You've Optimized Everything. Except This ONE Thing.
You’ve done the hard work most people never bother to do. You ditched the seed oils. You filter your water. You read labels on food, supplements, deodorant, skincare… But there’s one place that standard probably hasn’t reached yet: Your gym shorts.
UPGRADE THE MISSING PIECE
Wayve vs. Big Activewear
| Wayve Quad Short | Big Activewear | |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Organic cotton shell + merino wool liner | Polyester, nylon, spandex (plastic) |
| Odor + sweat | Merino wicks sweat and resists odor naturally | Traps heat, sweat, and odor-causing bacteria |
| Dyes + chemistry | Made with OEKO-TEX 100 low-impact dyes | Often BPA, PFAS, phthalates |
| Microplastics | No synthetic microfiber shedding | Sheds plastic microfibers with every wash |
Most “Performance Fabrics” Are Plastic
Polyester. Nylon. Spandex. Elastane.
They are marketed as technical, dri-fit, moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, high-performance fabric.
But strip away the branding and you see the truth: it's all just plastic.
You already avoid unnecessary plastic in other parts of your life. You just may not have realized your workout shorts were part of the problem.
What’s So Bad About Plastic?
Well, our skin absorbs everything it touches.
- Synthetic gym shorts shed microplastics each wash and wear
- Microplastics are small enough to be absorbed by your skin
- Polyester has been linked to hormonal issues, infertility, skin irritation, and other negative health impacts
- Polyester is also often made with toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, BPA, PFA forever chemicals, and phthalates
And they're touching your most absorptive areas.
So What’s the Alternative?
For the longest time, plastic activewear was the only choice.
But luckily that’s no longer the case. Meet the Quad Short. The world’s greatest natural fiber athletic short made without any synthetic materials.
Organic cotton shell. Merino wool liner. Side Zipper Pockets.
Upgrade your gym drawer
The best natural fiber shorts in the game SERIOUSLY ... while I appreciate more brands stepping up to the plate to produce natural fiber shorts, nobody compares to the functionality that these show day-in & day-out
Fantastic product, fantastic company I’ve been searching for a comfortable pair of running shorts - (for reference, I’m 5”7, 175lb, stocky build with large thighs); the quad shorts exceeded my expectations. I’ve run consistently in them (9 miles on avg), biked in them (Peloton - upwards of 30 miles at a time), worn them for weight training, and leisure. In short - if you’re looking to make the switch to natural fiber, this company (and product) is a great option. A side note - the founder really cares about his products, and his customer service is 10/10.
The best shorts. If you're looking for shorts to work out in, run errands, or just hangout...these have to be your go to. The zipper pockets come in so clutch and the comfort is off the charts. Pumped to add more pairs to my rotation.
How do I care for merino wool?
Machine wash cold on a gentle or wool cycle, and hang dry only. Wash only when needed — merino resists odor, so it needs washing far less often than synthetics.
Won’t cotton get heavy and soaked?
The cotton shell is not doing the liner’s job, so not really. The merino liner is the layer closest to your skin. That’s where moisture, heat, and friction get handled.
The cotton shell gives the short structure, durability, and a premium natural feel.
Won’t merino wool itch?
Good question! Merino wool is special because it is ⅓ the width of a human hair! It is ultrafine which gives it several unique characteristics, and why we love it so much.
It is soft and hypoallergenic. It’s non-itchy and has just enough stretch to it. Perfect for workouts.
How does it stretch with no spandex?
The give comes from the merino jersey’s natural elasticity and the athletic cut — not a petroleum-based stretch additive.
You get the range of motion to squat, lunge, run, and move without elastane.
Why $90 when I could buy cheaper cotton shorts?
Because cheap cotton shorts are not built like training shorts.
They do not have a performance liner, secure pockets, an athletic fit, or a two-layer natural fiber system.
The Quad Short is not a basic cotton short. It’s a premium athletic short, built for movement.
Why not just buy Lululemon or Vuori?
You can.
They make decent shorts.
But you’re paying premium money for synthetic fabric.
The Quad Short costs what premium activewear already costs — except instead of plastic, you get organic cotton and merino wool.
How do they fit?
If you’re between sizes or have bigger legs, size up.
And if the fit is off, send them back. We handle US returns for free.