Your Gym Shorts Are Made of Plastic. And Could Be Full of Hormone Disruptors.
Polyester is petroleum plastic. It's in every major brand's gym shorts. It sheds microplastics onto your skin and contains chemicals linked to low testosterone and reduced fertility.
Isn't it time to switch?
Upgrade Your Activewear
100,000+ Shorts Sold
100% NATURAL FABRICS
3RD PARTY TESTED NON=TOXIC
THIRD
PARTY
TESTED
BUILT-IN-LINER
MERINO WOOL
LINER
NATURALLY SWEAT WICKING
NATURALLY SWEAT WICKING
What They're Not Telling You About Your Gym Shorts.
They're Made of Plastic. Literally.
Polyester is petroleum plastic. It traps heat, holds odor, and sheds microplastic fibers onto your skin. After a 12-hour shift, you're soaked in plastic residue.
Potential Testosterone and Fertility Impacts
A groundbreaking study showed wearing polyester underwear made men azoospermic - meaning their sperm count dropped to zero.
BPA & Chemicals in Your Gym Clothes
A shocking study found that 100+ activewear brands contained high levels of endocrine disrupting BPA - some even have 40x the legal limit! Why press that against your skin all day?
Traps Heat. Traps Sweat. Breeds Bacteria.
Polyester traps body heat and moisture — making you hotter, sweatier, and creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Merino wool naturally regulates temperature, wicks sweat, and resists odor. It's built for long days in tough conditions.
Our Solution
Built to Work as Hard as You Do.
The Apex Short - Made of 100% Organic Cotton & Merino Wool
Made of Natural Fibers
We use 100% organic cotton & 100% Merino wool - no polyester or plastic-based fabrics.
Certified Non-Toxic
Our organic cotton is GOTS certified and our suppliers hold OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications, ensuring no harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional activewear.
Breathable & Odorless
Our organic cotton is highly breathable and our Merino wool naturally resists bacteria growth, so you can wear them longer and wash them less.
Made of Natural Fibers
We use 100% organic cotton & 100% Merino wool - no polyester or plastic-based fabrics.
Certified Non-Toxic
Our organic cotton is GOTS certified and our suppliers hold OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications, ensuring no harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional activewear.
Breathable & Odorless
Our organic cotton is highly breathable and our Merino wool naturally resists bacteria growth, so you can wear them longer and wash them less.
Athletic Fit & Feel
Our shorts don't fit like some nerdy health product. They have the same exact "activewear" fit you need - without the plastic fabrics.
3rd Party Tested
Not only do we rely on third party certifications, we independently test all of our fabrics - they're completely free of BPA, PFAS, and hormone disruptors.
Super Soft & Comfortable
We use superfine organic cotton & Merino wool - ensuring the softness and comfort you need.
Athletic Fit & Feel
Our shorts don't fit like some nerdy health product. They have the same exact "activewear" fit you need - without the plastic fabrics.
3rd Party Tested
Not only do we rely on third party certifications, we independently test all of our fabrics - they're completely free of BPA, PFAS, and hormone disruptors.
Super Soft & Comfortable
We use superfine organic cotton & Merino wool - ensuring the softness and comfort you need.
SHOP NATURAL FIBER ACTIVEWEAR
Certified & Lab Tested Non-Toxic Gym Shorts
The Apex Short - (100% Organic Cotton + 100% Merino Wool Liner)
100% organic cotton outer short + 100% organic Merino wool liner
Organic cotton from GOTS-certified sources + fabrics from OEKO-TEX certified partners
Fits just like Lululemon shorts
Naturally stretchy, temperature regulating and odor resistant
$66.00
Select Size:
XL
Small
Medium
Large
XL
These Run Small, We Recommend Sizing Up!
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Select Inseam:
5.5"
7"
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Quantity
Pre-Orders Ship November 9th!
