There is no denying the performance boost that comes from a good-looking activewear set. Whether you are lifting heavy, hitting the pavement for a 5k personal best, or flowing through a weekend Pilates class, the best activewear needs to meet a lot of requirements: sculpt your silhouette, support high-impact movement, and pass the squat test every time.
Thanks to major innovations in technical textiles, today’s best activewear sets merge second-skin comfort with high-performance function. Think buttery, moisture-wicking four-way stretch, anti-chafing seams, and targeted compression fits that transition effortlessly from high-intensity training to off-duty streetwear.
To help you navigate the crowded sportswear market, we’ve rounded up the best activewear brands online and on the UK high street. From affordable high-street heroes and cult gym staples to premium designer labels and eco-conscious sustainable workout brands, here is your definitive buyer's guide for every sport, aesthetic, and budget.
Read more: 10 best gym leggings for every kind of workout
Best high street activewear brands
Adanola
Manchester-head quartered, Adanola is a more recent arrival in the activewear space and has moved quickly to cement its place into many sports and athleisure wardrobes. Even the likes of Kendall Jenner adore its off-duty sweats and sculpting sets.
Adanola ADA oversized hoodie
Buy now £55, Adanola.com
Adanola ultimate leggings
Buy now £40, Adanola.com
Adanola ultimate cross back bra
Buy now £32, Adanola.com
Adidas
The brand instantly recognisable by the iconic three stripes, Adidas is loved by many (including us). This German manufacturer is known for producing hard-working, performance-driven sportswear that passes the sweat test every single time. From its popular boost running shoes to more modern pieces, Adidas is a go-to brand for HIIT, running and everything in between.
Adidas tennis climacool dress pro
Buy now £100, Adidas.co.uk
Adidas all me flare leggings
Buy now £50, Adidas.co.uk
Adidas Adizero Running Gel Pocket Crop Long-Sleeve Top
Buy now £40, Adidas.co.uk
Asos
Asos offers an extensive roster of fitness brands, including Adidas, Nike and Reebok – but did you know it also has its own sportswear line named 4505? Expect minimalistic basics that work just as well for an afternoon catching up on Netflix as they do for Pilates.
Asos 4505 curve ion active quick dry long sleeve running top in navy
Buy now £20, Asos.com
Asos 4505 active medium support sports bra with removable padding in ocean blue
Buy now £20, Asos.com
Asos 4505 Icon soft touch zip up studio long sleeve top in chocolate
Buy now £28, Asos.com
H&M
When it comes to activewear, Swedish fast-fashion clothing company H&M offers affordable, fuss-free, beyond-the-gym staples. If you’re after basics such as a pair of high-waisted, seamless black leggings or a racerback tank, look no further.
H&M sports bra with sculptmove
Buy now £22.99, Hm.com
H&M high waist cycling shorts with shapemove
Buy now £27.99, Hm.com
H&M sports vest top with coolmove
Buy now £19.99, Hm.com
M&S
M&S’s Goodmove range is both affordable (sports bras are available from £12, Marksandspencer.com) and technical – it also uses sustainable fabrics such as recycled polyester. Featuring pretty designs, the printed leggings and lightweight running jackets are certain to make a statement, too.
M&S goodmove cotton rich oversized sweatshirt
Buy now £20, Marksandspencer.com
M&S goodmove flexifit medium support sports bra
Buy now £18, Marksandspencer.com
M&S goodmove high waisted gym leggings
Buy now £28, Marksandspencer.com
New Balance
New Balance is globally recognised for good reason. Just take a look at the brand’s running leggings and breathable tanks to witness its commitment to innovation. Forget trends, this sportswear brand is only interested in the kit that actually enhances your workout, so you can always perform at your best.
New Balance harmony high rise legging
Buy now £50, Newbalance.co.uk
New Balance RC Pocket Legging 25
Buy now £80, Newbalance.co.uk
New Balance RC Essential Short 5
Buy now £40, Newbalance.co.uk
Nike
With every fashion brand wanting to get into activewear, we have to pay tribute to the original king of the bracket, aka Nike. Say goodbye to boring shorts and tees, and release your inner athlete with fashionable and functional sportswear. More recently, the brand launched its first dedicated maternity collection, Nike (M). So, what are you waiting for? Just do it.
Nike women's light-support non-padded sports bra
Buy now £34.99, Nike.com
Nike pro women's mid-rise 7.5cm biker shorts
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Buy now £29.99, Nike.com
Nike zenvy women's high-waisted capri leggings
Buy now £79.99, Nike.com
Under Armour
Whether you’re striving for a flow-state run or weight training in your bedroom, Under Armour’s extensive product range is designed to steer you through your toughest workouts. Its latest technology – Iso Chill – provides additional breathability and ventilation via laser perforation.
