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Eager to find a new pair of sustainable leggings for women? Whether you’re hitting the yoga mat, running errands, or just lounging at home, eco friendly leggings are the best way to make sure that you’re inadvertently contributing to some serious environmental damage.
It’s no secret that landfills are left with a mountain of discarded clothing that’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Why take part in this environmental discussion further when you can just opt for sustainable workout leggings made of recycled or biodegradable, organic fibers?
They’re moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and stretchy, making them perfect for all your active pursuits.
After wearing dozens of different pairs over the years, we created a list of the most squat-proof, comfy, and stretchy options for you below.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the 11 Best Organic Activewear Brands For A Non-Toxic Sweat Session.
Let’s not sugarcoat it – the production of new, synthetic fibers adds fuel to the fire of climate change. But, that’s not what many fashion-savvy shoppers think about.
Fast-fashion leggings are affordable, they’re trendy and hey, they look pretty darn good too. Plus, unlike the recycled and natural fibers in sustainable leggings, synthetic materials are cheaper to produce, which means clothing companies can churn them out at a rapid pace and sell them for a fraction of the cost.
And when something’s cheap and easily accessible, well, people tend to buy a whole lot of it. But, you know exactly how it goes. All those trendy workout clothes eventually end up in the trash.
Whether it’s because they’re out of style, worn out, or just not cutting it anymore, they inevitably make their way to the landfill. In fact, of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. There, leggings can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to decompose.
That’s not the only reason why we don’t like new synthetic fibers! Petroleum-based fabrics are notorious for guzzling up water! We are talking about gallons upon gallons being used in dyeing, washing, and finishing those leggings.
So much so that the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global wastewater. A lot of that water ends up polluted with harmful chemicals, making it unfit for drinking or supporting aquatic life.
Additionally, the process of making synthetic fabrics requires a whole lot of energy – from extracting raw materials to running factories. That means more greenhouse gases spewing into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, global emissions will increase by 50% by 2030, according to experts.
Enter: The Best Eco Friendly Leggings!
So, what can we do about it? Opt for eco friendly leggings for women – whether that’s recycled leggings or organic leggings. Instead of churning out new fibers from scratch, recycled polyester is made from, wait for it, recycled plastic bottles.
By giving those bottles a second life, we’re not only reducing plastic waste in our oceans and landfills but also cutting down on the need for virgin petroleum-based materials.
Plus, eco-friendly leggings made of recycled polyester are just as durable and high-performing as their brand-new counterpart, so you can squat, stretch, and strut your stuff without worrying about your leggings falling apart.
Best Eco Friendly Leggings Brands in 2024:
1. Pact
The USA-based slow fashion brand Pact is best known for producing “Earth’s favorite clothing.”
The lineup includes stylish, durable eco friendly leggings and sustainable maternity leggings crafted mainly from GOTS-certified organic cotton, with a dash of elastane and nylon for added durability.
Think cropped bootcut and classic, full-length styles in a slew of colors and prints.
What’s more, Pact works with sweatshop-free factories and child labor-free, and a whopping 74% of the organic cotton they use comes from India.
P.S. If you want to get rid of your old clothes sustainably, the brand’s Give Back Box® program allows you to deliver your gently used clothes to nonprofits that need them.
Price Range: From $28+
Discount Code: SKL15 to get 15% off for first-time customers – Full-priced items only and cannot be used with other offers
Size Range: XS-2XL
Ethics: GOTS Certified, Fair Trade USA, Carbon Neutral Certified, sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing, climate-friendly, SimpliZero
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Pact:
2. Mate The Label
From eco-leggings to organic hoodies and loungewear, the American-made clothing brand Mate The Label covers all our sartorial needs.
If you need a quality pair of sustainable leggings with pockets that give you the support you need while being totally squat-proof, check out their organic pants and leggings lineup!
All styles are made ethically with 92% organic cotton and just 8% spandex.
Plus, they are completely free of harsh chemicals, so you can sweat it out worry-free.
To help minimize its carbon footprint as much as possible, Mate The Label does everything from cutting to sewing to packaging locally, within a 15-mile radius of their headquarters.
All organic cotton offcuts also get recycled which is pretty awesome.
They’ve got an international connection in Peru, where a Fair Trade-certified factory churns out top-notch knits while ensuring fair wages and benefits for workers
Price Range: From $78+
Size Range: XS-3X
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, GOTS Certified, Climate Neutral Certified, women-owned, plastic-free
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Mate The Label:
3. Happy Earth
Eco-friendly leggings that are ethically made in a Fair Trade factory in India with organic cotton that was locally grown, harvested, and dyed with certified non-toxic dyes? You bet!
Happy Earth’s creamy soft feel and sleek fit are unmatched!
Heck, they’re so environmentally conscious that even their factory is powered by solar panels (60-70%) and natural gas instead of diesel.
