SKL is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn affiliate commission. Learn more here.
Looking for the best sustainable tights, hosiery, and pantyhose brands that last 10x longer than traditional tights? The SKL team has scoured the internet and read hundreds of reviews to create an all-encompassing list of the best tights that won’t rip no matter what life throws at them.
Spoiler alert: The brands in charge of crafting the most comfortable tights below are pioneers in resource-efficient manufacturing!
This post is about the best tights & hosiery in 2023.
Sadly, if you are an eco-conscious fashion connoisseur, shopping for the best tights is not as simple as stopping by the local mall on the way home from work anymore.
Sustainable tights are hard to come by and browsing the listing of your favorite ethical fashion brands in the hopes of spotting a pair of plastic-free tights can be a daunting endeavor. It really needs to be a lot easier to find these wardrobe staples!
But don’t fret; your legs won’t be exposed to the brisk touch of the chilly bleeze for much longer. We’ve got your foolproof list of the best tights & pantyhose that’ll last wear after wear without tear after tear.
Whether you are frantically searching the web for opaque plastic-free tights, full-control pantyhose for dresses, sheer hosiery options or even the most comfortable tights dipped in glitter, we’ve got you covered (literally!).
Who makes the most durable pantyhose?
Look no further than Cloeco, Sheertex, Swedish Sotckings, and Dear Denier! Pantyhose with high tensile strength, great abrasion resistance, and overall high-quality, durable natural materials should be preferred –if you want to choose tights that won’t rip and won’t end up in the trash.
Some sustainable brands have manufactured options with ladder resistance and toe reinforcements for durability. Others take advantage of the natural strength of bamboo to create eco-friendly tights that last for months!
What are sustainable pantyhose?
Sustainable pantyhose are made of eco-conscious materials such as bamboo and organic cotton. Some of the most sustainable tights brands use recycled synthetics like ECONYL®, nylon, or polyamide to minimize waste even more. While regular tights are frequently disposed of after just a few wears and then left to sit in landfills, eco-friendly options last for significantly longer. Some of them are even fully biodegradable!
Why is most hosiery so unsustainable?
Unlike sustainable tights, regular options are made of nylon and elastane yarn–aka two of the most non-earth-friendly materials in the world. Billions of tights end up in landfill every year; most of them don’t even survive one day of wearing. These tights don’t typically decompose, which means that they stay around for anywhere between 40 to 100 years.
In case you didn’t know, non-biodegradable doesn’t mean that they can’t break down into microplastics that heavily pollute the soil, water bodies, and aquatic life. It’s truly a lose-lose here.
Luckily, the most comfortable tights on our list below are actually biodegradable, sustainable, and highly durable!
Who makes the most sustainable pantyhose?
For the most durable and sustainable pantyhose, take a look at the collections of Cloeco, Swedish Stockings, Organic Basics, and Dear Denier –just to name a few options.
What does “denier” mean when it comes to stockings?
“Denier” is a widely used term that helps us understand the amount of transparency a specific pair of sustainable tights has. So, it’s all about the thickness. Denier ranges from 5 to 100. When tights are marked with 5 – 50 deniers, it means that they are transparent sheer. Anything over 50 is considered opaque.
This post is about the best hosiery for women.
Best Sustainable Tights, Hosiery & Panty Hose Brands
1. Cloeco
CLOECO is a beloved science of fashion brand created by two women scientists and engineers with a mutual love for comfortable staples that last.
Currently, we are hooked on the Tencel RevoTights and EverTights from Cloeco – two sustainable pantyhose options crafted with over 70% plant-based materials that are, non-itchy, durable, and can naturally regulate temperature.
The EverTights, in particular, come with an attached short that completely eliminates sagging!
Sizes: XS-XL
Price: $19-$32 | 2-pack options starting at $42.50
Materials: 71% plant-based Tencel Lyocell fibers. 29% Spandex/Polyamide for stretch and durability
Ethics: Sustainable materials, ethical labor, women empowerment
Location/Shipping: Colorado, USA, Free Shipping in USA
Best Tencel Panty Hose by Cloeco:
2. Sheertex
Sheertex tights need no introduction! The incredibly tear-resistant styles are Made in Sheetex’s Canadian factory using one of the world’s most robust polymers.
That’s right! They picked a miniaturized version of fibers traditionally found in climbing and sailing equipment.
This hosiery lasts an estimated 10x longer than traditional tights. Sheertex is so confident in its collection that they offer a 90-day guarantee + 30-day no questions asked returns.
Sizes: XS-3XL
Price: $59-$119
Materials: Sheertex®
Ethics: Durable materials, toxic-free dyes, ethical manufacturing in Canada
Location/Shipping: Canada, worldwide shipping
3. Swedish Stockings
Look no further than Swedish Stockings for the best tights that don’t rip! All thanks to the use of durable and buttery soft recycled materials.
