I’m really not trying to sound like Julianne Moore in Safe, but studies have suggested that toxic chemicals in nylon and polyester clothing can be absorbed into the skin when it sweats, potentially causing a range of adverse health effects in the long term. This finding seems particularly relevant to athleisure wearers who work out in synthetic sports bras and leggings. These technical garments, increasingly popular since the mid-2000s, are highly effective at wicking sweat and compressing muscles. But they might not be good for human beings or our environment. (Synthetic fabric also sheds microplastics when you’re wearing and laundering it.)
When embarking on a plastic-free swimsuit quest last summer, I found that a growing number of designers have been experimenting with cotton and hemp fabrics. The same thing is happening with workout clothes, so over the past two months I’ve been trying out different cotton legging options from both niche and mainstream brands.
While they were all comfy and stretchy, the truth is that none of the natural-fiber leggings I wore performed as well as their nylon and polyester counterparts. That’s mainly because cotton absorbs rather than wicks sweat, taking much longer to dry while also fitting more loosely. Still, if you’re a more casual athlete or gymgoer who doesn’t mind a sweat patch or two, several of the below options might provide peace of mind about plastic exposure. And a few of my favorites would even be suitable for high-impact exercise.
