Best Women's Athleisure Brands UK 2026
What Is Athleisure — and Why Does It Matter?
Athleisure is clothing designed to perform in the gym and look appropriate outside it. Not loungewear. Not sportswear with a logo. Properly engineered pieces that use performance fabrics, flattering cuts and considered design to bridge the gap between workout and daily life.
The market has exploded because modern women do not have time for three outfit changes before noon. You train at 7am, drop the kids at 8:30, grab a coffee at 9, work from home until lunch. Athleisure gives you one wardrobe that handles all of it without looking like you have given up on style.
We stock four brands that define the space from different angles: Sweaty Betty (British performance), P.E Nation (Australian street sport), Red Run (independent activewear) and On Running (Swiss technical). Each has a distinct personality, price point and audience.
Sweaty Betty
Sweaty Betty was founded in London in 1998 by Tamara Hill-Norton. The brand built its reputation on the Power Legging — a squat-proof, high-waisted, side-pocket legging that became the default choice for UK gym-goers. Their fabric technology (SB Sculpt, SuperSoft, CloudWeight) is developed in-house and tested by their community of athletes and instructors.
What sets Sweaty Betty apart is range. They cover every activity: running, yoga, HIIT, barre, swimming, hiking, skiing. And each piece is designed to look intentional outside the studio. The Nimbus puffers (£118–£187.50) are waterproof winter layers that work for the school run. The Revive half-zip sets (£119) are weekend brunch outfits that happen to be moisture-wicking.
Sweaty Betty Sweet Spots
- Power Leggings: The benchmark — squat-proof, high-waisted, pocketed, £88–£133
- Nimbus Puffers: CloudWeight insulation, waterproof, packable, £118–£187.50
- On The Move Parka: Transitional jacket for rain and mild cold, £101.50–£106
- Revive Sets: Half-zip and shorts combos for rest days and errands, £119
P.E Nation
P.E Nation is an Australian brand founded in 2016 by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning. It fuses sportswear with streetwear in a way that feels deliberately styled rather than functional. Bold colourways, oversized logos, bomber jackets over leggings — P.E Nation is athleisure that wants to be seen.
Their Century Jacket (£170) is a nylon windbreaker that works as a running layer or a statement jacket over jeans. The Man Down trackpants pair with the Defend sweatshirt (£227) for a full loungewear set with sport credentials. The Shelter Jacket (£208–£209) with Wander leggings gives you a complete gym-to-street outfit in one purchase.
P.E Nation runs hotter on colour and branding than Sweaty Betty. If you want athleisure that reads “I chose this look” rather than “I came from the gym,” this is the brand.
Red Run Activewear
Red Run is a British activewear brand built around two promises: technical fabrics and flattering fits at a fair price. Their Sculptured Leggings and Perky Leggings have built a loyal following through Instagram and word-of-mouth — the kind of grassroots growth that only happens when the product genuinely delivers.
The Skyline sets (£155–£180) pair nylon track jackets with their signature leggings. The Sky Volt collection adds electric blue and volt colourways for women who want visibility during early-morning or evening runs. The Explorer jacket (£170) is a standalone piece for outdoor workouts in unpredictable weather.
Red Run occupies the middle ground between premium and accessible. Less expensive than Sweaty Betty and P.E Nation, but constructed with the same attention to fabric technology and body-mapping design.
On Running
On Running’s women’s range extends far beyond shoes. Their apparel uses Swiss engineering principles — minimal seams, body-mapped ventilation, fabrics that regulate temperature rather than simply wicking sweat. The Weather Jacket and Trek sets are waterproof-breathable shells that transition from trail running to urban commuting.
On’s aesthetic is distinctly clean: monochrome palettes, technical fabrics, no visible branding beyond the signature speedlace logo. If your athleisure style leans minimal and performance-first, On Running delivers a look that no Australian or British brand matches.
How to Style Athleisure
The Gym-to-Brunch Transition
Start with your leggings and sports bra. Add an oversized sweatshirt (P.E Nation Defend or Sweaty Betty CloudWeight crop hoody) and swap your trainers for clean sneakers. Throw on a crossbody bag and you are brunch-ready without changing a layer.
The School Run Uniform
Sweaty Betty Nimbus puffer over Red Run Skyline leggings with On Running Cloud 5 trainers. Warm, waterproof, polished enough for the playground. This combination handles rain, cold and the inevitable crawling around on the floor retrieving PE kits from the back of the car.
The Work-from-Home Edit
P.E Nation Courtside V-Neck sweatshirt with Status leggings. Camera-ready from the waist up, comfortable from the waist down. Add a structured jacket if the meeting is more formal.
The Weekend Walk
On Running Trek waterproof jacket with Red Run Sculptured leggings and Salomon trail shoes. Technical enough for mud, stylish enough for the pub lunch afterwards.
Brand Comparison
| Brand | Style | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweaty Betty | Performance meets lifestyle | £95–£199 | Gym, yoga, running, everyday |
| P.E Nation | Street sport, bold branding | £170–£305 | Style-first athleisure, statement pieces |
| Red Run | Technical British activewear | £145–£180 | Running, outdoor training, value |
| On Running | Swiss minimal, performance-first | £285–£430 | Trail, commute, clean aesthetic |
Our Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best women’s athleisure brand in the UK?
Sweaty Betty offers the widest range of activities and price points, making it the best all-rounder. P.E Nation is the choice for statement athleisure with Australian street-sport energy. Red Run delivers excellent value with technical British-designed pieces. On Running is the premium option for women who prioritise Swiss engineering and minimal aesthetics.
Can I actually work out in P.E Nation?
Yes. P.E Nation uses performance fabrics — moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, squat-proof constructions. The brand was founded by women from the fitness industry. It is genuine sportswear with a fashion-forward design language, not fashion branded as sport.
Are Sweaty Betty leggings worth the price?
The Power Legging has maintained its reputation for over a decade because it genuinely performs: squat-proof, high-waisted, pocketed, and available in lengths and sizes that fit real bodies. They hold their shape through hundreds of washes. For daily wear, the cost per wear is exceptional.
Do you stock women’s athleisure in-store?
Yes. We carry Sweaty Betty, P.E Nation, Red Run and On Running at OD’s Designer Clothing, 44 Barrow Street, St Helens. Our team can help you find the right fit and style. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm.
What shoes go with athleisure?
On Running Cloud 5 for a clean, Swiss aesthetic. Saucony heritage models for a retro look. Salomon trail shoes for outdoor settings. The shoe should complement the outfit’s purpose — technical trainers for active wear, lifestyle sneakers for errand days.