Finding good workout clothes can be really tough these days and with so many brands to choose from, how do you know you’re getting the best quality? It’s even tougher when you try to find activewear made in the USA, so that is what we set out to do. We researched over 60 activewear brands to find which ones are actually made in the USA and manufacturing some great clothing. Below are our findings.
Complete List of Activewear Brands Made in the USA
All American Clothing Co. has a ton of activewear for both men and women at a very affordable price point. Everything from running shorts to T-shirts, dry-fit boxer briefs for guys, mesh gym shorts, capri leggings for women, sweatshirts, socks, sports bras, and a lot more. They also have several color options for each item, so you should be able to find something that fits your style.
GORUCK offers a huge range of outdoor and activewear made right here in the USA. All of their apparel is well constructed, designed to last you a long time and made for both men and women.
A lot of GORUCK shorts are made with their ToughStretch fabric, which is super stretchy but also lightweight and breathable. They also make Indestructible Tough Leggings made from ToughFlex fabric, which are designed to withstand any workout, are “squat-proof” (not see-through), but also comfy enough to be worn everyday. They also sell workout T-shirts and windbreakers. Their clothes are manufactured to be breathable, durable and have no chafing effect.
Yoga Democracy is super eco-friendly – their fabric is made from BPA-free recycled water bottles. Their fabric is also squat proof, very flexible, and has that same high waist fit so they stay up no matter what. If you like a little color in your yoga pants, definitely head over to Yoga Democracy.
They also sell sports bras that are handcrafted in their Arizona workshop with recycled fabric from California. These bras are very supportive, incredibly durable, and come in a lot of fun styles. You can wear them by themselves or under another clothing piece. They also offer full coverage neckline, so no matter what bends or movements you are doing in the gym or the studio, you’ll be covered. The dyeing process for all their fabric is eco-friendly and non-toxic too.
American Giant is a popular jean manufacturer in the USA and they also make great sweatshirts and sweatpants to bookend your workouts. They have everything from joggers to sweatshorts, traditional sweatpants, hoodies (pullover and zip-up), crew sweatshirts, and a lot more. A lot of their sweats are made from cotton that is knit in Clover, South Carolina, and the rest of the manufacturing process happens in nearby Middlesex, North Carolina. Some are made in Los Angeles, California as well. American Giant sweats are designed to be super comfortable, whether you’re looking for something to keep you warm or just to lounge around in. Use the code AAR for 20% off your order if you’re a first-time customer.
Groceries Apparel is a brand with a big focus on sustainability and local manufacturing. All of their clothes are manufactured in their Los Angeles factory and they have a lot of local suppliers for raw materials. Their tank tops are made from 100% GMO-free organic cotton and long enough to cover your mid-section or tuck into some high-waisted bottoms. Groceries Apparel makes a lot more activewear as well, but are known for their tank tops.
Hyde specializes in yoga activewear, but all their tops and other clothing can be worn for pretty much any activity. They are based in Los Angeles, California and have a hufe range of style variety – there is a lot to choose from. All of their tops are designed by actual yoga teachers and everything is made from sustainable organic cotton with some spandex as well to help with stretch. All of their items have a backstory too about the yoga teacher that designed the piece.
Boathouse makes technical outerwear like jackets, sweatshirts, and pants for active individuals. They got started as an outerwear brand for Olympic rowers back in 1976 and quickly expanded their product line from there, all while staying true to their roots of American manufacturing.
Swami Sportswear has a small selection of sweatpants, sweatshirts, and other activewear for men and women. Everything is 100% made domestically, and they also have some good options for tall people.
WSI offers a wide variety of activewear for men, women, and kids that is also relatively affordable. They’ve been producing everything in Eagan, Minnesota since 1990.
Origin is a clothing manufacturer with roots in Jiu-Jitsu. Even if you’re not into that, they have lots of great workout clothes in various styles. Everything they produce is mostly made of U.S. sourced raw materials.
Evolve Fit Wear is an online retailer that has some great workout clothes, leggings, and yoga clothing for women from brands like Yoga Democracy, Hard Tail Forever, and others that we’ve mentioned on this list.
Good hYOUman makes great workout clothes, leggings, and other activewear for men and women. They are a good athleisure alternative to brands like Lululemon and Athleta that are not made in the USA.
Los Angeles Apparel is one of the biggest clothing manufacturers in the country (that is producing everything domestically), and they have a great selection of basic, no-frills activewear. Check out their t-shirts, gym shorts, and leggings for some of their most popular items.
BlackStrap has a great collection of moisture-wicking clothing for men, women, and children. They are built for performance and comfort! Mike has a few clothing items from them and wears them every week to work out.
Montauk Tackle Company is an activewear brand that caters to fishermen, surfers, and folks living the coastal lifestyle. They have a ton of awesome shorts, shirts, outerwear, swimsuits, and other gear that is all moisture-wicking, UPF-protected, and sustainably manufactured.
