The British Activewear Brands We’ll All Be Wearing In 2026
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7 minutes ago
Built for town and country, sun and (critically) rain
The UK is a nation that loves its sports – not just watching them, but playing them too. Whether that’s kicking a football around, rallying on a tennis court or playing rounders in the park. And this passion has spread, in recent years, into an appreciation for fitness as a whole. More people than ever can be found on runs, taking Pilates classes and doing sets at the gym, often in one of these popular British activewear labels. Want to sweat like a Brit? See you at the gym…
Best British Activewear Brands 2026
Adanola
The British take on the clean girl aesthetic? Look no further than Adanola. The Manchester-founded activewear label was an instant hit when it launched in 2015, and over the years has secured its place as one of the UK’s go-to destinations for sweatshirts, leggings and Pilates gear (as well as loungewear).
Castore
Another gem from the North West, Castore was founded in Liverpool back in 2015 – with former athlete brothers Tom and Phil Beahon at the helm – and now calls Manchester home. The label has since designed numerous professional sporting kits, having dressed athletes for Team GB and national teams across football, cricket, rugby and Formula 1. Us non-professionals, meanwhile, can secure some seriously premium apparel and sportswear.
Gymshark
There aren’t many fitness fans that don’t know the name Gymshark. Now one of the biggest fitness labels in the world, Gymshark was originally founded in 2012 by a then 19-year-old Ben Francis in his parents’ garage. A lot has changed since then – the brand now boasts a rather nice office in Solihull – with more than 10 million shoppers in 2025 scanning the Gymshark website for the latest gym essentials.
Ronhill
Enthusiastic runners will want to make a pitstop at Ronhill, one of the oldest running apparel labels in Britain. Founded in the 1960s by marathon runner Ron Hill, the label focuses on high-performance running gear – think jackets, T-shirts and shorts, as well as running vests, belts and flasks. If you’re training for a marathon, this is where to stock up.
Slazenger
This heritage label may be familiar to most, but did you know it can be traced all the way back to the 1880s? (Making it one of the oldest sports brands in the world.) Slazenger has been making sports equipment for nearly 150 years, specialising in tennis, cricket and golfing essentials – and even ‘off-court’ staples that lean into Britain’s ongoing love of preppy chic.
Sweaty Betty
Londoners will know Sweaty Betty very well. The label, now a high street staple in most areas of the UK, originally set up shop in Notting Hill in 1998. Founders Tamara and Simon Hill-Norton made the brand with one goal in mind: to create stylish, comfortable sports clothes for women. These days, Sweaty Betty is beloved for its leggings and yoga apparel – but you’ll also find an impressive collection of running gear, swimwear and gym clothes.
Tala
A newer name in the British fitness scene is Tala, a London-based activewear label founded by Grace Beverley in 2019. When she set up her brand, Beverley promised an alternative to fast fashion fitness – instead reinforcing Tala with the goal to create high-performance and stylish activewear using recycled, upcycled and natural materials. Catering a wide range of sizes, the brand now stocks sports bras, leggings and shorts built for the gym and outdoor activities.
Umbro
Another historic British brand, Umbro is perhaps best known for its football attire. (And kitting out the England team for its famous 1966 World Cup win.) The brand, founded in Cheshire in 1924, blends technical sportswear and retro British style, with activewear made to perform well on the pitch and look good off it. And with a growing list of international collaborations under its belt – including designer Adam Jones, Australian label Mertra and Italian brand LC23 – it’s a British name with plenty of global influence.
