Avoid seams and prioritise performance: how to buy leggings that last

The search for sustainable leggings can stretch you in more ways than one. From construction to certifications, here’s what to look for when it comes to finding sustainable leggings, the equation is complicated because – more than other clothes – leggings need to stretch. They require an immense amount of the elasticity provided by synthetic materials like polyester, nylon and elastane which are all derived from fossil fuels and aren’t great for the planet.

 

 

There are some more environmentally friendly plant-based alternatives on the market like bamboo, cotton and hemp. But most of the time these are blended with synthetic materials that make them harder to recycle and compromises their ability to biodegrade.

While I am usually an advocate for natural fibres, leggings for exercise are the one area where I tend to waver. I work out most days and I sweat a lot. Although I wear cotton singlets, I swear by polyester and nylon bottoms.

I only own two pairs. I’ve had them both for more than four years and they are on a steady rotation of wear and washing without showing signs of age. Unless I lose them, I don’t foresee ever having to replace them. Which by one metric makes them sustainable.

To help us make sense of this particular clothing maze, I spoke to some experts about how to buy leggings that will hold up your bum without dragging down the planet.

Seek seamless styles

One way to lessen the impact of your leggings is by buying fewer pairs. “Durability is really important,” says Anneli Melander, who works in production and product development for Swedish Stockings. “The overall environmental impact of a pair of leggings or any product in general is very much dependent on its longevity.”

 

When nutritionist and yoga teacher Raj Barker needs new yoga pants, durability is her first priority. She opts for sweat-wicking leggings that are made from elastane and nylon blends and move with her body. They need to have enough weight to hold their shape, which also prevents them from becoming see-through over time. She suggests avoiding leggings with too many seams or panels, as they show signs of wear faster.

At Swedish Stockings, Melander says they use a technique called 3D knitting, which allows them to make garments with fewer seams. It “ensures a higher quality and longer lasting material”, she says.