The brand offset the highest quality of sustainable tights, knee-highs, leggings, and socks in various colors and prints. From shimmery tights and bold, abstract designs to classic black and over-the-knee options.
What’s more impressive? 24 PET bottles went into the making of a single pair of Polly Innovation Tights with 100% emission-free production.
Sizes: S-XL
Price: $7 – $42 | 2 and 3-pack options starting at $51
Materials: Recycled PET bottles
Ethics: recycled materials, made in Europe, carbon offsetting, recycling club
Location/Shipping: Sweden, worldwide shipping
Best Recycled Hosiery by Swedish Stockings:
4. Organic Basics
Organic Basics creates coveted underwear, activewear, and essentials made ethically in Europe with organic cotton, TENCEL, and recycled materials.
But did you know they also offer tights made with premium, Italian, recycled nylon?
Each pair is crafted with 3D knitted and is enhanced with ladder resistance and toe reinforcements for durability. As of now, 2.43 tonnes of waste was saved from entering landfills due to their ethical business practices.
Sizes: XS-XL
Price: €21-€23 / 2-packs start at €39
Materials: Recycled nylon, nylon & elastane
Ethics: Fair wages, sustainable fabrics, regenerative organic cotton pilot project
Location/Shipping: Denmark, international shipping
Eco-Friendly Tights from Organic Basics:
5. Sézane
Affordable sustainable swimwear, Parisian-style jeans, and eco-friendly tights?! Let’s say that Sezane is the mecca of chic eco-conscious basics, accessories, and plastic-free tights.
They craft their tights in Italy using recycled fibers such as Recycled Polyamide, Recycled Elastane.
The chic options include black and charcoal,t to black polka dots, and range from 40 – 80 denier. To top it all off, the Certified B corp holds 4 of the most prestigious certifications: GOTS, Oeko-Tex, FSC, RWS, and RMS.
Sizes: S-L
Price: 20€
Materials: Recycled Polyamide, Recycled Elastane
Ethics: Sustainable materials, fair labor, B-certified, donations, GOTS, Oeko-Tex, FSC, RWS, and RMS certified
Location/Shipping: France, worldwide shipping
6. Living Crafts
Living Crafts is one of the top 10 hosiery brands for ultra-comfy tights that won’t rip! All pairs are made from natural materials, such as cotton, and their sustainable tights are crafted with polyamide EVO.
The latter is a yarn made from the seeds of fast-growing castor plants that is gossamer-thin and light against the skin. What’s more, the plastic-free tights come in 9 different colors to match all your casual and formal looks with ease.
Sizes: XS-XL
Price: € 12.99
Materials: Cotton and Poluamede Evo
Ethics: Eco-conscious materials, environmentally friendly, non-toxic dyes, fair trade
Location/Shipping: Germany, European shipping
7. Thought UK
Thought’s amazing sustainable tights collection features eco-conscious and recycled materials such as Bamboo and Nylon.
The pairs not only feel luxurious on the skin but also feature a thick yarn that offers the right amount of opaque.
As for the color options, you can opt for black, grey, navy, sage green, and toffee brown. What’s more, they’ve partnered with Traid as a way to help us give our pre-loved clothing a new lease of life, promoting a circular fashion economy.
Sizes: XS-XL
Price: £11.95-£18.95
Materials: Bamboo & recycled nylon
Ethics: Sustainable and recycled materials, ethical manufacturing, fair wages, give-back partnerships
Location/Shipping: UK, European shipping available
8. Dear Denier
Known as one of the top 10 hosiery brands for seamless hosiery that’s equal parts comfortable, durable, and high-quality, Dear Denier deserves a place in your top drawer.
The B-certified corporation uses wool yarn that’s notoriously hard to peel as well as premium recycled materials and a 3D weaving technology.
The options range from nude and black to off-white, blue, and even knitted dots. What’s more, instead of throwing your worn-out nylon socks and tights in the bin, you can send them to the brand or drop them off at one of their recycling partners’ stores.
Sizes: S-XL
Price: €21-€40
Materials: Viscose, polyamide, cashmere, elastane
Ethics: Sustainable & recycled materials, take-back program, zero waste production, renewable energy
Location/Shipping: Denmark, ships worldwide
9. Lanius
The European brand Lanius offers eco-friendly tights made from 100% ECONYL, which is regenerated nylon made entirely from landfill and ocean waste like fishing nets.
The collection also includes some of the most comfortable tights made from recycled polyamide and a percentage of virgin elastane. No matter your preferences, your new, sustainable tights will arrive dressed in second-hand mailing boxes made from recycled paper. How amazing is that?