Under Armour motion women's skort
Buy now £45, Underarmour.co.uk
Under Armour vanish elite women's leggings
Buy now £90, Underarmour.co.uk
Under Armour vanish seamless
Buy now £40, Underarmour.co.uk
Swt Active
Designed for Pilates, barre and yoga enthusiasts, Australia-based Swt makes athleisure that you won’t want to take off. From camo micro shorts, to fold-over capris and halter-neck sports bras, the designs are fashion-forward, sculpting and supportive, taking you from the studio to the street.
SWT foldover wide leg capris
Buy now £68, Swtactive.com
Swt invisible scrunch leggings
Buy now £54, Swtactive.com
Swt active tank
Buy now £42, Swtactive.com
Best luxury activewear brands
Adidas by Stella McCartney
Renowned fashion designer Stella McCartney always pushes the boundaries, blurring performance activewear with whacky contemporary shapes and classic styles. Fashion-led and fitness-ready, the “beach defender” collection even offers sustainable, tactical performance wear designed for use on land and in the water.
Adidas by Stella McCartney fleece hooded track top
Buy now £170, Adidas.co.uk
Adidas by Stella McCartney logo tank top
Buy now £50, Adidas.co.uk
Adidas by Stella McCartney running shorts
Buy now £80, Adidas.co.uk
Alo Yoga
Hailing from Los Angeles, the home of healthy living, Alo Yoga Sportswear offers flattering and flexible yoga pieces designed to meet the needs of LA’s rich and famous. Bright colours such as neon apricot orange are sure to boost your mood (and everyone else’s).
Alo airbrush high-waist 7/8 heart throb legging
Buy now £128, Aloyoga.com
Alo airbrush better together bra
Buy now £88, Aloyoga.com
Alo accolade 1/4 zip pullover
Buy now £138, Aloyoga.com
Beyond Yoga
Also from LA, Beyond Yoga cleverly merges comfort with a pared-back design. The brand’s luxuriously soft fabrics, neutral colours and flattering designs are perfect for layering and plead to be worn long after your yoga practice has finished.
Beyond Yoga spacedye layered long line bra
Buy now £49, Beyondyoga.com
Beyond Yoga places to go UV protection half zip jacket
Buy now £120, Beyondyoga.com
Beyond Yoga spacedye slim racerback cropped tank
Buy now £52, Beyondyoga.com
Free People
The brand known for its boho fashion and clothes for free-spirited women, Free People also boasts a stylish and laidback activewear section, FP Movement. From the softest Americana activewear to ready-to-wear hiking get ups, there’s something for every sport and wellness activity.
Free People carpe diem shorts
Buy now £38, Freepeople.com
Free People never better 5" bike shorts
Buy now £44, Freepeople.com
Free People love tank
Buy now £34, Freepeople.com
LNDR
This is another great premium sportswear brand that aims to create collections that look just as good around town as they do inside the gym. LNDR was founded by three active, international women based in London, who wanted to create a brand around “the lifestyle we want to live, the products we want to wear, and the people we wanted to hang out with”. LNDR feels classic with its familiar sporty vibe – wear a coordinating set to a HIIT or spin class.
LNDR obsession 7/8 legging
Buy now £109, Lndr.com
LNDR power crop
Buy now £54, Lndr.com
LNDR obsession 6 short
Buy now £68, Lndr.com
Lululemon
Lululemon is one of the best-known (and most-loved) luxury sportswear brands in the world. Whether you’re a runner after sweat-wicking, flattering separates or a yogi needing second-skin, high-waisted leggings that won’t slip when you’re in a downward dog or attempting a headstand, this Canadian label is full of high-quality, timeless looks. We want everything.
Lululemon women's fast and free singlet
Buy now £58, Lululemon.co.uk
Lululemon flow Y ruched bra light support B_C Cup
Buy now £48, Lululemon.co.uk
Lululemon define cropped jacket nulu
Buy now £118, Lululemon.co.uk
PE Nation
If you follow Kayla Itnes or Kelsey Wells on Instagram, you’ll be familiar with this retro-inspired brand from Australia. Made for sweaty HIIT and strength sessions, PE Nation is filled with bold, boyish styles and sporty colour-block combinations.
