Activewear
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Ethical Activewear
When you think of ethical activewear, we want you to think Sundried.
With activewear becoming part of our daily wardrobes, there is an increasing importance in knowing how and where your clothes were made.
There are over 7 billion people on the planet, if 7 billion people only owned 1 top, 1 pair of trousers and 1 jacket, that would equate to 21 billion items of clothing.
The average woman owns 30 complete outfits but “nothing to wear” and men can own anywhere from 50-150 t shirts, and that’s just the black and white ones… so you can see how the numbers rack up!
The clothes you are wearing have an effect on the environment
Everything you're currently wearing has had some form of effect on the environment, from the materials, to the manufacture and after care, even just one item can have a huge knock on effect.
Lucy Segal in her book ‘To die for’ reveals some shocking statistics:
- You now demand roughly four times the number of clothes you would have in 1980.
- You will spend at least £625 a year on clothes – and that’s just the average!
- In one year you'll accumulate in the region of 28 kg of clothing – adding up to an estimated 1.72m tonnes of brand-new fashion being consumed on an annual basis in the UK and with the life expectancy of fast fashion being so short, that translates to a whole tone of waste.
Sundried’s carbon footprint
Human activities emit gases like methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. We refer to these as greenhouse gases which contribute to climatic changes like global warming which have a long-term impact on the planet. Your carbon footprint, is your own contribution, the impact of the activity that you as an individual do.
At Sundried, we want to help keep that carbon footprint as small as possible, which can be tough when it comes to sweaty activewear, which needs cleaning far more often.
The contribution to our carbon footprint that washing clothes has is significant. In his article ‘The Carbon Footprint of Everything” Mike Berners-Lee reveals the following statistics:
The carbon footprint of a load of laundry:
0.6 kg CO2e washed at 30°C, dried on the line
0.7 kg CO2e washed at 40°C, dried on the line
2.4 kg CO2e washed at 40°C, tumble-dried in a vented dryer
3.3 kg CO2e washed at 60°C, dried in a combined washer-dryer
Washing and drying a 5kg load of laundry every two days created almost 440 kg of carbon dioxide emissions in a year. As you can see, the most ethical way to wash your clothing would be to wash on a cool heat and let the clothing dry naturally, which can cut your emission by more than half. This is why all of Sundried products are encouraged to be washed cool, and sun dried. Washing your clothing in this way also helps to enhance their life expectancy.
Research by Energy Star (a washing machine company) states that the average front loading washing machine uses 6500 gallons of water a year and lasts for 11 years, that's enough water for 6 people for a lifetime.
Here we are using all this water to wash our clothes, whilst some people don’t have any to drink.
We have to wash our clothes and we know it has an impact, so we’ve decided to combat that negative with a positive, donating to Water for Kids with every purchase made through our site.
Water for Kids is a charity of volunteers who bring clean water sources to those in need. Their current projects are mainly in rural disadvantaged communities of Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. The projects start by sourcing safe drinking water for the first time; either by protecting a polluted village water source, rain water harvesting perhaps at a school or a new borehole for a large community.
The Low Carbon Innovation Fund
Sundried is partially funded by The Low Carbon Innovation Fund and we have strict policies and guidelines to ensure everything we do has the very smallest carbon footprint. Sundried minimise the carbon footprint throughout the full lifecycle (design, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal) of an item of Sundried apparel through:
- Local production in the UK and Europe (vs. the rest of the industry which is mainly produced in the Far East).
- Using materials that use little carbon in their manufacture, little energy in their maintenance and are recyclable.
- Carbon offsetting where a zero/low carbon choice isn’t currently viable.
Find out more about how we’re trying to make a sustainable statement.
Sundried activewear is designed to last, to help break this cycle. We have also been exploring how in years to come, we can recycle our products to protect the environment.
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Mens Running Tights
Mens Running Tights
When I'm buying leggings for running my primary concern is warmth. Leggings are something I start to consider once it gets about 10° and below, but I try and push it to 7° if I am feeling manly! So we've established a primary concern; that it's all about comfort, feeling great and of course, looking great.
Running Clothes
What I like about running is it is so simple. It's a great one that you can do whilst on holiday, even if you have just got 30 minutes spare. Unlike cycling in the winter where there's at least 15 minutes of kerfuffle. With cycling I'm looking for my leggings and bib-shorts, can’t find my thick socks. Base layer, gloves, skull cap. My overshoes. Bike lights. Garmin computer. Drinks bottle. Helmet. What have I forgotten. Oh yer, a plastic food bag to put my phone in. Emergency £10... But with running it is so easy. Of course in the winter the running gear has a few extra layers but in the UK when it's above freezing I can get out the house within just a few minutes. To most people getting out the house in a few minutes is certainly a win win situation.
