Happy New Year!
I love this time of year. Fresh starts. Clean slates. Encouraged introspection both reviewing the past year & dreaming of what's to come in 2016. This month we'll be taking a look at some wonderfully typical New Year Resolutions (like working out) & showing how you can put an ethical spin. So if you're resolutions happen to include both exercising more AND shopping more ethically, then you're doubly in luck!
Pact Racerback Tank - $14.99 // Academy Racerback Tank - $8.99
Pact promises to be sweatshop free, not use child labor, not use toxic pesticides, & use non-GMO organic cotton. Academy's website doesn't provide any information on how their products are made.
Patagonia Sports Bra - $49 // Danskin Sports Bra - on sale for $23.80
Patagonia promotes fair labor practices, safe working conditions and environmental responsibility throughout their very transparent supply chains. Danskin's website doesn't provide any information on how their products are made.
Merrell Workout Shorts - on sale for $34 // Umbro Workout Shorts - $19.99
Merrell follows the standards of the Fair Labor Standards Act & strives to uphold the highest standards of labor practices, including human and workers’ rights. Umbro's website doesn't provide any information on how their products are made besides saying this item was imported.
Mitcoots High Performance Tech Socks - 3 pack on sale for $24 // Target Socks - 4 pack $9.99
Mitcoots socks are manufactured in North Carolina and packaged in Austin, TX as a means of employing the homeless. For every pair purchased, one pair is donated to the homeless. Target's website doesn't provide any information on how their products are made besides saying this item was imported.
Newton Kismet Core Trainer - $129 // Sketchers Running Sneakers - $109
Newton is a Certified B Corp. Sketches' website doesn't provide any information on how their products are made.
It can be difficult to discover the true ethical behind many of these larger companies. Many articles that I read gave different information on a brand. Many brands claimed to adhere to a specific set of ethical principles, but follow up articles made this claim hard for me to buy into. Here are a few great sources I found for learning more about a specific brand:
- http://greatist.com/fitness/athletic-wear-companies-social-good
- http://www.thegoodshoppingguide.com/ethical-shoes-and-trainers/
- http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides/clothing/sportswear.aspx
May your 2016 be filled with intentional & well-researched purchases... and may you continue to get out of bed a bit earlier to go for that jog throughout the year!
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I'd love to learn more about ethically sourced workout gear. What companies have you found as your go-to brands?
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