I love exercising with leggings; they make me feel confident and snatched in, and don’t restrict my movement. However, 95% of leggings are made from plastic-derived materials. Even if you choose recycled plastic, which is better for the environment, it is still synthetic.
As a perimenopausal woman who likes to feel good but worries about the impact of microplastics and harsh dyes on my hormones, I’m on the lookout for better alternatives that make me feel good while exercising but do not disturb my hormones.
I have compiled a list of leggings that are mainly made from natural fibres. Yes, they might contain a bit of spandex or elastane to hug the body and maintain the shape, but they are way better than 100% syntetic leggings.
Why the Fabric in Your Leggings Actually Matters?
Most gym leggings are made from polyester, nylon, and spandex, synthetic fabrics designed for stretch and moisture-wicking. They do those things well. But they also come with PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and microplastic shedding with every single wash. And yes, recycled polyester is better than virgin, but it’s still a synthetic fabric that sheds microplastics, and leggings sit right against your skin while you sweat.
When your body is already navigating the hormonal shifts of perimenopause, the last thing you need is more endocrine disruptors pressed against your skin for an hour a day.
Natural fibres like organic cotton, merino wool, hemp, and TENCEL (Lyocell) are biodegradable, breathable, naturally odour-resistant, and softer on your skin. They won’t shed microplastics, and they won’t leach chemicals when your body becomes warmer during the workouts.
Of course, there is a tradeoff, and the reason why everyone loves synthetic leggings. If you’re used to that tight, snatched-in feel from synthetic leggings, natural fabrics will feel different, a bit looser, less compressive. I used to want that super-tight look at the gym too. But once I started learning about pelvic floor health and how restrictive clothing affects breathing and circulation, I realised that ultra-tight synthetics are doing more harm than good. We need to stop chasing “snatched” and start normalising fits that let the body move and breathe naturally.
TL;DR
Best Organic Cotton Leggings: Mate The Label Organic Stretch Full Length Legging – premium, highly certified, but expensive; best for comfort + low-impact.
Best Merino Wool Leggings: Icebreaker Merino 260 Fastray 25″ High Rise Tights – high-quality merino, odor-resistant, great for hiking.
Best TENCEL™ Lyocell Leggings: Tripulse Pro TENCEL™ Leggings – Highest level of environmental certifications + Excellent comfort + breathability
Best Bio-Based Leggings: Pangaia 99% Bio-Based Compressive Leggings – innovative plant-based nylon with elastane, suitable for high-impact workouts.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn from other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Barefoot Basil! Full Affiliate Disclosure
Best Organic Cotton Leggings
Mate The Label, Organic Stretch Full Length Legging
Mate Organic Stretch Full Length Leggings are made of GOTS Certified Organic cotton. They are designed for low-impact training. Mate The Label is a Certified B Corporation and also Climate Neutral Certified.
These leggings are very good quality and also look great. I love the high waist that makes you feel good, but is not overly restrictive. They come in 5 neutral colours.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 5
Materials: 92% Organic Cotton, 8% Spandex
Best for: low impact
Excellent sustainability credentials and high-quality natural materials
Pact, On the Go-To Legging
The Pact On The Go-To Legging is made with an organic jersey knit that feels soft and comfortable. It features a three-inch contouring waistband and a double-layered gusset. Pact partners with Fair Trade USA, the Global Organic Textile Standard, and SimpliZero to ensure their products are clean, responsible, and organic.
If you are looking for something very affordable but still of amazing quality and made from organic cotton, these leggings are perfect.
Available sizes: xs- 2xl
Colours: 4
Materials: 90% Organic Cotton, 10% Elastane
Best for: running
A great, affordable option
Happy Earth, PlantTec™ Organic Seamless Leggings
The Happy Earth PlantTec™ Organic Seamless Leggings have no seams on the crotch to ensure there’s no camel toe. It features a 4-way stretch and sweat-wicking fabric. Happy Earth factory is Fair Trade certified and powered by solar panels (60-70%) and natural gas instead of diesel.
Love this very flattering and functional fit without a seam in the crotch, criss-cross waist, and a pocket that makes these leggings suited for all kinds of workouts, including runs, yoga, and hardcore strength training.
