Ready to meet the best sustainable leggings you simply won’t want to take off even after the most intense yoga session? On our list of eco-friendly leggings below, you’ll find plenty of options for your squats, stretches, and strides!
2023’s top sustainable fashion brands offer comfortable, flattering, odor-controlling, and sweat-absorbing eco-leggings that actually look cute. The options are so many! Think ethical leggings made of super soft bamboo, recycled sustainable leggings with pockets, Tencel fair trade leggings, and much more!
Whether you prefer an ultra high-rise cut, mid-waist silhouettes, solid or patterned pairs, there’s a pair for everybody. Because we love to break a sweat, but our Planet certainly doesn’t.
What are sustainable leggings?
Sustainable leggings are crafted from eco-friendly and/or recycled materials, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, Tencel, or bamboo. These fabrics are chosen for their minimal environmental impact because they not only require less water, pesticides, and energy to produce than traditional materials but are also very durable. Organic cotton, for example, requires 91% less water than conventional cotton.
In addition to the materials used, eco-friendly leggings are also ethical in terms of their process and the social impact of manufacturing. This means that they may be made in factories that abide by fair labor practices or in local studios, use renewable energy sources, and minimize waste. Sadly, 250 million children between 5 and 14 are forced to work in sweatshops in developing countries.
Children as young as 6 have been found working in sweatshops for up to 16 hours per day. So it’s important to choose clothing –ethical leggings, included– that are made without violating labor and wage laws.
What materials are used for sustainable leggings?
There are several earth-friendly materials that can be used to make high-quality leggings that are skin and planet safe.
Organic cotton: Leggings made from organic cotton are free from pesticides and harmful chemicals, making them an environmentally friendly option. The production of organic cotton fabric uses less energy, releases fewer greenhouse gases, and due to the improved soil quality, uses significantly less water. In fact, compared with regular cotton, the organic version is responsible for 46% fewer carbon emissions and equires 91% less water.
Recycled polyester: Polyester can be recycled from discarded plastic bottles to create a sustainable fabric that is both durable and moisture-wicking. In 2023, recycled plastic leggings are available on the virtual shelves of most sustainable activewear brands! The material is durable, lightweight, crease-resistant, colorfast, quick-drying, stain resistant. But the manufacturing process of recycled polyester reduces CO2 emissions by 32 percent in comparison to regular polyester.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that can be used to create a soft and comfortable fabric for leggings. It’s ideal for hot weather due to its anti-bacterial, thermoregulating, and odor-repelling properties. Bamboo also offers UV protection against harmful sun rays and is perfect for everyone with sensitive skin.
Hemp: Hemp is a strong and durable fiber that can be grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. It is also a fast-growing crop, making it a sustainable choice for eco-friendly leggings with UV light, mold, and mildew resistance. Hemp has 4x of the durability of other natural fibers, plus, it gets better with age! The more hemp is used, the softer it gets.
Tencel: Tencel is a fiber made from sustainably harvested eucalyptus trees. It is biodegradable and has a silky, smooth texture which makes it ideal for sustainable leggings. It’s breathable and less susceptible to odorous bacteria growth like environmentally damaging synthetics. Plus, it is stronger and more durable than both cotton and linen
What are the problems with most leggings?
It’s no secret that most leggings are made of synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon. Both require a lot of energy to produce and are highly water and air-polluting. In fact, the chemicals in poly and nylon can cause rashes, itching, redness, eczema, dermatitis, blistering or make existing skin problems worse for those with sensitive skin, up to 3 days later. And since it’s oil-based plastic, polyester does not biodegrade like natural fibers.
What’s more, synthetic garments are a huge source of microplastics. It is estimated that half a million tons of these contaminants reach the ocean each year. That’s equivalent to the plastic pollution of more than 50 billion bottles. These are only a few reasons why you should consider adding some of the best sustainable leggings to your activewear arsenal.
Best Sustainable Leggings Of 2023
1. Girlfriend Collective
Best for: Size-inclusive recycled leggings
Materials: 79% recycled single-use bottles (RPET) and 21% spandex
Ships to: Worldwide
Girlfriend Collective’s best sustainable leggings are every curvy gal’s dream! The women-owned sustainable brand offers sturdy, squat-proof, and super soft leggings made sustainably and ethically from recycled materials in sizes XXS-6XL. That’s right! True inclusivity. The collection includes compressive, squat-proof, ultra-high rise eco-friendly leggings with double side pockets in many different colors. You can also find Ultralight Legging for that next-to-nothing feel.
Lastly, there is the ReSet lounge legging option that’s ideal for warming up, hanging out, and your newfound yoga obsession thanks to the heavyweight recycled jersey! Bonus point: All options are recyclable with ReGirlfriend–You’ll get $15 store credit, avoid creating more waste on the planet, and help them close the loop.
2. Wolven
Best for: Recycled plastic leggings & pre-owned sustainable leggings
Materials: 84% rPET and 16% spandex
Ships to: Worldwide
Aside from their fantastic range of sustainable swimwear, Wolven also offers some of the best sustainable leggings on the eco market.
For starters, each purchase removes one pound of ocean-bound waste via Cleanhub. So rest assured that your new recycled plastic leggings come with a positive environmental contribution. What makes Wolven’s sustainable leggings stand out is the array of prints –over 15, to be exact. From discrete florals to look-at-me-now kaleidoscope-like designs, there’s something for every taste.
What’s more, the 84% rPET and 16% spandex fabric features a vegan suede finish and are odor resistant as well as a crossover waistband that’s insanely flattering on everybody.