Sizes: EU 36-46
Price: €14 – €20
Materials: ECONYL,recycled polyamide, elastane
Ethics: Sustainable, recycled materials, climate-neutral, PETA-approved vegan, ethical manufacturing
Location/Shipping: Germany, European shipping available
10. Heist
Heist’s best tights for women are made with soft, recycled yarn from materials including polyamide and elastane. However, that’s not what makes these sustainable tights so darn comfy.
The brand removed the gusset from these tights to reduce sagging when worn and feature a waistband that doesn’t dig or roll!
So whether you prefer luxuriously opaque black footless tights, ladder-resistant sheer tights, or the statement Deco-inspired, honeycomb design, comfort, and quality is pretty much guaranteed.
Sizes: US 0-16, EU 32-48, UK 4-18
Price: €13 – €36,95
Materials: Recycled Polyamide & Elastane.
Ethics: Recycled materials, inclusivity,
Location/Shipping: UK, international shipping available
11. Pretty Polly
Make room for the world’s first biodegradable tights! Yes, that’s right. Pretty Polly’s Eco-Wear collection includes sustainable hosiery, seam-free underwear, and leggings made from the first biodegradable polyamide in the world.
This means that garments made with this innovative technology will decompose in approximately 3-5 years when properly disposed of in the landfill, reducing their environmental impact.
But it doesn’t end there. Each pair is also enhanced with a reinforced body, flat seams, cotton gusset, and lightly reinforced toe.
Sizes: S- 4XL
Price: $18.00-$25.00
Materials: Biodegradable Polyamide
Ethics: Sustainable and biodegradable materials, innovative technology
Location/Shipping: UK, worldwide shipping available
12. Underprotection
Underprotection is not only one of the top 10 hosiery brands but also a prime example of how sustainability, quality, and aesthetics can coexist in harmony.
The company has a lineup of six sustainable tights made with soft, recycled polyamide in a 25 – 45 denier.
On top of that, the B-certified corporation has reinforced each pair with a soft waist elastic and light to medium support. In other words, they are the best pantyhose for dresses even when the weather is a bit chilly.
Sizes: S-L
Price: €14- €20
Materials: Recycled polyamide and 12% elastane
Ethics: Recycled materials, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX and PETA certified, made in Europe, ethical manufacturing practices
Location/Shipping: Denmark, worldwide shipping
13. Seasalt Cornwall
Seasalt Cornwall’s curated collection of pantyhose for dresses ranges from breathable bamboo tights to recycled tights made from re-purposed nylon.
The brand is known for its beautiful natural fabrics, rich color palettes, and hand-crafted prints. And their sustainable tights are no different.
Plus, you can take advantage of their clothing take-back scheme to dispose of your worn-to-death pieces in the most eco-friendly way possible.
Sizes: S-2XL
Price: £19.95
Materials: Bamboo, recycled nylon
Ethics: Sustainable and recycled materials, ethical production, take-back program
Location/Shipping: UK, worldwide shipping available
14. Billi London
The female-owned company Billi London utilizes a winning eco formula to create a nylon/elastane blend that biodegrades in under five years.
Their suppliers are backed by Cradle-to-Cradle (Gold), ISO 14001, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycling Standard (amongst others) so you already know that they aren’t playing when it comes to ethics and sustainable manufacturing.
Aside from that, their best tights that don’t rip also feature revolutionary shaping and a non-slip waistband. Lastly, according to Bili London, these tights are also 10x more resistant. What more can we ask for our favorite sustainable tights brands?
Sizes: S-XL
Price: €29-€54/ 3-pack options starting at $100
Materials: Amni Soul Eco® nylon, ROICA™ V550 elastane
Ethics: Biodegradable materials, ethical manufacturing, made in Italy, zero-waste
Location/Shipping: UK, ships to France and the rest of Europe
15. The Legwear Co
Behind The Legwear Co’s range of products is 7 years of solid research and development!
As the brand explains it, they‘ve worked tirelessly with the world’s best yarn producers and hosiery manufacturers. That’s how they managed to enhance their rights with silver antibacterial properties to reduce odor and Light control brief technology.
Sizes: S-L
Price: $49.99-$59.99
Materials: Recycled Polyamide, Elastane, cotton
Ethics: Recycled materials, ethical manufacturing in Italy, recycling program, innovative technology
Location/Shipping: Australia, worldwide shipping
This post was about the best hosiery on the market.
No matter if you decide to load up on multiple pairs of the best tights that won’t rip or only need a single option to get you through winter, you’ll certainly find your new favorite, most comfortable tights on the list above. And remember: sustainable tights for women are a true investment.
Looking for more sustainable fashion content?
There is a mail in recycling program through Recycled Crafts. Search for savemyhosiery to find their website.
Thanks for the tip!