Accel Lifestyle makes workout clothes for men and women from a proprietary fabric they developed that helps reduce odors before and after wash. They have workout shirts, joggers, and other items in their online store.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Workout Clothes
How to Find Activewear Made in the USA
Activewear can make or break a workout. Poor quality activewear can be uncomfortable, see-through, and not breathable. Products in the USA tend to be made of better quality materials and craftsmanship, so if you’re looking for activewear that will last through the wear and tear of an intense workout, finding activewear made in the USA is the way to go.
But how do you even begin finding activewear made in the USA when most clothing production occurs abroad? Let’s start with wording.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
Let’s start by defining what it means for something to be “made in the USA.”
The “made in the USA” label is protected by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A company can only use this label if the product is “all or virtually all” made in the United States. This means that pretty much 100% of the manufacturing of the product needs to take place in the USA.
However, many products do not follow these guidelines, and unfortunately, the FTC does not do the best job policing the usage of the “made in the USA” label.
For more information, check out our helpful guide on how to find products made in the USA.
Materials
To find activewear made in the USA, you’ll need to first look at the materials used. Researching the raw material can help determine whether a particular product is made in the USA or sourced from other countries.
Activewear is generally made of cotton, polyester, spandex, or a blend of these materials. Here is a breakdown of the production of these materials.
Cotton
Cotton is a soft natural fiber that is both comfortable and durable. Cotton is an excellent material for activewear because it is super breathable and light, which is what you want when you’re sweating in the gym.
China and India are the world’s leading cotton producers, but the United States is not that far behind the two countries. The cotton industry in the USA is enormous – currently a 21 billion dollar industry. All in all, US-made cotton activewear should not be too difficult to find.
Polyester
Polyester is fast-drying, moisture resistant, and incredibly durable, which are all the things you want in good activewear. So, there is no question why it is the most commonly used material in activewear.
China is the world’s leading producer of polyester. However, it is still possible to find US-made polyester as the USA manufactures around 1.4 million tons of polyester every year. In particular, two US companies, Eastman Chemical Company and William Barnet & Son, are world-renowned for producing polyester.
Spandex
Another popular choice for activewear material is spandex. Due to spandex’s ability to stretch and shrink back to its original size. Mose exercise leggings are made from spandex.
While the USA was once the largest spandex producer, China eventually took over and has become the leading producer of spandex, producing around 75% of this material. So, look for the country of origin if purchasing activewear made of spandex.
Labeling
Researching the materials is not enough to determine a product’s origins; you should also look at its labeling to ascertain where it was manufactured.
When it comes to textiles, the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act helps us to determine whether or not a specific product is made in the USA. In addition, the act makes it a legal requirement for companies to be transparent about the fiber contents of their textile products – including activewear.
The act also makes it obligatory for clothing manufacturers to disclose what materials a piece of clothing is made of. Look at the tag on the clothes you are wearing right now. It might say 100% cotton, 50% cotton and 50% polyester, etc. The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act also dictates that the country of origin for the product must be clearly visible on the label.
In addition, Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US code states that all imported products must be labeled with the country of origin. So when looking for US-made activewear, you should look specifically for the “made in the USA” label, which is protected by the FTC.
These two laws do help find US-made products a lot easier. But as previously mentioned, the FTC does not do the best job in policing the usage of the protected “made in the USA” label. There is no pre-approval process. Therefore, it is up to the individual companies to determine whether their product meets the requirements to use the label. It is also up to the customers to report any false usage of the label.
Pay particular attention to the vocabulary used in labels. For example, companies love to use phrases like “manufactured in” or “designed in.” These phrases may infer that a product is made in the USA, when in reality, the product is assembled in the USA with imported materials or vice versa.
Similarly, the phrase “made in America” is often used by companies. But this label signifies that the product was “made in North America,” so it could have been made in Canada or Mexico, not necessarily the USA.
Other Tips
Here are some other helpful tips to help you determine if your activewear is made in the USA.
Don’t Be Fooled By the American Flag
Just because a product is labeled with the American flag doesn’t mean it is manufactured here. Always check the label and the materials, and if that’s not enough, ask the seller yourself.
Check the Website
Checking the company’s website is an excellent way to find activewear made in the USA.
Specifically, look at the “About Us” or “Our Story” page and the product pages. Of course, any American business would proudly advertise that its products are locally made.
Companies are not required by label their products with the country of origin on their website and online materials. So if you can’t find anything on a company’s website that outrightly states their product is made in the USA, it is best to assume that it is not.
Activewear Not Made in the USA
Here are some popular workout clothing brands we came across in our research that are not made in the USA. We’ll keep updating this list as we find more.
- Nike – Made pretty much everywhere but the US.
- Reebok – Mostly manufactures in Vietnam.
- Under Armour – Primarily made in Asian countries.
- Lululemon – They have manufacturing in several foreign countries.
- Champion – Mostly made in Caribbean and Asian countries.
- Athleta – Everything is imported.
- Fabletics – All clothes are imported.
