Once a utilitarian practice performed in a baggy t-shirt and shorts and swiftly gotten out of the way in a solitary fashion, working out has transformed into something of a status symbol, with many choosing to stay in their exercise gear long after the last shavasana. While supportive activewear crafted from breathable, sweat-wicking properties are necessary to get through your run, weights session, or HIIT, yoga, barre, or pilates class, pieces that are also luxurious and aesthetically pleasing can serve as something of a motivating factor to exercise in the first place.
Given our nation’s propensity for exercise, Australia is home to some of the most stylish activewear brands on the globe. Homegrown favourites include Nagnata, CSB, and The Upside, while international athleisure giants like Lululemon and Alo Yoga continue to find fans on Australian shores.
Whether you’re looking to expand your ever-growing activewear wardrobe or simply looking for the perfect one-and-done set, these are the best activewear brands in Australia worth knowing about.
1. Rockwear
Born in 1991, Rockwear unites function with fashion. Designed to withstand rigorous workouts while looking good, Rockwear’s tights are particularly beloved for their durable, high-quality construction that holds its shape over the years and is tried and tested to be squat-proof.
Established in: 1991
Founders: Steph and Adam
Headquarters: Gold Coast, Australia
Materials: nylon, polyester, elastane
2. The Upside
Founded in 2013 by Australian model and founder of Tigerlily swimwear Jodhi Meares, The Upside is one of Australia’s most recognisable activewear brands. Known for its bold patterns and classic cuts, The Upside comprises garments for yoga, running, gym, swim, and leisure, catering particularly well to yoga- and gym-goers.
Established in: 2013
Founder: Jodhi Meares
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Materials: polyamide, elastane, rayon
3. Kynd Society
Taking a thoughtful approach to their collections, Australian label Kynd Society releases just four core collections a year, with each collection produced in limited numbers. Styles include leggings, crop tops, jumpers, and tank tops, with pieces best suited to low-impact exercises such as yoga, pilates, walking, and biking.
Established in: 2019
Founder: Adrian Mifsud
Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
Materials: nylon, elastane
4. P.E Nation
Sitting at the forefront of Australian athleisure culture, P.E Nation was founded in 2016 by Pip Edwards and Claire Greaves. While it became famous for its experimental cuts, graphic designs, unique coloursways, and trendy silhouettes, P.E nation underwent a ‘minimalist’ rebrand in 2024, with the brand marking its return to Australian Fashion Week with a muted, monochromatic collection that wouldn’t look out of place on a Yeezy runway.
Established in: 2016
Founders: Pip Edwards and Claire Greaves
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Materials: nylon, elastane
5. Mate the Label
Los Angeles-based activewear brand Mate the Label places an emphasis on ethics and sustainability in both its production methods and fabrics, choosing to use natural fibres across its lineup. While most activewear uses nylon, polyester, and polyamide, Mate the Label’s activewear pieces are crafted from cotton, with a small amount of spandex for comfort and stretch. Designs are relatively streamlined, with cropped tank tops, sports bras, bike shorts, and leggings rendered in a concise neutral colour palette.
Established in: 2015
Founder: Kayti O’Connell Carr
Headquarters: California, United States
Materials: cotton, spandex
6. Marysia
Founded in New York by Polish-born former dancer and surf enthusiast Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves, chic swimwear brand Marysia recently expanded into activewear. Styles are designed for tennis, pilates and yoga, with the collection taking on a distinctly high fashion tone. Highlights include the Iga Onesie and Bianca Dress.
Established in: 2009
Founder: Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves
Headquarters: California, United States
Materials: polyamide, elastane
7. 2XU
One for the runners. Australian label 2XU is most well-known for its compression garments, which are favoured by serious and novice runners, triathletes, and cyclists alike. Its technical fabrics are designed to improve performance and recovery, with styles catering to men, women, and children. While 2XU has traditionally had a perception of being for hardcore athletes only, recent collections have worked to make the brand more inclusive to all. 2XU’s range of activewear is grouped by activity, with collections geared towards running, triathalons, swimming, gym and training, and recovery (this latter category is where you’ll find the brand’s iconic compression tights).
Established in: 2005
Founders: Clyde Davenport, Jamie Hunt, and Aidan Clarke.
Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
Materials: polyamide, elastane
8. CSB
Ideally suited to pink pilates princesses, off-duty runners, and yoga-goers, Australian activewear brand CSB—short for Crop Shop Boutique—takes a trend driven approach to its styles. Placing equal measure on form and function, CSB has both activewear and leisurewear collections; the former contains pieces with low to moderate compression levels designed for activities from yoga and pilates to gym (we’d recommend something with a little more support for runners), while the latter collection is laden with comfortable loungewear you’ll want to luxuriate in long after you’ve rolled up the yoga mat.
