Yoga Democracy
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
A veteran-founded, vertically integrated activewear brand with genuinely zero-waste manufacturing and waterless dyeing. Let down by limited third-party certification. Yoga Democracy owns its factories and repurposes 100% of fabric scraps, achieving true zero-waste production. The waterless sublimation dyeing process uses no water, low energy, and non-toxic inputs—a genuine differentiator in an industry where textile dyeing is one of the biggest polluters. Per-product impact statistics (bottles diverted, water saved, CO2 prevented) are published on each garment page. However, beyond 1% for the Planet, the brand holds no major third-party certifications, making independent verification of claims difficult. The shift of primary production from Arizona to a company-owned factory in Kenya has also caused some customer confusion.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Scottsdale/Cave Creek, Arizona, USA
- Founded
- 2015
- Product categories
- Activewear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- 1% for the Planet member. No other major third-party certifications (no B Corp, Fair Trade, GRS, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or Bluesign).
Yoga Democracy sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
79% recycled PET / 21% LYCRA XTRALIFE from post-consumer plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets. Each pair of leggings diverts approximately 12 water bottles from landfill. The brand targets 95% recycled fibre content across its range. No major third-party material certifications (no GRS, GOTS, or OEKO-TEX) limits independent verification.
Owns its factories rather than contracting—a significant differentiator. Company-owned facility in Naivasha, Kenya (~42 employees) provides artisan training and job creation in a high-unemployment region However, no evidence of living wages is published.
Zero-waste manufacturing repurposes 100% of fabric scraps into headbands, dog beds (donated to shelters), and other items. Sublimation dyeing uses zero water, low energy, and non-toxic inputs. Recycled materials require approximately half the energy of virgin counterparts. Per-product impact statistics published on each garment page.
Per-product sustainability statistics and manufacturing location disclosure are positives. However, no formal annual sustainability report, no aggregate material breakdowns, and no evidence of meaningful action on hazardous chemicals. Kenya production transition not always prominently disclosed on website.
Waterless sublimation dyeing is genuinely innovative. Zero water, non-toxic inputs, fade-free colour with no wastewater. 100% closed-loop fabric scrap repurposing. Dog beds from scraps donated to local shelters. Monthly new art-inspired print releases across 100+ unique designs. Factory ownership enables full process control.
What they do well
- True zero-waste, vertically integrated manufacturing. Owns its factories and repurposes 100% of fabric scraps into secondary products like headbands and dog beds donated to local shelters
- Waterless sublimation dyeing. The entire dyeing process uses zero water, low energy, and non-toxic inputs, producing fade-free colour with no wastewater or harmful emissions
- Per-product impact transparency. Every garment page publishes specific statistics for plastic bottles diverted, gallons of water saved, and pounds of CO2 prevented
- 1% for the Planet member. Donates 1% of gross sales annually to environmental nonprofits
- Bold design differentiation. Monthly new art-inspired print releases across 100+ unique designs, with matching sets across product categories and sizes from 2XS to 3XL
Room for improvement
- Limited third-party certifications. Beyond 1% for the Planet, holds no major certifications (no B Corp, Fair Trade, GRS, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or Bluesign), making independent verification of claims difficult
- Kenya production transition caused confusion. Shifting primary manufacturing from Arizona to Naivasha, Kenya led to BBB complaints about misleading "Made in USA" claims and quality inconsistencies during the transition
- No published living wage data no evidence that workers are paid living wages, and there is no formal impact reporting beyond per-product statistics
About Yoga Democracy
Yoga Democracy was founded on August 11, 2015, by Travis Strote, a Navy veteran, and Haley Byfield, a Fashion Institute of Technology graduate, who met in a yoga class in Florida. The concept was born at a French bakery in Orlando, with Byfield sewing the first line in her NYC apartment in Washington Heights. By 2018, they had acquired a production facility in Carefree, Arizona, enabling vertically integrated manufacturing.
The brand's material foundation is 79% recycled PET / 21% LYCRA XTRALIFE, sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets. Their sublimation dyeing process is a genuine differentiator. It uses zero water and non-toxic inputs, particularly significant given that conventional textile dyeing is one of the industry's biggest polluters. All fabric scraps are repurposed in a closed-loop system, with the smallest scraps turned into headbands and dog beds donated to local animal shelters.
In approximately 2022, Yoga Democracy expanded with a company-owned factory in Naivasha, Kenya (~42 employees), which is now the primary production facility. The Arizona facility handles small batches and samples. The Kenya factory provides artisan training and job creation in a region with high unemployment
The product range spans 466+ items across leggings, flares, shorts, bras, tanks, and skirts in sizes 2XS-3XL, with monthly new art-inspired print releases creating over 100 unique designs. Pricing is premium. Leggings $85-$95, bras approximately $53, shorts approximately $45: but frequent promotions (35-80% off clearance, Buy 1 Get 2 Free) significantly improve accessibility. The brand competes with Wolven and Girlfriend Collective but differentiates through zero-waste manufacturing, waterless dyeing, and a broader size range.
Product highlights
YD Legging (Rustica)
High-waist printed legging in 79% recycled PET / 21% LYCRA XTRALIFE with 4.5" waistband and UPF 40+ protection.
$90
The signature product. Squat-proof, sweat-wicking, antimicrobial, available in 100+ prints; each pair saves approximately 12 plastic bottles.
Original Bell (Festival Denim)
Bell-bottom flare legging with 32" inseam and bar-tack stitch sections for DIY hemming.
$95
Unique raw hemline design lets customers customise length—a distinctive silhouette rare in sustainable activewear.
Free Range Sports Bra
High-neckline sports bra with back cutout in recycled fabric, matching all legging prints.
$53
Enables coordinated sets across the full print range; compression support suitable for yoga through moderate-impact workouts.
Joey Short
Mid-length activewear shorts in recycled fabric with the same zero-waste, waterless-dyed construction.
$45
Best entry-level price point in the range; stays in place during dynamic yoga classes.
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