FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Recycled Polyester
C
Polyester made from recycled PET bottles or post-consumer polyester. Same performance as virgin polyester with reduced environmental impact.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
62/100
DurabilityAbove-average83
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortWeak45
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityPoor30
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthWeak40
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingTypical55
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseStrong90
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityTypical55
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using recycled polyester
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains recycled polyester. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Cotopaxi
132 products
Spyder
82 products
Old Navy
80 products
Patagonia
68 products
Lululemon
63 products
Tentree
56 products
Roark
47 products
Printful
41 products
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing recycled polyester.
Products with recycled polyester
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains recycled polyester. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Ridge MerinoB
Women's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Half Zip Pullover
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$160
Ridge MerinoB
Women's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Crew Pullover
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$130
Ridge MerinoB
Men's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Crew Pullover
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$130
Ridge MerinoB
Men's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Full Zip Jacket
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$200
Ridge MerinoB
Men's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Half Zip Pullover
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$160
Ridge MerinoB
Women's Cloudripper Merino Grid Fleece Full Zip Jacket
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$200
Ridge MerinoB
Cloudripper Grid Fleece Balaclava
69% Merino Wool, 15% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon, 3% Spandex
$40
Mons RoyaleB
Tarn Merino Long Sleeve - Abyss / Mauve
52% Merino Wool, 35% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon
$120
Mons RoyaleB
Tarn Merino T-Shirt - Abyss
52% Merino Wool, 35% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon
$100
Outland DenimB
Effie Jean Washed Black
93% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Polyester, 2% Elastane
$249
Outland DenimB
Farrah Jean Black
93% Organic Cotton, 5% Recycled Polyester, 2% Elastane
$217
Mons RoyaleB
Diversion Merino Bike Sleeves - Black | Unisex
50% Merino Wool, 33% Recycled Polyester, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane
$60
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from recycled polyester. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same recycled polyester feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best Uses
activewear
72Eco-friendly performance wear
outerwear
68Great for eco-conscious outerwear
everyday
58Better environmental choice for basics
Pros
- ✓ Reduces plastic waste
- ✓ Same durability as virgin polyester
- ✓ Lower carbon footprint
- ✓ Quick-drying
Cons
- ✗ Still sheds microplastics
- ✗ Not infinitely recyclable
- ✗ Same comfort issues as polyester
- ✗ Can be greenwashed
Better alternatives
Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
Gore-TexB
+14 vs Recycled Polyester · 76/100
Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.
DyneemaB
+13 vs Recycled Polyester · 75/100
Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.
HardshellB
+12 vs Recycled Polyester · 74/100
Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.
Care Guide
Washwarm (40°C)
Cyclepermanent press
Detergentregular
BleachDo not bleach
Drytumble low
Ironlow
Dry Cleanavoid
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Same care as virgin polyester
• Avoid high heat
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on permanent press cycle — cold water saves energy and reduces microplastic release
- • Tumble dry on low heat or line dry — remove promptly from dryer to prevent wrinkles
- • Use a microfiber-catching wash bag (like Guppyfriend) every wash to trap microplastics
- • Iron on low heat only if needed — recycled polyester has the same low heat tolerance as virgin polyester
- • Avoid fabric softener and bleach — they degrade the recycled fibers faster
- • No ironing usually needed — polyester is naturally wrinkle-resistant
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Minimal shrinkage — follow care instructions
Eco Rating
Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives