Leggings reviews: Everlane Perform leggings review, Girlfriend Collective leggings, Organic Basics leggings — Girlfriend Collective compressive leggings in black, Organic Basics leggings in sea blue, Everlane pocket leggings in black, Everlane leggings in ink gray and chocolate

I’ve been wearing leggings a lot since Covid started, so leggings have taken on a whole new level of importance in my life! I’ve considered what the best sustainable leggings are for walking, yoga, sitting at my desk, hot days … and since I’m bound to wear out a pair or two before this is all over, I realized the importance of buying ones made sustainably.

Read more in these sustainable clothing reviews:

Sustainable Leggings Reviews

Today I’m reviewing four: the SilverTech Active leggings by Organic Basics, Perform Leggings and Perform Pocket Leggings by Everlane, and Compressive High-Rise Leggings by Girlfriend Collective.

In a nutshell, the Everlane leggings are extremely comfortable and feel like nothing on but are thinner and better for warm weather, while the Girlfriend Collective leggings are more flattering, thicker, very high quality, better for cooler weather. The Organic Basics leggings are the best choice for activewear use and overall sustainability. If I had to choose just one, it would be the Everlane Perform Pocket Leggings in black, but I wish Everlane would use a more sustainable fabric.

My sizing information (in case it helps you choose a size):

height: 5’3″
usually a size small or 4-6
waist: 26.5″
hips: 36″

Organic Basics Activewear Leggings review:

Organic Basics leggings review — Organic Basics SilverTech Active Leggings in sea blue

I already loved Organic Basics for the quality, commitment to sustainability, and innovative fabrics (see my Organic Basics review), so I was excited to try their activewear. I ordered a pair of their Active leggings and this amazing tee (gifted for the purpose of review) in sea blue.

They come in three colors: black, sea blue, and burgundy. Sizes XS-XL. Organic Basics clothing tends to run a little smaller than American brands, so check their size guide or size up if you’re unsure. There’s a waistband, which I was concerned would be too tight, but it’s made of the same material and therefore is not even noticeable.

Here’s what I love about the Organic Basics SilverTech Active leggings:

The material: Made from 96% recycled nylon, 4% elastane, SilverTech™ is a more sustainable choice than the material used by other brands (i.e. that use less recycled nylon and more Spandex or elastane). The fabric is stretchy and just the right amount of thickness.

It’s a breathable, sweat-wicking material treated with Polygiene® to stay fresh, which means that you can wash it less often!

Organic Basics offers a whole line of SilverTech™ (tees, underwear and bras, shorts, and more), a smart choice for travel or activewear.

The performance: I feel that of the three leggings in this review, the Organic Basics leggings are the best for physical activity because of the weight and breathability of the material and because they’re seamless. There’s a panel of stretchy ribbing along the sides of the legs that allows for movement, but no seams.

Opaque: No risk of see-through with these!

Here’s what I don’t love:

I like my pants to be really high-waisted, and these are not as high-waisted as I would like.

They offer one length, but I would prefer an ankle length because I am 5’3″.

As mentioned above, their clothing runs a little smaller than other brands, and I found these a little tight. For that reason, I wish I’d sized up or ordered them in black because they are snug on me.

Sustainable leggings?

YES! The most sustainable leggings I’ve found, and Organic Basics has a range of ethical and sustainable practices like using carbon neutral shipping, low-impact textiles and certified factories.

The verdict?

Yes, for the performance and sustainability, but check the sizing. Shop for the leggings here

Organic Basics offers free shipping on orders of $150, easy 60-day returns, and these discounted packs:

Leggings & Workout Bra for $124

Leggings & Sports Bra (cute!) for $114

Everlane Perform Legging review:

Everlane made a well-timed jump into leisure wear last year with their Perform Leggings and since then have released a whole line that includes a bra, tank, shorts, and unitard and the new Perform Pocket Leggings. I really prefer the new Perform Pocket Leggings over the original.

Everlane’s activewear line fits into their mission of using more sustainable fabrics and offering solid, well-made basics. They continue to expand by releasing new styles and colors, like the new deep Aegean and dark brown.

The original style comes in 6 colors — black, ink gray, heathered gray, dark green (pine), bitter chocolate, and deep Aegean — in sizes XXS to XXL and two lengths (ankle, 25″, and regular length, 28″), while the Pocket Leggings come in 3 colors — black, cobalt (pretty!) and clay — in one length (25″). I think Everlane made a smart decision to stick to darker colors because the lighter colors can be a bit see-through in the butt.

I’m wearing the Everlane Perform Leggings in ink gray, size small in ankle length, and the Air Oversized tee size small

Here’s what I love about the Everlane Perform Leggings:

They’re very soft and feel like nothing on! For this reason, they’ve been my most worn bottoms since Covid started!

The extra high waist means they keep everything in and I never have to pull them up. Some people have complained that the high waist rolls down during exercise, but I have not found that to be the case at all.

Everlane states that these have “technical sweat-wicking properties” and “lightweight compression,” and that seems right to me. They’re comfortable for exercising and don’t feel constricting or like they’re sucking me in too much.

I’ve worn these a lot and washed them several times, and they show no signs of wear or fading. You can machine wash them and tumble dry low, but they dry very quickly, so I usually just line dry them to help preserve them.

The small interior pocket is located in the front — I use this all the time to stash my key, dog bags, etc. It’s not big enough for my phone, so I just tuck in the high waist when I want to walk hands-free.

