(to just shop my picks click here)
For 9 years researchers have been studying polyester/spandex based clothing and have seen that this combination almost always contains BPA. The most recent testing has found that this is common even in some of the most popular brands: Alo, Nike, Fabletics ad Athlete (and more) . We also know that its not only BPA that is a concern in modern day athletic wear: PFAS and microplastics as well as azo dyes are also commonly found in polyester based athletic clothing.
Add this to the fact that many of us, literally, live in our leggings and athletic wear, and it makes sense we should start looking for a better option.
If you want to avoid BPA and other toxins in your clothing (and you should make this a priority. (You can read more about why this is important in my last Substack post) the good news is that in the last 2-3 years there have been a fair number of companies making the switch and producing non toxic leggings and athletic wear.
Most of them opt for: GOTS certified organic cotton with a smaller percentage of spandex, some are able to combine GOTS certified cotton with natural latex, some use alpaca or wool and, finally, some are making innovative fabrics that are nature based and tested to be free of harmful chemicals like BPA.
My favorites strike a balance between being made primarily with organic cotton and as little elastane or spandex as possible (there is one exception to this rule - read more below). Of note: I recommend NOT placing these in the dryer to help keep them stretchy and in better shape
Here are some of my current favorites and some I have on my short list to try soon
Mate the Label | Xs- 3XL | From $57 - $108
I have had 3 different pairs of these organic leggings and I really like them. Because they are organic cotton I prefer their darker colors for harder workouts; if you sweat a lot the lighter color leggings do show water/sweat marks. I also would recommend sizing down to avoid sagging .
Groceries: Sizes | XS – XL Price | $78 – $108
I found them a bit thicker than what I traditionally like, but this could be a good thing, particularly if you live in a cold climate. I love that every garment is colored with plant-based dyes from upcycled food waste such as carrot tops, onion skins, and coffee ground
I love that these are 100% plastic free (100% organic cotton sewn with 100% cotton threads even labels are 100% cotton) and all dyes are 100% plant based. They are also both GOTS certified and Oeko Tex certified…. So truly 100% biodegradable (the only ones on this list). They are also super soft and thin. The down side? Because there is no synthetic spandex or anything similar there isn’t a whole lot of stretch so these are not ideal, in my opinion, for workouts that require bending and stretching- better of walking and lounging (or traveling)
Aktiiv Proterra line | 2-14 Price Range $64 - $125
Discount code: aidagarcia-toledo10)
This is the exception I mentioned above. I really really like these because by far these are the ones that resemble your best polyester based leggings: they are superior in stretch and holding you in. Having said that, they are not made of organic cotton instead they are made with an innovative material called Proterra fabric. It’s a high-performance fabric built from three globally certified yarns all of which are third-party tested. It is made of plant based nylon which is made from castor beans and is Oeko Tex certified, biodegradable bio accelerated nylon a yarn that decomposes in five years and has been engineered to perform like standard nylon while being biodegradable. This one is also Oeko Tex certified, and Rocha V550 degradable elastin which is Oeko Tex certified and also degradable. The final product has been tested for many chemicals, including BPA, PFAS, azo dyes, phthalates, and formaldehyde, none of which have been detected
Organic Basics Sizes | XXS – 3XL Price | $53 – $56
These also felt a bit thicker for my liking but price is great and I like that they offer a range of sizing Options
Pact: Sizes | XS – 3XL Price Range | $48 – $88
Again, they have some of the best priced options. In the past, I find they dont last as much as the other brands, however I have heard they have upgraded their material and finish so I’m looking forward to trying them again.
Branwyn | XS - XXL | From $85- $158
I wore mine all winter long, even when we travelled to Minnesota for Winter break. These legging sod have some nylon and elastane (for the stretch) but are certified PFAS free and BPA free
Q for Quinn | XS- XL | From $64- $85
I have loved their organic cotton socks for quite a few years and they recently created GOTS certified leggings and sports bras. I am hoping to try these soon
Made in Los Angeles with certified organic cotton and bio based elastane. These are probably the next ones I will try out, as the reviews are great (and I have a special place for companies based and manufacturing locally in LA where I live)
Svante
Alelluya: someone is finally making organic athletic clothing for boys and girls! And some of their models use regenerative organic fabric