Available sizes: xs- 2xl
Colours: 5
Materials: 95% Organic Cotton, 5% Elastane
Best for: Low impact
Top-tier sustainability (especially energy transparency) and excellent material balance (high natural content + functional design)
Organic Basics, Cotton Core Capri Leggings
Organic Basics Cotton Core Capri Leggings are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Organic Basics materials are also a part of the 1% for the Planet and PETA-approved vegan.
A great option if you like your leggings to be a bit shorter, as yes, capris are coming back!
Available sizes: xxs- xxxl
Colours: 1
Materials: 88% Organic Cotton, 12% Elastane
Best for: Low impact
Great certifications and ethical positioning, but slightly lower score due to higher synthetic content and basic construction
Groceries, Naomi High-Waist Legging
Groceries’s apparel are 100% made locally in California. All the garments are dyed with plant-based, non-toxic Vege-dye™ that uses food waste, a very rare, circular innovation.
This model is amazing for women who are a bit more conscious about their tummy, as these leggings have a very high waist that makes you feel confident. They also stand out with unique, washed feel colours that I haven’t seen in leggings before.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 7
Materials: 92% Organic Cotton, 8% Spandex
Best for: Low impact
High natural content and standout sustainability practices using food waste as dye
Maggie’s Organics, Organic Cotton – Blackout Pocket Leggings
Maggie’s Organics uses GOTS-certified cotton. They are also verified by the Fair Trade Federation and World Fair Trade Organization guaranteed.
Available sizes: s- xxl
Colours: 1
Materials: 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex
Best for: Low impact
GOTS certified cotton and Fair Trade Federation verified
Jungmaven, Orosi Leggings – Mid Rise
The Jungmaven Orosi Legging is made from a premium hemp and organic cotton blend that wicks moisture and helps regulate body temperature. Hemp is also a very sustainable fiber that uses way less water and no pesticides.
Available sizes: xs- 2xl
Colours: 11
Materials: 27% Hemp, 61% Organic Cotton and 12% Spandex – Jersey
Best for: Good for mild exercise, but not ideal for intense workouts
Spandex percentage is a bit higher than other options on this list, so perfect if you are transitioning from synthetic leggings and want a bit more flex and stretch
Best Merino Wool Leggings
When you hear the word WOOL, you think of something very itchy and warm, but merino wool is pretty much the opposite of that. It is perfect for sports leggings because it is very soft, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking.
Icebreaker, Merino 260 Fastray 25″ High Rise Tights
Icebreaker’s Merino 260 Fastray 25″ High Rise Tights feature a stretchy merino wool fabric blend with a flattering high waist for added coverage and comfort. Merino wool fibre is naturally renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. Naturally odor-resistant.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 2
Materials: 97% Wool, 3% Elastane
Best for: Hiking
Excellent performance, a solid choice for comfort and breathability.
Wooly, Pocket Legging
The Wooly Pocket Legging is made of 95% Australian merino wool that is Responsible Wool Certified. Its mid-weight knit makes it suitable for all seasons, thanks to merino’s temperature-regulating properties.
Available sizes: xs- xxl
Colours: 7
Materials: 95% Australian merino, 5% elastane
Best for: Moderate activity
Top-quality wool blend for everyday wear and moderate activity
Ridge Merino, Aspect Midweight Merino Wool
The Ridge Merino Aspect Merino High Rise Legging features a high-waisted fit that offers comfort and coverage. As seen in Outside Magazine’s “Best Women’s Workout Gear of 2024,” this legging was designed at the request of female athletes.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 5
Materials: 80% Merino wool, 14% nylon, 6% spandex
Best for: All activity
20% combined nylon and spandex is quite high for a natural fabric legging
Minus 33, Midweight 245 Women’s Wool Leggings
The Minus 33 Midweight 245 Wool Leggings are made of OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified, Woolmark® Certified, and Responsible Wool Standard® (RWS) Certified, australian merino wool. It’s designed to keep you comfortable in 3 seasons of the year. There’s also a lightweight option for year-round.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 5
Materials: 85% Merino Wool, 13% Nylon, 2% Spandex
Best for: Mild to colder weather
There’s 13% of nylon in the fabric composition, and it may be too warm during summer.
Best TENCEL™ Lyocell Leggings
Bold Will, PF91 Wood Pocket Leggings
The BoldWill PF91.Wood leggings are made of Tencel Lyocel, a wood-derived fiber. These non-toxic leggings are naturally breathable and odor-repellant, without using any harmful chemicals.
