TL;DR: No recycled content, no certification, no liner. 86% polyester and 14% spandex, at close to $90. The Quad Short is 100% organic cotton over 100% merino wool with zip side pockets, at $90.
Full spec comparison
| Wayve Quad Short | Alo Repetition Short 7" | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $90 | ~$78–88 |
| Shell / body fabric | 100% organic cotton | 86% polyester / 14% spandex |
| Liner | 100% merino wool | Unlined (2-in-1 Unity brief: 93% poly / 7% spandex) |
| Synthetic in fabric | None | 100% |
| Inseam | 4" shell / 6" liner | 7" |
| Pockets | Zip side pockets | Open hand pockets, polyester |
| Trims | Cotton drawstring, tags and care labels | Synthetic |
| Sheds microplastics | No | Yes |
| Dyes | OEKO-TEX 100 low-impact | Not published |
| Chemical finishes | None | Not published |
| Certifications | GOTS, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | None published |
| PFAS tested | Yes, via OEKO-TEX certification | Not published |
| Odor resistance from | Merino wool, inherent | Synthetic engineering + finishes |
| Breathability | Natural fiber | Poor; managed with engineering |
| Biodegradable | Yes | No |
What's actually in each
Alo Repetition Short 7":
- 86% polyester, 14% spandex
Wayve Quad Short:
- Shell: 100% organic cotton, 290GSM brushed terry
- Liner: 100% merino wool, 165GSM jersey knit
- Trims: covered elastane at the waistband, cotton drawstring, cotton brand tag, cotton care and material labels
Alo doesn't even claim recycled content here. Where Lululemon and Vuori at least lean on recycled polyester as a sustainability story, the Repetition Short is straightforwardly virgin polyester and spandex. The 2-in-1 Unity short adds a brief at 93% polyester and 7% spandex. At this price you're paying a premium for the brand, not for the material.
Microplastics
Synthetic fabric sheds microplastic fibers through wear and washing. Organic cotton and merino wool shed no plastic, because there isn't any in the fabric.
Dyes and chemical inputs
The Quad Short uses OEKO-TEX Standard 100 low-impact dyes, and the GOTS certification on the cotton prohibits azo dyes releasing carcinogenic amines, formaldehyde, chlorine bleach and heavy metals as chemical inputs at every processing stage. Since 1 January 2024, Standard 100 has also carried a general PFAS ban, assessed by total fluorine to a 100 mg/kg limit.
Alo publishes no equivalent standard for this product, so there's no public answer to what's used in its dyeing and finishing.
Odor, performance and end of life
Odor. Polyester traps odor — the fiber's best-known weakness, and the reason synthetic activewear so often carries an antimicrobial finish. Merino resists odor as a property of the fiber. Nothing is applied to the Quad Short.
Breathability. Natural fibers move air and moisture without engineering. Synthetics need construction and finishes to approximate it.
Pockets. The Quad Short has zip side pockets — uncommon in this category, and the difference between running with your phone and leaving it behind.
End of life. Cotton and wool are cellulose and protein fibers; they break down. Polyester and spandex don't biodegrade in any meaningful timeframe — they fragment into smaller pieces of the same plastic.
The verdict
Buy the Alo Repetition Short if synthetic fabric doesn't concern you. Alo has the strongest aesthetic in the category and a very loyal following. If the look is what you're buying, nothing here changes that.
Buy the Wayve Quad Short if you'd rather the thing against your skin for two hours a day not be plastic — no microplastic shedding, no chemical finishes, certified low-impact dyes, odor resistance from merino wool, zip side pockets, and a garment that biodegrades.
One honest trade: for very high-output endurance work in heat, polyester dries faster. For training, lifting, everyday wear and most running, natural fiber is the better garment.
Shop the Quad Short — $90 · Classic Short, $55 · All men's shorts
FAQ
What is the Alo Repetition Short made of?
86% polyester and 14% spandex. Alo compositions vary by style; the 2-in-1 Unity short adds a brief at 93% polyester and 7% spandex.
Is Alo Yoga made from natural materials?
No. The range is synthetic throughout — polyester, nylon and spandex blends.
Is there a natural fiber alternative to Alo shorts?
Yes — the Wayve Quad Short at $90, a 100% organic cotton shell over a 100% merino wool liner, with zip side pockets and no synthetic fabric.
Does the Alo short shed microplastics?
Yes. All synthetic fabric sheds microplastic fibers during wear and washing.
Which is better for sweat and odor?
The Quad Short, on mechanism. Merino resists odor because of what the fiber is; polyester traps it and needs a finish applied to compensate.
Is the Alo short biodegradable?
No. Polyester and spandex fragment rather than break down. Organic cotton and merino wool biodegrade.