Boldwill

Natural progression towards plastic free training gear

The clothes you wear while exercising shouldn't be detrimental to your health. Boldwill is filling this void by designing activewear apparel all from plant-based fabrics such as hemp, cotton, and lyocell (wood pulp).

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Based in: The Hague, Netherlands
Founded: 2018
Organic options: Available

About Boldwill

Boldwill, formerly known as Iron Roots, is a Dutch brand founded with the mission to create a healthy and sustainable alternative to regular sportswear. We’ve always found it weird that sports inherently makes you healthier, but the sportswear that you workout in neither is healthy for you or the planet. That is what we are here to change.

Materials & certifications

Materials

Cotton

A soft, breathable, absorbent, and versatile natural fiber grown from the fluffy bolls of cotton plants.

Good to know: Conventional cotton is one of the world's dirtiest crops as cultivation heavily relies on pesticides, herbicides (glyphosate), and fertilizers, raising concerns about environmental pollution, soil health, and potential health risks for farmers and consumers. This is why some brands and consumers push for "100% organic cotton." Organic cotton skips the harsh chemicals, making it a more eco-friendly and healthier choice.

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Hemp

A versatile and durable natural fiber derived from the long, tough stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant known for its durability, sustainability, and moisture-wicking properties.

Uses: Commonly used in clothing (shirts, dresses, jeans, jackets), home textiles (curtains, rugs, towels), bedding (sheets, duvet covers), paper products, construction materials, upholstery, cushions, and even furniture frames.

Good to know: Hemp cultivation requires minimal pesticides and herbicides, and it returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil. Hemp fabric also offers UV protection and has antimicrobial properties, making it a healthy choice for skin.

Find brands using hemp →

Lyocell

A regenerated cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp, often eucalyptus, beech trees, or bamboo. This material possesses a soft, comfortable feel similar to cotton yet exhibits superior strength and durability, even when wet.

Uses: Commonly used in clothing (shirts, pants, dresses, underwear), bedding (sheets, towels, blankets) home textiles (curtains, tablecloths, etc.), and various industrial applications.

Good to know: Unlike conventional viscose or rayon, the production of lyocell uses a closed-loop system that recycles most of the solvents, minimizing environmental impact and chemical exposure. Furthermore, in comparison to other cellulose-based fabrics, lyocell uses significantly fewer and less harmful chemicals during processing. For example, in most cases, the wood pulp is dissolved in a non-toxic organic solvent, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), to create a solution. This solution is then extruded through fine openings to form filaments, which are solidified into fibers.

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Modal

A type of rayon, modal is a semi-synthetic fabric known for its softness and high strength when wet. It's derived from the cellulose of beech trees and is particularly appreciated for its silky, smooth texture and lustrous finish.

Uses: Modal is widely used in clothing, such as underwear, pajamas, and sportswear, due to its breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and resistance to shrinkage and fading. It's also found in home textiles like bed linens and towels.

Good to know: While modal shares many characteristics with standard rayon, including its base in natural cellulose, it is generally considered more environmentally friendly due to more sustainable and efficient processing methods. However, like rayon, the production of modal still involves chemical processing.

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Certifications

GOTS
Textiles with this certification must contain at least 70% organic content and meet comprehensive ecological and social criteria. Notably, GOTS encompasses the entire supply chain, from the sourcing of fibers to the final stages of processing, manufacturing, and distribution. The label can be granted to entire brands or individual fabric suppliers and manufacturers.
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX certification promises that every product component has been tested for harmful substances. The only downside is that OEKO-TEX does not require organic components and only tests the final product for chemicals, pesticides, and dyes.