Why Do We Label Food Ingredients — But Not What We Wear?

You can flip a packet over and see exactly what you’re putting in your body.

But the thing you wear for hours — tight to skin, warmed by heat, soaked in sweat — usually comes with one word:

“Polyester.”

That’s not an ingredient list. It’s not transparency. It’s a material category.

The real question: what happens when “performance” is mostly plastic?

Modern activewear solved one problem brilliantly: fast drying.

But it created a few new ones — especially for everyday movement, where you’re wearing the same set for long stretches of time.

1) The microfibre problem

Synthetic textiles can shed microfibres, especially during washing. Those fibres don’t behave like natural fibres in the environment.

2) The odour loop

If you’ve had activewear that smells “clean” out of the wash… then smells again the moment you warm up, you’re not imagining it.

In research comparing fibres, polyester can retain and release more body-odour compounds than wool under testing conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

3) The finishing question

Some textiles use chemical finishes (for water resistance, stain resistance, “easy care”). A well-known group of these is PFAS — and restrictions are tightening in some places, including textiles. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

This doesn’t mean every garment is “toxic”.

It means “performance” isn’t just a vibe — it’s a material system. And if you care, you deserve clarity.

So what is “plastic-free activewear” in real life?

Here’s the honest version:

Truly 100% plastic-free stretch is rare. Most leggings rely on elastane for recovery.
The practical goal is reducing plastic content while keeping comfort and shape.
Natural fibres change the whole feel of wear — especially for all-day use.

Why Estroni is built around merino

Merino doesn’t “detox” your body. But it does change what wearing activewear feels like:

Fresher between wears (less odour retention)
Comfort across temperature swings (indoors, outdoors, air-con, sun)
Less need to over-wash (which also means less wear on the garment)

Our thesis is simple: everyday movement needs a fabric system that stays comfortable when life isn’t a workout montage.

What to look for if you’re trying to reduce plastics in activewear

Fibre content: higher natural fibre %, lower synthetics
Certifications: signals like OEKO-TEX can help reduce guesswork
Claims that match reality: “fast-drying” often means “more synthetic”
How it behaves over hours: clammy, smell-prone, itchy, restrictive — or calm and breathable