The plastic activewear situation makes me sad.

Pretty much all activewear on the market is made from 100% plastic. This is a problem for both human and environmental health.

Not only do those leggings, sports bras, tank tops, etc. shed microplastics when you wash them (and then they enter our waterways), but they also contain toxic chemicals that can leach into your skin.

Now, I workout a lot. I lift weights, I do pilates, I do high-cardio dance classes, I take lots of walks, etc.

In other words… I wear a lot of activewear.

It’s pretty easy to find organic/non-toxic sports bras that fit well, are comfortable, and provide a good amount of support. (Well, at least for a small-chested person like me. It’s a lot more difficult for larger-chested folks.)

Shirts are easy, too—you can just wear any non-toxic tank or t-shirt, and there’s no shortage of those on the market. And they don’t need to be stretchy or fancy.

Leggings, on the other hand, are a different story. They have to be stretchy, they have to fit well, and they have to be opaque!

I’ve had a few pairs of Girlfriend leggings for literally over a decade. They’re still holding on strong, they fit well, they’re comfortable, and they’re totally opaque. (I actually tested them for this article and they passed with flying colors, even despite being so old.)

But… The Girlfriend leggings are made with recycled plastic bottles and I reallyyyy don’t want to wear plastic activewear anymore if I don’t have to.

So, I’m on a mission to find non-toxic workout leggings that are not only made out of natural fabrics but are also comfortable and “squat-proof”!

Keep reading for my reviews of various (almost) plastic-free legging brands, plus some tips for how to make your leggings more “squat-proof.”

This guide contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase (though not all links are affiliate!). Some of the clothing was gifted, and some I bought at full-price. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine.


Why I’m trying to ditch synthetic leggings

Most conventional activewear contains microplastics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, antimicrobial treatments, and other potentially toxic chemicals that can threaten your long-term health.

This article is already quite long, so I’m not going to dive deep into why most conventional activewear may be bad for your health here. But if you’d like to learn more, check out this (member-exclusive) deep dive. I give you the rundown on why fabrics like polyester are bad, the issue of PFAS “forever chemicals” in leggings, and more.

(I also address why I’m not concerned about the small amount of spandex used in all natural/organic leggings, including the ones below.)

What I mean by “squat-proof”

What I mean by “squat-proof” is not see-through.

You know—when you go to do a squat or a downward facing dog, the fabric stretches out, and you can see some undies through the fabric. 😬

Leggings being see-through is not a problem that’s exclusive to organic workout clothing.

Several years ago, Lululemon recalled about 17% of their leggings because they were see-through.

I remember this being a problem among LulaRoe leggings as well (remember those?!).

And it seems like I notice a pair of see-through leggings in almost every pilates class I go to these days, too. (I always struggle with whether or not to tell the stranger after class or not! Does she know?!)

But, I have noticed that it’s harder to find non-toxic leggings that are 100% opaque. Which is why I set out to test a bunch of them.

How I tested the leggings

My test was simple:

  1. First, I recruited my husband to help. (If you don’t have a partner, any bff or teenaged child who doesn’t mind looking at your bum will do! 😆)
  2. Then I turned on all the lights and opened all the windows so that we had lots of light.
  3. I put on a pair of patterned, full-bottom underwear. This is not what I would usually workout in, but I wanted to test whether you could wear brightly-colored, patterned underwear with the pants if you had to or wanted to.
  4. Then I squatted in front of my husband and he told me whether he could see my undies through the fabric!

My overall thoughts on these leggings

I will say that I genuinely like all of the leggings I tried (even the ones that didn’t pass the test with flying colors).

In general, all of these leggings are comfortable and hold their shape well. Some of them are not quite as stretchy/tight-fitting as your typical nylon or polyester activewear, but they still fit really well. I wondered if they would start to get a little baggy as I wore them, but honestly, none of them did.

When it comes to the squat-test results, many of the leggings were borderline. There were a few pairs that *just barely* didn’t pass the test (I’ve noted which ones below). For these, my husband would waffle and say things like, “You’d really have to be up-close-and-personal and trying really hard to see through them.”

While this was slightly disappointing, I’m not deterred. I’ll still be wearing almost all of these leggings for my workouts—I’ll just be choosing my underwear carefully! (More on that below.)