Price Range: From $64+
Size Range: XXS-2XL
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified, non-toxic dyes, fair trade, vegan, recycled packaging, 1% for the planet, gives back
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Happy Earth:
4. Tripulse
Whether you’re looking for a super supportive organic sports bra or a moisture-wicking pair of sustainable leggings for women, Tripulse is here to help you sweat safely.
This amazing Tencel clothing brand creates high-performing activewear for low to medium-training intensities like running, gym workouts, and yoga, or simply to support you in your active lifestyle.
We are talking about non-see-through and squat-proof styles with pockets here, folks!
The leggings are all made from highly breathable, toxin-free TENCEL Lyocell fabric that’s gentle on the skin, and ethically crafted in Portugal.
p.s. Out of all the brands we have reviewed, Tripulse is by far our favorite for high-impact workouts!
Our Favorites from Tripulse:
Price Range: From $71+
Size Range: XXS-XXXL
Ethics: OEKO-TEX® Certified, Climate Neutral Certified, ethically made in Europe, recyclable packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
5. Tentree
For high-rise fair trade certified leggings crafted from recycled, organic, and circular fabrics, look no further than the slow fashion brand Tentree.
Perfect for yoga sessions, hiking adventures, or simply for everyday wear, the inMotion line is made from recycled polyester.
They also offer organic leggings made of Cradle To Cradle Certified and Fairtrade organic cotton.
Plus, as the name suggests, for every single item you buy, Tentree plants 10 trees.
Thus far, they’ve reforested over 5,000 hectares of land – that’s equivalent to a mind-blowing 12,000 football fields.
To top it all off, they’re a certified B-Corp, meaning they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Our Favorites from Tentree:
Price Range: From $30+
Size Range: XS-XXL
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified, sustainable & recycled fabrics, fair labor, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
6. Girlfriend Collective
Next up is the most size-inclusive sustainable leggings brand that uses recycled plastic bottles (RPET) to create stylish activewear– the Girlfriend Collective.
In their catalog, you can find eco-friendly bras and sturdy, squat-proof, and super soft sustainable running leggings for women of all body types.
Think XXS up to 6XL! Their top-selling compressive pocket leggings come in ultra-high-rise, high-rise, and flare silhouettes.
The colors are to die for – Organic, pink, black, blue, you name it they have it.
The best part? All styles are recyclable with ReGirlfriend!
Last, but not least, all women’s activewear is made with certified fair labor, using Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified low-impact non-toxic dyes.
Our Favorites from Girlfriend Collective:
Price Range: From $78+
Size Range: XXS-6XL
Ethics: OEKO-TEX® Certified, premium sustainable & recycled materials, Sa8000 Fair Trade Certified, size inclusivity, recycling program
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada, United Kingdom & Australia
7. Wolven
We love Wolven’s swimwear as much as we love their sustainable leggings with pockets.
That’s because both collections are fully drenched in colors and prints.
The brand uses quick-drying and odor-resistant RPET to create styles for all your future yoga and running sessions.
You can filter the products by print, which is my personal way of shopping on Wolven’s website.
Throw on a pair of organic socks, grab your running shoes, and start sweating safely!
Our Favorites from Wolven:
Price Range: From $88+
Discount Code: SKL20 for 20% off
Size Range: XS-XXL
Ethics: OEKO-TEX® Certified, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), ethically made fair wages, circular fashion, offset projects, 1% for the planet, recycled packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
8. Universal Standard
Universal Standard aims to help us build the most versatile capsule wardrobe with sustainable basics ranging from dresses and ethical jeans to work clothes and activewear.
Take your pick from sustainable yoga leggings with cropped and full-length silhouettes.
All pieces are made ethically from a special Pima cotton, Modal, and spandex blend developed by the brand to help prevent pilling.
What’s more, Universal Standard is a very plus-size-friendly brand with sizes going up to 4XL.
Our Favorites from Universal Standard:
Price Range: From $72+
Size Range: 4XS-4XL
Ethics: Fair Trade Certified, eco-friendly materials, upcycling/recycling, donates
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
9. TomboyX
This raved-about, gender-neutral clothing brand is a personal favorite!
The B-certified corp TomboyX offers genderless fashion, organic period underwear, swimwear, and workout staples.
Currently, the collection includes 10+ printed biker shorts and eco-friendly workout leggings made from recycled polyester.
In addition to being OEKO-Tex® certified, all pairs also feature a HeiQ antibacterial, anti-odor fabric finish. Plus, these recycled leggings come with pockets!
Our Favorites from TomboyX:
Price Range: From $39+
Size Range: XS-6X
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, OEKO-TEX® Certified, fair wages, biodegradable packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
10. Summersalt
If you prefer your yoga and running leggings sustainable, supportive, and squat-proof, then Summersalt’s “do it all” will be your new, go-to pair.
