Nylon-elastane feels smoother and softer with a slight sheen; polyester-elastane looks more matte and holds strong colour well. Both stretch in every direction and recover their shape, so choosing a leggings fabric for activewear brand ranges is mostly about the look and feel your customer expects rather than one being better than the other.
We offer both fabrics across all our leggings styles: full-length, 7/8 length, high-waist, flared yoga pants and biker shorts. Here is how they compare and how to choose. Both are knitted stretch fabrics, so the differences are about surface, hand and colour rather than whether the leggings will stretch. Customers rarely know the fibre names, but they notice the feel in the first second of touching a pair, and they notice the finish in every photograph.
Nylon-elastane
Nylon-elastane is the softer of the two in the hand. It feels smooth and slightly cool when first touched, and it has a gentle sheen that catches the light. That sheen reads as polished in photographs and on the body.
It suits:
- yoga and studio ranges, where softness against the skin matters;
- high-waist leggings worn all day as well as for training;
- brands positioned on comfort and feel;
- flared yoga pants, where the fabric drape shows.
Points to consider: the sheen is part of the look, so if your brand is aiming for a flat, matte finish, nylon-elastane will feel off-brand. Some very light colours can show the knit structure more when stretched, so check coverage on the sample in each colour.
Polyester-elastane
Polyester-elastane has a more matte surface and a slightly firmer hand. It holds strong, saturated colour well, which suits bright brand colours and ranges built around a colour story.
It suits:
- everyday training ranges;
- brands with bold or bright signature colours;
- biker shorts and 7/8 leggings for the gym;
- buyers who prefer a sporty, matte look.
Points to consider: it feels a little less silky than nylon-elastane. Like any leggings fabric, lighter shades need careful checking for coverage on the sample.
Polyester-elastane is also a natural match if you plan to sell gym tops alongside the leggings. Our gym T-shirts come in polyester knit or polyester-elastane, so a brand can keep a consistent matte look from top to bottom across a small range.
Side by side
| Nylon-elastane | Polyester-elastane | |
|---|---|---|
| Hand feel | Smooth, soft | Slightly firmer |
| Look | Slight sheen | Matte |
| Colour | Rich, with sheen | Strong, saturated |
| Stretch and recovery | In every direction | In every direction |
| Typical range | Yoga, studio, all-day | Training, gym, colour-led |
| Logo method | Heat transfer | Heat transfer |
Heat transfer logos suit both because they move with the fabric. The usual positions are the back waistband, front waistband or hip.
Coverage, colour and care
Coverage
Coverage is the first thing customers test, often in a squat in front of a mirror. We use dense stretch knits for leggings and check coverage on the sample. Your own check matters too: put the sample on, squat deeply in good daylight, and look from behind. Do this in every colour you plan to sell. Black and dark neutrals are the most forgiving; pale colours need more care, so we review them with you.
Colour across a range
Pick one fabric for a range so every colour feels the same and fits the same. If you want both looks, consider one fabric per style rather than mixing within a style: for example, nylon-elastane for flared yoga pants and polyester-elastane for biker shorts. Each style has its own minimum of 100 pieces, so plan this deliberately.
Care
Both fabrics are easy to look after. The wash-care label carries the instructions; send us the text you want, and labelling requirements for your destination country are confirmed at quotation. Washing the sample once, following the label, is the simplest way to see how colour and shape hold up.
Choosing for your brand
Answer three questions:
- Where will the leggings be worn most? Studio and all-day wear lean to nylon-elastane; gym and outdoor training lean either way.
- What should they look like in a photograph? A soft sheen points to nylon-elastane; a flat, sporty look points to polyester-elastane.
- How important is a bright signature colour? If very, polyester-elastane holds it well.
Then order a sample in your chosen fabric and colour. If you are torn, order one in each. Wear them side by side for a day, wash both once, and photograph them in the same light. The difference is usually obvious once both are in hand, and it often settles the question faster than any description can. Our leggings styles guide helps match fabric to style, and the full range is on our white label leggings page. Send us the style, the fabric you are leaning towards, colours and rough quantities, and we will quote and sample it so you can feel the difference for yourself.