Active Travel Clothes You’ll Actually Want to Wear in Public

The biggest problem that most style-conscious people have with clothing marketed as travel gear is that it’s usually, well, ugly. Often it’s at best plain and inversatile—at worst, embarrassing and unwearable. Can’t we have comfort, durability, and an array of styles?

The answer is yes. The rise of athleisure—workout clothing worn as casual fashion—has brought with it a demand for statement-making items that are comfortable. It’s often perfect for mixing and matching, will last longer than the average pair of leggings, and can double as part of a perfect plane outfit.

One yoga and active wear company, JUJA Active, seems to get all of that, with the added bonus of supporting independent brands that push inspiring messages and are open about their sustainable practices.

Full disclosure, I’ve taken maybe three beginner-level yoga classes in my life, and managed to at least slightly embarrass myself in all of them. So I was a bit hesitant when I heard that JUJA Active’s stylish active options were geared toward yogis.

Am I allowed to wear yoga leggings on the plane or while hiking? Is there something inherently different about this clothing that might sabotage my use of them while wearing sneakers and a backpack? I tested them to find out, and am happy to report that the short answer is no. What does feel different about JUJA is the ease with which you can pick pieces that you’ll want to flaunt, and the inspiring stories and sustainable practices that JUJA’s independent brands push.

One such JUJA-sold brand, good hYOUman, makes all of its pieces in the U.S., and by hand. Another, Noli Yoga, makes vibrant leggings using only eco-friendly fabrics. These are only two of the many sustainable brands sold by JUJA Active.

Knowing where and how your clothes are made—without environmentally irresponsible practices and independent of child labor or controversial working conditions—is becoming increasingly important as the problems with low-cost overseas production become more and more apparent. (Don’t believe me? Allow John Oliver to explain.) It’s no surprise that responsible clothing lines are becoming increasingly profitable in the yoga community, which stresses a focus on nature, ethics, and spiritual discipline.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up

Price and Where to Buy: Leggings from JUJAactive.com vary widely in price from $50 to $150, and tank tops start at about $40 to $60, depending on the material. I went for a pair of colorful Liquido leggings and a good hYOUman lightweight tank that reads: “The best things in life make you sweaty.” Because who can argue with that?

 

A photo posted by Shannon McMahon (@shanmcmahon) on May 11, 2016 at 10:18pm PDT

How It Rates:

• Usefulness: 8/10. Sure, you could buy similar active wear somewhere else—but what I found most useful about these clothes is their quality and that customers know their money is going to companies that care about their employees and the environment. As an added bonus, the polyamide spandex material of the leggings is insanely stretchy, which makes them look tiny and shrunken before you put them on, and incredibly easy to stash in a cramped carry-on or gym bag.
• Value: 7/10. They’re pricey, but again—you’ll know where your money is going.
• Cool Factor: 10/10. The design of the clothes and patterns are unique to JUJA, and you’d be hard pressed to find a bigger collection of stylish active options.

Final Verdict: I myself have never been a yoga fanatic (maybe it’s my limited flexibility), but I’m definitely now on board with the brands I’ve discovered thanks to JUJA.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].

Don't Miss a Trip, Tip, or Deal!

Let us do the legwork! Sign up for our free newsletter now.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up