Here’s what I don’t love:

The original style (no pockets) is not very flattering on me. I can’t quite describe it, but for lack of a better description, there’s something about the slightly shiny, seamless fabric that emphasizes my softness! You might prefer this style if you don’t want seams, but the style and seams on the Pocket Leggings make them much more flattering, in my opinion.

Based on my experience, I’d opt for the darker colors (black, dark brown) versus the lighter colors, which can be a bit see-through in the butt.

How do Everlane Perform Leggings fit?

They fit true to size, and while they’re definitely supposed to be tight, they don’t feel constricting while on. There are almost no seams, so they feel like wearing thick tights. The waist is extra high and sits at the smallest part of my waist. The 25″ ankle length is perfect for my 5’3″ height. (Note that the Pocket Leggings come in only the 25″ length.)

Everlane pocket leggings review — The Pocket leggings are my favorite!

Sustainable leggings?

A step in the right direction, but could be better. Instead of being made of new plastic like most leggings, they’re made of 58% recycled nylon. According to Everlane, it’s a “premium performance fabric from a renowned Italian mill.”

The verdict? I love them! They are so comfortable, soft, and well made. The black pocket leggings are my favorites! A good deal for $58 but note that Everlane offers sets starting at $70.

Shop for Everlane Perform Leggings and Perform Legging Sets

Free shipping on orders over $75. If this is your first purchase at Everlane, you can get free shipping with my invite link here.

See more about Everlane’s Perform line by clicking on the photos:

Everlane Perform Bra:

Everlane recently added to the Perform Line with a unitard, tank and bra and the option of buying their Perform leggings in sets. I’d been wanting a second color of the leggings because I wear them so often, so I got the bitter chocolate set with leggings and bra. I like this bra as part of the legging set — they look nice together, and I love that the leggings have a very high rise so that there’s not a lot of skin showing between the bra and leggings.

How does the Everlane Perform Bra fit?

I often have a hard time with sports bras because my cup size is larger compared to the rest of my body. I followed the size chart and ended up having to exchange it. I’d say follow the size chart but if you’re between sizes like me, go with the size around your chest, not your bust. I originally went up to an M to fit my cup size but it was too big around my back, so I had to go down to an S. Keep in mind that there’s nothing adjustable on this bra.

In my experience, this bra is probably not supportive enough for aerobic exercise. It’s great for lounging, yoga, and walking but not for running, at least not on me.

The verdict? I love the chocolate color, and the bra looks good with the leggings as a set. Size down if you’re between sizes. The bra is $32 but a good deal is the sets starting at $70.

Shop for Everlane Perform Bra and Perform Legging Sets

Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging review

Girlfriend Collective is becoming well known for their sustainable active wear, and when browsing their website, it’s easy to see why. Not only do they use more sustainable practices, they also offer a ton of different options: a few different styles of leggings (maternity, mid-rise, high-rise, with side pockets, the Float style), bra, tank, shorts, unitard, and unitard shorts.

I really like the colors they offer: black, midnight, plum, moss, and moon (gray), and they occasionally release new seasonal colors, like the new lapis, chartreuse, and terra.

I’m wearing Girlfriend Collective High-rise Compressive Leggings in black, size small, regular length.

Here’s what I love about Girlfriend Collective leggings:

These leggings are sturdy and well made with soft, thick fabric. They’re definitely compressive leggings and pull me in more than any leggings I’ve tried. They feel great for wearing at home or for yoga or a walk, but in the warmer months, they feel too thick and warm for me to do aerobic exercise in them.

These leggings have more seams than the Everlane leggings with a seam across the front of the legs, in the middle from the waist down, and in the back, and I find them to be more flattering because of the seams.

They are very opaque — no need to worry about these being see through!

I bought these used on Poshmark and have worn them and washed them, and they show absolutely no signs of wear or fading so far. These can be machine washed and line dried (although I’ve put them in the drier a few times and they held up fine!).

Here’s what I don’t love:

These are called “high-rise,” but I would have liked the rise to be even higher (they sit just above my belly button, so I have to pull them up sometimes). The compressive fabric feels a little too tight on me, so I would suggest sizing up if you’re unsure.

The pocket is very small and located in the back, making it hard for me to use. If I were to buy these again, I would get their leggings with side pockets.

How do Girlfriend Collective Leggings fit?

These leggings fit true to size or slightly small, and because they’re compressive, expect them to be tight. The good news here is that Girlfriend Collective offers more variation in sizes than most brands: sizes from XXS to 6XL and three lengths:

28.5″ = Full Length
23 3/4″ = 7/8 length
19.5″ = Capri length

Sustainable leggings?

Yes! These are made from recycled water bottles. The website says each pair diverts 25 bottles from landfills and contains 79% RPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) and 21% spandex. And, check out Girlfriend Collective’s “ReGirlfriend” program: when you’re done with them, you can send them back to be recycled again and they’ll send you a $15 site credit!

The verdict? Yes! These are my favorite leggings right now. They’re comfortable, well-made leggings that will last; expect them to be thick and tight, and consider sizing up.

Shop for Girlfriend Collective Leggings.

Free shipping on orders over $50.

See more about Girlfriend Collective’s products by clicking on the photos:

What’s on my wish list?

I’m curious about a unitard for exercising at home and will probably get the Girlfriend Collective unitard because it has a built-in bra (to be restocked soon).

Have you ever tried leggings from Organic Basics, Everlane or Girlfriend Collective? What sustainable leggings brands are you supporting these days?

This post is not sponsored. I received the Perform Leggings and OB activewear for the purpose of review.