9 Ethical & Sustainable Bike Shorts for Planet-Friendly Pedaling
From spin class to just sitting around, sustainable bike shorts are the counter-part to ethical leggings.
Sure, they’re half the length but they’re just as conscious.
MATE the Label will be your BFF if you’re specifically after eco friendly bike shorts made in the USA.
DK Active’s eco friendly bike shorts for women aren’t just available in fun prints, but in curvy and maternity sizes, too.
Grab your helmet and eco friendly water bottle, clip in your shoes, and let’s get pedaling.
If you’re spinning your wheels over how we chose these sustainable bike short brands, point your handlebars to the end of the article.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS TO SUSTAINABLE BIKE SHORTS
1. DK ACTIVE
About DK Active
Made in Australia and loved around the globe, DK Active is a mecca for sustainable yoga clothes for women.
Whether you use them for hot yoga or a warm up bike ride, their fun print bike 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.
DK Active’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
DK’s bike shorts are made from recycled nylon that’s OEKO-TEX 100 and REACH-certified.
The curve range uses extra stretchy and buttery soft nylon called Elixir Supple, though this is not a recycled fabric.
It’s also found in the maternity bike shorts, along with an organic bamboo lining on the waistband.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Their Australian-based factory adheres to ethical Australian standards.
Green business practices:
The brand’s Brisbane HQ runs on solar power, their packaging is 100% compostable, and delivery is carbon neutral.
Inclusivity:
Women’s standard sizes encompass XS-XXL. The curve range accommodates sizes 18-24 (3XL-6XL).
Available: DK Active
2. MATE THE LABEL
About MATE the Label
Our slow fashion friend MATE the Label always has our back with clean essentials for the whole family.
This LA brand constantly impresses us with harder-to-find garments, like organic maternity clothes and plus size linen clothes.
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 shorts and say we did.
They come in all kinds of solid colors, including a bone color, for those brave enough to wear white organic cotton bike shorts.
MATE the Label’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
While these are mostly organic cotton bike shorts for women, they contain a bit of spandex for that essential stretch.
The various color options are thanks to low-impact dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The brand’s organic cotton is sourced in India and turned into shorts in a LA factory a mere 17 miles from the brand’s HQ.
This localization reduces their impact and means workers are provided with fair wages and benefit from stricter labor laws.
Green business practices:
Shipping materials by boat from India allows them to further minimize impact, as does the company’s use of eco friendly toilet paper and eco friendly office supplies.
Being Climate Neutral-certified doesn’t hurt, either.
Dive into their Impact Report for more green deets.
Inclusivity:
The shorts are available XS-3X and their diverse selection of models is always inspiring.
Community & charitable giving:
As 1% For the Planet members, they’ve donated more than $95,000 to social and environmental justice organizations—like Raheem, an online service for reporting police abuse (the 7th leading cause of death for Black American men).
Available: MATE the Label
3. BOODY
About Boody
Boody takes care of men’s and women’s bodies when they’re in motion or at rest.
If you’re already having sweet dreams about their ethical pajamas, their bike shorts will be right up your alley (errr, bike lane).
They carry both sustainable bike shorts with pockets for women and sweat shorts that would work well as eco friendly bike shorts for men.
Boody’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The men’s and women’s bike shorts are made with a blend of 60-70% bamboo viscose, 20-30% organic cotton, and ~10% spandex.
We wish we could put a bamboo sock in brands that use unsustainably processed bamboo fabric and claim it’s green, but Boody is NOT one of those brands.
Their organically-grown bamboo is certified by PETA, ECOCERT, OEKO-TEX, and the FSC. It’s processed in a closed-loop system using non-toxic solvents.
Supply chain & labor practices:
All organic bamboo is grown in responsibly managed forests in China, where it is also turned into bike shorts.
Boody’s manufacturing partners adhere to strict labor standards developed by WRAP.
Green business practices:
Eco packaging (recycled paper and vegetable inks) is used for all shipping.
They utilize SGS testing to ensure all final products are free of harmful chemicals.
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.
Available: Boody US | Boody AU
4. THREADS 4 THOUGHT
About Threads 4 Thought
LA-based Threads 4 Thought helps us #WearThoughtfully with their activewear, loungewear, and other affordable ethical clothing for men, women, and kids.
For making a pedal-powered positive difference 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:
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.