My tips for making your leggings more squat-proof

1. Size up

Sometimes, leggings are see-through simply because they’re too small. (This goes for both synthetic and natural options.)

There’s just less fabric, so when you stretch it out, it becomes more sheer.

As you’ll see in a minute, I tried the leggings below in a couple of different sizes. Sometimes, sizing up solved the problem and made them squat-proof.

So, if you’re in between sizes, consider sizing up to make the leggings more opaque.

2. Choose darker colored leggings

This might go without saying, but there’s definitely a higher chance that your white leggings are going to be more see-through than your black ones!

That’s why I recommend going with darker-colored pants when you can.

I ordered black in all of the leggings I tried in order to keep things fair (the one exception being Reprise, which I got in dark purple because they were out of black at the time).

3. Be intentional about your choice of underwear

As I mentioned, I tested these leggings with brightly-colored, patterned underwear so that I could test them under the “worst-case scenario.”

I also tested them wearing full-bottomed black underwear (these and these are my favorite, for the record), as well as a black thong.

According to my husband, the full-bottomed black undies were the best in terms of not being able to see anything. When I was wearing those, the “borderline” leggings passed the test, meaning he couldn’t see anything through them or tell what I was wearing underneath.


My thoughts on these (almost) plastic-free, non-toxic leggings

Alright, let’s get to it! Here are my reviews for each brand I tried. All of these brands are made with mostly natural/organic fabrics that are free from things like BPA, intentionally-added PFAS, azo-based dyes, and other toxic chemicals.

Happy Earth

Squat-test: Passed!
Material breakdown: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane
What makes them different: One of the best overall in considering both performance and environmental sustainability/human health.

These leggings probably performed the best in terms of the squat-test. That’s likely because they are a little thicker than most other leggings. They kind of feel like a cross between a legging and a sweat pant. They’re super comfortable and I’ve been wearing them not only for my workouts but also for lounging around the house and running errands.

They’re not as “compressive” in the waist as other leggings. Instead, they have a thinner piece of elastic at the top of the waistband that holds them up and keeps them fitting well as you wear them.

They also have deep pockets, which I know is a must for some people!

I got the black PlantTec™ Flare Leggings because I’d been wanting some flared leggings! But they also have standard straight-leg leggings that come in black, light green, dark green, and oat (off-white).

I also tried the PlantTec™ Reversible Tank in Oat, which can double as a sports bra or a tank. It’s suuuper comfortable and very stretchy. I feel like it’s one of those pieces that can fluctuate really well as your body changes throughout the month and the seasons. It’s definitely not the most supportive bra ever, but as a small-chested person, it still works great for my workouts.

(Ana also reviewed the Happy Earth bra/tank, and you can see her thoughts here.)

Happy Earth also carries other activewear options like full tanks, long-sleeved tops, bike shorts, sweats, and more. Most of their activewear is sized for women, but they do have tees and tanks for men, too.

All of Happy Earth’s activewear is made from 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane, and non-toxic dyes. They’re also made in Fair Trade factories in India that are partially solar-powered. They’re also a certified B Corp and have a lot of other sustainability initiatives too, including tree-planting, waste-reduction, and more.

Oh, and make sure you use Happy Earth’s sizing chart when you order because their sizing is a bit different than other brands. Whereas I usually wear a Medium or Large for pants, I got a Small in their leggings.


MATE

Squat-test: Passed, but had to size up
Material breakdown: 92% GOTS certified organic cotton and 8% spandex
What makes them different: This is a fan-favorite brand that comes with a lot of positive reviews. Plus, they’re made in the USA.

Mate is one of my favorite brands for non-toxic clothing that’s great for everyday wear. (You can check out my full review here.)

The leggings are definitely comparable to synthetic ones in terms of the way they fit and feel. But I actually think they’re more comfortable than conventional synthetic leggings because they’re softer. (P.S. They have pockets, too!)

My one recommendation for you with regard to the leggings is to consider sizing up. At first, I got a medium and they do fitbut they are *just barely* not squat-proof.

When I tried the large, the problem was solved. And the larges still fit me well, too. There is a little bit of extra fabric around the ankle, but it’s nothing noticable.

I’m still going to wear the mediums for everyday/walking around, I’m just going to wear the large for workouts. (Or I’ll just be careful about which undies I wear under the mediums!)

