Have you ever wished you could buy workout clothes made with good environmental credentials?

Me either.

Don’t get me wrong. I worry about climate change. I try to reduce the carbon fuels burned for my transportation, home heating and food needs. I just never thought about how carbon might apply to my active wear.

Fortunately someone else has not only thought about it, but actually got as far as making the product: Sundried, a British company that produces shirts, tights, sports bras and other apparel in Portugal.

If you’re in Europe, you’ll be happy to know that buying these products will result in a shorter trip for them to your home than the typical item of clothing. Most of the world’s supply of clothing comes from Asia or Latin America these days because labor is cheaper there than in more developed countries.

Of course if you are in California, like me, a Sundried shirt has to travel 5664 miles.

Low-Carbon Clothes

The company does have other carbon credentials. It boasts that it meets the criteria of the Low Carbon Innovation Fund:

• developing low carbon products or components
• selling services to support carbon reduction
• contributing to carbon reduction through a focus on resource efficiency, process efficiency and waste reduction.

A little vague, but somewhat reassuring.  And Sundried hasn’t sacrificed any comfort or style in making these products.

It also has one outstanding feature missing in most of my workout togs: a zipper pocket just big enough for a key or card or perhaps a very small fitness tracker.

The Sundried Dom Tee shirt I tried wicked sweat reasonably well on a couple of hot runs, remaining drier to the touch than the cotton I usually wear.

Its label says it’s made of 91% polyamide  and 9% elastane, which in American translates roughly to “91% nylon and 8% spandex.”

It also says I should wash it on a cool temperature setting and hang it up to dry, which, I suppose, is where the brand came up with its name. The washing instructions have as much to do with care of the planet as care of the product.

More manufacturers and shirt wearers should think about that.

Photo:Laird Harrison

Disclosure: Sundried provided a shirt for review.

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