9 Organic Cotton Leggings And Yoga Pants (2024 Review)
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We’ve researched and tested the best organic and nontoxic workout clothes out there — these are our favorite leggings and yoga pants for natural materials, comfort, and ethics across a range of price points.
Leggings are our all-day comfort clothing staple, whether we’re on Zoom meetings (business up top, cozy down low), watching our favorite Netflix series, or staying grounded and focused with a living room flow. We especially love organic cotton yoga leggings made with minimal spandex or elastane (to help retain stretchiness and durability!) and for their nontoxic properties that are free of harmful chemical treatments like PFAS.
Why consider organic cotton leggings?
We recommend organic leggings for their sustainability, environmental, and ethical features. Organic materials such as organic cotton support sustainable agriculture as they are farmed using methods that have minimal impact on our ecosystems, compared to conventional fabrics. This includes crop rotation practices which help improve soil health and water conservation practices, to help prevent water waste. Organic cotton is also biodegradable, which helps fight pollution! Organic cotton producers also support socially responsible labor practices, meaning each purchase supports the ethical and fair treatment of garment workers.
It’s also important to note that because leggings are in such close contact with our skin, going for an organic fabric with fewer chemicals can prevent skin irritations. Organic textiles are also free of GMOs and organic cotton in particular is free of the harmful chemical PFAS, which is linked to period irregularities, ovarian disorders, high blood pressure, and fertility concerns. Be sure to look out for the GOTS certification on your next pair of organic cotton leggings to ensure the product adheres to strict environmental and ethical criteria.
Our criteria:
We’ve personally tested each of the following leggings, assessing the fabric comfort, quality, texture, opacity, as well as stretch, movement, and thickness. We’ve rounded up the best quality pieces that feel good, look good, and for their versatility for workout sessions and leisure moments alike. We update this list regularly with our emerging favorites that meet the following criteria:
- ORGANIC & NONTOXIC | The brands below carry leggings that are nontoxic and PFAS-free. These options are all safe, breathable, and comfortable for anything from lounging around to the most intense workout.
- COMFORT | Each pair of leggings has been editor-tested and approved at least an 8 out of 10 on the comfort scale! No pulling, pinching, or sagging.
- ETHICS | Each brand is committed to ethical production and various sustainability initiatives. We’ve included details on sustainability certifications so you can be sure you’re supporting thoughtful business.
You’ll be reaching for these organic cotton leggings day in and day out. Snag yourself a pair (or two!) and thank us later! For more organic and nontoxic activewear, our guides on organic sports bras, sustainable running shoes, organic cotton and bamboo socks, and eco-friendly yoga mats will have your geared up and ready to seize your workout in comfort and style.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Most Size Inclusive
1. MATE the Label
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, spandex
Sizes | XS – 3X
Price Range | $88 – $98
When you pick up a pair of MATE the Label’s organic leggings, you may be surprised how comfortably they move, just as you do! This organic cotton blend, made without pesticides, BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde unlike most other activewear, is ideal for low- to mid-impact exercise. MATE partners with the most social and environmentally responsible factories in India, Peru, and Los Angeles to produce their clean and exceptionally soft garments!
Our Editor’s Review | “I love a good pair of bike shorts, and the MATE organic stretch biker shorts do not disappoint. The shorts are made with 92% Organic Cotton and only 8% Spandex. They are soft and stretchy yet hug all the right places and make me feel supported. Sometimes, bike shorts can feel suffocating, but these don’t do that. They also check the coverage box — no see-through fabric, please!” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Editor [Read the full review.]
2. Pact
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, elastane
Sizes | XS – 3XL
Price Range | $28 – $38
Pact has leggings for every kind of activity from lounging to exercising. All ethically made in fair trade factories, they’re made of GOTS-certified organic cotton and a touch of elastane so they’re soft and sustainable. We especially love that some come with pockets for when we’re on the move. Plus, Pact offsets its carbon footprint with each order. A win-win no matter which pair you pick up.
Our Editor’s Review | “Pact’s leggings are tight, the way the best kind of hug makes you feel safe and calm instead of squeezed and breathless. They are super soft, like baby skin soft, which means I want to wear them for my morning run, the walk to the dog park, the carpool, the grocery store, sitting at my desk, making dinner, and lounging on the sofa. I’m hard-pressed to find a reason why I should ever take them off.” – Trinity Wilbourn, Contributing Editor [Read the full review.]
3. tentree
Materials | Fair trade organic cotton, spandex
Sizes | XS – XL
Price | $30
tentree puts their mission right in the name: For every purchase made, the B corp plants 10 trees. The brand is on track to reach their goal of 1 billion trees planted by 2030! These leggings will be your new sustainable faves, made for everything from exercise to lounging, crafted from eco-friendly organic cotton that are chemical-free and so comfy, you’ll never want to take them off.
Customer Review | “Cotton Leggings!!! The color is a rich black and the high waist stays high and doesn’t roll. Will be buying from TenTree again !!!” – Terrin (Read all reviews.)
