Why I’m Re-thinking My Workout Gear: My Love of Performance Clothes Meets the Microplastic Problem

I’m going to admit something: I’m a big fan of performance activewear. I wear the same brand of underwear from Lululemon all the time. I pull on their workout shirts when I train. For colder months, I live in my Alo Yoga Co-Op Pants. I also have dozens of workout shirts, many made from blends of polyester and spandex (or elastane).

But recently I had a realization: all that gear I love? It might be contributing to microplastic pollution and even affecting my health.

What the Gear Is Made Of (and Why It Matters)

Here’s what I discovered:

• My Lululemon underwear and shirts contain polyester and elastane.

• My Alo Revitalize Pants are made of nylon and elastane.

• Many workout shirts I own are blends of polyester and elastane.

Here’s why I started to worry.

Polyester (and similar synthetics) shed microfibers

When you wash garments made of polyester (and synthetic blends), tiny plastic fibers (microplastics) are released. One study showed that washing synthetic textiles is a “main source of primary microplastics” in oceans. Another study found that polyester fibers shed more microfibers compared to other synthetic fibres. A cautionary note: the construction matters (knit vs woven vs fleece) and even how you wash them.

Elastane / Spandex - they’re not innocent

Elastane (also called spandex) is ubiquitous in athletic gear because of stretch. Some research suggests elastane blends may shed less microplastics than pure polyester fleece, but the data is limited.

Nylon – the stealth microfiber shedder

Nylon (polyamide) was originally created as a silk replacement in the 1930s and is now one of the most common synthetic fibers in activewear. It releases fewer fibers than polyester per wash in some studies, but the fibers it does shed are often thinner and lighter, which makes them more easily transported through air and water. These airborne microplastics can settle on food, be inhaled, or accumulate in household dust.

Why It Matters (Especially for Me)

Here’s where it gets personal. I love hot yoga. I use the sauna religiously. When I’m drenched in sweat, the idea that I’m wearing gear made of plastic-based fibers makes me pause.

I found that the combination of heat and sweat can cause microplastics to leach out of this clothing. My common sense: if microfibers come off synthetics during normal wear and washing, then intense heat + sweat + friction (sauna/hot yoga) could plausibly amplify that release, meaning more plastic particles in contact with my skin and environment.

What I Love About These Brands—and Why I’m Hoping They Shift

Here’s the thing: I love the gear. The brands, the fit, the feel. They do what they promise. I’m not about to trash good gear overnight. What I am hoping is that they take a leap toward natural-fiber performance alternatives. I want Lululemon, Alo, and others to say: “Yes, we can make gear from organic cotton, hemp-blends, merino wool, or lyocell that performs as well without shedding plastic.”

Because sustainable performance gear is possible. And the marketplace exists (hello, you reading this).

What I’m Doing Instead (And What You Might Try)

Since I had this wake-up call I’ve started taking steps:

• I’m auditing my wardrobe: what I wear most vs what I might replace.

• I’m giving preference to brands supported on ethowear, the plastic-free athletic clothing marketplace.

• I’m going slower with buying new: when I buy, I check labels for 100 % natural fibers, or deliberate blends with clear disclosures.

• I’m keeping the gear I already own and continuing to use it (because waste matters too), but I’m shifting future purchases.

If you want to try the same: start with your base layers (underwear, tees, tanks) because those are closest to skin and see the most wear. Then move to bottoms and outer layers when it makes sense.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to feel a little bit disappointed in my wardrobe. But I do. Because the gear I love might be doing something I don’t want it to: contribute to plastic pollution, shed microscopic fibers, and maybe even contact my skin in ways I hadn’t considered. I’m not going to stop being active. I’m not going to stop loving good gear. But I am going to aim for gear that aligns with my values: performance with no plastic legacy.