Sports Tights; Men’s Rules
Sundried ran a small Twitter survey to see if people prefer to wear shorts over their running tights or leggings (whatever you want to call them). In the UK it seems that wearing shorts over tights is the popular vote and the preferred set-up for myself. I'm certainly a shorts over tights runner.
Winter Running Pants
Running in winter I have my running tights, shorts, trainer socks and trainers. Typically I wear a base layer with a slightly thicker long sleeve top on. If it is really cold then I'm digging out a hoodie, then of course gloves and hat. If you're an early morning or evening runner you may find yourself reaching for a head torch at this time of year, but when it comes to running clothes, that’s about it. The main change really is the winter running tights. I sometimes find myself in June with base layers, but the leggings separate the season.
Running Tights - What are they really called?
Leggings, running pants, compression tights. Are they gym leggings, or running leggings? Are they base layer, or outer layer? Mostly they are all one and the same. For me, leggings for men are about being simple. Mens running tights need to be warm, which is most people's primary reason for wearing them. They need to be easy enough to get on and off. What they are labelled as depends on the brand, if the brand is from the UK or USA they may be tights or pants, but if they do the job that is all you need to worry about.
What are Compression Tights?
Compression tights are a very big subject. Some people swear by compression tights for men. Others say they do nothing. Doctors say they help on a long haul flight! Many leggings that are sold as compression are not really a medical grade product. Mens compression tights need to be made from multiple fabrics, with different levels of support depending where on the leg they sit. It really is a specialist subject. You may find it is easier to buy leggings for warmth and get any required compression from your socks. Something that seems to be easier to get a really personalised fit off the shelf.
Running Leggings
With your leggings another thing that may influence your purchase is how far you run. Mens leggings may be sold in a very lightweight fabric. Taking off the chill in a spring morning. For me when I reach for my leggings I want something with a bit more warmth and some serious comfort. Flatlock stitching will offer you the comfort you need on a longer run.
Reaching for your tights
You may find yourself wearing sports leggings for other purposes. Not just running. For example if you attend an athletics club your leggings will definitely need to be warm. Unlike running you may find yourself standing still for periods of time. Athletic leggings need to have optimum stretch and mobility. You may reach for your tights when you go to the gym. If you are training in a warehouse style muscle gym, the chances are heating is not something the gym overspends on. Mens tights for the gym may need to be thinner depending on how cold it really is but definitely look for a tight that offers sweat wicking. They will help keep you cool if you do start to warm up. Next time you are in the gym have a look out for men wearing leggings. If it is not cold, maybe they need to up their reps on their legs, or maybe they just have technical fabrics that draw the sweat away from the legs. A premium legging will offer heat control that should keep you just right. So your exercise tights will be working as hard as you are. Your workout tights need to be a considered purchase. Mens gym tights are not all the same!
Best running tights
The best running tights for men are the ones that keep you warm, but draw water away from your skin as you heat up. Running clothes for men tend to be less loud and shouty. The best running pants, as our US cousins would say, will keep you going run after run. Leggings for men AKA ‘Guy leggings’ need to offer the freedom of movement in case you want to wear them in the gym as well as running. My winter running tights are of course Sundried. As we developed them we considered a few extra features, our performance running tights as featured in Runners World have not only been made with leading Sweat Wicking Technology but are Quick Drying and Soft Touch. Thermal running tights do not always offer heat control technology like the Roteck Leggings. See what Triathlon 220 say this month. Maybe the pocket does need to be a bit bigger for gels, but we have taken note!
The Sundried leggings have 4-way stretch technology for freedom of movement and an excellent, snug fit. We love the elasticated drawstring waist, secured zip pocket and reflective ankles. The special fibres retain shape even after multiple washes & ensure comfort, whislt remaining friendly to the skin. Legs can perspire naturally because of our Moisture Management that maximises heat retention in winter without overheating. Handmade in Portugal, Italian fabrics, low in carbon & ethical production. If you didn’t know Sundried is a British brand, developed by athletes.
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Men's Joggers
Who said comfort has to be casual? Can this gym staple be made smart?
A few years ago, the only people you would see wearing joggers outside of the gym were your local chavs, however nowadays men’s joggers have had a style upgrade and whilst they’ll never be as smart as your suit, joggers have certainly become smarter, more fashionable and more versatile than ever.
It’s all thanks to athleisure. The rise of gym wear crossing over into our casual wardrobes and blurring the lines between fashion and activewear, is not exclusive to women. The trend has seen joggers and gym clothes strut down the catwalk, off to our high streets and into our wardrobes.