In addition to leggings, their Move by MATE activewear collection offers sports bras, biker shorts, and racer tanks that are made out of 92% GOTS certified organic cotton and 8% spandex, plus (of course) non-toxic dyes. And most of it is made right in Los Angeles where the brand is based.

I also have their Organic Stretch Racer Tank and their Organic Stretch Sports Bra and I really like both! Both work great for me, but unfortunately, they’re not super-supportive for larger-chested folks—you can see Ana’s review on that here!


Tripulse

Squat-test: Passed, but sized up
Material breakdown: 86% TENCEL™, 14% ROICA EF385 (recycled elastane from pre-consumer materials)
What makes them different: They’re cooling! They also have more third-party certifications than most other brands.

I really like these leggings, and I think you will too.

They do contain a larger amount of elastane than some of the other brands (14%), but I personally still feel okay about that. I think if you want something that’s the most similar to the conventional leggings you’re used to, these are definitely worth a try.

When I used their sizing chart, I was between sizes. I learned my lesson with the MATE leggings, so decided to go with the bigger size (Large) and they passed the squat-test.

Something that sets these apart from most other leggings is that they have an adjustable drawstring waistband. They have both pocketed and non-pocketed options, so make sure you check before buying to make sure you get what you want. I got the Pro Leggings with TENCEL and they actually have two very discrete small pockets inside the waistband!

Since these are made primarily of TENCEL, they are suuuper soft to the touch. They’re cooling, too, which makes them great for exercising. TENCEL is a semi-synthetic that’s a great alternative to conventional synthetics. You can read more about it here if you’re curious. (But basically: it’s a completely plant-based fabric, but because of the fact that it’s heavily processed, the final product can’t be considered 100% “natural”… Hence “semi-synthetic.”)

These come with a lot of certifications, too:

  • EU Ecolabel
  • FSC® and PEFC™
  • OEKO-TEX Standard Class 1 (baby-safe)
  • REACH

They are designed in Sweden and ethically made in Europe.

In terms of other activewear, they also offer bras, bike shorts, and t-shirts. I haven’t tried any of their other pieces yet, but I plan to!

Use code FILTERY15 for 15% off your first purchase.


Allwear

Squat-test: Just barely didn’t pass (could try sizing up)
Material breakdown: 68% bamboo, 27% cotton (Organic Cotton Standard Certified), and 5% elastane
What makes them different: Leggings are unisex and come in a huge variety of sizes—from 2XS to 7XL.

I really like these leggings. They’re very similar to the MATE ones in that the fit is comparable to conventional synthetic leggings, but the fabric is softer.

Even though these just barely didn’t pass my squat-test, I suspect that if I sized up, they would be just fine. (I ordered a size 4/Medium, so maybe I will try a Large in the future and see how they work.)

One thing that really sets these leggings apart is that they are unisex and come in a huge variety of sizes—from 2XS to 7XL.

They also have a discrete pocket in the back of the waistband, which is nice.

They’re also OEKO-TEX certified to be free from harmful substances.

Allwear’s thing is “to take the stress out of getting dressed,” so they offer “on-the-go capsule” pieces that you can mix, match, and wear all year long. They offer tanks, tees, shorts, sweats, and shirt jackets in several neutral colors.

In addition to the leggings, I tried the Bamboo Bra Top in White (pictured above) and I really like it—it’s super comfortable. It can double as either a sports bra or tank and has adjustable straps. It came with pads in the bra, but I took those out.

Overall, I definitely recommend this brand for your non-toxic activewear. Like with some of the other brands, you just might want to consider sizing up if you want/need something that’s really squat-proof.

You can use the code THEFILTERY for 20% off your order.


Pangaia

Squat-test: Just barely didn’t pass (could try sizing up)
Material breakdown: 92% Polyamide Biobased EVO® (99.9% biobased content), 8% Part Biobased Creora® Elastane (30% biobased content)
What makes them different: This is the closest to conventional synthetic in terms of fit, feel, stretch, and compression.

I tried Pangaia’s Women’s Plant-Stretch Compressive Leggings in Black.

I honestly thought these ones would pass the squat-test because they’re the closest thing to synthetic on this list. They’re made with a combo of semi-synthetic polyamide and elastane. What that basically means is that a large amount of the raw material comes from plants (mostly castor oil beans), but they are heavily-processed to that the end-product is closer to a synthetic.

