Rockay review: we road test the Danish sustainable sports brand

LOOKING for performance wear that not only holds up to hours of exercise but has been made sustainably too? New kid on the block, Rockay, promises just that—and we’ve put their garments to the test.

Whether you’re a fitness junkie or are just taking your first tentative steps into the world of exercise, wearing the right clothing provides the starting point of any routine. And with a bigger focus than ever on the environmental impact of our shopping choices, many of us are choosing brands that prioritise recycled materials, eco practices and plastic-free packaging—and this extends to our workout gear.

So what is Rockay?

• Check out Rockay’s Amazon store here

Rockay was founded in Denmark in 2018, beginning with socks for runners, and has now branched out into an extensive range of fitness apparel: from t-shirts, vests and leggings to compression sleeves, water bottles and bags.

It’s all tested by professional athletes, while the garments use natural inks and 89% recycled polyester recovered from landfills and oceans, with a percentage of sales donated to the ReSea Project.

Pros

• Chic designs.
• Made with recycled fabrics.
• Added Polygiene keeps the fabrics dry and odor-free for longer.

Cons

• Limited choice of designs.
• Some of the sizing was a little off (see our review below of the Women’s Long Sleeve).
• Quite expensive.

Rockay review: quick summary

As newbies to running, we were excited to upgrade our workout gear with some of Rockay’s performance pieces. We tried a sports bra, t-shirt, vest and long-sleeved top and were impressed by the feel of the fabrics which are treated with polygiene anti-odor technology and feature reflective details—a perfect accompaniment for your evening run.

Grey seems to be the running (ahem) theme with the women’s pieces, which may not suit those who are looking for a little more colour and pattern. However, we love that the inks are natural, while the little hints of peach add a chic splash of colour. Overall, we were impressed and would definitely wear some of these garments on our next run.

Unboxing and first impressions

• Check out Rockay’s Amazon store here

Any brand that puts sustainability at the front and centre of its messaging deserves to be scrutinised when it comes to packaging—and true to their word, Rockay sent our order in a recyclable parcel bag made from grass paper, with each garment wrapped in a biodegradable bag.

Upon unwrapping each item, we loved the look of these pieces: our initial impressions were that the quality of each garment is clear, while the fabrics feel super soft and lightweight.

Women’s T-Shirt review

Rockay

Women’s T-Shirt in Dolphin Blue[/caption]

• Women’s T-Shirt, £59 from Rockay – buy here

A simple t-shirt with some really nice design features: we loved the use of flatlock seams to prevent chafing (never pleasant) and a little reflective strip on the back of the t-shirt to coordinate with other pieces from the range.

It did come up a little tighter than we’d like, so if you prefer a looser silhouette we’d recommend sizing up. Thanks to the Stay Fresh Technology, we were able to let the tee air-dry and use it again for our next run—ideal if you’re trying to get more wear out of items before immediately washing them.

Women’s Long Sleeve review

Rockay

Women’s Long Sleeve[/caption]

• Women’s Long Sleeve, £85 from Rockay – buy here

Ok, this one left us confused we have to say. We’ve been needing a long-sleeved top in our running arsenal for a while (hello chilly morning runs), so we had high hopes for this glacier blue garment. However, we found the sizing to be really off.

Opting for a larger size, the arms (complete with thumb holes) were way too long and hung down past our fingertips, while the top was also really long, falling just below our bottom rather than on the waistline as pictured.

It’s a shame, as the fabric is spot on: it’s nice and lightweight and would add a great additional layer to colder weather, especially with the wind-protective chest panel. However, the sleeves sort of just rendered the top useless. Fingers crossed for better luck with the bra…

Women’s Bra review

Rockay

Women’s Bra, £49 from Rockay – buy here

Designed for running, Rockay’s women’s sports bra comes in two colourways: we tried the Dolphin Blue version, with its grey-blue tone and darker contrast band. With four-way stretch and laser cut holes on the back for breathability, it dries quickly to keep you feeling fresh—which is always a must for sweaty workouts.

Once again, we loved the feel of the fabric and the peach lining that tied in with our other items. Our only critique would be that the open design of the racerback meant we didn’t feel as supported as our go-to sports bra. However, for light exercise like yoga, we love it.

How much does Rockay cost?

Rockay’s prices start at around £14 for socks, women’s leggings are priced at £69 and tops hover around the £49 to £59 mark.

Where to buy Rockay

Rockay is available to buy from the official site here, with duty-free delivery from Denmark to the UK.

Rockay review: the verdict

Rockay’s designs are minimal, chic and fuss-free, with little design flourishes that add a little style to your workout. We were really impressed by the quality of the fabrics, especially since they’ve been sourced from recycled materials.

It may be on the pricier side, but of course any supply chain that doesn’t cut corners will always work out more expensive than fast fashion. The brand’s commitment to sustainability means that for every t-shirt sold, Rockay removes 536g (57 bottles) of plastic trash from the ocean—which seems like a great trade-off.

The sizing was a little off in places, so we do think this relatively new brand has some tweaking to do, in order to get proportions absolutely perfect. But overall, it’s definitely worth checking out as an eco-friendly option for your next purchase of fitness wear.

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