Green business 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:
Women’s sizes XS-XXL and men’s S-XXL are available.
Community & charitable giving:
Through a partnership with the International Rescue Committee, a portion of profits benefit in-need communities in the wake of disaster.
Available: Threads 4 Thought
5. WHIMSY + ROW
About Whimsy + Row
Who would have thought that the same place to get ethical wedding dresses would also offer some of the best eco friendly bike shorts?!
Whimsy + Row’s range of women’s clothing includes knits, denim, pants, dresses, sustainable jumpsuits, and more.
The Jenn Short is their version of a bike short and is available in black and periwinkle.
Whimsy + Row’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Normally, we love this linen clothing brand for their (you guessed it) linen.
Their sustainable bike shorts may not feature that flax-tastic fabric, but they are made with carbon-neutral Lenzing modal, a touch of spandex, and low-impact dyes.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The LA brand manufactures in California, where workers receive fair wages and safe working conditions.
They’re working toward a B-Corp certification.
Green business practices:
A small supply chain means a small transportation footprint, which is then offset with Carbonfund.org.
Only limited design quantities are offered to minimize textile waste, which gets sent to a textile recycling company or transformed into a new scrunchie or bandana.
Inclusivity:
Women’s sizes XS-XL.
Community & charitable giving:
Whimsy + Row regularly supports organizations like Global Fund for Women, Reclaim the Block, and One Tree Planted.
Available: Whimsy + Row
6. WOLVEN
About Wolven
Wolven makes sustainability sexy with ultra-versatile sustainable activewear that doubles as ethical swimwear.
Their multi-purpose and funky-patterned range of women’s apparel includes a fun selection of high-waisted eco friendly bike shorts with pockets.
Wolven Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
These odor-resistant bike shorts are made from 84% GRS-certified rPET (16.77 recycled bottles) and 16% spandex.
They’re OEKO-TEX-certified and feature a vegan suede finish.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Wolven’s Chinese manufacturing partner is WCA-certified and provides safe work environments, living wages, and reasonable work hours.
Being a hub for recycled fabrics, Wolven’s threads are also sourced in China.
Green business practices:
A local supply chain helps Wolven reduce their carbon footprint and any remaining footprint is fully offset through Climate Neutral.
Recycled and biodegradable packaging is also used.
Inclusivity:
The woman-founded brand offers bike shorts in sizes XS-XXL.
Community & charitable giving:
Wolven is a contributor to 1% For the Planet and removes a pound of plastic waste from the ocean for every purchase.
Available: Wolven
7. NAADAM
About Naadam
Cycling and cashmere go together better than you’d think, especially when it’s ethical cashmere from Naadam.
In addition to the obvious—eco friendly socks and fair trade sweaters—the brand makes people wooly comfy with men’s and women’s pajamas, robes, and loungewear.
The latter includes a style of ribbed biker shorts for women.
Naadam’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
The eco friendly bike shorts for women are made with 70% closed-loop recycled cashmere blended with 30% virgin cashmere.
They’re 100% biodegradable and backed by certifications from GOTS, OEKO-TEX, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), and GRS.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Employing the traditional methods of warm-weather hand combing, Naadam’s cashmere is cruelty-free.
Herders receive significantly more than the industry average and they’re also supported with livestock insurance, retirement and healthcare benefits, and programs to increase access to clean drinking water.
The shorts are manufactured in Mongolia. The brand also works with factories in Italy and China and by 2025, they aim to provide living wages to everyone in their supply chain.
Naadam’s Social and Environmental Impact Report shares more.
Green business practices:
Naadam’s hungry goats have access to an area the size of Manhattan in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. This protects fragile regions and reduces the impact of grazing.
The brand has embraced circularity, made improvements to its packaging, and by 2025 aims to be carbon neutral.
Inclusivity:
Women’s sizes XS-3X are available.
Community & charitable giving:
Partners of the Gobi Revival Fund, Naadam supports initiatives to help reduce desertification, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and support herding communities.
Through a partnership with Green Tree Textiles, returned and unsold stock is donated.
Available: Naadam
8. UNITED BY BLUE
About United by Blue
United by Blue is the ocean-loving sustainable outdoor clothing brand that believes “change comes in waves”—or miles, in this case.
They carry a small selection of women’s bike shorts, including organic cotton bike shorts and a bike unitard with a built-in bra.
