Halara
Rated: Avoid
Price: $
Location: China
Quick verdict
Halara is best for budget-conscious shoppers seeking affordable activewear popularized by TikTok, but its sustainability credentials are extremely poor. Its environmental score sits at the lowest possible level. The brand's sustainability page appears to have been removed entirely (redirecting to bestsellers), which is a significant red flag. It has been called "Shein's little sister" by sustainability reviewers.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Hong Kong
- Founded
- 2020
- Product categories
- Fast Fashion, Activewear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $
- Key certifications
- None verified at brand level; some suppliers reportedly hold GRS and OEKO-TEX but unverified at product level
Halara sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Primarily virgin polyester, nylon, and spandex under proprietary names (SoftlyZero™, Cloudful™, UltraSculpt™). One small "Eco Collection" uses 79% recycled polyester, but the vast majority of the line is virgin synthetics.
Manufacturing in Vietnam, China (Guangdong), and the Philippines. High-risk regions with no factory audit disclosures. No evidence of living wages—a supplier code of conduct exists but has no independent verification.
No carbon targets, no emissions data, no water use reduction. No circularity programs (no take-back, repair, or recycling). Its environmental impact is rated at the lowest possible level. Heavy reliance on virgin synthetics that shed microplastics.
No published supplier list, no factory audit results, no sustainability report. The sustainability page on their website appears to have been removed as of February 2026. No concrete targets or timelines.
Competitive pricing ($20–$60) for activewear that Trustpilot reviewers describe as comfortable and well-fitting. Main site scores 4.1/5 across 343,000+ reviews. However, UK Trustpilot (1.6/5) tells a different story, and chemical smells are a recurring complaint.
What they do well
- Inclusive sizing: Ranges from XS to 3X, broader than many activewear competitors
- Proprietary fabric innovation: Technologies like SoftlyZero™ and Petitoff™ (pet-hair-resistant material) show genuine product innovation focus
- Affordable activewear: Pricing undercuts established brands like Lululemon and Outdoor Voices by 60–80%
- Strong core product reviews: Leggings and exercise dresses receive consistently positive reviews for comfort and fit
Room for improvement
- Sustainability page removed: The brand's sustainability page redirects to bestsellers as of February 2026, suggesting it was quietly removed—a concerning retreat from even minimal accountability
- Lowest environmental rating: The brand receives the lowest possible environmental rating, and The Commons explicitly says "We avoid Halara because its sustainability reporting is incomplete or nonexistent"
About Halara
Halara was founded in 2020 by Joyce Zhang, a former CTO at major Chinese tech platforms and Microsoft development manager, Backed by over $100 million from investors including Sequoia and IDG, the brand applies a tech-company approach to fashion. Using machine learning to analyze social media, Google searches, and Reddit data for trend prediction.
The brand exploded through TikTok, where its workout skort reached 1 billion views in 2022 and its wide-leg work pants sold 500,000+ units in just two months. It ranked among the Top 5 TikTok US shops within its first month on the platform.
Materials are predominantly virgin synthetics (polyester, nylon, spandex) marketed under proprietary names like SoftlyZero™ and Cloudful™. Manufacturing occurs in Vietnam, China (Guangdong), and the Philippines, with warehousing in New Jersey. No factory names or audit results are disclosed.
The brand previously claimed some suppliers hold GRS, RCS, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX certifications, but provided no product-level specifics—a small "SoftlyZero Eco Collection" uses 79% recycled polyester. Beyond this token line, there are no concrete sustainability commitments, no emissions data, and no circularity programs. Products ship from Asia with standard delivery taking 10–14 days. Return shipping costs approximately $8, with gift card refunds as the default.
Product highlights
SoftlyZero Plush Backless Active Dress
Proprietary-fabric exercise dress
$39.95 (was $49.95)
The hero product—a dupe of Outdoor Voices' $100 exercise dress at 60% less
SoftlyZero Airy 2-in-1 Cool Touch Yoga Shorts
High-waisted yoga shorts with liner
$34.95 (was $39.95)
Buy-2-for-$59 promotions drive volume consumption
Mid Rise Denim Print French Terry Sweatpants
Jegging-style sweatpants
$54.95
Part of the viral MagicDenim line (320M+ TikTok views)
UltraSculpt Twisted Backless Cropped Yoga Tank
Compression crop tank top
$24.95
Entry-level pricing; entirely synthetic construction