Established in: 2019
Founder: Rachel Dillon
Headquarters: Burleigh Heads, Australia
Materials: polyester, spandex, modal, elastane
9. First Base
Fusing sports and surf culture, Bondi-born label First Base takes an essentialist approach to activewear and athleisure, with pared-back designs with a hint of graphic detailing. First Base also makes sustainability a priority, using organic cotton, recycled nylon, and bamboo in its designs, using compostable packaging, and offering made-to-order capsule collections.
Established in: 2013
Founder: Alison Cotton
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Materials: nylon, polyester, spandex
10. lululemon
It’s almost impossible to talk about activewear without mentioning lululemon. Founded in 1998, the Canadian brand has become a global phenomenon with a pair of lululemon leggings considered something of a status symbol. The use of patented technical fabrics such as Nulux, Luon, and Luxtreme ensures each piece is breathable and sweat-wicking.
Established in: 1998
Founder: Chip Wilson
Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada
Materials: polyester, lycra, elastane, nylon, modal
11. Alo Yoga
Born out of a love of the transformative power of—you guessed it—yoga, Los Angeles brand Alo Yoga is beloved by dedicated yogis and celebrities alike. Its contemporary cuts and varied colour palette cement Alo Yoga’s pieces as on- and off-mat essentials.
Established in: 2007
Founders: Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge
Headquarters: Los Angeles, United States
Materials: polyester, elastane, nylon
12. Nimble Activewear
Sleek and stylish, Nimble creates quality activewear that lasts the distance. With styles catered to high-, mid-, and low-intensity workouts, there’s something for everyone. Pared back and free from superfluous details, Nimble pieces utilise MoveLite fabric which is made from recycled plastic bottles and boasts performance-oriented features.
Established in: 2014
Founders: Katia Santilli and Vera Yan
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Materials: polyester, elastane, nylon, spandex
13. Live The Process
Taking a thoughtful, design-led approach to activewear, New York label Live The Process creates pieces that look and feel good. The brand uses a soft, durably, sweat-wicking material composed of 90% supplex and 10% lycra which is made without microplastics across its activewear lineup, while a supporting cast of leisurewear is made with organic cotton and recycled cashmere and polyester. For Live The Process, the devil is in the details, with the brand’s activewear incorporating considered details and cuts that make them stand out from the rest.
Established in: 2013
Founder: Robyn Berkley
Headquarters: New York, United States
Materials: supplex, lycra
14. Vehla
With a product offering spanning eyewear and activewear, Australian brand Vehla keeps the latter category tightly curated, with a short and sweet lineup comprising leggings, bike shorts, a sports bra, and a tank top in four neutral hues. Seamlessly making the transition from barre to brunch, Vehla’s neutral offering is best paired with one of the brand’s chic pairs of sunnies.
Established in: 2019
Founder: Georgia Williams
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Materials: nylon, spandex
15. Adanola
Effortlessly bridging the gap between activewear and streetwear, British label Adanola creates neutral toned activewear in clean, flattering cuts (including the well-reviewed Ultimate Leggings). Activewear pieces offer light compression, with the soft, stretchy fabric working to lightly smooth and sculpt the body. Adanola has a solid lineup of knitwear and sweatsuits that serve to complement the activewear lineup on offer.
Established in: 2015
Founder: Hyrum Cook
Headquarters: Manchester, England
Materials: polyamide, elastane
16. Bondi Active
Colour blocked designs in practical cuts take centre stage in homegrown label Bondi Active’s collection of activewear. The comprehensive range draws inspiration from sporting subcultures (think ’90s California surf culture, neighbourhood basketball courts, and tennis style) and offers a wide array of support levels to cater to low- to high-intensity activities.
Established in: 2023
Founder: Briony Oayda
Headquarters: Bondi, Australia
Materials: nylon, cotton, elastane
17. Nagnata
Equal parts cool and comfortable, Nagnata places an emphasis on eco-friendly design practices. The Australian luxury label takes a fresh approach to activewear, using cotton and merino wool blends across its lineup of knitwear designed for movement. The knit material combined with the brand’s colourful designs ensure they stand out amongst the sea of neutral toned cropped tanks and leggings at your next yoga class.
Established in: 2015
Founder: Laura May Gibbs
Headquarters: Byron Bay, Australia
Materials: merino wool, nylon, polyester, lycra, elastane
Enjoyed this story on the best activewear brands for women? Check out our other women’s style guides here.
Words by T. Angel
