% spandex.
Their organically-grown bamboo fabric is certified by PETA, Ecocert, OEKO-TEX, and the FSC. It’s processed in a closed-loop system using non-toxic solvents.
They utilize SGS testing to ensure all final products are free of harmful chemicals.
Supply chain & labor practices:
All organic bamboo is grown in responsibly managed forests in China, where it is also turned into bike shorts via partners that adhere to strict WRAP labor standards.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Eco packaging (recycled paper and vegetable inks) is used for all shipping.
Inclusivity:
Women’s sizes XS-XL and men’s sizes S-XL are available.
Community & charitable giving:
In addition to supporting 1% For the Planet, Boody supports a variety of other organizations with their time and returned/unsold products.
Also available on Boody AU
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How We Found The Best Ethical Bike Shorts
What is the best alternative to bike shorts?
To that we say, it’s not the bike shorts we need an alternative for, but rather the rather un-sustainable materials most are made of (AKA virgin plastic).
Whether you’re heading out for a 50-miler or haven’t ridden a bicycle since it had training wheels, the same sustainable fashion criteria will help you pick the perfect pair of pedaling pants.
Materials:
What is the best material for cycling shorts?
Natural, sustainable fabrics (like organic cotton and linen) are ideal when it comes to eco-friendly bike shorts, but semi-synthetics like closed-loop bamboo are also suitable.
Recycled materials (polyester and nylon) are the most popular choice for activewear given their breathability and moisture-wicking properties, and while synthetic fabrics aren’t the most sustainable fabrics due to the fact that they still shed microplastic, they at least make use of landfill bound waste.
Just be sure to wash your recycled nylon bike shorts in a Guppy Friend.
- Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (USDA Organic), Ecocert, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH
Supply chain & labor practices:
Greenwashing is about as annoying as a flat tire.
Third party certifications and transparent policies help us know we’re supporting ethical bike shorts brands that go the extra mile to ensure that their workers are supported with safe environments and fair wages.
- Certifications: Fair trade, B Corporation (B Corp), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Social Accountability International (SA8000), International Labor Organization (ILO)
Carbon commitments & green practices:
The best sustainable bike shorts come from brands who utilize carbon offset programs, ditch plastic packaging, use renewable energy, or have practices to minimize and repurpose fabric waste.
Inclusivity:
Many of these sustainable bike shorts come from women and BIPOC-owned brands.
Biking (or ANY activity in life) is for everyone, it’s also important to offer a size range that reflects every body type.
Community & charitable giving:
Finding brands that give back is like riding an e-bike for the first time. You never knew it could be so good!
Many of these brands make positive change through environmental cleanups, tree planting, or charitable donations.
Final Thoughts On Eco-Friendly Bike Shorts
You may never forget how to ride a bike, but you should forget wearing anything that will cancel out the benefits of your green mode of transportation.
Wearing sustainable bike shorts (along with riding a sustainable bike) is one way to ensure your next triathlon is a winning one—for you and the planet.
Seeing as bike shorts were THE thing to wear in the ‘80s and ‘90s, scour your favorite second hand stores first, as pre-loved certainly has the most pedal power in the eyes of the environment.
Now cycle this article to your friends, so they can invest in recycled or GOTS-certified organic cotton bike shorts before the next spin class.
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Thank you for this exhaustive list! I didn’t want to order more pants from a fast fashion mega-corp. I placed an order with Threads 4 Thought and hope they work out!
You’re welcome Sheryl, would love to hear how the bike shorts turned out?
Unable to find any cycling shorts with chammy’s – all reviews are for lifestyle ‘bike shorts’ please don’t waste your time like I did. These are not brands for women who cycle more than 2 miles at a time.
Thank you for this long list of amazing companies☺️
But, do you know of anyone who makes bike shorts with padding? I am doing the long rides of 90 plus kilometres twice a week and need ’real’ bike shorts in order to ‘save my buy’ so to speak😉
Best wishes,
A hopeful female biker,
Kristina
We’ll keep an eye out Kristina, we’ve been asked a few times now! Let me know if you find any!