A guide for women who move, live actively, and care about what touches their skin.
If you have ever peeled off a pair of synthetic leggings after a hot yoga class and felt your skin irritated, or noticed your activewear retains odour after just one wear despite being expensive, you are not imagining it. The answer is almost always the fabric.
More women across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond are switching to bamboo activewear and once you understand why, it is hard to go back. This is not a trend. It is a shift in how women think about what they put on their bodies every day.
Here is everything you need to know.
What makes bamboo activewear different from synthetic fabrics?
Most activewear on the market is made from polyester, nylon, or spandex which are either all synthetic or all plastic-derived. They perform well for intensity, but they come with trade-offs: microplastic shedding with every wash, chemical dyes sitting against your skin, and a tendency to trap odour over time no matter how thoroughly you wash them.
Bamboo fabric is different at a structural level. Here is how it compares:
Synthetic fabrics
- Sheds microplastics in the wash
- Traps odour over time
- Chemical dyes and finishes
- Limited breathability
- Sits in landfill for decades
Bamboo fabric
- No microplastic shedding
- Naturally antibacterial, odour-resistant
- No harmful chemicals when OEKO-TEX certified
- Thermoregulating and breathable
- Biodegradable when certified
In detail, bamboo fabric offers:
- Moisture wicking: bamboo draws sweat away from skin faster than cotton and does not hold it like synthetics, keeping you drier and more comfortable through your session
- Naturally antibacterial: bamboo contains a natural antimicrobial agent called bamboo kun, which resists the bacteria that cause odour, so your activewear smells fresher between washes
- Thermoregulating: the micro-structure of bamboo fibre makes the fabric breathable in warm weather and insulating in cold, adapting naturally to your body temperature throughout the day
- UPF 50+: bamboo activewear naturally blocks over 97% of UV radiation, because outdoor workouts should feel good on your skin, not work against it
- Hypoallergenic: no harsh chemical finishes, no PFAS, no nasties. OEKO-TEX certified bamboo means every fibre has been independently tested and cleared of over 100 harmful substances
- Skin-loving softness: bamboo is frequently compared to silk in hand-feel. Once you have worn it for a full day, you notice the difference
"I love these leggings and have a few pairs. They are well made in lovely soft feel material and are extremely comfortable. Although purchased for yoga I wear them on walks and just generally around the home or when I'm gardening as they are comfortable and allow good movement. They wash and last extremely well also."
Is bamboo activewear actually good for workouts or is it just for lounging?
This is the most common question women ask before they switch and it is a fair one. Bamboo has a reputation for being soft and comfortable, but does it perform?
The answer is yes. High-quality bamboo activewear blended with a small percentage of spandex or elastane delivers four-way stretch, compression fit, and genuine performance capability. The key is the blend ratio and the certification.
What bamboo activewear is particularly good for:
- Reformer Pilates and yoga: full range of motion, breathability in a heated studio, fabric that does not shift or ride up during floor work or deep stretches
- Barre and low-impact training: where skin comfort and fabric feel matter as much as performance output
- Gym sessions and strength training: handles sweat without retaining odour between sets, so you can train longer without discomfort
- Studio to street: bamboo's natural drape means it does not look like gym wear when you step off the reformer and head to brunch or errands
- All-day wear: thermoregulation means comfort from a 6am class through to an afternoon of school pickups, without the clammy feeling of synthetics
Women who do very high-impact cardio at elite intensity may find some synthetic blends still have an edge in pure sweat management speed. But for the way most active women actually move through their day, Pilates, yoga, the gym, walking, everyday life - bamboo more than holds its own.
How to build a complete bamboo activewear kit
A capsule activewear wardrobe does not need to be large. It needs to be considered. Here is what a complete bamboo kit looks like for a woman who moves regularly and wants one wardrobe that takes her from studio to street.
