Most workout clothes are breathable, lightweight and when you sweat, they dry quickly. That’s because they are made from synthetic materials, usually polyester mixed with other man made fibers like spandex and nylon.

The problem with synthetic workout clothes is that they stink. Even just a few minutes of sweating and you start to smell. And this stench can stick on the clothes way long after the workout. 

Personally, I don't mind a bit of an odor. It’s the gym, after all. But if you hate even a hint of BO or want to smell nice during your run or hike, here’s how to choose activewear and workout clothing that doesn't stink. 

What Makes Workout Clothes Smell? 

Sweat is odorless, so why the stink after a run? 

Sweat gets smelly when it comes into contact with bacteria. Bacteria breaks down components of the sweat, including the fats, causing a sweaty odor. 

Synthetic gym clothes hold onto the fatty compounds in sweat. These compounds attract odor-causing bacteria. And because the fatty compounds can get stuck in the synthetic fibers for a long time, your gym wear keeps smelling even after it has dried. 

Sometimes, even a wash is not enough to get rid of the fatty acids and other odorous compounds. That’s why you can find your running clothes still smell even after laundry (here’s a post on how to tackle this problem).       

The Best Odor-resistant Clothing for Exercise and Outdoors

Go natural. That’s the best way to protect against the gym stink. 

Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, bamboo and wool don't hold onto the fatty compounds that bacteria love. Some of these natural fibers like wool are also naturally anti-bacterial. So they don't stink easily or as much no matter how much you sweat.

The downside is that there are trade offs if you decide to ditch synthetic workout clothes. Synthetic materials like polyester are very good at wicking away sweat. So your clothes dry quickly when you sweat. 

Natural fabrics will absorb sweat from your skin, but they dry more slowly, leaving you damp and cold. Cotton is especially notorious for this. It is the most absorbent natural fabric and takes the longest to dry. 

So if you opt to wear cotton on your run or at the gym, choose a lightweight material that will dry faster. A mesh design is even better. You can also choose polycotton workout clothing. It will stink less than 100% polyester and will dry faster than 100% cotton.    

Silk activewear is soft, breathable and dries fairly fast. But it’s pricey and delicate. Silk workout clothing is common for gentler activities like yoga or as a base layer during hiking and camping. 

The best alternative to synthetic activewear is merino wool. Wool is naturally thermoregulating, wicks away sweat and is highly resistant to odors. It’s also strong enough to withstand frequent use in the gym or on the trail. 

There are plenty of workout clothes made from wool including lightweight t-shirts, pants and tights, sweaters and socks. 

Antibacterial Workout Clothing

For extra protection against odors, get antibacterial clothing such as the Hercleon HercShirt or HercSocks. 

They fight off odor-causing bacteria, ensuring you smell fresh even when you wear the same shirt for days or weeks without washing. The Hercleon antibacterial clothes are great for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, trail running and more.  

How to Reduce the Gym Stink 

In addition to changing the type of clothes you wear to the gym, here are some additional tips to smell less when you work out. 

• Check your diet. An unhealthy diet full of sugar, unhealthy fats and processed foods leads to smellier sweat. Specific foods, even healthy ones like cabbage, asparagus, and garlic can also make your sweat smell more strongly. 
• Alcohol not only makes you sweat more, it makes your sweat smell worse. Reduce how much alcohol you drink or stop drinking it completely. Same goes for smoking.  
• Apply antiperspirant or deodorant before you hit the gym or go on a run. It will make your sweat less smelly. In particular, target the armpits and groin area. These areas have apocrine glands that produce sweat that has more fatty compounds, and thus smells worse.  
• Remove workout clothes and take a shower immediately after your workout. The more you stay with your gym clothes, the worse you’ll smell. 
• Don’t leave gym clothes in the hamper for too long. The sweaty smell will get harder to remove in the wash.