SailGP announces new plastic-free sportswear

The collection, which has been in the making for 2 years, is made from 100% natural fibres, bypassing the elastane usually found in technical sportswear.

This is the biggest challenge for brands wanting to make clothing that is both functional, and sustainable, and forced SailGP to rethink manufacturing methods from the get-go.

Knitting light-weight merino wool and cotton in specific tensions and patterns has provided the elasticity and compression typically expected of high-performance sportswear.

Since the 1960s, plastic (elastane) has been used in the production of socks, underwear and sportswear. It’s what gives athletic garments their stretchy and breathable quality.

Other companies in the sportswear space, like British-based gym-wear brand Tala, have made efforts toward better sustainability through the use of recycled materials. But experts say harmful microplastics are still emitted into water and soils systems through this process.

‘There is plastic in our water, our air, our soil and now in our bodies. That plastic is carrying toxic chemicals – regardless of whether it is recycled or virgin,’ explained Siân Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet, which also collaborated with Mover and SailGP on the launch.

Given these nuances, SailGP has certainly had its work cut out in developing the collection, not least because of sailing’s nature itself.

‘Skiing and sailing are two of the most difficult sports to [create garments for] with 100 percent natural fibres, because of the resistance to water or extreme temperatures’

But Nicolas Rochat, founder and CEO of Mover, says the design changes have worked out for the best in every sense of the word.

‘In terms of performance’, he told Vogue, ‘what we gain by not using elastane is odour control, antistatic, thermo-regulation, natural dirt and stain resistance and comfort under various temperature ranges. In terms of pollution, it is a no-brainer.’

It makes sense. Decades of marketing around sports-wear have duped us into believing plastic is a necessary evil, providing the sweat-resistant, flexible fabrics we’re used to.

But ‘imagine running or practising yoga wearing a plastic bag’ said Sutherland. It’s a fair point; I’d rather not.

So what does the launch mean for the future of sportswear as a wider industry?

SailGP chief purpose officer Fiona Morgan hopes the launch will inspire other brands to speak with suppliers about developing plastic-free garments. And it’s worth remembering that sport is one of the biggest industries available to consumers, with billions in fans and revenue every year.

Igniting a change and shift in mindset within this community has incredible potential to advance sustainable efforts across the globe.