Best “Squat-Proof” Non-Toxic Leggings? I Tested 9 (Almost) Plastic-Free Brands

I won’t lie: the truth about activewear is pretty discouraging.

Almost everything on the market—from leggings to sports bras—is made entirely from plastic. That’s not great for human health or the environment.

Those so-called “performance” fabrics shed microplastics in the wash, polluting waterways, soil, air, and food. Plus, they’re often treated with chemicals that can transfer onto your skin.

I work out a lot. I lift, I take high-intensity dance classes, I take walks, and more. So finding the best non-toxic leggings was important to me.

But I didn’t just want to find out which ones are made from the safest materials—I also wanted to know which ones perform the best during my workouts and are the most durable.

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 cotton tank or t-shirt, and there’s no shortage of those on the market. And they don’t need to be stretchy or fancy.

But non-toxic yoga pants and leggings are another story. They need to stretch, stay opaque, and hold up through years of movement.

I’ve worn my Girlfriend Collective leggings for over a decade—they’re still supportive, comfy, and completely squat-proof. But they’re made from recycled plastic bottles, and I’d really rather move away from plastic altogether if I can.

So I’m on a mission: to find leggings made from natural, non-toxic fabrics that are just as reliable in the gym as they are good for your health.

Keep reading for my reviews of (almost) plastic-free non-toxic activewear brands, plus tips for making your leggings more “squat-proof.”

By the way: For even more non-toxic activewear brands (including brands that don’t have leggings, check out this guide.)

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. Some of the clothing was gifted, and some I bought at full-price. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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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 specific 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 family member 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 work out 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 2025 Update on the Best Non-Toxic Leggings

I’ve now been wearing all of these leggings for about a year and a half. So, for this update, I’m adding a couple of things:

• Tummy control: At the request of a reader, I’ve added how each brand performs in terms of compression.
• Durability: How is each brand holding up over a year later? Some brands are holding up better than others. I’ve added notes on this below.
• Overall review: I’ve added this to give you the big picture on how I feel about these leggings after wearing them for over a year.

The Bioplastic Issue

There are three primary categories of “non-toxic workout clothes.” 👉

• All-natural or almost all-natural (for example: 100% organic cotton, or 90% cotton/10% spandex)
• Mostly semi-synthetic fabric (for example: TENCEL fabric)
• Plant-based plastic (which is plastic that’s sourced from something like castor bean oil instead of fossil fuels)

Now, in general, I’m not a huge fan of plant-based bioplastics. They are advertised as a “plastic-free alternative,” but they are still plastic. An some research has shown that they’re not truly non-toxic. (I know—it’s disappointing!)

Here’s the honest-to-god truth: when it comes to ‘performance’ (stretchiness, compression, durability), the plant-based plastics do tend to perform the best. (Followed by the semi-synthetics, followed by the all-natural.)

There are a lot of product categories where the non-toxic option performs just as well as the synthetic option (like shampoo, to give you just one example). It’s not really that straightforward with leggings.

At the end of the day, you’re going to have to decide for yourself what kind of material you prefer… It will largely depend on things like what type of workouts you do, how you like your leggings to FEEL, where you work out, and more.

Honestly, if you can afford it, you may even want to get a few pairs of leggings made from different types of materials. It’s the kind of thing where you won’t be able to be sure until you try it out yourself!

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My Reviews On These 9 (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.

MATE

My overall review: I would say these are the best ‘middle-ground’ leggings. They are not super ‘high-performance,’ but they are made from healthier materials and they are very comfortable. They are great for lower impact workouts and just for general everyday wearing.

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.

Tummy control: Moderate

Durability: So-so. I had a small hole start to form where the crotch comes together. I stitched it back up myself.

MATE is one of my favorite brands for non-toxic clothing that’s great for casual, 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. They’re comfortable enough to sleep in as PJs, to be honest. (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 fit, but 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 other organic workout clothes like 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!

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Pangaia

My overall review: I’ll be honest: I find myself reaching for these leggings more often than any of the others when it comes to more hardcore workouts. The compressive nature of them makes me feel very “held in” when I’m jumping around, they have great stretch, and I just generally love the way they feel.

Squat-test: Passed.

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.

Tummy control: Great. (The best on this list.)

Durability: Great. I haven’t noticed any issues at all.

I tried Pangaia’s Women’s Plant-Stretch Compressive Leggings in Black. I also have their Compressive Shorts and I really like these as well.

These are 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.

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! (It looks like the sports bra is no longer available on their website for my 2025 update, but they have a very similar tank top option.)

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.

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Reprise

My overall review: I really like Reprise’s leggings and non-toxic yoga pants overall. The TENCEL ones are a greatt great happy medium of semi-synthetic fabric that is comfortable, soft, and performs well during workouts. But then if you want something that’s even more ‘high-performance,’ you can get their Fusion leggings, which are made out of a plant-based plastic.

Squat-test:

• Original Leggings: Yes, but sized up
• Fusion Leggings: Passed

Material breakdown:

• Original: 93% TENCEL™, 7% Spandex.
• Fusion: 85% Amni Soul Eco fabric (“biodegradable” polyamide) + 15% recycled spandex

Tummy control:

• Original Leggings: Moderate
• Fusion Leggings: Good

Durability: Good! These are both still going strong—I haven’t had any issues yet.

What makes them different:

First let me talk about their original leggings (which are available with or without pockets). 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.

