Leggings have become a must-have for sports, yoga and fitness enthusiasts.
Comfortable, practical and often stylish, it accompanies your movements while providing good support.
But how do you choose the perfect leggings that meet your needs and tastes?
Here is a complete guide to help you make the right choice, as well as a selection of the best brands, including Géopélie, known for its leggings that are both aesthetic and functional.
To shop mindfully, don't hesitate to consult our selection of 16 eco-responsible yoga clothing and accessory brands as well as our complete guide to choosing the right yoga accessories.
1. The Essential Criteria for Choosing Sports Leggings
Materials: Comfort and Performance
The choice of material is crucial to ensure comfort, durability and performance.
Here are the most common materials:
- Polyester and elastane : Highly prized for their elasticity and ability to prevent chafing. They provide good support while being breathable.
- Nylon : Durable and soft, nylon is ideal for intense sessions because it effectively wicks away perspiration.
- Cotton blend : Valued for its comfort, but less suitable for intense activities because it retains moisture.
- Recycled technical fabrics : More and more brands are offering eco-responsible leggings made from recycled materials, combining performance and respect for the environment.
The Cut: Support and Freedom of Movement
The cut of a legging influences both comfort and aesthetics. Here are the main options:
- High waist : Perfect for good abdominal support, ideal for activities such as yoga or squats.
- Compressive fit : Supports muscles and improves blood circulation, which is useful for intense sports.
- Flared or fitted cut : A fitted cut is preferable to avoid snagging and ensure good freedom of movement.
Practical Details
- Pockets : Essential for storing your phone, keys or a credit card. Leggings with side or back pockets are very practical.
- Flat seams : Reduce irritation and increase comfort.
- Anti-slip bands : Located at the waist or ankles, they prevent the leggings from moving during exercise.
- Opacity : An essential criterion to avoid transparencies, especially in yoga postures.
2. The Best French Brands of Leggings for Sport, Yoga and Fitness
1. Géopélie: elegant and eco-responsible leggings
Géopélie stands out for its eco-friendly leggings made in France from recycled materials. The COLIBRI leggings combine aesthetics and functionality, with an ultra-comfortable cut that feels like a second skin. The brand offers high-waisted leggings in many original and unique patterns with excellent opacity, perfect for yoga or fitness.
Style : Sleek and feminine, with flattering cuts that hug the body while providing optimal freedom of movement.
Materials : Recycled fibers and technical materials, emphasizing comfort and breathability.
Colors & Patterns : Clean lines, soft, natural hues, sometimes embellished with subtle details.
Eco-responsibility : Short-circuit manufacturing with a very advanced ethical and eco-responsible approach (French manufacturing across the board) and sustainable (recycled but robust materials).
2. Les Actives Paris: leggings in all colors
Les Actives Paris offers an impressive range of solid colors to suit everyone's tastes. It is therefore very easy to put together a monochrome sports outfit by choosing your favorite shade!
Style : Sporty-chic with an urban touch, perfect for a seamless transition between sport and everyday life. Practical details like the discreet back pocket on the leggings.
Materials : Technical, breathable, supportive materials, often made from a blend of polyamide and elastane.
Colors & patterns : Timeless solids, sometimes with transparency effects for a sophisticated touch.
Eco-responsibility : the brand has selected a fabric made in France but not recycled materials or local manufacturing (Turkey), a sustainable production.
3. Circle Sportswear: the revolution of eco-responsible sportswear
Circle Sportswear is a French brand pioneering circular sportswear. It rethinks sports equipment with 100% recycled, recyclable and locally produced clothing. Its leggings, designed for yoga, fitness and running, combine technicality, comfort and reduced environmental impact. With a modern design and innovative materials, Circle Sportswear is a reference for committed athletes.
Style : Modernity and technicality meet in pieces designed to last and perform.
Materials : Textile innovations with upcycled and biodegradable fabrics.
Colors & patterns : Sober palette, but always with a contemporary and urban touch.
Eco-responsibility : Zero waste approach and circular economy for a minimal carbon footprint.
4. Les Poulettes Fitness: fun, sport and eco-responsibility!
Les Poulettes Fitness is the French brand that combines pep, comfort and ecological commitment. With colorful leggings, ultra-comfortable cuts and recycled technical materials, it brings a touch of fun to sportswear. Designed for dynamic women, the brand advocates a joyful, inclusive and responsible sport.
Style : Fun and offbeat, perfect for those who want to combine sport and good humor.
Materials : Technical and supportive materials, for good support during exercise.
Colors & Patterns : Bold prints, pop colors and original details.
Eco-responsibility : Committed to a more responsible approach with French production.
5. Gayaskin: eco-responsible and ultra-comfortable leggings
Gayaskin offers leggings that are technical, comfortable and committed to the planet. Made in Portugal from recycled fishing nets, they offer a soft and shaping second skin, ideal for yoga, fitness or running. With their flattering cuts, breathable materials and European production, Gayaskin leggings combine performance, style and respect for the environment.