From home office to gym, from grocery runs to playtime with your furry friends, these recycled leggings are your new best friend.
They are crafted with CoolCore fibers from recycled plastic bottles and boast 4-way stretch.
Plus, the print is subtle enough to wear in every scenario!
Our Favorites from Summersalt:
Price Range: From $65+
Size Range: 2-22 | XS-2X
Ethics: GOTS & GRS Certified, BIPOC business, manufacturing partners with WRAP certification, sustainable & recycled materials
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
11. Encircled
Eco-friendly leggings can be worn as pants! Encircled’s “dressy leggings” is the evidence of that.
The material of choice? Bamboo rayon! Paired with a crisp white tee and a denim jacket, you’ve got yourself an effortlessly chic look.
These sustainable leggings with pockets can help you stash your phone, keys, or even your passport.
So, whether you’re running errands or exploring a new city, you can leave the bag at home and still have everything you need right at your fingertips.
Price Range: $135
Size Range: XS-XXL
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, OEKO-TEX® Certified, organic & regenerated materials, female-owned, size-inclusive
Location/Shipping: Canada, ships worldwide
12. Organic Basics
Organic Basics is one of my absolute favorite organic activewear brands.
The European B-certified corp creates extremely modern, made-to-last basics with premium GOTS-certified and OEKO-TEX-certified fabrics.
You can find biker shorts made of LENZING ECOVERO Viscose and recycled polyamide in a slew of fresh colors – from lavender to blue.
Their sustainable leggings for women are entirely organic and if you scroll a bit, you’ll find a breakdown of the total carbon footprint of each pair. How amazing is that?
Our Favorites from Organic Basics:
Price Range: $38
Size Range: XXS-XL
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX® Certified, Global Recycling Standard (GRS), ethical production, transparency, donations
Location/Shipping: Denmark, ships worldwide
13. Groceries Apparel
Making simple, sustainable yoga leggings wasn’t enough for the USA-based ethical fashion brand Groceries Apparel.
So instead of keeping it safe, they went all in with colors and prints.
Their women’s organic leggings are made from organic cotton and dyed with plant-based veggie dyes sourced from recycled coffee grounds and discarded pomegranate peels, among other natural ingredients.
Who knew that upcycled fruits and veggies could produce such beautiful colors?
Plus, all their organic cotton is GOTS Certified, and everything is sewn locally right in Los Angeles.
Our Favorites from Groceries Apparel:
Price Range: From $78+
Size Range: XS-XL
Ethics: GOTS Certified, made locally in Los Angeles, 100% non-toxic dyes
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
14. Boody
Boody’s sustainable leggings are here to redefine your comfort experience.
What sets it apart? The active legging boasts a thicker material, providing that perfect hugging support you need.
More precisely, the bamboo is harvested in responsibly managed forests in the Sichuan Province of China.
Plus, it features a mid-rise waist that flatters the body effortlessly.
While they are fantastic for layering, lounging, or as a base layer, the active leggings are also designed to shine on their own.
Whether you’re up for some light exercise or just strolling around town, it’s the ideal tight fit for your active lifestyle.
Our Favorites from Boody:
Price Range: From $27.95+
Size Range: XS-XL
Ethics: OEKO-TEX® Certified, FSC Certified, ECOCERT, PETA Approved Vegan, sustainable materials, gives back
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
15. Maggie’s Organics
Maggie’s Organics is one of those sustainable legging brands that don’t cut corners when it comes to quality and aesthetics.
From sustainable fleece leggings and casual skirt leggings to cropped styles for the warmer months, they have something for everyone.
The company works solely with ethical factories in India, so each piece is ethically made with responsibly sourced materials in safe working environments.
Price Range: From $32+
Size Range: S-XXL
Ethics: GOTS Certified, Vertified Fair/Trade Federation, ethical practices, transparency
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
This was your full guide to the best eco-friendly leggings!
From the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing process itself, polyester production guzzles up a whole lot of energy and resources. We’re talking about fossil fuels being burned and greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. So why add to the issue?
Sustainable yoga leggings with pockets and high-performing running leggings are fantastic alternatives!
These eco-friendly activewear basics are crafted from good-for-the-planet materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel, which means they’re gentler on the environment compared to traditional synthetic fabrics.
They’re breathable, comfortable, and durable, making them perfect for all your active pursuits. So, whether you’re hitting the gym, running errands, or just lounging at home, choosing sustainable leggings is a no-brainer!
If you enjoyed this article, check out these other community favorites below!
- 15 Non-Toxic Leggings Made With Organic and PFAS-Free Materials
- 11 Best Organic Activewear Brands For A Non-Toxic Sweat Session
- The 15 Best Non Toxic & Organic Sports Bras For A Healthy Workout
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