PE Nation oversized long sleeve tee in dark navy
Buy now £80, Penation.com
PE Nation paramount sports bra in dark navy & college red
Buy now £50, Penation.com
PE Nation paramount sports bra in dark navy shine
Buy now £50, Penation.com
Soar
Founded in London by designer and runner Tim Soar, this brand embraces design technology, sports science and the real-world experiences of runners into its run, trail and race wear. Expect ultra-breathable mesh, silk-blend T-shirts, fast-wicking vests from this ultra cool running brand.
Soar marathon shorts
Buy now £180, Soarrunning.com
Soar cubitts cirrus
Buy now £250, Soarrunning.com
Soar rainout shell
Buy now £220, Soarrunning.com
Sweaty Betty
Designed by women, for women, this UK-based label – named after the founder’s determination to make it cool to sweat – is on a mission to empower women through fitness. Known for its unmissable colourful prints and hi-tech fabrics (the power leggings are famous for a reason), Sweaty Betty is often the first pick from our workout wardrobe – we love the brand’s cutting-edge activewear as much as we love the brand ethos.
Sweaty Betty power gym leggings
Buy now £88, Sweatybetty.com
Sweaty Betty power pulse bra
Buy now £45, Sweatybetty.com
Sweaty Betty breathe easy mesh T-shirt
Buy now £55, Sweatybetty.com
The Upside
If you like leopard or zebra print, you’ll love this chic activewear label from Australia. Made from technical fabrics in sophisticated silhouettes, The Upside will elevate your performance (and you’ll look cute in the process).
The Upside panthera spin short
Buy now £69.99, Theupside.com
The Upside inex 25in high midi pant
Buy now £99.99, Theupside.com
The Upside Amelia tank top
Buy now £79.99, theupside.com
Vuori
Known for its premium fabrics and versatile designs, Vuori has gained a loyal following for creating clothing that effortlessly transitions from workouts to everyday wear. What sets Vuori apart is its focus on high-performance materials, such as its signature dreamknit fabric, which offers an ultra-soft feel without compromising durability or stretch. Vuori’s commitment to sustainability is also key, with a focus on ethical manufacturing practices and eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester.
Vuori daily form legging
Buy now £110, Vuoriclothing.co.uk
Vuori luna piped short
Buy now £95, Vuoriclothing.co.uk
Vuori daily form bra
Buy now £70, Vuoriclothing.co.uk
Best sustainable activewear brands
BAM
Whether you’re getting fresh air on a hike or heading to a pilates class, BAM – Bamboo Clothing – makes athleisure that is “inspired by the planet and designed for adventure”. The best part about activewear made from bamboo jersey? Not only is it soft and breathable, it’s also guaranteed opaque – so the leggings are completely squat-proof.
BAM enduro side pocket leggings
Buy now £55, Bambooclothing.co.uk
BAM women’s gathered hem air bamboo T-shirt
Buy now £34, Bambooclothing.co.uk
BAM ultimate balm high waisted leggings
Buy now £65, Bambooclothing.co.uk
Girlfriend Collective
This Seattle-based start-up launched with a bang stateside after it offered a free pair of leggings to its first customers – they ran out of stock on their first day. Since then, Girlfriend Collective has built a cult following by designing minimal, size-inclusive, eco-friendly pieces – 25 recycled water bottles make a single pair of its luxe compression leggings (£80, Johnlewis.com). Expect pretty, Instagramable shades such as terracotta, powder blue and apricot, and high waistlines that don’t roll down.
Girlfriend Collective compressive high rise full length leggings
Buy now £68, Johnlewis.com
Girlfriend Collective Estrella run jacket
Buy now £99, Johnlewis.com
Girlfriend Collective high rise bike shorts
Buy now £40, Johnlewis.com
Tala
“Slow fashion, sustainable style” is Tala’s mantra. Created by influencer and Oxford University graduate Grace Beverley, if you’re looking for workout leggings that mould to your body, in bold colours made from upcycled, recycled materials or from factory offcuts that would have otherwise gone to landfill, you’ll probably adore these.
Tala dayflex halter sports bra
Buy now £38, Wearetala.com
Tala cocoon zip through hoodie
Buy now £59, Wearetala.com
Tala sculpt seamless ultrasculpt shorts
Buy now £42, Wearetala.com
Luca
Finding flattering cycling clothes can be a task, so consider Luca your one stop shop. From brightly coloured jerseys and fun scrunchies to practical base layers and high waist shorts, style and comfort are covered, while sustainability is at its core with small-batch production and consciously sourced materials helping to reduce waste and overproduction.
Luca empower short
Buy now £135, Rideluca.com
Luca uplift scrunchie
Buy now £25, Rideluca.com
Luca meander vest
Buy now £75, Rideluca.com
For more recommendations, check out the supermarket clothing lines rivalling Zara and Mango