Two women in Malaysia started a sustainable activewear brand in July 2020—not the easiest time to launch anything—and decided that sustainability shouldn’t mean paying luxury prices. Terrae is what they built. The proposition is straightforward: use better materials, charge less than international sustainable brands, and don’t make people choose between performance and the planet. Whether that proposition holds up against what the brand actually delivers is what matters.
What Terrae Is Actually Made From
The materials list is longer than most activewear brands can claim, and each one is worth understanding.
ECONYL® regenerated nylon is the headline material. ECONYL® is made from reclaimed fishing nets, fabric scraps, and ocean waste. It’s chemically identical to virgin nylon but with a significantly lower environmental footprint. For high-impact workout gear that needs to stretch and recover repeatedly, nylon is the right material—and using reclaimed sources means the environmental cost is substantially reduced.
Recycled post-consumer plastic bottles (RPET) form the TerraFlow fabric. Each piece of clothing made from RPET keeps plastic bottles out of landfills. The fabric performance is comparable to conventional polyester—soft, breathable, quick-drying.
Organic cotton for pieces that benefit from natural fiber properties. GOTS-certified, which means the cotton was grown and processed without harmful chemicals.
Deadstock fabric from other manufacturers keeps unused material from becoming waste. Terrae uses this for some pieces, which means the fabric inventory varies—but the environmental benefit is real.
The brand also develops proprietary fabric blends: TerraFlex for compression, TerraFlow for breathability, TerraForm for sweat-wicking, NoSweat for cooling. These aren’t just marketing names—they correspond to different performance requirements for different workout types.
The Price Reality
This is where Terrae separates itself from the sustainable activewear conversation.
At RM 149-179 for sports bras (approximately USD 32-39) and RM 179-229 for leggings (approximately USD 39-50), Terrae is pricing at roughly half what comparable international sustainable brands charge. Girlfriend Collective, for example, prices similar items at USD 68-98. The materials are comparable; the price gap is significant.
The reason for the pricing gap is partly geography and partly business model. Malaysia has lower operating costs than brands based in the US, Europe, or Australia. Terrae isn’t paying for flagship retail stores, expensive marketing campaigns, or investor returns. The savings pass through to the customer.
At these price points, Terrae is competing not just with sustainable brands but with mainstream activewear. A pair of Terrae leggings at RM 199 is competitive with Nike or Adidas at similar price levels—and the sustainable materials story is genuine rather than a premium justification.
The Sizing Situation Honestly
Terrae sizes from XS to XXL, with the brand’s stated philosophy of “designed with real bodies in mind.” The range covers a meaningful spectrum, but it’s worth being specific about what this means.
The upper limit of XXL corresponds approximately to US size 14-16. This is more inclusive than many mainstream activewear brands, which often stop at L (US 8-10). But international brands like Girlfriend Collective go to US size 6XL, and some dedicated inclusive brands go even further.
The honest assessment: Terrae is more size-inclusive than most activewear brands, but not the most inclusive option available. If you need sizing beyond XXL, the brand’s range will be limiting. For the majority of customers in the XS-XXL range, the sizing is adequate.
The design philosophy of designing for “real bodies in real situations” suggests the brand isn’t just extending size charts—the actual pattern making accounts for different body shapes. This is more thoughtful than simply adding sizes to existing patterns.
The Circular Economy Approach
Beyond materials, Terrae is developing a garment exchange program—allowing customers to send back old pieces for recycling. This is the kind of circular economy thinking that makes sustainability tangible rather than abstract.
The packaging is plastic-free: biodegradable garment bags, FSC-certified tags, recyclable envelopes. This is baseline for a sustainable brand in 2026, but it’s worth noting that Terrae was founded in 2020—before plastic-free packaging was as normalized as it is now.
The manufacturing partners are certified factories, and the brand is working toward BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) certification. This is a recognized standard for ethical labor practices.
How Terrae Compares to Kydra
Kydra (Singapore) and Terrae (Malaysia) both compete in the Southeast Asian sustainable activewear space, but they have different propositions.
Kydra is designed specifically for tropical climate conditions—moisture-wicking, quick-dry, fabric weights optimized for Singapore’s heat and humidity. The design language is more fashion-forward, and the brand has established physical retail presence.
Terrae focuses on material sustainability as the primary story—ECONYL®, recycled materials, circular economy programs. The price point is lower than Kydra, and the brand is more explicitly positioned around environmental credentials.
If you’re choosing between them: Kydra wins on tropical performance optimization. Terrae wins on environmental credentials and price accessibility.
For the Singapore customer buying on Lazada Malaysia, Terrae’s lower price point makes it accessible for customers who want sustainable activewear but aren’t ready to pay Kydra’s prices.
What to Actually Buy from Terrae
Sports bras in the RM 149-179 range: These represent the best value—competitive with mainstream brands on price while using significantly better materials. The NoSweat fabric option is worth seeking out if you run hot during workouts.
Leggings for the price-to-sustainability ratio: At RM 179-229, the Terrae leggings cost less than comparable pieces from international sustainable brands while using reclaimed materials. This is the clearest expression of Terrae’s value proposition.
An entry piece if you’re trying the brand: Start with something in the RM 129-179 range—a top or sports bra—to assess fit and quality before committing to higher-priced items.
What to skip if you need extreme sizing: If you’re outside the XS-XXL range, look elsewhere. The brand doesn’t serve all body types equally.
Where to Buy
Terrae sells through shopterrae.com. The website is the most complete source for current collections and the full range of sustainability certifications.
Lazada Malaysia presence should be verified—the brand may have a Lazada store that offers easier shipping to Singapore customers, with LazMall authenticity verification and Lazada’s return policies. Check both channels before purchasing.
The international shipping situation should be confirmed on the website if you’re outside Malaysia—some sustainable brands limit international shipping, and Terrae’s approach to this may have evolved since launch.
The Honest Summary
Terrae is a legitimate option in Southeast Asian sustainable activewear. The materials are genuine—ECONYL® and recycled plastics rather than vague “sustainable” claims. The price point is accessibility achieved without sacrificing the environmental proposition. The circular economy programs and plastic-free packaging are substantive rather than decorative.
The sizing limitation is real but not unusual. Most activewear brands serve the XS-XXL range. Terrae is not the most inclusive option, but it’s more inclusive than most.
The comparison to Kydra frames the decision clearly: Kydra is better optimized for tropical performance; Terrae is better on price and environmental credentials. For the Singapore customer who wants sustainable activewear without paying premium prices, Terrae is worth considering.
Start with a sports bra in the RM 149 range, assess the fit and performance, and decide from there.
This article is based on publicly available information from Terrae’s Malaysian operations. Pricing and product availability should be verified directly at shopterrae.com or the official Lazada store before purchasing.