Unfortunately, they just barely didn’t pass the squat test. But here again: I ordered the Medium. I wonder if I sized up like I did with a couple of the other brands if they would be totally opaque.

In terms of the fabric’s overall feel and stretchiness, they’re definitely comparable to synthetic leggings. If you like your leggings super tight and compressing, give these ones a try.

(Quick note: I felt like the texture was a little weird when I first opened them—like kind of plastic-y—but that went away after the first wash.)

I also tried their Women’s Plant-Stretch Compressive Sports Bra in Black too, and I really like it. It’s form-fitting and pretty supportive compared to the rest. Ana reviewed this one too and it was her favorite of all of the sports bras she tried!

I really like the smooth, seamless look of this whole outfit.

In terms of other activewear, they have a lot of options for both men & women, including tanks, bike shorts, tees, sweats, and more. They also have a lot of other everyday clothing for the whole family, including options made with organic cotton, linen, and other natural fabrics.

Pangaia has a lot of sustainability initiatives woven throughout their manufacturing processes, including regular factory audits to ensure an ethical supply chain, regular life cycle and circularity assessments, give-back initiatives that support conservation, and more.


Reprise

Squat-test: Just barely didn’t pass (could try sizing up)
Material breakdown: 93% TENCEL™, 7% Spandex.
What makes them different: These might be the softest of all of the leggings I tried. They’re also very size-inclusive, going up to 6X and they have maternity options. Plus, they’re made in the USA!

As I mentioned, I tried to get black leggings across the board so that the squat-test was fair, but Reprise was out of black, so I got purple instead! So I tested the Sage Legging in Amethyst.

I really like the feel of these ones. Like the Tripulse ones, they are cool to the touch since they’re made from TENCEL (though not quite as cooling as the Tripulse ones). They are super soft and comfortable, and they have pockets on the side.

I feel like I’m repeating myself a lot, but these ones also just barely didn’t pass the squat test. I got a Medium so I think maybe if I size up, that could potentially work. That said, I’ll still be wearing these because they’re so comfy — just with the right undies!

I love the Aspen Sports Bra, too. Just like the leggings, it’s so soft and comfortable, and it’s become one of my go-to sports bras. It’s on the longer side so it can double as a tank, too.

In terms of other activewear, they also have bike shorts, tees, and sweats. And perhaps best of all: they have a maternity collection! I love this because pregnancy is one of the most important times to try and reduce toxin exposure. Thanks to Reprise, soon-to-be-moms don’t have to wear toxic plastic activewear! 🙌


Public Myth

Squat-test: Just barely didn’t pass (could try sizing up)
Material breakdown: 66% TENCEL, 28% Organic Cotton, 6% spandex
What makes them different: The leggings I tried are longer than the others, making them a good option for tall folks!

These leggings are also super comfortable. They’ve got a relative amount of stretch, but they’ve got more of that soft, PJ-type of feel. That means they’re not only good for working out but also for lounging around or running errands.

I tried the Eco Highrise Flare Pant in Black. I got a Medium in these ones too and they just barely didn’t pass the squat test… So like the others, I could try sizing up (I just haven’t tried yet).

I definitely like the flare, but they’re really long on me. I should probably hem them for myself, but these would be a great option for long-legged girlies!

I also tried the Empress V-Neck Sports Bra since the team at Public Myth told me that was their most supportive one. It’s really comfortable and works well for me for most workouts, but there’s definitely more cleavage involved than your average sports bra, so I’m not sure if it would work for all chest sizes and/or all types of workouts.

Both of these pieces are made from a blend of plant-based TENCEL, organic cotton, and spandex, and they’re also OEKO-TEX Certified.

They also have other options for natural workout clothes and loungewear, too—like shorts, tees, rompers, dresses, and um—hello, a cut-out cat suit!! They have a few options for men, but not a ton (yet?).

P.S. Some of their options are made out of 100% conventional synthetic fabrics, so just make sure to check before buying so you know what you’re getting!


Pact

Squat-test: Didn’t pass (I still wear them a lot though—see why below)
Material breakdown: 91% Organic Cotton, 9% Elastane
What makes them different: They also have organic maternity leggings and bike shorts!

Okay, despite the fact that these ribbed bike shorts didn’t pass the squat test, I actually really like them.

