Materials in Sportswear: What Actually Makes a Difference
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There are dozens of materials on the market marketed as "organic," "sustainable," or "environmentally friendly." Some of them genuinely are. Others are, under certain conditions. And some are primarily good marketing.
This guide explains the most important materials — what they can do, what they can't, and why we arrived at the decisions we made at M23.
Organic Cotton — The Standard, and Its Limits
Organic cotton is the best-known material in this category. It's grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilisers — that's the essential difference from conventional cotton, which ranks among the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world.
What that means in practice: healthier soil, less groundwater contamination, better conditions for the people working the fields.
What it doesn't mean: that organic cotton needs no water. Cotton is water-intensive regardless — organic or not. And a shirt made from organic cotton that's dyed and processed in a factory with no environmental standards is less "organic" than the label suggests.
What organic cotton is good for: Yoga, everyday wear, light training, anything where skin feel and breathability are the priority. Not ideal for intensive sessions where quick-drying is critical.
Recycled Nylon — Underrated, but Technically Strong
Recycled nylon is made from existing material — industrial waste, old fishing nets, or production offcuts. No new raw material, no new petrochemistry.
That might sound like a compromise. It isn't. Nylon is naturally more elastic than cotton, dries faster, and sits closer to the body — which makes it the better choice for leggings, biker shorts, and pocket lining in joggers. Recycled nylon brings those same properties without consuming new petroleum.
Our recycled nylon comes from Italy — from industrial production. No vague sourcing claims.
What recycled nylon is good for: Leggings, biker shorts, pocket lining in joggers. Anything that needs elasticity and fast drying.
TENCEL Lyocell — Good, but Rarely Suited to Activewear
TENCEL Lyocell is made from wood pulp, often eucalyptus. The production runs in a closed loop — meaning the solvents used are recovered and reused at a very high rate rather than being released into the environment.
It's a very clean process, and the result is soft, moisture-regulating, and biodegradable.
Why don't we use it at M23? Because for the demands of activewear — shape retention after many washes, durability under physical stress — it's less suited than organic cotton or recycled nylon. It's an excellent material for everyday clothing. For sport, we have better options.
Hemp and Linen — Strong, but Niche-Specific
Hemp is one of the most resource-efficient materials available: fast-growing, needs minimal water, improves soil quality. Hemp fabric is extremely durable and naturally antibacterial.
Linen from flax fibres is similar: minimal water needs, no pesticides, biodegradable, softens with every wash.
Both materials have a catch for activewear: they're less elastic than cotton or nylon, crease more easily, and feel rougher during intense training. They're not currently in the M23 range — not because they're poor materials, but because we focus on materials that work for training and everyday wear.
Recycled Polyester (rPET) — Performance Yes, but With Real Downsides
Recycled polyester is made from plastic bottles or textile waste. It significantly reduces CO₂ compared to virgin polyester, dries extremely fast, and is robust.
The problem: rPET sheds microfibres during washing — tiny plastic particles that enter wastewater and end up in waterways. This isn't a marginal issue. It's a real, unresolved technical problem across the entire industry.
We don't use rPET in M23 products. Recycled nylon delivers similar performance properties without the same scale of microplastic problem.
What This Means for Your Purchase
No material is perfect. Organic cotton needs water. Recycled nylon is a synthetic. Lyocell is expensive to process. Hemp has limited stretch.
The more useful question than "which material is most sustainable" is: which material suits this specific use case — and is the product made and constructed to last?
A shirt that lasts three years is better than five "sustainable" shirts that each fall apart within a year.
That's the standard we hold M23 products to — and you're welcome to hold us to it.