Available sizes: xs- xxl
Colours: 1
Materials: 89% TENCEL™ Lyocell and 11% CREORA™ (spandex)
Best for: warmer climates
Highly sustainable and biodegradable fiber that uses non-toxic dyes
Tripulse, Pro Tencel Leggings
The Tripulse Pro Tencel Leggings are made of Clean Botanic Fiber, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, EU Ecolabel, FSC®, PEFC™, and Climate Neutral certified TENCEL™ Lyocell. They deliver a barely-there feel that’s smooth, breathable, and supportive with a cooling touch.
Available sizes: xxs- xxxl
Colours: 5
Materials: 86% TENCEL™ Lyocell and 14% ROICA® EF385 (recycled elastane)
Best for: Warmer climates. Yoga and pilates.
Highly certified by:
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, EU Ecolabel, FSC®, and PEFC™, Climate Neutral Certified by NGO Change Climate and Certified Clean Botanic Fiber
Best Bio-Based Leggings
Pangaia, 99% Bio-Based Compressive Leggings
EVO® Nylon by Fulgar is 100% biobased and made using renewable raw materials, including castor beans and industrial corn. Hyosung’s regen™ BIO Max elastane is a pioneering stretch fiber with *98% biobased content. Developed to meet performance standards, this innovative fiber maintains elasticity, recovery, and durability.
Available sizes: xxs- xxl
Colours: 3
Materials: 95% EVO® Nylon by Fulgar (100% biobased content) and 5% regen™ BIO Max elastane by Hyosung (98% biobased content)
Best for: High-performance, eco-conscious consumers
Innovative technology to ensure performance and sustainability
Lezat, Ada 7/8 Leggings
The Lezat Ada 7/8 Leggings are made from a blend of GOTS-certified cotton and bio-based elastane derived from corn. These leggings provide breathable stretch and gentle compression while maintaining a soft, natural feel against the skin.
Available sizes: xs- xl
Colours: 14
Materials: 92% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and 8% Bio-based Elastane
Best for: Low impact
Great blend of GOTS-certified cotton and elastane derived from corn
If you are looking for looser-fitted gym pants, you should check out Best Yoga Pants with Sustainable, Non-Toxic Materials.
How We Selected The Best Non-Toxic Leggings
Materials: we only listed leggings made from the majority of natural materials, including organic cotton, merino wool, and other innovative sustainable fabrics.
Fit and feel: We have chosen the best models that make your exercise routine effortless and comfortable.
Brand Reputation: We have not listed any fast fashion brands, but focused on reputable brands that like to innovate and are transparent.
Price and Quality ratio: We have included options for all budgets and chose the best value for money leggings.
FAQ
What are the benefits of wearing non-toxic leggings for women?
When we wear fabric so close to our skin and some very sensitive areas, it affects our long-term health, and there are more studies coming out about synthetic fabric effects on women’s health. It is important to understand that it is not only about the fabric, but also how it is treated and dyed that can affect our health (1).
Is organic cotton better than regular cotton in leggings?
The short answer is YES. Cotton is one of the main polluters of the planet and needs a lot of water to grow. Choosing organic cotton is beneficial not only for your skin, as it uses organic pesticides instead of synthetic ones, but it is also good for farmers and the planet’s health. Another important thing to look into is the dies used in cotton. You want natural dyes to be used to make sure your leggings are gentle to your skin and hormones.
To summarize,
I am very excited to see more and more women choosing natural, non-toxic fabrics in day-to-day life, but gym gear is slightly lagging, as we are so used to synthetic fabrics in sportswear. I am watching the space and will keep updating this list with new releases as I expect a lot of them this year. You can check out my other predictions in the women’s wellbeing space for 2026 here.
Have you swapped your Alo Yoga or Lululemon for something more sustainable? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!
Editorial Note: This post is for informational purposes only. Product materials can change; always check current labels before purchasing.
References
Soyinka, O., Akinsanya, A., Odeyemi, F., Amballi, A., Oritogun, K., & Ogundahunsi, O. (2024). Effect of occupational exposure to vat-textile dyes on follicular and luteal hormones in female dye workers in Abeokuta, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 24, 135 – 144. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v24i1.17.
Silvija Meilunaite, PN1-NC, CSMC, is a certified nutrition coach and menopause coaching specialist writing from personal experience of perimenopause. She covers midlife health, hormone-supportive nutrition, and non-toxic living with a research-driven approach, helping women over 40 feel informed, strong, and healthy.
