The RW Takeaway: It feels light, cool, and gently compressive through the sweatiest of workouts—and it’s good for the Earth.
- Sleek, soft, and flattering
- The fabric feels cool to the touch and UPF 50+
- With this new fabric launch, Athleta is donating $1 to The Nature Conservancy for every mile you log in August
Price: Colorblock Crunch Bra $54; Colorblock Crunch Tight $98
Athleta just released their newest line of workout wear, made from their brand new SuperSonic fabric, their most eco-friendly technical fabric to date. SuperSonic is a highly technical fabric spun from recycled nylon made in a Fair Trade certified factory. To create this fabric, Athleta spins new yarn from the scraps from their garment-cutting process, instead of throwing them away. The company hopes to eventually use this process for all their clothes. By using recycled nylon, Athleta has helped eliminate 15 tons of waste so far.
The collection features over nine different pieces in multiple colorways, including two bras, tights, capris, and bike shorts, among other trendy, versatile pieces. The collection is being released in tandem with the brand’s Race for the Planet Campaign where Athleta will donate $1 to The Nature Conservancy for every mile logged between July 31 and August 30 until they reach $24,901 (equal to the number of miles around the circumference of the Earth).
Crunch Colorblock Bra and 7/8 Tight
Designed for A to C cup runners, the Crunch Colorblock Bra has a simple, cross-back style with wide, 1¼-inch straps that keep boobs in place without being restrictive. The cut is a cute, stylish V-neck, and comes with removable pads. The one-inch wide chest band is comfortably snug. Both the chest band and straps are made from a very resilient elastic that holds its shape throughout the entire workout without pinching or shifting around. The front panel is lined with a super-stretchy mesh that pulls sweat up off your skin (none of that puddle-bra nonsense!) and moves with you, totally reducing any chafing issues there.
Pros
- Recycled nylon fabric
- Multiple pretty colorways
Cons
- Not ideal for D-cup runners or larger
The high-waisted Colorblock Crunch 7/8 tights are incredibly comfortable and flattering. Even when fully soaked from a sweaty spin class, the fabric doesn’t lose its shape or compression. They kept me much cooler than other high-waisted tights I’ve worn to the class, which I would mostly attribute to the Colorblock Crunch Tight’s sweat-wicking ability. Even though I was drenched in sweat, I didn’t feel nasty and soggy like I do in some fabrics. The side panels draw a lean line right up your side and widen together over the lower back, which if I’m being honest, makes your butt look really good. They come right up to the narrowest part of my waist and cinch in with a hidden drawstring for a perfect, no-slouch fit. The laser-cut hem is heat bonded instead of stitched, so it lays smoothly around your ankles. The tights have one large rear pocket that’s big enough to stash your phone, and smartly placed so it doesn’t bother you on the run.
Pros
- Recycled nylon fabric
- Soft, cooling, and sweat-wicking
Cons
- Waistband cinch could be tighter
#RaceForThePlanet
Along with the launch of this sustainable fabric, Athleta is hosting a virtual fundraiser for The Nature Conservancy called Race for the Planet. Beginning on the collection launch date (July 31) and running through the month of August, the company will donate $1 for every mile logged in the campaign on the Charity Miles app. Download the app at charitymiles.org/athleta for your runs to count towards something bigger.
The Future of Workout Wear
Creating super-high-tech, sweat-wicking, great-feeling running clothes (and manufacturing in general) isn’t always an Earth-friendly process. Athleta, and other companies creating clothes from recycled material, seem to have cracked the code. The more sustainable our workout wear, the better for the land and water we play on while wearing it. The Athleta SuperSonic line is a huge step in the right direction for all clothing manufacturers, and they kept the collection in the same price range and up to the same performance standards as the rest of their clothing, making it a no-brainer. Do something good for yourself and your home planet with this comfortable, bar-setting recycled fabric line.
Riley is a writer and outdoor adventure guide currently based in Tucson, Arizona where she leads mountain bike rides, rock climbing, and hiking trips. In her spare time, she writes stories and reviews outdoor and fitness gear. Find her writing in publications including Outside, Lonely Planet, SHAPE, Bicycling, Runner’s World, and others. When she’s not playing in the mountains, she’s probably laying down somewhere or eating (or both).