BUY ONE GET ONE 30% OFF + Free Shipping
The Apex Short
$99.00
$68.30
SAVE 30%
Added! Click "Add To Cart" Below for 30% Off
100% Natural Fibers
Certified Non-Toxic
3rd Party Tested BPA & PFAs Free
SHIPS IN 24 HOURS
90 DAY EASY RETURNS
FREE SHIPPING OVER $150
Description
- 100% organic cotton outer short + 100% organic Merino wool liner
- Organic cotton from GOTS-certified sources
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics & dyes
- Our fabrics are 3rd party tested BPA, PFAS and phthalate free - see report here
- Our Merino wool is not superwashed - it's processed using an organic, plastic-free treatment - learn more here
Enough with the polyester shorts with the toxic liners. Switch to Apex shorts made with natural fibers.
Guaranteed to be the most comfortable gym short you've ever worn.
Size Chart
Runs small - we recommend sizing up!
Materials and Care
Shorts: 100% Organic Cotton
Liner: 100% Organic Merino Wool
Care Instructions: Machine wash on cold with gentlest setting available. Wool specific setting if possible. Gentle washing avoids felting and shrinking.
Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.
Wash only when needed - Merino naturally avoids odor, meaning less washing is needed!
Shipping & Returns
FREE Shipping on orders $150+.
If you don't love it, return it (unused) in 90 days for a full refund.
Care Instructions
Cold wash & hang to dry.
Great product!
Been eliminating plastic as much as possible and just started with doing the same with my activewear. Came across these Ryker shorts and not disappointed at all. Sized up one size as recommend to a large as I normally wear medium and the fit is great. The quality also surprised me as I wasn’t expecting much due to these being organic cotton, but they seem pretty durable. I prefer these over my Nero ones as well. Quality on these seem to be better.
Just try them once and you won’t look any further. Hands down, the apex shorts are the most comfortable shorts I’ve ever worn. They’re great for workouts, lounging, sleeping.. honestly, I have a hard time not wearing these everywhere!! I was looking for something without synthetic materials and just assumed I’d be sacrificing health for comfort. The reviews are spot on. The merino wool Ryker uses does not itch at all!!
This is the second occasion I have worn them, and unfortunately, the zipper on the side pocket has already broken. They are exceptionally comfortable, and I am hopeful that this is an isolated incident. I will likely consider purchasing another pair. Regrettably, due to having worn them, they are no longer eligible for return.
Wildly comfortable. I haven't noticed any increase in temperature (compared to other shorts/underwear) when I work out with them. Super happy especially because they are free from plastics and toxins. Trying to transition all my underwear and workout apparel to these slowly since they are a premium price.
Certified & Lab Tested
Our products use certified materials & 3rd party tests to guarantee our gear is free of harmful chemicals.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
Grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals, our cotton is safer for your skin and better for the planet.
OEKO-TEX Certified Materials & Dyes
Our facilities only use OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials - to avoid the toxins found in traditional apparel.
Third Party Lab Tested
Completely free of BPA, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), and phthalates - so you can trust you're safe.
See Full Lab Results
Trusted by Top Health Experts
"Ryker is changing the game with gym clothes. What I like is that Ryker's shorts still fit like gym shorts & don't feel like some nerdy "health product" - but they're toxin free, 3rd party tested, and made of 100% natural fabrics. They're now the only shorts I want to wear."
- Ben Greenfield
Athlete, Biohacker, Fitness Coach
Join Ben & 50,000 others who have made the switch to natural fibers
Why First Responders and Tradesmen Are Switching...
MH
Daniel D.
HVAC Technician
Texas
Gym shorts that aren't made of garbage.
"Heard about polyester being plastic on a podcast. Read about the chemicals and the microplastic. No reason to be wearing it. Tried Ryker and they're legit. 100% natural fabrics, they hold up, and the Merino liner handles sweat way better than any synthetic I've worn. Bought two more pairs."
MH
Eric W.
Fire Captain
Colorado
Comfortable, tough, and no plastic chemicals against my skin.
"I'm in activewear all day — training, on shift, at the gym. When I found out polyester is literally petroleum plastic with BPA and forever chemicals, I switched. These fit great, last well, and I'm not absorbing chemicals through my skin for 12 hours a day. That matters."
MH
Jeremy L.
Law Enforcement
Texas
Got two kids. Started paying attention to what's in everything.
