No, Beyond Yoga is not considered a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built around higher-quality materials, seasonal collections rather than weekly drops, and premium price points that encourage long-term use over disposable trends.
While the brand avoids the high-turnover model of fast fashion, its ethical and sustainability practices are mixed. Beyond Yoga falls short on supply chain transparency and has not established concrete environmental goals, placing it in a middle-ground category that is better than fast fashion but lags behind industry leaders in sustainability.
Beyond Yoga sets itself apart from the fast fashion model through its focus on quality, durability, and a slower production cycle. Here’s how its characteristics differ from brands like Shein or Zara:
Beyond Yoga’s ethical practices are difficult to fully verify due to a significant lack of transparency, a common issue in the apparel industry.
Beyond Yoga states it works with factories that adhere to legal labor standards, but it does not publish a supplier list, audit results, or third-party certifications. While some manufacturing occurs in the United States, a portion is based in countries like China and Vietnam, where industry-wide risks of low wages and poor working conditions are prevalent. Without disclosure, it is impossible to confirm if workers are paid a living wage, which often exceeds the legal minimum wage (e.g., $150-$250/month in some regions).
The brand's supply chain transparency is very limited. There are no notable certifications to validate fair labor, such as Fair Trade, Social Accountability International (SA8000), or Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). This lack of third-party verification makes it a challenge for consumers to assess the true conditions in its factories.
Beyond Yoga maintains a strong cruelty-free stance. The brand primarily uses synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, avoiding all animal-derived products such as wool, down, or leather. Its fabrics are often certified by OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, which ensures they are tested for harmful substances but does not directly relate to animal welfare.
Beyond Yoga has taken some steps toward sustainability, but its efforts lack depth and clear, measurable targets.
The majority of Beyond Yoga's products are made from synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. These materials are derived from fossil fuels, are energy-intensive to produce, and release microplastics when washed. While the brand incorporates some recycled polyester into its collections, it does not disclose the overall percentage of sustainable materials used, making claims of "using sustainable fabrics" difficult to quantify.
The company has not published data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management policies. The dyeing and finishing processes for synthetic activewear are typically water- and chemical-intensive, but without specific information, Beyond Yoga's environmental impact remains unmeasured.
Beyond Yoga currently has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life cycle. A commitment to quality and durability helps reduce waste by extending the use phase, but the brand lacks circular solutions for its non-biodegradable synthetic garments.
There are no publicly stated, science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions or environmental impact. Beyond Yoga does not hold key sustainability certifications like B Corp, Bluesign, or Climate Neutral, which would signal a more comprehensive commitment.
Beyond Yoga is a significant step up from fast fashion in terms of quality and production speed. However, critical gaps in transparency and environmental accountability keep it from being a leader in the ethical and sustainable space.
Beyond Yoga earns a B- for its positive stance on inclusivity and cruelty-free practices. The grade is held back by a major lack of transparency regarding its supply chain. Without a public factory list, third-party audits, or a commitment to living wages, its ethical claims are largely unverified, aligning it with industry-average practices rather than clear leadership.
The focus on creating durable, high-quality products that last and the inclusion of some recycled materials earn it a C+. This grade is constrained by its heavy dependence on virgin synthetic fibers, the absence of public climate action goals, and a lack of end-of-life solutions for its garments. Its sustainability efforts appear to be superficial rather than deeply integrated into its business strategy.
If Beyond Yoga’s lack of transparency and commitment to sustainability concern you, here are several activewear brands offering similar quality with stronger ethical and environmental credentials:
Girlfriend Collective creates activewear from recycled materials, with leggings made from 25 post-consumer water bottles. As a Certified B Corp, the brand guarantees fair wages in its SA8000-certified factory in Vietnam and provides full supply chain transparency.
Shop now at girlfriend.com
A pioneer in sustainable apparel, Patagonia uses a high percentage of recycled materials and is Fair Trade Certified, donating 1% of sales to environmental causes. It offers a lifetime repair program through its Worn Wear initiative, making it a leader in circularity and corporate responsibility.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Outdoor Voices focuses on longevity and incorporates sustainable materials like recycled polyester (RecPoly) and merino wool into its collections. The brand publishes a supplier list, works with factories that prioritize fair labor, and is moving towards 100% reusable and recycled packaging.
Shop now at outdoorvoices.com
A certified B Corp, Tentree plants ten trees for every item purchased. The brand's activewear is made from sustainable materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and TENCEL, and it maintains a transparent supply chain focused on ethical manufacturing.
Shop now at tentree.com
PrAna has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, using materials like organic cotton and recycled fibers, and is a pioneer of Fair Trade certification in apparel. It is a Certified B Corp that demonstrates a strong dedication to both environmental and social responsibility.
Shop now at prana.com
PACT offers affordable activewear and basics made with GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified factories. The brand is focused on minimizing its environmental footprint and ensuring its supply chain is ethical and transparent from farm to factory.
Shop now at wearpact.com
Beyond Yoga's premium pricing reflects its investment in high-quality, durable fabrics and some U.S.-based manufacturing, which have higher costs than overseas production. This focus on product quality and longevity, along with marketing and branding, contributes to its price point, which is separate from comprehensive sustainability initiatives like obtaining expensive certifications or overhauling its entire supply chain.
Beyond Yoga was acquired by Levi Strauss & Co. in 2021. Levi's has a more robust transparency framework, publishing detailed sustainability reports and supplier lists. However, like Beyond Yoga, it faces criticism for labor issues within its supply chain and for its environmental impact, scoring in the 'It's a Start' range on many ethical ratings. The association adds a layer of corporate responsibility but doesn't resolve Beyond Yoga’s individual transparency issues.
Leggings made from recycled polyester are a better choice than those made from virgin polyester because they divert plastic bottles from landfill and use less energy in production. However, they are not a perfect solution. They still shed plastic microfibers when washed and rely on a recycling system that is not yet fully circular. They represent a step in the right direction but are not as sustainable as natural, biodegradable fibers.
