In a bold move towards sustainability and innovation, Under Armour has unveiled its first-ever plant-based, regenerative sportswear collection in collaboration with sustainable fashion brand Unless Collective. The debut, which took place during Milan Design Week, marks a significant shift in how activewear could evolve to be both environmentally friendly and performance-driven.

The Under Armour x Unless collection is not just about creating stylish sportswear; it stems from the goal of creating products that make a positive impact on the planet. Made entirely from plant-based materials, this new line of clothing and footwear is biodegradable, compostable, and designed to return to the earth without leaving harmful residues. The collection’s ethos challenges traditional clothing production methods, which often rely heavily on petroleum-based plastics that persist in the environment for centuries, breaking down into microplastics that infiltrate the air, soil, and water.

Regenerative Fashion: The Concept Behind the Collection

Eric Liedtke, co-founder of Unless and Under Armour’s executive vice president of brand strategy, describes the idea of “regenerative fashion” as a radical rethinking of how products are made. “Regenerative means you create value at every step of the way,” Liedtke told WWD. “It’s about making things that come from natural, renewable materials and, when they reach the end of their life, can safely return to nature without causing harm.”

This approach contrasts sharply with the traditional fashion industry, where waste and pollution are endemic, often created by the use of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.

The collection is a showcase of the sustainable materials driving this new wave of fashion. The shoes, jackets, vests, and shirts incorporate an array of plant-based materials such as coconut husks for shoe soles, Kapok cotton for insulation, and natural rubber latex. Even the buttons are made from corozo nuts, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic buttons.

Designed to Decompose

One of the collection’s main features is its ability to decompose at the end of its life cycle. Unlike most traditional activewear that continues to exist as microplastics long after being discarded, products in the Under Armour x Unless line are designed to naturally break down. Once you’re done with one of these garments, you could literally bury it in your backyard, and it will compost away, Liedtke said in an interview with Fast Company.

While some may worry about their new gear decomposing prematurely, Liedtke assures that the composting process requires specific conditions that are not present in a typical closet or dresser. These garments are built to last while being entirely recyclable at the end of their useful life.

This new collection is the fruit of Under Armour’s acquisition of Unless in 2023, a move that brought under its wing a company committed to creating eco-conscious products and disrupting the apparel industry just as plant-based meat companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have disrupted the food industry. It’s a step toward reimagining how products are designed, manufactured, and disposed of. The hope is that this collection will spark a larger conversation about the future of fashion, encouraging other brands to adopt similar sustainable practices.

Liedtke’s vision for the future is clear: “The future is regenerative. The question now is scaling it and telling people about it.”

Priced between $30 and $160, the Under Armour x Unless collection includes T-shirts, hoodies, and shorts for both men and women, as well as unisex styles. The collection also features eco-conscious slogans, such as “protect this earth” and pixelated flower designs, reflecting the brand’s commitment to both athletes and the environment.

For now, the collection will be available exclusively at Under Armour’s Brand House in Baltimore at the end of April, with wider availability expected later this year. 

As Under Armour ventures further into the world of regenerative fashion, it remains to be seen how other brands will respond. But one thing is certain: the future of sportswear is being rewritten, and it’s a future that prioritizes both performance and the planet.

The post Under Armour Debuts a Plant-Based Sportswear Collection That’s Designed to Decompose appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.

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