"My wife started us on organic food a few years back. Then I started looking into what else we're exposed to — and found out my gym shorts are made of plastic shedding chemicals onto my skin. Switched to Ryker. They're comfortable, they last, and I'm not absorbing BPA for two hours a day. Simple."
Ryker
vs. Plastic Shorts
Once you see - the choice is clear.
100% organic cotton +
100% Merino wool
Zero endocrine disruptors, 3rd party tested
No microplastic shedding fabrics
Naturally wicks sweat & controls odor, keeping you fresh
Made from nature, optimized for health and performance
Plastic Shorts
100% Plastic (polyester, nylon, spandex)
Often contains high levels of BPA, phthalates, and "forever chemicals"
Up to 700,000 microplastics shed per wash & wear
Traps heat & moisture, making you sweat & stink
Made from plastic bottles, optimized for profit
Shop natural fiber activewear
Shop All Of Our Natural Shorts & Underwear
Buy One Get One 30% Off
SHOP NATURAL FIBER ACTIVEWEAR
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these compare to synthetic brands like Lulu?
Our shorts fit & perform exactly like your Lulus - same athletic cut & range of motion. We've also meticulously designed them with a specialized knit & weave to give them stretch without elastane blends.
The difference is what they're made of. Big brands are made of polyester & nylon (petroleum based plastic). We use 100% organic cotton & Merino wool.
Same fit and function, zero plastic fabrics, zero endocrine disruptors. Most customers who switch tell us the merino liner actually handles moisture and odor better than any synthetic they've worn.
What's the science behind the harms of polyester?
We get it - health claims can often feel like noise. But here's what the research actually shows: peer-reviewed studies have linked polyester undergarments to reduced sperm count, and independent testing has found BPA levels in major activewear brands at up to 40x the legal safety limit. PFAS - classified as 'forever chemicals' by the EPA — are commonly used in moisture-wicking treatments on synthetic fabrics.
Chemicals like BPA and PFAS have been shown to be endocrine disruptors that can impact testosterone and fertility - even at small levels of exposure.
This is why we publish our third-party lab results showing zero BPA, zero PFAS, and zero phthalates in our gear. You can view them here.
Why is it $99?
Organic cotton and merino wool cost substantially more than petroleum-based polyester — because they're not derived from plastic.
Most premium activewear brands charge $70-100 for shorts made from materials that cost a fraction of what ours do. We charge $99 for shorts made from certified organic, independently lab-tested natural fibers. Most of our customers spend more than $99/month on supplements alone. Our shorts are a one-time investment in removing a daily source of endocrine disruptor exposure.
We're proud that we're still priced competitively to premium brands like Lululemon, Vuori, and Rhone - despite using high quality, 100% natural materials.
What are GOTS & OEKO-TEX Standard 100?
GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard. It means our cotton has been grown & processed without the synthetic pesticides or toxic chemicals (like formaldehyde), commonly found in conventional cotton.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 means all of our fibers, fabrics, and dyes have been 3rd party tested for a variety of toxic substances - including BPA, PFAS and other endocrine disruptors. When you wear Ryker, you can be confident you're only wearing the best.
Are your clothes 3rd party tested?
Yes. Not only do we rely on regular factory audits from the governing bodies of GOTS & OEKO-TEX Standard 100, but we also independently test our fabrics & end garments.
You can see our latest test here. Completely free of BPA, PFAs, and phthalates.
What size should I get / will your products shrink?
We almost recommend customers "size up" from whatever they wear in synthetic brands. For example, if you're a medium in Lulu shorts, opt for a large in Ryker.
This is because our gear tends to run a bit small + shrinks ~5% in the wash. This is inherent to a high quality natural fiber.
"Pre-shrunk" cotton is often treated with harmful chemicals to make it that way - and that's not what we're about.
We always recommend washing on the most gentle setting available + laying flat to dry to reduce shrinkage.
What's the return policy?
90-day returns on unworn products. No questions asked. We want you to be confident in the purchase, and we stand behind the product. If it doesn't work for you, send it back.
Shop natural fiber activewear
Stop Wearing Plastic. Start Wearing Something Built to Last.
Built for men who give a damn about what they put on their body.
Upgrade My Activewear