I originally got the Sage Legging in Amethyst (in a medium) because they were out of black. Those just barely did not pass my squat test. Later, I got a pair of the Sage Leggings in black (size large) and these did pass my squat-test.

I really like the feel of these ones. They are a little cool to the touch since they’re made from TENCEL. They are super soft and comfortable, and they have pockets on the side.

I also have a pair of their newer Fusion leggings, which are made for more high-impact workouts. These are definitely more comparable to your conventional leggings in terms of feel, fit, and stretch. They’re super comfortable, great for working out, and they did pass my squat test. They also provide more compression/tummy control than the Sages ones do.

They do have a higher amount of spandex than the originals (15%), and the rest of the fabric is made of Amni Soul Eco, which is advertised as a “biodegradable polyamide”. I’m going to be honest: I’ve known about Amni Soul Eco for years now, and I’ve always been skeptical of it. We’ve seen in the past how “biodegradable plastics” don’t actually biodegrade, and are not as “eco-friendly” as they’ve been marketed to be. That said, if you want or need a pair of leggings that is very comparable to conventional ones, these are still probably better than your typical petroleum-based ones.

I really like 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! 🙌

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Tripulse

My overall review: I really like these. They are comfortable, they can hold up during an intense workout, and they provide an adequate amount of tummy control. They are more ‘compressive’ than some of the other brands that use organic cotton.

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.

Tummy control: Good!

Durability: Good! These are still going strong.

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 some of the other leggings, so decided to go with the bigger size (large) and they passed the squat-test.

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’d like to!

Use code FILTERY15 for 15% off your first purchase.

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Allwear

Overall review: I really like these (mostly) plastic-free leggings—they are comfortable and fit well. But unfortunately, they’re not holding up super well over time.

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.

Tummy control: Good

Durability: These ones aren’t doing super well after wearing them for over a year. Some of the fabric is coming apart at the crotch seams. (Again, I should probably size up for this reason too.)

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. 2025 Update: I still love this tank-bra; I wear it all the time. I actually think I might like it better than the leggings at this point.

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.

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Public Myth

My overall review: Honestly, I don’t wear these ones very often. A big reason is because they’re way too long and I haven’t taken the time to hem them yet.

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!

Tummy control: Minimum

Durability: I honestly haven’t worn these ones enough to give you an honest answer here.

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 (currently out of stock). 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!

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Pact

My overall review: These are not squat-proof, but I still wear them all the time. They are one of my go-tos for working from home. Or if I’m running errands or whatever. I’ll just wear black undies underneath and/or a long tee.

Squat-test: Didn’t pass (Again, I still wear them a lot though)

Material breakdown: 91% Organic Cotton, 9% Elastane

What makes them different: They also have organic maternity leggings and bike shorts!

Tummy control: Moderate

Durability: Good—I haven’t noticed any tears, holes, or thinning of these ones.

2025 Update: It looks like they’re not currently selling the ribbed shorts & tank bra that I tried. They do have a very similar On-The-Go Crop Tank and regular leggings.

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.

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Organic Basics

Squat-test: Didn’t pass

Material breakdown: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane (but depends on the specific pair)

Tummy control: Moderate – Great (depends on the specific pair)

Durability: Not great. The Ribbed Seamless leggings got thinner over time and they also got little tears in the crotch area.

I have two pairs from Organic Basics: the Core Leggings and a pair of Organic Ribbed Seamless leggings that they don’t sell anymore. (They no longer sell either of these exact pairs 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.

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Happy Earth

Overall review: I can’t decide how I feel about these. I liked them at first, but I don’t find myself reaching them to work out in very often. The materials are good, but they don’t ‘hold me in’ very well and I don’t like the way they look/feel around my stomach.

Squat-test: Passed

Material breakdown: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane

Tummy control: Minimal

Durability: Good. I haven’t had any issues with these.

These leggings did great on 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 can wear 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. This makes for not-great tummy control because it’s kind of like having a rubberband around my waist? (I don’t know how else to describe it!)

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.

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.

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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.

• Aya: This brand makes 100% organic cotton leggings, but they go even further. They tell you what every single little part of their garments are made out of—down to the thread and the ink on the label!

• 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! They’re made of GOTS certified organic cotton. 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.

• Namarie: These are made of 91% hemp and 9% bio-based elastane.

• Pansy: These are actually made of 100% organic cotton! I highly doubt they will be an amazing option for intense workouts, but I would still love to try them out for low-impact exercise, running errands, etc. I really like how size inclusive they are — they go up to 5X.

• 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).

What About These Brands?

• Athleta: Although most of their leggings are still made from all plastic, they do have an option that’s made of 53% cotton, 17% recycled polyester, 16% spandex, and 14% TENCEL™. Not bad from such a big brand!

• Losano: These are advertised as being “non-toxic” because they are BPA and PFAS-free. They are also OEKO-TEX certified, which is certainly better than nothing. But they are still made from 100% plastic (mostly recycled polyester and spandex). So they’re really not that different than your standard leggings.

• Quince: Their collection is similar: some of their leggings are OEKO-TEX certified, which again, is better than nothing. But they’re still all plastic.

• Universal Standard: They also have a few options for mostly-organic leggings that are made of 44% pima cotton, 44% modal, and 12% spandex. (Just check the details because they also have all-plastic ones.) The thing that sets this brand apart is their size inclusivity—they go up to 4X.

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

• Best non-toxic yoga & exercise mats
• Where to get non-toxic weights and other exercise equipment

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! 🏋️‍♀️

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