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Reebok is one of the most popular activewear brands in the world, so just how ethical is Reebok? Unfortunately, a recent rerate has seen the brand plummet to our lowest score of “We Avoid” after a change in parent company. This article is based on the Reebok rating published in April 2023, and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on ourdirectory.
A change of hands lands a big ratings drop for Reebok
Known for its innovative athletic apparel and footwear, Authentic Brands Group-owned global sportswear giant Reebok has been around for over a century.
Reebok is a sportswear pioneer—it developed the first spiked running shoe and the first athletic shoe designed specifically for women, as well as being the official sponsor for the likes of the UFC and CrossFit.
The question is, is the brand as good for the environment, workers, and animals as it is for athletes? Unfortunately, while the brand held our middling score of “It’s a Start” in the past, it has recently dropped to our lowest score of “We Avoid” mainly owing to a lack of transparency after a change of hands in parent companies.
Reebok was formerly owned by Adidas, and was acquired by Authentic Brands Group from Adidas in March 2022. Compared with Adidas, which rates “It’s a Start”, Authentic Brands Group communicates minimal information about its impact on people, the planet, and animals. It’s important to note that this change of hands doesn’t necessarily mean Reebok has completely changed the way it does things behind the scenes, but our ratings are based on publicly available information, and the lack of transparency from Authentic Brands Group and Reebok so far means the rating took a hit. As Reebok and Adidas still share common suppliers, Reebok did score decently in the latest Fashion Transparency Index report, but that doesn’t impact Reebok’s overall score on our directory.
Further, as our ratings analyst Kate Hobson-Lloyd explains, “In rating brands that are owned by parent companies, we look at information disclosed at both parent company level and at brand level. As such, it is possible for brands which share a parent company to achieve different ratings.”
Read on to find out how the brand rates in all three categories so you can decide if it’s time for a Reebok rebound.
Environmental impact
While Reebok rated “It’s a Start” for the planet in the past, it now gets a “Very Poor” score from us due to its lack of action on the environmental front.
Our planet rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Despite using some lower-impact materials including recycled materials in its products, Reebok falls flat on all the other crucial points here.
There’s no evidence Reebok is taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain, minimise microplastic impacts, or reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in manufacturing. It also still uses a great dealof leather in its products, which is very damaging to the environment, workers, and animals.
Labour conditions
Workers’ rights are central to our people rating, which assess brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labour to living wages and gender equality.
Unfortunately, Reebok does not publish sufficient information and rates “Very Poor” again here, down from “It’s a Start” when it was owned by Adidas. You have a right to know how the products you buy affect the issues you care about.
Animal welfare
Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our animals rating. Here we rate Reebok “Not Good Enough”.
Reebok does not appear to have an animal welfare policy nor trace any animal-derived material to the first production stage. And while it doesn’t use fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair, it does use leather, wool, and down.
With devastating effects on animals, workers, and the environment, the leather industry especially is simply not ethical or sustainable. Reebok should consider investing in some of the many innovative leather alternatives out there. This would help the brand do right by our animal friends, while earning the title of a more responsible company.
Overall rating: We Avoid
Unfortunately, since the acquisition of Reebok by Authentic Brands Group, a lack of transparency and action by the parent company and through the supply chain has left Reebok in a nosedive to the bottom with a final overall score of “We Avoid”. Unless Authentic Brands Group takes some major steps for people, the planet, and animals in the near future, we can’t see Reebok’s score recovering ground any time soon, and it’s not a brand we would encourage the conscious consumer to support any longer.
Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.
Good swaps
“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Reebok that might meet your needs
Flamingos’ Life
Rated: Good
Flamingos' Life creates sneakers for men and women 100% animal-free. The brand uses lower-impact and PETA approved vegan materials, including upcycled materials.
Find the range in sizes 36-46.
Adidas by Stella McCartney
Rated: Good
In a collaboration we didn’t know we needed but definitely deserve, footwear company Adidas paired with luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney to create stunning sneakers and activewear that look and feel great.Made from a percentage of recycled Parley Ocean Plastic®, you can walk the walk knowing you helped prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean.
The shoes are available in EU sizes 36-47.