If you’re going on a longer ride, you can even pack all your essentials (like a fair trade hat to keep you sun-safe), in one of their sustainable backpacks.
United by Blue’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
UBB’s EcoKnit bike shorts are made of 55% organic cotton, 41% recycled polyester, and 3% spandex.
The other two options are courtesy of partner brand Girlfriend Collective, featuring 79% recycled PET and 21% spandex.
Supply chain & labor practices:
The EcoKnit shorts are manufactured in a GOTS-certified factory in Vietnam.
All UBB partners and suppliers have at least one ethical certification (also including OCS and fair trade).
Green business practices:
As a high-ranking Certified B Corp, you can be sure these eco friendly bike shorts are, in fact, eco friendly.
Their Impact Report highlights their many sustainability efforts, which includes their mission to stop using all single-use plastic and their efforts to remove a pound of ocean trash for every product purchased.
Inclusivity:
The brand regularly supports BIPOC communities by incorporating them in photoshoots and partnerships.
Women’s sizes XXS-XXXL.
Community & charitable giving:
UBB hosts beach cleanups and provides a discount for local heroes (including veterans, students, medical professionals, teachers).
They further support diversity by making donations to organizations like the NAACP and Black Girls Trekkin’.
Available: United by Blue
9. ORGANIC BASICS
About Organic Basics
Organic Basics is basically the place for all eco friendly basics, from organic underwear to organic cotton t-shirts.
Home to one of the most bike-friendly cultures, it’s no surprise this Danish Certified B Corp also has some of the top bike shorts for women.
They feature a small waistband pocket for cash and keys.
Organic Basics’ Ethical and Sustainability Practices
Materials:
These sustainable bike shorts are made with 57% GRS-certified recycled nylon, 38% virgin nylon, and 5% elastane.
Since these are synthetic fabrics, don’t forget your GUPPYFRIEND™ on laundry day.
Supply chain & labor practices:
A factory in Portugal produces their bike shorts.
They’re but one of Organic Basics’ many certified, trusted factory partners who provide safe working spaces, living wages, and perks like childcare.
Green business practices:
Organic Basics is a supporter of regenerative agriculture, and has partnered with WWF to create the first regenerative organic cotton farm in Turkey.
By partnering with One Carbon World, they are carbon neutral across their entire supply chain.
Inclusivity:
Women’s sizes XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL are available. OB includes a diverse range of models for their product marketing.
Community & charitable giving:
The Organic Basics Fund provides direct funding to European organizations addressing environmental and social injustices.
Available: Organic Basics
HOW WE CHOSE THESE SUSTAINABLE BIKE SHORTS
Whether you’re heading out for a 50-miler or haven’t ridden a bicycle since it had training wheels, the same sustainable and ethical fashion criteria will help you pick the perfect pair of 90s inspired pedaling pants.
Materials:
Natural sustainable fabrics (like organic cotton and linen) are ideal when it comes to sustainable clothing brands, but semi-synthetics (like modal fabric or closed-loop bamboo fabric) are also suitable.
But when it comes to getting on the saddle, recycled synthetics (polyester and nylon) are the most popular choice for ethical bike shorts, given their breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
Just be sure to use a GUPPYFRIEND bag when washing after your sweaty spin class, because they’ll still release microplastics.
- Certifications: OEKO-Tex 100, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycle Standard (GRS)
Supply chain & labor practices:
Greenwashing is about as annoying as a flat tire.
That’s why we always like to keep a hand pump and some third-party certifications on hand for the making of these eco-friendly bike shorts.
Those, and transparent policies, help us know we’re supporting brands that go the extra mile to ensure that their workers are supported with safe environments and fair wages.
- Certifications: Fair Trade, B-Corp, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Business for Social Compliance Initiative
Green business practices:
The best sustainable bike shorts are those not only made with sustainable materials, but 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, which we love to see.
Because we believe biking (or ANY activity in life) is for everyone, it’s also important to offer a size range that reflects real bodies. Not all brands do so well on this but we’re encouraged by a few offering additional size ranges.
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 did so either through environmental cleanups, tree planting, or charitable donations.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABLE 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.
Sustainable bike shorts are 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, be sure to scour your favorite online thrift store first, as pre-loved certainly has the most pedal power in the eyes of the environment.
Now that your ride is done, go ahead and cycle this article over to your friends.
