Eco-Friendly Yoga Pants Made with Less Than 10 Percent Spandex
Image: Drobot Dean on Adobe Stock
Did you know that most yoga pants are made with fabrics like elastane, lycra, and spandex? These materials are what give yoga pants their stretch and form fit, but unfortunately, these synthetic fibers are problematic for the environment, releasing microplastics and taking decades to break down upon disposal.
On your search for a more eco-conscious yoga pant, you might come across yoga pants made from recycled polyester (or plastic bottles, recycled fishing net). Keep in mind that while popular and less destructive on the production end of things, recycled polyesters are still release microplastics into the environment causing a number of problems for marine ecosystems and the human body alike.
So what is an eco-conscious yogi in need of a pair of pants to do?
Here are 5 options for eco-friendly yoga pants that are made from less than 10 percent spandex
These gorgeous leggings are made from 92 percent organic cotton (which saves water and avoids chemical usage) and 8 percent spandex. This is about as good as you can get for a stretchy legging (the stretch comes from, you guessed it spandex).
If you’re looking to liven up your yoga wear, the IMBŌDHI jumper might be your new go-to on the mat. With super soft, luxurious fabric made of 95 percent Modal (Beechwood Fiber) and 5 percent spandex, you’ll probably want to get one in every color.
Fair Indigo Organic All-Cotton Leggings
Who says yoga pants have to be stretchy? These comfy leggings from Fair Indigo are made from 100 percent organic cotton (woohoo!).
tasc Varsity Brushed Lightweight Joggers
Again, there is no hard and fast rule that yoga pants have to be stretchy. Something more loose and flowy might be more comfortable and conducive to moving and breathing. These joggers are made from 53 percent organic cotton, 43 percent bamboo viscose and 4 percent elastane. They also come in a variety of beautiful colors.
Ten Tree High Rise Organic Cotton Leggings
These high rise leggings are made from 91 percent organic cotton and 9 percent spandex. Ten Tree also offers a fun carbon offset membership that plants trees to help offset the carbon emissions from your lifestyle (we don’t recommend relying on this solely to decrease your carbon footprint, however).
A large part of a yoga practice is nurturing awareness and consciousness that extends to taking care of yourself, your community and all things, which includes the environment. Aside from buying more sustainably-made yoga pants, from an eco-conscious perspective it is important to buy quality pants that will last you a long time - take both style and construction into consideration here. You might also consider buying used, repairing your old clothes, and recycling your old yoga pants when you are finished.