Ecoalf
Rated: Good
Thanks to recycled materials like rescued ocean plastic, Ecoalf creates more sustainable fashion with the same quality, design, and technical properties as the best non-recycled ones.
Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.
Womsh
Rated: Good
Fashion and responsible production can go together and Womsh is the brand that proves it. Its shoes are entirely designed and manufactured in Italy, and its clothing range is made from lower-impact fabrics like organic cotton.
Find most shoes in EU sizes 35-42, and clothes in XS-2XL.
dk active
Rated: Great
dk active is an Australian high-performance brand supporting everybody seeking an authentic edge in life. It uses renewable energy in its supply chain to reduce its climate impact, and reuses all of its offcuts to minimise textile waste. It is also a PETA approved 100% vegan brand.
Find the products in sizes XS-2XL.
Veja
Rated: Good
Veja is a French brand designing ecological and fair trade footwear, and is also a responsible fashion pioneer. The brand uses lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton and vegetable-tanned leather. Veja pays its co-operative cotton growers and rubber tappers between 30% and 100% above the world market price. By not advertising, Veja is able to invest more money into strengthening its practices.
You can find Veja shoes in women's EU sizes 35-46, and men's 35-47.
ID.EIGHT
Rated: Good
ID.EIGHT is an Italian brand that was born from the meeting between Dong Seon Lee and Giuliana Borzillo, both come from the world of footwear, where they worked and met. Together they have created a more ethical and sustainable collection of sneakers with a refined design. The shoes are made in Italy with lower-impact materials from food industry waste such as apple peels, grape stalks and seeds, and pineapple leaves, as well as recycled cotton and polyester.
Find the shoes in EU sizes 36-46.
CasaGIN
Rated: Good
CasaGIN is a positive place, designed for those looking for a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle where you can find products made for wellbeing and harmony.
Find most items in sizes XS-XL.
Editor's note
Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world's most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.
As an expert in ethical and sustainable fashion, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricacies of the Reebok brand and its recent ethical ratings. My deep understanding of the industry allows me to dissect the information provided in the article, offering insights into the factors contributing to Reebok's decline in ethical standing.
The article revolves around the ethical evaluation of Reebok, a renowned activewear brand, following its change in ownership from Adidas to Authentic Brands Group in March 2022. The information presented is based on a rating published in April 2023, indicating a significant drop in Reebok's ethical score from "It's a Start" to the lowest rating of "We Avoid."
Key Concepts:
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Change in Ownership:
- Reebok was previously owned by Adidas before being acquired by Authentic Brands Group.
- Authentic Brands Group's lack of transparency is a significant factor contributing to Reebok's decline in ethical ratings.
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Environmental Impact:
- Reebok's environmental rating has dropped from "It's a Start" to "Very Poor."
- Despite using some lower-impact materials, the brand is criticized for its lack of action on crucial environmental points.
- No evidence suggests Reebok is actively protecting biodiversity, minimizing microplastic impacts, or reducing hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.
- Continued use of leather, known for its environmental impact, is highlighted.
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Labor Conditions:
- Reebok's rating for labor conditions has decreased from "It's a Start" to "Very Poor."
- The brand is criticized for not publishing sufficient information on workers' rights, including aspects such as child labor, living wages, and gender equality.
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Animal Welfare:
- Reebok's animal welfare rating is "Not Good Enough."
- The brand lacks an apparent animal welfare policy and does not trace animal-derived materials to the first production stage.
- Despite avoiding fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair, Reebok uses leather, wool, and down.
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Overall Rating:
- Reebok receives an overall rating of "We Avoid."
- The lack of transparency and action by Authentic Brands Group and Reebok through the supply chain is a major contributing factor.
- Unless significant steps are taken for people, the planet, and animals, the brand's score is unlikely to recover.
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Alternative Recommendations:
- The article provides alternative brands rated as "Good" or "Great" in terms of ethical and sustainable practices, offering readers options beyond Reebok.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to interpret the nuances of the ethical evaluation, providing a comprehensive understanding of Reebok's standing in terms of environmental impact, labor conditions, and animal welfare. The detailed breakdown of key concepts helps consumers make informed decisions about supporting ethical and sustainable brands in the activewear industry.
