Adidas
Flagged · AvoidGerman sportswear giant behind sneakers and athletic apparel sold in 160+ countries.
Last updated June 13, 2026
↓ Skip to 6 ethical alternativesReasons to avoid
Issues span:EnvironmentLabor
- A German court ruled in 2025 that Adidas's "climate neutral" advertising was misleading — the company relied primarily on carbon offsets rather than actual emissions reductions. The ruling was brought by environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe.
- Labor rights groups documented over $11 million in unpaid wages and severance owed to workers at eight Adidas supplier factories in Cambodia. Despite repeated calls from unions, Adidas has refused to sign the binding Pay Your Workers agreement.
- Workers at the Hulu Garment factory in Cambodia — an Adidas supplier — were tricked into resigning during the pandemic, forfeiting severance pay they had accrued over years. Over 1,000 workers are still seeking $2.4 million in unpaid severance.
- Twenty-six workers, including union leaders, were fired from an Adidas supplier factory in Myanmar after a three-day strike over poverty wages. Clean Clothes Campaign called out Adidas's failure to protect workers' right to organize.
- French NGO Zero Waste France filed a greenwashing complaint against Adidas for claiming shoes are made from "recycled" materials without disclosing that only the upper portion qualifies — not the whole shoe.
- Ethics ratings site Good On You scores Adidas "Not Good Enough" overall, noting the brand does not ensure workers in its supply chain receive a living wage — despite generating over €22 billion in annual revenue.
Ethical alternatives
Sneakers
Veja
French sneaker brand using Fair Trade cotton and wild Amazonian rubber. Pays farmers 30–100% above market price.
🤝 Fair Trade♻️ Sustainable🌿 Organic
Visit →
Allbirds
B-Corp certified shoes made from merino wool, eucalyptus fiber, and recycled materials. Carbon footprint published on every product.
✅ B-Corp♻️ Sustainable
Visit →Athletic & Outdoor Apparel
Patagonia
Employee-owned outdoor apparel brand with Fair Trade certified factories, repair programs, and a mission to protect the planet.
🤝 Fair Trade♻️ Sustainable
Visit →
Girlfriend Collective
B-Corp activewear made from recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets in a SA8000-certified factory.
♻️ Sustainable🐰 Cruelty-Free
Visit →Secondhand
ThredUp
The largest online secondhand store — find gently used athletic wear and sneakers for a fraction of the price.
👗 Second Hand♻️ Circular Economy
Visit →Local Thrift & Consignment Stores
Find secondhand athletic wear and sneakers near you — keeps clothes out of landfill.
📍 Local Business👗 Second Hand
Common Questions
- Is Adidas ethical?
- Labor rights groups documented over $11 million in unpaid wages owed to workers at eight Adidas supplier factories in Cambodia, and a German court ruled in 2025 that Adidas's "climate neutral" advertising was misleading. Good On You rates the brand "Not Good Enough," noting it does not ensure a living wage across its supply chain despite generating over €22 billion in annual revenue.
- Why are people boycotting Adidas?
- The most common drivers are wage theft and union busting at supplier factories, including workers in Myanmar fired after striking for better pay. Environmental complaints include a French NGO lawsuit over misleading "recycled" materials claims and a German court ruling on greenwashed climate advertising.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to Adidas?
- Veja makes Fair Trade sneakers using wild Amazonian rubber and pays farmers 30 to 100 percent above market price. For athletic apparel, Patagonia is employee-owned with Fair Trade certified factories. Buying secondhand from ThredUp or local thrift stores near you is also a low-cost way to avoid fast fashion entirely.