Why wear joggers:
Versatile
Men’s joggers are a versatile fashion accessory, due to their increasing popularity they are no-longer exclusive to the gym or sloppy chill days, in fact these have become a staple in the modern man’s wardrobe which can be worn dressed up or tailored down.
Easy to style
Men’s joggers are easy to style for a relaxed look, or dress up with a smart t shirt and jacket.
Functional
The main reason for wearing joggers - their functionality. These bottoms are made to move with you, the tapered legs allow for you to train without tripping on loose ends. Large pockets allow you to easily store mobile phones and wallets without causing a reduction in movement or comfort.
Structure
The Sundried joggers take the comfort of jogging bottoms and combine this with smart style and technical function. All the comfort and flexibility of joggers, but with the added luxury of a smarter, tapered structure allowing you to wear your joggers for more than just your workout.
Comfort
Whether you’re training in the gym, out socialising or having a chilled out day on the sofa, men’s joggers provide the ultimate comfort - rivaled perhaps only by your pajamas or your birthday suit. Soft materials, a loose fit and elasticated waistband make these a brilliant style choice when comfort is key.
Warmth
As we now enter the colder, darker months jogger’s are the perfect winter warmer to see you through the icy temperatures.
Shop our men's joggers here.
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Winter Gym Clothes
Layers aren’t just important in British Bake off. When it comes to winter gym clothes, it’s time to layer up.
When the sun is shining and the birds are tweeting and you can throw on some trainers in a matter of minutes, it’s easy to be motivated to go for a nice run. When it’s blowing a gail, chucking it down with rain and all the birds have done the sensible thing and flown South for winter, it’s a lot harder to rustle up the motivation to get outside and pound the payments.
However, with the right gym clothes, your run doesn’t need to be half as painful as you're imagining.
Research has shown in just two weeks off training your running fitness can drop by up to 50%. So keep up your training to ensure you don’t halt your progress.
Layering up winter gym clothes is an essential way to keep your body temperature warm and comfortable.
Baselayer
A baselayer is great to help keep you keep warm and acts like an extra layer of skin, helping to keep you warm or cool when needed.
Heat is trapped between layers and so to add further warmth on cold runs and training sessions, add extra layers.
Base Layers are designed to fulfill four main functions:
- Wicking - Does the fabric wick away moisture and keep you dry? Being wet in the winter will keep you cold for longer.
- Fit - Does the fabric sit comfortably against your skin, without being too tight nor so loose that air can travel in?
- Odour - Does the fabric retain odour? No-one wants smelly gym clothes.
- Durability - How long does the fabric last when it is worn daily?
Thick Running Tights
Winter running requires insulation from the cold, however as your legs do the majority of the work when running, they tend to warm up quickly, meaning you're less likely to need so many layers. A good pair of thicker running tights such as Sundried Roteck Leggings will keep your legs warm whilst you are cold and then wick sweat to maintain your body temperature as you heat up. Often thermal running tights are paired with shorts for extra protection of sensitive areas and to help prevent wind chill.
Wearing Summer Gym Clothes During Winter
Just because winter has arrived, it doesn't mean you have to pack away all your summer training gear as a lot of the technical properties can cross over into your activewear for the winter season. For example, a technical tank works perfectly as a base layer for extra warmth, and your supportive sports bra is needed year round whether it’s worn as a stand alone garment in the heat, or under several layers during cold winter runs. The colder the weather, the more layers you will need, so it’s worth hanging on to all your summer kit for when you’ll need the extra layering.
When choosing clothing for a winter run, step outside, assess the temperature and layer up accordingly. Look for fabrics which insulate heat and protect you from the wind and remember it’s only cold at the very start of the run, you’ll soon warm up.
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Fitness Clothing
Wearing fitness clothing as everyday wear is becoming increasingly popular. So when is it acceptable to wear sports clothes as athleisure wear?
When you need the extra motivation to actually go to the gym.
If you wake up early before work and really don’t feel like training, kitting out in your gym wear can be the deciding factor of whether you go or not. Think “I’ve got the gear on, I’ve got to workout now”. It’s a great motivational tool.
When you are all day active.
If you’re the kind of person that might go for a walk or run on their lunch break, or if you cycle to and from work, then smart activewear is for you. There are designs out there which can take you from office to active so that you can jump at any opportunity to be healthy and active.
When you’re doing something physically active outside the gym.
Physically active can pretty much be anything more than walking. Why wouldn’t you wear clothing that’s designed to move with your body and be comfortable? As long as you’re doing something active, then your fitness clothing is fit for purpose.