Style : Sleek and clean, with careful attention to detail and finishing.
Materials : Recycled fishing nets and innovative fibers to limit environmental impact.
Colors & Patterns : Range of natural colors, with some subtle patterns used in touches, inspired by nature.
Eco-responsibility : Strong eco-responsible ethics, recycled materials and European production.
6. Muune: poetic leggings with influences from elsewhere
Muune approaches leggings with a minimalist, technical and eco-responsible approach. Designed to offer absolute freedom of movement, its leggings combine natural materials, softness and optimal support. Inspired by Nepal where it has its clothes produced, the brand makes leggings a true ally of the body.
Style : poetic and minimalist, with modern designs and innovative cuts.
Materials : organic cotton jersey knit
Colors & patterns : Plain and shimmering, with a very wide choice of colors
Eco-responsibility : Progressive approach towards greener fashion, with certified natural materials such as GOTS organic cotton. Production in Nepal
7. NOSC: versatile and responsible sportswear
NOSC is a French brand that rethinks sportswear with technical, versatile and eco-responsible clothing. Designed to adapt to all disciplines (yoga, running, fitness), its leggings combine performance, breathability and durability, thanks to recycled and bio-sourced materials. With a sober and modern design, NOSC proves that sport and ecological commitment can go hand in hand.
Style : Minimalist and functional, with clean, fitted cuts that adapt to all disciplines (yoga, running, fitness).
Materials : Use of recycled and bio-sourced fibers, such as castor oil, which offer lightness, breathability and resistance.
Colors & Patterns : Neutral and natural palette, with timeless tones like black, navy blue or khaki.
Eco-responsibility : Strong ethical approach with innovative materials, sustainable production and a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of sports textiles.
3. The Best International Leggings Brands to Discover
1. Moonchild
Moonchild Yoga Wear is a Danish brand founded in 2015 by Louise Wang Nielsen. It offers yoga and loungewear clothing inspired by the colors and lights of Scandinavian nature, combining feminine minimalism and eco-responsible commitment.
Style : Moonchild's creations are distinguished by a clean and feminine design, reflecting Scandinavian minimalism.
Materials : The brand uses eco-responsible materials, including recycled fibers such as Q-NOVA®, a recycled nylon made from industrial waste.
Colors & Patterns : The collections are inspired by natural hues and Nordic lights, offering a palette of soft and soothing colors.
Eco-responsibility : Moonchild Yoga Wear is committed to producing its clothing in an ethical and responsible manner, by carefully selecting its fabrics and ensuring good working conditions in its production workshops in Turkey.
2. Prana
Prana is an American brand specializing in yoga, climbing and outdoor clothing, offering collections for men and women. It is distinguished by its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, offering products designed for comfort and performance.
Style : Prana clothing combines functionality and aesthetics, with modern and comfortable cuts, reflecting a practical and elegant approach.
Materials : Prana favors the use of sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled wool and certified responsible down.
Colors & Patterns : The collections feature a varied color palette, ranging from neutral tones to brighter hues.
Eco-responsibility : Prana's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through the use of eco-friendly materials, responsible production practices and careful attention to working conditions in its supply chain.
3. Hey Honey Yoga
Hey Honey is a German brand founded in 2015, specializing in yoga clothing and activewear for women with a collection of leggings for expectant mothers. It offers items that combine comfort, functionality and style, suitable for both training and everyday use. The brand offers international shipping for its customers.
Style : Hey Honey stands out for its modern and versatile designs, suitable for both yoga practice and everyday activities.
Materials : Technical second-skin shaping fabrics, often made from a blend of polyamide and elastane.
Colors & Patterns : Hey Honey collections feature a variety of colors and patterns, from neutral tones to brighter hues. Patterns include floral prints as well as bolder designs: leopard, checkerboard, etc.
Eco-responsibility : Information regarding Hey Honey's eco-responsible commitment is not clearly available in the sources consulted.
4. Lolë
Lolë is a Canadian brand founded in Montreal in 2002, specializing in yoga, sports and outdoor clothing for women. It has grown by offering collections that combine technicality and versatility, meeting the needs of active and urban women.
Style : Lolë clothing is characterized by modern and functional designs, suitable for both yoga practice and everyday use.
Materials : The brand emphasizes the use of eco-responsible materials, such as natural fibers, ECONYL® regenerated nylon and recycled fibers.
Colors & Patterns : The collections feature timeless solids like black, navy blue or brown.
Eco-responsibility : Lolë is committed to a sustainability approach by integrating recycled materials and adopting responsible production practices.
4. Additional Tips for Choosing the Right Leggings
- Try before you buy : If possible, test the leggings to assess their comfort and fit.
- Adapt it to your practice : Choose a specific model for yoga, fitness or intense sports.
- Prioritize quality : A good pair of leggings is a lasting investment that enhances your sports experience.
Leave a comment