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A Smarter Approach to Hemp Activewear, Sustainable Yoga Wear & Low-Tox Clothing
There’s a reason polyester and other synthetic fibres are under increasing scrutiny.
As research continues to highlight the environmental and health impacts of plastic-based textiles, from microplastic pollution to prolonged skin contact with synthetics, more people are questioning what their activewear is actually made from.
This isn’t new information.
But it is finally being taken seriously.
The issue is that most conversations stop at what not to wear.
There’s plenty of noise around avoiding synthetic activewear, but far fewer practical solutions that focus on what genuinely works better for the environment, for garment makers, and for the people wearing these clothes every day.
At ZONE by Lydia, we chose to invest in a different system.
One built around hemp clothing and natural fibre activewear, not plastic.
Hemp Is More Than a Fabric — It’s an Agricultural Solution
We don’t see hemp as just another sustainable fabric option.
We see it as an agricultural and environmental solution.
Hemp is one of the most efficient fibre crops in the world:
- It grows rapidly, often maturing in under four months
- It absorbs large amounts of carbon as it grows
- It uses significantly less water than conventional cotton
- It can be cultivated without heavy pesticide use
- Its deep roots help regenerate soil rather than deplete it
From an agricultural perspective, hemp actively supports healthier ecosystems, which makes it one of the most logical foundations for sustainable yoga wear and low-tox clothing.
And hemp’s versatility goes far beyond apparel. It’s used in food, skincare, textiles, insulation, and even building materials. Very few plants can meet so many human needs from a single crop.
This is why hemp became our hero fibre.
Performance-Driven Hemp Activewear (Without Plastic)
I didn’t come from a fashion background , but I do come from high performance sport.
Across five Olympic cycles, I trained in almost every activewear brand on the market. Performance was always the priority — and for a long time, I didn’t question the materials I was wearing.
It’s only in the past decade that I’ve started asking a different question:
were the synthetic fabrics I relied on actually supporting my body — or quietly working against it?
- That question changed everything.
- Hemp creates fabric that is:
- Strong and durable
- Highly breathable
- Thermoregulating across seasons
- Naturally resistant to odour and bacteria
It delivers performance without depending on plastic-based fibres.
For us, hemp activewear isn’t a compromise.
It’s an evolution — and a clear upgrade.
Why Hemp Clothing Is Harder (and Why That Matters)
Hemp is not the easy option.
It’s more expensive than conventional fibres.
Supply chains are limited.
Processing infrastructure is still developing globally.
From fibre sourcing to fabric milling, hemp requires long-term partnerships, specialised knowledge, and patience. Many brands avoid it entirely — opting instead for cheaper plastic-based textiles dressed up as “performance fabrics.”
Despite these challenges, we work hard to keep our hemp clothing accessible — even when it means absorbing higher material costs ourselves.
Many premium activewear brands charge high prices for garments made largely from plastic fibres that cost a fraction of what hemp does to produce. Price alone is rarely an indicator of sustainability.
Low-Tox Clothing, Not Perfect — Just Better
We’re also realistic.
The most sustainable option will always be to buy less or nothing new at all.
But if you are choosing to buy, your fibre choice matters.
That’s why we prioritise low-tox clothing made from natural fibres and why we donate 1% of our profits every year to environmental initiatives. Because progress requires action, not perfection.
From an environmental, agricultural, and human-health perspective, planting more hemp simply makes sense.
That’s why hemp leads everything we do.
Sustainable Yoga Wear Built for the Long Term
This isn’t about trends.
It’s about long-term thinking — for people and planet.
Hemp allows us to create sustainable yoga wear and activewear that aligns with performance, comfort, and environmental responsibility — without greenwashing or shortcuts.
Choose Better Fibres
If you’re moving away from synthetic activewear, hemp is a powerful place to start.
