Review: Sundried Activewear

Have you ever worn clothing made from coffee? Until recently I hadn’t either, but it’s been something of a revelation.

I don’t go to the gym these days, but that doesn’t mean I’m not active. This is especially true when we go camping.

I always wear a technical shirt as a baselayer, they are great for wicking away moisture on a warm day, but are also perfect for layering up when it’s a bit colder. I usually just wear old running t-shirts, so it was a great treat to be offered a new top from the premium ethical activewear company, Sundried.

I was sent the Sundried Grivola 2.0 women’s top to try out, and I wasted no time in putting it to the test. I wore it out on a few walks and I loved how it kept me cool, but also, as shallow as it sounds, I loved how great it looked and fitted. I got a medium (I’m a size 12) and it was looser than my usual style, but I liked the feel of it. Sundried use 4 way stretch material in order to offer the most comfortable and breathable activewear possible and this attention to detail was clearly apparent. As well as walking, I wore this top while camping (believe me, setting up camp is a physical job!) and on a trip to the beach.

So far so good. So where does coffee come into it?

Earlier I described Sundried as an ethical company and this is clearly set out in their values. For example, they aim to produce the smallest carbon footprint possible, they prioritise the wellbeing of their staff and donate to charitable causes. Furthermore, Sundried offer the consumer complete transparency; once you have bought your clothing you can enter a unique code to trace the product’s journey from start to finish. Also, an important part of this is their production process. As well as basing their manufacturing in Europe to minimise the carbon footprint, Sundried also use recycled coffee grounds to produce their garments. This process was developed by a Taiwanese company in 2008 and has been increasing in popularity ever since. As well as being sustainable, this technology also produces a material that is fast-drying, sweat-wicking and deodorising.

This top has become my new favourite staple. It’s smart enough to wear as ‘normal’ clothes, but is also great at keeping me cool and comfortable while doing outdoor activities. We’re off travelling next week and this versatile garment is the first thing I’m going to pack!

Disclaimer: I was gifted a top for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.