Athleta
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Athleta is best for the eco-conscious activewear shopper who wants a mainstream, accessible option with genuine (but imperfect) sustainability credentials. As one of the largest B Corp-certified brands (score: 94.5) and a pioneer in Fair Trade activewear, it stands above most big-box competitors. However, parent company Gap Inc.'s documented labour controversies create a real tension. Think of Athleta as the most responsible option within a problematic corporate family, genuinely trying, measurably ahead of peers, but far from perfect.
Key info
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Founded
- 1998
- Product categories
- Activewear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (94.5), Fair Trade USA (select), RWS, RDS, bluesign (select)
Athleta sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses recycled polyester, ECONYL recycled nylon, TENCEL, organic cotton, RWS wool. Reported 76% sustainable fibres by 2020 against an 80% goal. No longer publishes aggregate breakdown. Pioneering textile-to-textile recycled polyester (Ambercycle Cycora) from 2026.
Four Fair Trade Certified factories, $3.3M+ in Community Development Funds, P.A.C.E. women's empowerment programme. However, no living wage guarantee across supply chain. Gap Inc. lobbied against garment worker protection legislation. Manufacturing in China, Vietnam, and India.
SBTi-approved targets (90% Scope 1&2, 30% Scope 3 by 2030). CDP "A-" Water Security. 441M+ plastic bottles repurposed. 100% recycled shopping bags. Gap Inc. total emissions remain over 5M MT CO2e; renewable energy at only ~37%.
B Corp requires public accountability. Gap Inc. publishes Tier 1 supplier lists and reports under TCFD/GRI/SASB. Fashion Transparency Index score of 41–50% (above average but mid-pack). No brand-level sustainability report.
Leggings $89–$119, tops $55–$99. Comparable to Lululemon but with stronger sustainability credentials. Inclusive sizing (XXS–3X). Frequent sales (30–70% off). Trustpilot 1.4/5 reflects operational/service issues, not product quality.
What they do well
- B Corp certified since 2018 with a score of 94.5, making it one of the largest certified B Corps in retail, with legal benefit corporation commitment.
- Fair Trade Factory Programme with four certified factories, $3.3M+ in Community Development Funds, and 3,200+ women empowered through P.A.C.E. life skills programme.
- Material innovation at scale. 441M+ plastic bottles repurposed; uses ECONYL, TENCEL, organic cotton, RWS wool. Pioneering Ambercycle Cycora textile-to-textile recycled polyester from 2026.
- Women's empowerment mission with inclusive sizing (XXS–3X), Power of She Fund ($2M+ in grants), Simone Biles collaboration, and supply chain programmes targeting majority-female workers.
- Circular efforts including the Athleta Preloved resale programme via ThredUp (525K+ items diverted), 100% recycled shopping bags, and Ellen MacArthur Foundation participation.
Room for improvement
- No evidence of living wage payment across supply chain. Less than 75% of full-time employees paid living wage. Gap Inc. has lobbied against garment worker protection legislation, creating a credibility gap between Athleta's B Corp values and its parent's political actions.
- Gap Inc. scored 41–50% on Fashion Transparency Index and has a history of labour violations. Athleta represents only ~9% of Gap Inc.'s revenue, meaning the vast majority of parent operations don't meet B Corp standards.
- Data gaps and shifting targets. No aggregate sustainable materials breakdown published since 2020. Sustainability targets have been altered or extended. No brand-level emissions data. Stand.earth notes Gap Inc. "failed to report significant progress transitioning its supply chain to clean energy."
About Athleta
Athleta was founded in 1998 in Petaluma, California, as a women's performance apparel catalogue brand. Gap Inc. acquired it in 2008, and today it operates 250+ stores across the US and Canada. In March 2018, Athleta became B Corp certified, a milestone as one of the largest apparel companies to achieve this status.
The material strategy centres on recycled polyester (post-consumer plastic bottles), ECONYL recycled nylon (from ocean waste), TENCEL lyocell and modal, organic cotton, and certified animal fibres (RWS wool, RDS down). The proprietary Powervita™ fabric (used in bestselling Elation and Salutation lines) blends performance with sustainability. From 2026, Athleta plans to integrate Ambercycle's Cycora regenerated polyester, the first performance brand to use textile-to-textile recycled polyester at scale.
Manufacturing occurs through Gap Inc.'s supply chain primarily in China, Vietnam, India, and other East Asian countries. Four factories are Fair Trade Certified. Gap Inc. publishes a Tier 1 supplier list but processing facilities are not disclosed.
Pricing is premium: leggings $89–$119, tops $55–$99, outerwear $99–$199. Free shipping on $50+ for Rewards members. The brand runs frequent sales (30–70% off). The Athleta Preloved resale programme via ThredUp provides a circular economy option.
Product highlights
Elation Ultra High Rise Legging
#1 bestseller, Powervita™ fabric, triple-layer waistband
~$99
9,600+ ratings; customer cult favourite with minimal seams for distraction-free yoga
Salutation Stash Pocket II Legging
Powervita™ with side stash pockets
~$119
Crowned "best leggings" by CNN Underscored editors; multiple lengths and sizes
Aire Puffer Jacket
Recycled nylon shell, synthetic insulation
~$155
Packs into itself for travel; wind-, snag-, and water-resistant
Trekkie North Jogger
Recycled nylon hiking/everyday jogger
~$109
Fully converted to recycled materials; gusseted for mobility