I got a Medium and I actually did try to size up to the Large to see if that solved the squat-test problem and it didn’t. 😢 Not only were the Larges still not totally opaque, but they were also too big in the waist. The Mediums just fit me a lot better.

That said, I’ve still been wearing these a lot. I just wear them with full-bottomed black underwear (these ones, to be exact, which are my favorite) and you can’t see anything.

They are super comfortable and I like the way they fit. Since they’re shorts, they’re especially great for summer workouts, hot pilates, and trips to the amusement park!

I also tried the On-The-Go Rib Crop Tank, which I really like as well. I wear it as both a sports bra and a tank top. You can see Ana’s review of two of Pact’s sports bras here.

They come with both Fair Trade and GOTS Organic certifications, too.

In addition to their activewear, they have a lot of other options for casual, everyday clothing and underwear for women & men. In terms of affordability, their clothes are some of the best on the organic market.

You can use the code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off full-priced items.


Organic Basics

Squat-test: Didn’t pass
Material breakdown: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane (but depends on the specific pair)

I have two pairs from Organic Basics: the Core Leggings and a pair of Organic Ribbed Seamless leggings that they don’t sell anymore.

I’m sad to report that the Core Leggings were the most see-through of all of the leggings I tried. I’ll probably end up wearing these more just around the house and/or for layering in the winter. I won’t be wearing them for workouts at all.

The other pair of leggings I have from them (the ones they don’t sell anymore) were actually my favorite pair of leggings for about a year. They’re super comfortable, flattering, and fit well. But unfortunately, the squat-proof-ness has faded. After wearing & washing them for a year or so, they’re not as opaque as they were when I first got them. They’re not so bad that I can’t go in public in them, but I probably won’t be squatting at the gym in them anymore.

I’ve had a lot of Organic Basics pieces over the years, and they seem to be hit or miss. One of the bras I have from them (also from the Seamless collection, which they also don’t sell anymore) is literally my most favorite bra I own.

I also have a sports bra & thong set from them (the Core Rib Tank Bralette, which is basically a sports bra and the Core Rib Thong) and I really like both of these!

The other thing that bothers me about Organic Basics as a whole is that I think their name is a little misleading for what they offer. Although they do offer a lot of organic underwear & clothing options and they do have many sustainability initiatives throughout the company, they also make a lot of products made of synthetics. So, you have to check the fabric breakdown for each product before you buy.


Brands I’d still like to try

Here are even more brands that sell non-toxic workout leggings. I’d like to try these ones in the future!

  • Aktiiv: These aren’t super natural/organic, but they are probably good for intense workouts. They’re made from 42% bio-based nylon (extracted from castor beans), 40% bio-nylon (unclear what this part is sourced from), and 18% Roica V550 (which is a synthetic that I can’t find out much about, but is apparently Cradle-to-Cradle certified). Ana tried their bra and really liked it.

  • Boody: They use a variety of different materials, including (closed-loop) bamboo, organic cotton, spandex, & nylon. They’re definitely a fan-favorite for activewear, but I haven’t specifically tested their leggings yet.

  • Cottonique: These might not be the most “high-performance” leggings, but if you have very sensitive skin or chemical sensitivities, then you might want to give them a try! Use the code THEFILTERY10% for 10% off.

  • Groceries Apparel: Another fan-fave, they have a good selection of vegetable-based, tie-dyed leggings, bras, bike shorts, and more. They’re made mostly of 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex. I hope to review these for you sometime soon.

  • Maggie’s Organics: Made from 90% organic cotton & 10% spandex, these are also Fair Trade certified. I hope to try their Blackout Leggings at some point. Use code THEFILTERY10 for 10% off.

  • Wellicious: I definitely want to try these ones at some point. They are made from 87% organic cotton and 13% compostable elastane, and are Cradle-to-Cradle certified. Plus, I really like their designs. The main reason I haven’t tried them yet is because they’re based in Europe, so shipping to the US is a little expensive (& carbon-intensive).

In case you’re interested, here are some related guides:

I hope this guide has helped you find some non-toxic leggings that can support your healthy lifestyle!

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Thanks for reading—and happy sweating! 🏋️‍♀️




About Abbie

Abbie Davidson is the Creator & Editor of The Filtery. With almost a decade of experience in sustainability, she researches and writes content with the aim of helping people minimize environmental toxins in an in-depth yet accessible way.


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