3. Tentree
Best for: 4-way stretch ethical leggings made of recycled plastic
Materials: 79% Recycled Polyester, 21% Elastane or organic cotton
Ships to: Worldwide
Tentree offers a wide range of women’s sustainable leggings and shorts in a slew of different colors. From yoga to running and chilling, the 4-way high-stretch knit fabric will keep you comfy (and stylish) all day, every day.
What’s more, the sustainable leggings with pockets are equipped with 2 hidden waistband pockets and super practical crotch gussets. The entire inMotion collection is lovingly designed in Canada and ethically made in the Philippines under fair working conditions.
Not a fan of recycled plastic leggings? There’s also a fantastic pair made entirely from a technical, fairtrade organic cotton knit that’s Cradle To Cradle Certified.
4. Pact
Best for: Full-length organic cotton leggings
Materials: Fair trade & GOTS certified organic cotton & elastane
Ships to: Worldwide
For eco-friendly activewear that’s organic, Fair Trade certified, and uses 81% less water to be produced, look no further than Pact. We absolutely love their sustainable leggings collection that’s quite literally next-to-skin without losing its breathability or comfort levels.
All styles are enhanced with a 3 in contouring waistband but the silhouettes vary greatly. You can find ribbed high waist legging in 6+ colors, wear-me-everywhere ribbed bootcut legging as well as eco-friendly leggings with pockets that are adorned with prints. It’s no wonder why Pact is lauded as one of the best sustainable yoga clothing brands of 2023!
5. Allbirds
Best for: Sustainable leggings with pockets
Materials: 43% Tencel™ Lyocell, 30% Recycled Nylon, 18% ZQ Merino Wool, 9% Elastane
Ships to: Worldwide
Allbird’s best sustainable leggings are here to help us break a sweat, not the planet. The natural leggings lineup is made of a buttery-soft blend of s like eucalyptus tree fiber and ZQ Certified merino wool that wicks moisture, dries quickly, and keeps you comfortable during your toughest workouts.
All styles feature supportive waistbands as well as internal drawcords and hidden back pockets for stowing your phone, keys, or cards. Plus, the B-certified brand’s ethical leggings are carbon-neutral for guilt-free squats, stretches, and strides.
6. Boody
Best for: Eco-friendly bamboo leggings
Materials: 80% viscose made from bamboo, 13% nylon, 7% spandex
Ships to: Wolrdwide
Sustainable bamboo leggings? Yes, please! Boody is one of our favorite sustainable fashion brands for undies, but they also offer an array of cropped, full-length, high-waisted leggings made of pandas’ favorite treat.
The viscose yarn is spun from organically grown bamboo which is harvested in responsibly managed forests in the Sichuan Province of China. Breathable, odor-resistant, thermo-regulating, and moisture-wicking, all ethical leggings feature seam-free sides and elastic-free waistbands for that figure-hugging, minimalistic look we all adore so much.
The best part? All Boody products are PETA-Approved certified, meaning no animal products are used in the production of their garments.
7. Patagonia
Best for: Eco-friendly leggings with odor control
Materials: 8o% recycled nylon, 20% elastane knit
Ships to: Worldwide
Patagonia is one of the most ethical activewear brands for conscious outdoors enthusiasts. Their lineup includes women’s tights and, of course, sustainable leggings made with waistbands that hug and flatter. All styles are enhanced with anti-chafing seams and are durable enough to handle whatever your rock, walk or trail run throws at them.
That’s not all! Both the printed and the solid-color versions feature made with MiDori® bioSoft for added wicking and softness, and HeiQ® Pure odor control. Additionally, most options are Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. Spoiler alert: they also pair up perfectly with your rain jackets and high-performance running clothes.
8. Organic Basics
Best for: Sweat-wicking, breathable, full-length sustainable leggings made with recycled materials
Materials: Recycled nylon and a Polygiene® silver treatment
Ships to: Worldwide
Organic Basics offers some of the best sustainable leggings that will look fantastic with your organic tank tops during the sunny season. Their Active leggings are sweat-wicking, breathable, full-length leggings made with recycled materials featuring pockets on reverse.
But, we especially love the upgraded version– aka the cult-favorite SilverTech™ Active Leggings. These ethical leggings are made with SilverTech which is an innovative fabric that you can wear more and wash less. In fact, 100% of the silver used in this product comes from recycled electronic, industrial, and photographic waste. Basically, the Polygiene® silver treatment is responsible for odor control and boasts antibacterial properties that help keep clothes cleaner for longer. How cool is that?
9. prAna
Best for: UPF 50 sustainable leggings
Materials: 88% Recycled Nylon, 12% LYCRA Elastane
Ships to: Worldwide
The sustainable activewear brand prAna aims to equip our arsenals with fair trade certified yoga leggings, bootleg yoga pants, and high-waisted yoga pants that are kind to the skin and to the environment. They focused on every design detail of these leggings, from the positioning of the pockets to the removal of the side seams.
Most importantly, prAna’s bluesign® certified styles come with a single layer power mesh inset panel at the waist for maximum support and a Hidden pocket at the back waistband which we absolutely love. Plus, aside from the Coolmax triangle® gusset for added comfort and reinforcement, the brand also equipped their sustainable leggings with UPF 50+! Moisture-wicking, stretchy, protective, and compressing, what more do we need?!
Wrapping Up: Best Sustainable Leggings
We hope you enjoyed the article, and have found eco-friendly leggings that fit your body like a glove and keep our planet happy. If you’re looking for the best sustainable trainers, eco-friendly yoga mats, or organic cotton sweatshirts, make sure you check out our guides.
