The activewear industry has a significant environmental footprint. Most synthetic sportswear is made from virgin petroleum-based nylon and polyester fabrics that take hundreds of years to break down and require substantial energy to produce.
A growing number of polewear brands are doing things differently. Here's what you need to know about sustainable polewear in 2026 and the brands leading the way.
What Makes Polewear Sustainable
Sustainability in polewear comes from several different angles:
Material sourcing - regenerated or recycled nylon uses significantly less water and energy than virgin nylon, and keeps plastic out of landfill. Look for certifications like ECONYL® or Repreve®.
Ethical production - small independent brands that manufacture in their own studios with fair wages and working conditions. This is the model used by most of the best independent polewear brands.
Made to order or limited production - producing only what's needed eliminates waste. Smaller brands like Paradise Chick produce handmade to order, which means zero overstock waste.
Durability - the most sustainable piece of clothing is one that lasts. Premium fabric construction that survives years of pole training and washing is inherently more sustainable than cheap fast-fashion alternatives.
The Sustainable Polewear Brands at The Pole Edit
Nona Perkasa - Regenerated Nylon from Bali
Nona Perkasa is the most explicitly sustainability-focused label we carry. Every piece is made in Bali using regenerated nylon - typically ECONYL® or an equivalent which is produced by recovering nylon waste from landfill and ocean sources and processing it into new fabric.
The performance of regenerated nylon is identical to virgin nylon. There's no compromise in stretch, strength or feel. The environmental difference is significant.
Their Solace Set (Wine, Black, Mocha), Devour Bodysuit and Zara Top are all made to the same ethical standard.
Lunalae - Sustainable Polewear from Australia
Lunalae's sustainability approach is built into their brand identity. Australian production standards are among the highest in the world for both environmental practices and worker welfare. Lunalae uses eco-conscious fabric choices and designs for longevity pieces built to last seasons, not weeks.
Their wrap-style tops and garter shorts have a timeless design sensibility that resists the trend cycle another form of sustainability.
Paradise Chick - Handmade to Order in Athens
While Paradise Chick doesn't market themselves on sustainability specifically their production model is inherently low-waste. Every piece is handmade in Athens to order there is no mass production, no overstock, no end of season clearance.
This is the oldest form of sustainable production: make what you sell, sell what you make.
What to Ask When Buying Polewear
If sustainability matters to you, here are the questions worth asking any polewear brand:
-
Where is this made?
-
What fabric is used? Is it recycled or regenerated?
-
How are the workers paid and treated?
-
What happens to unsold stock?
For the five brands at The Pole Edit, the answers to those questions are part of why we chose to carry them.
FAQ
Q: What is regenerated nylon? Nylon made from recovered waste materials typically fishing nets, carpet scraps and industrial nylon waste - processed back into new fabric. ECONYL® is the most widely used brand of regenerated nylon.
Q: Does regenerated nylon perform the same as regular nylon? Yes. The molecular structure is identical once processed. There is no difference in stretch, strength, feel or durability.
Q: Is sustainable polewear more expensive? Not necessarily. Nona Perkasa is mid-range in price despite using regenerated nylon throughout. Sustainability and affordability can coexist.
Q: How do I make my polewear last longer? Cold wash, hang dry, wash inside out, wash after every wear. The single biggest cause of premature polewear degradation is tumble drying the heat destroys elastane.
