Subset
Quick verdict: Subset holds the three certifications that actually matter in basics, all at once, and still prices underwear where a normal person will buy it. It’s the brand formerly known as Knickey, and the thing that separates it is the recycling program: send back your worn-out underwear, from any brand, and it gets processed into new fiber instead of landfilled. The styles are deliberately plain. That’s the entire proposition. Our rating: 4.6 out of 5.
Who they are
Cayla O’Connell Davis and Lauren Sagadore founded Knickey in New York in 2018, built around supply-chain transparency in a category that traditionally has none. The brand rebranded to Subset, and the underlying operation didn’t change: the same certified organic cotton, the same factories, the same take-back scheme.
It’s independent and still founder-led, with no parent company in the picture.
What they get right
The certification stack is complete, which almost nothing else in this directory manages. GOTS covers the cotton from field to finished garment. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests every component, thread and trim included, for harmful substances. Fair Trade certification covers the factory. Fiber, chemistry, labor: most brands manage one.
The take-back program is real and unusually generous. It accepts worn-out underwear from any brand, not just its own, and routes it into textile recycling rather than landfill. Underwear is one of the hardest garments to donate, so this solves a genuine problem rather than a marketing one.
The prices are low for what’s behind them. Certified organic cotton underwear at close to conventional pricing is the whole reason this profile exists.
Where they fall short
The range is narrow and the styles are basic. There’s no fashion here, no seasonal drops, and if you want color or personality this isn’t the brand. That’s a deliberate choice for a basics label, and it will still disappoint someone.
Fit runs true but the cut is fairly standard, so the size-inclusivity doesn’t reach as far as WAMA or Proclaim. And cotton behaves like cotton: it holds moisture, which makes it a poor choice for training.
What they sell and what it costs
Underwear, bras, undershirts, socks, and a small loungewear range. Underwear sits around $12 to $20, with multipacks bringing the per-item price down further. The recycling program is free to use.
Who it’s actually for
Anyone making a first switch on the layer that sits against their skin all day, especially if certification rather than marketing is what convinces you. It’s the strongest pick in this directory on paperwork alone, and the price means you don’t have to weigh that against your budget.
If you want seamless invisibility, Boody. If you want hemp, WAMA.
Deals and discounts
No affiliate program on our side, so nothing here earns us anything.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Subset the same as Knickey?
Yes. Knickey rebranded to Subset, and the certifications, factories and recycling program carried over unchanged. If you bought Knickey before and liked it, you’re buying the same product.
What does Subset’s recycling program actually do?
You send back worn-out underwear and it goes into textile recycling rather than landfill. The useful detail is that it accepts any brand’s, not just Subset’s, which matters because underwear is close to impossible to donate and almost always ends up in the bin.
Is Subset actually certified organic?
Yes, and through GOTS, which is the demanding version. It covers the whole chain from cotton field through processing to finished garment, with environmental and social criteria at each stage. Subset also holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for chemical safety and Fair Trade certification for the factory, which is a fuller set than most certified brands carry.
Is Subset good for working out?
Not really, and that’s the fiber rather than the brand. Organic cotton absorbs moisture and holds it, so it’s comfortable for a normal day and clammy during a hard session. Buy it for everyday wear and use a recycled-synthetic brand for training.