4. Quince
Materials | Organic cotton, spandex
Sizes | XS – XL
Price | $30
When in search of maternity clothing, it’s important to ensure the pieces you select are nontoxic and as natural for optimal health and safety. Thankfully, Quince’s organic cotton maternity and postpartum leggings are a lifesaver when you’re looking for comfy leggings that stay up and are safe to wear. The organic cotton used in these leggings is produced without pesticides and fertilizers and the built-in belly panel allow for easy transition from pregnancy to postpartum. Quince offers free shipping and easy returns so you can try them risk-free.
Our Editor’s Review | “The Ultra-Form High-Rise Leggings in chocolate are my new go-to. Especially paired with the Ultra-Form Scoop-Neck Longline bra. This set feels smooth on my skin, it fits perfectly, and the color makes it feel elevated for everyday wear.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor [Read the full review.]
5. Fair Indigo
Materials | 100% organic Pima cotton interlock
Sizes | XS – XXL
Price | $49 – $60
Fair Indigo is all about premium-quality apparel that’s sustainable for both the planet and all humans. Each item is made with hand harvested organic Peruvian Pima cotton (considered the top 0.05% cotton available) grown from two family farms. Their care for their clothing and commitment to doing good shows – the company kept 28,056 pieces of clothing out of landfills and raised $117,000 for impoverished schools. Their cotton leggings also speak for themselves – made with substantial double-knit fabric, earth-friendly dyes, and a cling-free fit.
Customer Review | “These are so comfortable and soft! I feel like I don’t have pants on, in the best kind of way. I’m surprised they have some stretch in them, which isn’t common with 100% cotton. I am in love and am already buying a different color! Best leggings ever!” – Jeni (Read all reviews.)
6. Organic Basics
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, elastane
Sizes | XXS – XL
Price | $44
Organic Basics makes everyday cotton essentials that are anything but basic. Their seamless organic cotton leggings are made ethically in Portugal, and come in three versatile colorways. The B Corp and 1% for the Planet member is committed to providing the best quality garments from the highest quality organic and recycled materials, so you can do good while looking and feeling great.
Our Editor’s Review | “This bold set is bringing some spice and edge to my workout wear and I couldn’t be more grateful. I got the Luxe Touch Bike Shorts and the Luxe Touch Crop tee. Wearing this set I can’t help but walk a little taller. I was worried the fabric would be thin from the online pictures, but it’s much thicker in person. The ultra-soft LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose fabric makes them comfy and stretchy.” – Courtney Jay Higgins, Contributing Editor [Read the full review.]
7. Reprise
Materials | TENCEL™ Lyocell, spandex
Sizes | XS – 6XL
Price | $120
The Reprise’s Aspen Leggings are made with a soft plant-based fabric that is compressive but still safe for your health and skin. While these aren’t organic cotton, they are incredibly safe for your skin and the planet! Instead of plastic bottles, the NYC-based brand uses a clean and regenerative fabric composed of 93% TENCEL Lyocell and 7% Spandex. They are opaque and high-rise — our editor who tested them herself expressed feeling held and sleek while wearing them!
Our Editor’s Review | “Ranking at number one on the list is Reprise’s Aspen Leggings, mainly because of the soft plant-based fabric that is compressive but still safe for your health and skin. Instead of plastic bottles, the NYC-based brand uses a clean and regenerative fabric composed of 93% TENCEL Lyocell and 7% Spandex. While these are not the most compressive leggings on the list, they are soft and supportive and my preferred option for walking, yoga/pilates, or even errands. ” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read the full review.]
8. Pansy
Materials | 100% organic USA-grown cotton
Sizes | XS – 5XL
Price | $72
Pansy’s spandex-free leggings are a lounging and light workout staple. 100% USA-grown organic Pansy cotton (hence the name!) is the foundational fabric of all of the brand’s comfy garments. This special cotton is grown in Texas without any conventional chemicals and is then shipped off to North Carolina where it’s spun and knit into Pansy’s signature cotton leggings. These high-waisted gems have us nostalgic for that classic ‘80s fit and feel. Trust us, you won’t want to take these off!
9. Boody
Materials | Bamboo viscose, organic cotton, nylon, elastane
Sizes | XS – XL
Price Range | $27 – $82
Boody‘s organic bamboo viscose leggings and tights are everything we love in a good quality activewear pant – comfy, soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking. While these leggings aren’t made of purely cotton, we’ve included them on this list for their nontoxic benefits! Bamboo is a naturally organic plant and requires no pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers to grow, plus it consumes less water than cotton and produces more oxygen than trees. Those are some benefits we can stand behind! Choose between full length, cropped, and 3/4 length options.
Customer Review | “I am new to Boody. I heard about it from a friend and I decided to try it. I think these tights are the best. Breathable and comfortable. The fit is great and they don’t bunch up or leave any marks on my body. They are not see through, which most other tights are.” – Kris L. (Read all reviews.)
Featured image from Boody