The foundation: a high-waist legging that does everything
High-waist compression leggings in a neutral black, khaki, blue, or slate are the anchor of any kit. Look for four-way stretch, a waistband that does not roll, a phone pocket, and opacity that holds through every squat and forward fold. Our bestselling leggings were designed with exactly these priorities in mind.
The support: a sports bra that fits properly
A matching bamboo sports bra in the same collection completes the set and removes the daily wardrobe decision. Medium-impact styles work for Pilates, yoga, and the gym. Look for removable cups, a supportive back, and a design that sits flat without digging in or creating discomfort.
The versatility layer: bike shorts and a crop top
Bamboo bike shorts are the piece most women underestimate until they own them. They work for Pilates, sit flat under dresses, and function as an athleisure piece with an oversized tee. A long sleeve bamboo crop top is the winter layer that takes you from a cold carpark into a heated studio without losing style.
The daily piece: a bamboo tee or air top
A bamboo tee is the gym-to-life piece. Lightweight, breathable, and styled well enough to wear with jeans or over leggings. This is the piece that makes your activewear wardrobe feel like a real wardrobe, not just kit you change out of the moment you leave the studio.
Browse our Sets & Bundles collection to see complete bamboo kit combinations already put together for you.
Is bamboo activewear good for Pilates and Yoga?
Yes. Bamboo activewear is well-suited to Yoga, Pilates and reformer work. The four-way stretch allows full range of motion, the breathability keeps you comfortable in a heated studio, and the natural antibacterial properties mean you can move through an entire class without discomfort. The soft hand-feel also reduces friction and irritation during floor-based work.
Is bamboo activewear better than synthetic activewear?
For everyday active women, bamboo offers several advantages over synthetic fabrics including polyester and nylon. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, thermoregulating, hypoallergenic, and does not shed microplastics when washed. It performs comparably to synthetics for most workout types, particularly yoga, Pilates, gym sessions, and all-day wear.
What should I look for in bamboo activewear?
Look for OEKO-TEX certification, which confirms the fabric has been independently tested and cleared of harmful substances. GOTS certification indicates the organic content meets global standards. Check the blend: bamboo combined with a small percentage of spandex or elastane performs better for workouts. Also look for brands transparent about their manufacturing process. View our certifications here.
Can I wear bamboo activewear all day?
Yes. Bamboo thermoregulates, wicks moisture, and resists odour, which means it transitions naturally from a morning workout to errands, school pickup, or working from home. Many women find bamboo activewear more comfortable for all-day wear than any other fabric type, including cotton.
Is bamboo activewear sustainable?
Bamboo as a plant is one of the most renewable natural resources available. It grows quickly without pesticides and requires significantly less water than cotton. The manufacturing process matters, look for OEKO-TEX and GOTS certified brands, which provide independent verification that no harmful chemicals were used in production. Read about our sustainability approach.
Where can I buy bamboo activewear in Australia?
Active by GS is an Australian-owned brand specialising in OEKO-TEX and GOTS certified bamboo and cotton activewear for women. The range includes leggings, sports bras, bike shorts, crop tops, tees, and sets. Free shipping over $99. Same-day dispatch. Sizes XS to 2XL.
Why mid-year is a good time to invest in your kit
The start of the year gets all the attention for wellness goals. But mid-year is often the moment most active women reassess what is actually working. Six months of reformer classes in leggings that roll down. Six months of washing synthetic activewear that still smells regardless. Six months of skin that tells you something is not quite right.
Investing in a considered bamboo kit is not about spending more. It is about spending once, on something that lasts, that you actually reach for every day, and that feels right from the first wear.
Start with the bestsellers, or explore the full Mix & Match collection to build your own combination. If you have questions about sizing, our size guide covers everything and you can always reach us at hello@activebygs.com.
The softer side of active.
Bamboo activewear crafted for women who live actively. OEKO-TEX certified. Free shipping over $99. Shop bestsellers View sets & bundles
